3 weeks in and having a hard time.

• Hello All,

I'm new to this forum. I receny had my sergury and I am having a hard time coping and adjusting. I find that I am eating all day. It is very slow to get in my required intake of water and puréed food. At times I feel very dizzy and I have a lump in my throat. Any advice would be helpful.

I had my RNY three weeks ago, and I too am finding it difficult to get all of my water and protein requirements in. It does seem to be an all-day job! I am supposed to be getting in 60-80 grams of protein daily: I am not yet there. The water requirement is also hard for me to get in. I spoke with the nurse at my center today about this, and she just said that in time it gets easier. She encouraged me to do my best, but she reminded that I'm still in my first month out, and not to push myself past the amount I can comfortably take in. I know that getting enough water and enough protein is critical to my success, so I am trying! But I agree, it really isn't easy!

Thanks for the response. I'm happy to hear what your advised you. I'll continue to do my best but I like to follow the directions as closely as possible. If, not I feel like I'm failing to meet my goals. Have you had the problems with lumps in your throat.

Sometimes, kind of. When eating my little meal, I find that I can safely have three bites. But usually the time I am chewing (and chewing, and chewing!) my fourth bite, I get a strange sensation up under my ribs. It feels as if I have swallowed one of those palm-sized, pink rubber balls I used to play with when I was a kid. I recognize this feeling as the restriction the surgery has given me. I stop eating as soon as I begin to feel it. Chewing for a long time and eating those first few bites very slowly is important because it I didn't, I could get the satiety signal after I'd already eaten too many bites, and I would be miserable.

Anyway, it's not exactly a lump in my throat, but more of an uncomfortable feeling high up in my stomach, up under my ribs. Could your sensation be satiety? Does it occur after you have eaten?

• It could be. Your description sounds correct. This lump usually lasts for days at a time. I would hope that the satiety feeling would pass quicker than that but I guess it's not up to me. Is the only solution to wait it out?

The satiety feeling I get when eating gradually diminishes over the next couple of hours. If I continued to consume food past when I first felt the signal I think it would last longer and be more uncomfortable, maybe even very uncomfortable. My full sensation doesn't last for days. I am never hungry, but I am usually not feeling uncomfortably full.

I hope that you will find, as you continue to heal, that you will become more comfortable, and that your full signal diminishes more rapidly. Remember, we have just had major abdominal surgery, and our bodies are still healing and adjusting. Fingers crossed that your comfort level will soon increase. In the meantime, perhaps your nurse will have some good advice for you. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to ask. Good luck to you!

Thanks! I will be contacting them.

I am 2 years out and remember what your going through. I never hit those goals for at least a month. It is an all day job in the beginning. Just hang in there do your best and sip sip sip on anything liquid all day. Stick to the plan , one day at a time and before you know it...your a new you and feeling awesome!

Thank you.

Your still healing and getting your fluids and protein in are most important. Don't worry too much about how long it takes during the day. If you are really concerned call your doctor and speak to your team. Dizzy might be low calories and/or low protein. Drink Drink Drink.