Im trying not to regret this but...

I am in alot of pain and I hate the protein drinks, they are a little better if I freeze them. I want to eat , I need food ......did anyone feel that way, I thought the cravings go away Its only been a week out but its been a week from hell

hi jeanine the feeling will go away -- trust us try a different brand of protein -- go to a gnc store and ask for free samples -- you can have SF jello, SF pudding, Dannon carb control yogurt, NSA applesauce, oatmeal, farina, instant potatoes -- this too shall pass take care roberta

Hi Jeanine Did you have open or lap? I was just wondering because you would obviously have more pain with an open rny. I had open on 6/20 and it took a couple weeks before I wasn't feeling significant pain. My surgeon sent some liquid tylenol w/codeine home for me with 1 refill and I took it all though the frequency of doses lessened which was my sign that the pain was getting better. If you find the pain unbearable, call your doctor but basically it's normal to have pain, it's major surgery. Just try to keep reminding yourself this shall pass. Did your doctor give you a program to follow as far as the foods? I had to do clear liquids for a week and then 2 weeks of full liquids before moving onto 2 weeks of pureed. The protein drinks vary so greatly, you might want to pick up some of the stuff they sell at Walmart. I find it's pretty darn good and inexpensive! You might want to get a little creative with the drinks... make a vanilla with OJ or a chocolate with skim milk and a little spoonful of Simply Jiff PB! I always blend mine with a few ice cubes. These are tasty and make it easier to drink. How about cream of chicken soup? I had a lot of that during my full liquid stage as well as jello, SF pudding, etc. I know it's difficult but try and feel good about your future. Whenever I felt I was missing food, I would just go look in a mirror at my body and truly absorb what all that food did to me. This will reinforce your reason for having the surgery and food will become less desirable. You'll be fine.. just try to face each challenge with a good attitude and it will fly by. I'm 5 weeks out tomorrow and have already lost 38 lbs! It happens so fast! Good luck to you!

thanks for the suggestions, Im really scared to put anything in my mouth excep****er and Isopure, Itried a different protein drink and I had a pressure pain in my chest for the whole day. I have my first dr. appt thursday and I think once I speak with him and clear things up ( im really confused) Ill be better. Everyday it has been getting a little better

I hated almost every protein drink out there, but I found one that was more like gatorade than a shake. I got it in the Vitamin and Organic Food Aisle in my Shoprite. it was called Isopure and it comes in fruit, orange, grape and some weird blue colored one called ice. When I drank it very cold, it was pretty ok. I was lucky that I was not very hungry for a long time after surgery and I was sensitive to strong food smells, but from my support group, I gathered that everyone was different. Some people came out of surgery very hungry. I still crave certain foods, but I have also found some foods that I used to live on, don't agree with me today. I think alot of our hunger and cravings are actually "head" hunger. I was pretty sick from other health problems after my surgery. I was forced to stop taking drugs for psoriatic arthritis and was wheelchair bound. I couldn't tell whether my stomach or my joints hurt worse. I felt a lot more regret than I imagined I would. But to tell you the truth, regret finally passed when I was able to get back to familiar routines. I felt less out of control when I was able to be out in the world. As the weight came off, I felt freer physically than ever have in my whole life. But it is not an easy journey. I think people, even experienced post surgical patients, paint a very rosy picture of after surgery, and they actually forget how miserable the actually felt. I used to get so frustrated at support group when people would say that they never looked back, and never had a momement's regret....I just thought it wasn't genuine because it was certainly not my experience. I think I mourned food. it had been both my enemy and my comfort my whole life, and I had no idea what to do without it. I has my surgery(open RNY) almost 3 years ago...I am still glad I did it it. I have lost 220 lbs since the surgery, 60 lbs before it...Believe it or not, I still have about 30 to go....But I'm still working it out. I am studying to be a dietitian and that has been a reallly great experience and it keeps me honest with my food... I hope you are feeling better soon, and if you are still suffering from severe pain, it is a good idea to check with your surgeon. Many serious complications begin with pain...its important to check it out. Kelly

Im glad to hear someone else say they felt regret, becouse I never heard that side from anyone before surgery nor did anyone say how major the operation and recoveey would be. I had my gallbladder out lap and I thought it would be similar

I felt the same way, Jeanie. I remember waking up and thinking, "what the hell did I do!" I too was not prepared for the amount of pain, and how difficult the recovery would be. But you know what? I got through that, and so will you. I am now 6 1/2 months out. I am able to get all my protein needs through real food (I too hated every protein drink!). I have lost 103 lbs. I am healthier than I have been in years! Just hang in there. You can do it! Just think - this time next year, you will be strutting around, thinner than you've been in years, looking and feeling fantastic!!

Jeanine, We've all had that same feeling. It will go away, believe us when we tell you that. You have a great doc (I have the same one). I am almost 3 years post op and doing great. At this point, it is hard to remember the "why did I do this" part, but we've all been there. Life is good. You will feel really great in about another week, maybe two at the most. Rest. Drink lots of water. Try to get your shakes in, otherwise, drink, drink and drink (oh, and rest too). Good luck. Kathy

Thank you everyone for your imput, its really helpful

Hi Jeanine, I think your feeling are really ok at this stage.. I think we have all had them and those that say otherwise are probably lieing.. Well now lets get started getting you headed in the right dirrection.. A very good dr told me not to be afraid of food.. but at this stage you need to be on liquid unless your dr is already alowing you food... Try the Carnation instant breakfast NSA with lactose free milk. then as you progess try a real protein drink.. I use designer whey french vanilla.. you can doctor it up with cinamon, splenda, instant coffee, fruit.. what ever helps you get your protein.. after a few weeks. try some scrambled eggs, puddings are good too. and yogurt. How about cottage cheese(not a big fan but not bad with splenda and cinnamon). Then tuna.. not a fan but at because i had to.. and chicken salad too works.. just mush them up real well. Check your doctors instructions. This should help you get on your way.. Good luck and remember sf ice pops are a must... and still are for me..