I'm a newbie and need guidance and support.

Hi Everyone.  I just learned about OH and boy am I excited.  I had Laproscopic RNY surgery 6.21.2007 and i tuly loved my dr and his team.  Dr. Ramsey Dallal and everyone at Einstein Bariatrics was just great and they still are.  I've been trying to reach out to anyone that has gone through or is currently going through recovery.   When I had my 1st follow up visit, everything looked really good as far as my medical stats and such.  I was told it was ok to introduce a few new foods like tuna/chicken/turkey (as long as it gets run through the processor) but I just couldn't tolerate it too well.  On 7/5 I celebrated by having 1/2 of a veggie burger with a tiny bit of low fat mayo.  It went down and stayed down.  A few hours later I was hungry again so I decided to have the other  half of my burger but this time with no mayo.  It wasn't even 10 minutes later when I ended up tossing it.  From that point on even foods I kept down (aka - cottage cheese, mashed potatoes) did not stay down.  So it's 4 days later and I still have problems eating without tossing it.  I can keep creamy mashed potatoes (instant), s/f jello or pudding, s/f popsicles, french onion soup (broth only) smar****er, skim milk and s/f lifesavor candies down.   Can anyone tell me if they went through this?  How long before you could add foods without pain/tossing.  I'm not worried about how fast I lose.  I just want to have more substance to my meals.  Even scrambled eggs don't sit well with me.  I would love a grilled cheese sandwich, or a salad, or oatmeal.  I tried cream of wheat - ugh.  I can't stand any kind of artificial sweetners because since my surgery they taste way too sweet.  I can't even get it past my lips without feeling sick to my stomach.   Any ideas?  Any advice?  Well, I guess that's it for now.  I have a blog at www.jehovahroi.wordpress.com  and under the category My Journey Towards A New Life along with the page About Me has more detailed info.  I may try and copy them over so I don't have to go back and type that all up again. I look forward to hearing from everyone and pray that God continues the good work He has begun in you all. 

hi there congrats on the start of your journey :)  it's only been a couple of weeks -- take it slow -- chew your food until you just can't chew it anymore -- make sure it is the consistency of applesauce -- and eat REAL REAL slow -- sit with a clock if you have to and only take 1 bite every minute -- sounds stupid but it will slow you down and help you digest -- maybe the burger without the mayo was too dry -- i still add a liquid to my meats -- any type of gravy or broth - -some thing like that -- make sure you aren't drinking a half hour before you eat something and don't drink for a half hour after -- keep up with your protein amount or else you will lose your hair and your muscles will start to ache -- fruits and veggies have no protein in them but they do have fiber which will help with bathroom issues -- keep in mind that you will be fine :)  good luck to you  roberta

roberta, thanks so much for touching base with me.  i think the part about not being able to drink before or after is one of my biggest problems.   i also think that i wasn't doing a very good job in the puree department.  i  had  my son take me target today (i still don't want to drive because i get nauseas at times and don't need an episode in my car - ick!  anyway, i bought myself an emulsifier or as i like to call it a stick blender.  i can't wait to use it!!  i don't get any veggies in, but i do get unsweetened applesauce in and as for protein, my business carries a protein pudding to die for!  60 calories, NO SUGAR and 12g of protein per serving!  i add 1 tsp of cool whip free and i'm in heaven.  i know i need to get like 50g protein a day, and right now i'm lucky if i get in half of that, but i know each day brings me closer to the moment when food will  not be an issue and i won't have to put soooo much energy into it. i can't tell you how much i appreciate your advice and i look forward to chatting with you again.  feel free to check out my other blog at www.jehovahroi.wordpress.com i look forward to hearing what you think about my posts/site. take care, God bless you both...^i^ briggie

You need to just take it one day at a time.... you will see things you couldn't eat one week will be better the next.... I am now eight months out of surgery.... and I still cant eat things like whole eggs..... try white eggs... Hamburger for me is good... but in small amounts... I still cant eat tuna or chicken.... but I can eat chicken wings... That I don't understand... right now it is all trial and error.. As for sweeteners... splendor is better on foods then sweet n low... Oatmeal is good and even grits... Now I drink coffee... still trying to figure out why they say you couldn't and Soda I drink in small amounts with popcorn.... Baked potatoes are very good.... and I have no problem with cheese... Of course everything is in small amounts.... Now I also eat granola bars..... Well, hope I was able to help.... You will do just fine..... Good Luck.... xo

i am doing my best to do just that, take it one day at a time and i do find some days are easier than others but i do have a question for u - did you find it hard to be around people when they were eating or cooking?  i can't even watch some of my favorite cooking shows - they get me to thinking about food and what i can't eat, and then getting upset what i can eat. i don't eat breakfast, lunch and dinner per say - i eat when i feel like i can get something in - i wonder how long it will be before i can get into a regular schedule. i know a lot of people *****ally like splenda or equal - but i can't tolerate any of them - they taste to sickening sweet to me - this really limits what i drink - i mostly just drink water and although i really love skim milk, it doesn't sit too well anymore either.  tomorrow will be my 3 week anniversary - it will be interesting to see what the next week brings. thanks for sharing - i truly appreciate it, i'm sure i'll be asking for more help as the days go by. -briggie ^i^

To answer your first question..... What bothered me was the smell of food cooking... and not because I wanted it because I couldn't tolerate the smell.  It was almost like being pregnant.. Certain things just made me feel sick.  As for desiring foods by watching others cook on TV or in my house.. NO... nothing intimidated me at all...... It was almost as if not only did I have surgery on my stomach but on my brain as well.... Being out with family and friends when they eat chocolate cake or something sweet.... I didn't care one bit..... My family can sit and eat ice cream in the house and I don't think twice about it... But on occasion like the other night I took my daughter 16 and went to have an Italian ice....  Not because I desired it so much that I had to have it...but because I kept her company and truthfully it tasted good on a very hot NJ night.... But of course I did not fini****  You really have to slow down... don't get all caught up in the movement.... If you have a desire then have a yogurt (Fat Free)...  or a sugar free pudding....  These may not have been things you really liked in the past but you should try to incorporate them into your lifestyle now...  Your only three weeks into surgery.... you should still be having soft food... pureed... I didn't' puree much... it didn't sit well with me.... So that is when I turned to cream soups... some baby food... (not much) apple sauce.... pudding.... crystal light.... (lemonade is the best)..... Sugar free ice pops.... Take it week by week.... Of course food smells good when others are cooking... but you cant gain weight by just smelling... Just be sure that is all you are doing....  you don't want to get sick more then you need to.... Ok, hope this has helped..... you will do just fine... give it time.... xo