Advice and Support

A week ago, I made 4 mos. post op.  I am feeling down today because the journey thus far has not been easy and, my attempts to seek assistance is not working.

I have been unable to eat any meat which is not "wet" such as tuna salad.  Sometimes I am able to get bacon or chicken salad down but, not usually.  Consequently, I find myself having to eat cold things like protein shakes, greek yogurt and cheese.

One NUT in the practice said not to get  protein from liquid sources but, from solid foods.  I am constantly vomiting so, I know I am missing meals to avoid it.  

My doctor had me take an x-ray with contrast.  He says that the flow is wonky which may be part of the problem but, he doesn't want to increase the opening because it may affect my weight loss.

The other NUT in the practice asked me to create a log, which I sent to her tonight.  Bottom line, none of the promised advice was given.  I was just told to make an appointment to come in.

I work 12 hour days.  I am also in school full time, 2 nites a week.  I have to figure out something that is manageable.  I know my lack of food and protein will catch up with me but, I just can't figure this out.  Everything I am trying is not working.

I am self-pay... already $15K in debt so, more co-pays are really not an option for me right now.

I am wondering if I am the only person who had trouble eating... I am also hoping for some sound advice.  I am 72 lbs. down but, so much further to go and, at this rate, I am feeling discouraged.

How about vites?  Are you OK on those?  What are you taking and are you keeping them down?

First and most important.  Forget that NUT.  Do the shakes and don't feel bad about it.  Whatever you can tolerate that is low carb.  Aim for 100 plus gr protein per day and if you can't eat it, drink it.  The bottom line is just get the protein in.  Try egg drop soup and if that goes well, puree some chicken thighs and add them to the soup.  How much protein are you actually getting and keeping down per day?

Sounds like you have a stricture that needs to be dilated but that's just a guess on my part.  And fixing a stricture will not mess with your weight loss.  Are you sure you have a true DS?  Strictures are more common with RNY.  Have you seen your OP report?  You need to get a copy, pronto!  Do you know your CC length?  Do you have bathroom issues like most do in the beginning?  Is your pylorus working properly?

WTH does 'wonky' mean?  And why is it 'wonky'?  Did something just happen or did he make some kind of error/mistake?  What 'opening' is he talking about?  That is a bit confusing because if you had a DS, your stomach now has the same entrance and exit it used to have..  And who is your doc?  That's a new name to me.  How many DS surgeries has he done?  And how many RNY/DS revisions?  That's a big surgery!

This is NOT normal and not right.  By 4 months out you should be able to eat almost anything.  Maybe not much at a time but you should be able to eat.  Bottom line is your doc needs to fix this problem and be more responsive to your needs.  He can't just leave you like this.  Next, you have to be assertive and demand action.  It is more important than work, school, or anything else that you get this fixed and get to the bottom of this.  This is your life!

On to the weightloss, I agree with you it is not the best I've seen taking into account your starting point.  Usually the bigger you are, the faster you lose.  The reason you aren't losing more, faster, is because you are not getting enough food.  Your body is in starvation mode and conserving every  calorie.  But 72lbs in 4 months is still a lot of weight!  And malnutrition will also cause edema/water retention.  And revisions do tend to lose a little slower than the first timers.

Have you had any labwork?  Do you know your levels?  Albumin, ferritin, PTH?  If you haven't, you need some.

I feel so bad for you.  And I am angry you have been treated this way.  It's all wrong but you are the only one who can make it right.  You are going to have to stand up and make some noise.  Every doctor has a superior/boss.  Start with your doc and if he doesn't take care of the problem work your way up the chain of command.  Don't give up till it's fixed and you are satisfied.  And if he can't fix the problem you need to take yourself to an experienced DS surgeon and find out what's wrong.  I hope you are able to get this fixed right away.  I'm sorry you have had such a hard time.

Keep fighting. You certainly can't stay where you are at.

Do what you have to do to get the protein in. If that means having more protein shakes do that.

You should have more of a discussion with the Doctor about the eating problems you are having vs losing weight. As you are constantly vomiting I would focus on that with him. 

I hope some of the other revisions on the site chime in. They might have better insight into what the real problem is.

Good luck. I hope these issues get resolved for you.

Pete

Oh doctors can make me SO mad!!!! I had the lap band and lost about 90 lbs in roughly 6-7 months - so I think I made my surgeons stats look good. Anyway I got pregnant and was throwing up. My doctor didn't want to loosen my band because it might make me gain weight. (Heaven forbid we gain during a pregnancy). Also i think we can all agree that though WLS is toile us weigh less is is really more important to be healthier - and not being able to eat is not healthier. So I was dumb and listened to him. So I deliver my daughter and start vomiting blood. They did a barium swallow and found my band had slipped. I had to have it removed and the doctor that took it out (wouldn't let my old surgeon touch me) he said that my band had slipped probably 6 months prior and that he had never seen so much damage... So ya listen to your body and not a surgeon! Not eating is NOT normal. I was self pay too but ended up paying a whole lot more having to pay to have it removed and then to pay for my DS later. My thoughts and prayers are with you! Good luck sweetie!

I'm 4 yrs out and often my meat has to be wet to get it down. Baked chicken is still a challenge for me.  Crockpot roasts are good. Tuna salad also ok. Took me a long time to be able to eat hamburger.

 Forget the NUT, most are not trained to think DS diet. If your daily protein count comes from shakes or liquid form ,so be it.  Many days early one,  I lived on cheddar cheese and nuts.

I'm 2 years out from a virgin D.S. Eating solids has not been easy for me the entire time. The first 4 months were the most difficult. All meat sits heavy in my stomach. I usually am able to eat 2 chicken wings at a time, or one leg, or one small thigh. This is all I can fit in for dinner. Rare steak works, and pork chops w/ fat not over cooked, chicken meatballs from Sams are very moist. Most of my 150g protein comes from protein shakes or protein fruit drinks, and a few protein snacks throughout the day of nuts, peanut butter, yogurt, and a bit of fruit. The smallest portions are best. Breakfast is  protein hot chocolate w/instant coffee, or 1 C oatmeal with protein chocolate coffee later.

Solid foods the first month made me nauseated . Protein shakes were the only way to stay healthy and hydrated. I thought a sleeved stomach would feel full all the time and painful with solids. Now at 2 years my surgeons group wonders why I am not eating mostly solids. It still hurts to eat, but drinking is fine. An EGD and barium swallow tests showed a hiatal hernia. I'm going in for surgery to fix it in 3 days. 

Don't give up searching for reasons for your inability to eat comfortably. I had allergy testing to see if foods were causing irritation. Couldn't believe most of my food choices were giving me trouble all my life. Eggs, all seafood, a few nuts. Figuring it all out is very complicated. Takes time to see if the first months of healing will resolve eating issues. If not, the Dr's will have plans to help. Keep in touch with them if things don't improve. My steady weight loss did encourage me, exercise helped with a positive attitude to master the D.S.

I hope you can find a way to come out on top of all this and succeed with the D.S. I think it is all worth it for me. My life has changed all for the better. Couldn't have done it without the D.S. and my surgeons group support.

For now get the protein in anyway you can. If its shakes so beit