Question:
6 days to RNY. Am I prepared? Certainly scared.
Can you tell me the one thing you wish you had known, or the product you wish you had purchased sooner after your RNY? I feel completely alone right now. And I have no idea what it is I don't know. I'm supported by professionals, including a wonderful therapist, but I have never met one person who has actually done this. I've read the books, combed the message boards, but never had a person to ask a question of. My husband is supportive, and only one friend knows. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. — Raye306 (posted on February 21, 2009)
February 21, 2009
I wished I had asked more questions about possible complications. I had my
surgery on 02/05/09 best decision I have ever made. I feel so much
lighter. I had my surgery date pushed uo from april 15 to feb 5 so I had
no time to rethink anything. I am so glad I had it done and two weeks out
I am struggling to slow down. I am a very independent person and having to
ask for help makes me emotional to say the least, however i have a great
support group in family and friends. This too shall pass and I will be
stronger and healthier than ever.
i
— lupava67
February 21, 2009
I am 11 days post op from RNY and you may want to have some adult diapers
on hand, you just never know. I had unexpected runny stools when I passed
gas. This may not happen to you, but safe than sorry. Being independent
for this type of surgery is a good and bad thing. I didn't like asking for
help from my husband or kids, but sometimes you just have to. Just follow
your Dr.s plan. If you have any questions or need someone to talk to you
can email me. Good luck dear.
Vickie
— lpn_1992
February 21, 2009
I had my open RNY 2005 glad I did it I did not lose a ton not even close to
my ideal weight but I feel much better. It did hurt some but not much The
gas was worse than all of it.(gas-x) Make sure you follow your Dr.s
instructions to a T and sip your water and walk as much as you can. You
will be tired at first but you'll feel better and better everyday.Make sure
you eventually get in your protein, at first it is hard but eventually it
is a must and expect some hair loss it WILL come back the more protein the
better. Some say Biotin I took it but still lost some hair ,it did come
back. You can e-mail me if you want with any question I will answer them as
best as I can, Good luck Pam my E-mail is [email protected]
— sunnie
February 21, 2009
http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/
A wonderful recipe website by a woman who had gastric bypass. Enjoy and
download widget! :-D
— slimcolagirl
February 21, 2009
Don't feel alone we are all here for you. I had RYN July of 08 I have lost
125 pounds and would do it again in a second. I can tell u not to purchase
to much prior to surgery the protein I was able to drink before surgery I
could not drink afterwords the taste and the smell was YUK. A chair any
kind to sit in the shower when u r nauseated or have pain I used a regular
folding chair and sat with hot water running over me 2 or 3 x's a day which
helped alot,I used a toilot rise because mt seat was so low this helped. I
used those little medical cups to put my pills in after smashing them I
tried applesause and sg pudding to mix with them found just a little water,
stir and swallow worked the best. I had a heating pad I used while laying
down on my lower back the heat felt great. I used many pillows actually
layering them under me because I got up wrong or turned wrong in the bed
and pulled my stitches on the inside and this hurt so bad, took a good
couple of weeks to heal, walk, walk, walk,rest as much as possible. I made
little ice cubes and regular size eating alot of ice felt so good I even
froze protein juice and ate it, I ate a lot of sf popsicles. Well this is a
bit of things if u want more email me
best wishes Tammi
you are almost on the loser side
you are in my prayers if u would like to add me to your friend list I wouod
love it. Tammi
— Tammi Sandoval
February 21, 2009
It will sound frivolous, but the best thing I purchased after my RNY was a
Magic Bullet blender for making my protein shakes. The docs give you one of
those shakers with the ball inside - it is just not the same.
Yep, it is weird how you have the knowledge and support, yet, still feel
alone. You are doing the right thing - reaching out and pulling more
people in. The one thing I wish I had known was that I would be lactose
intolerant after surgery. Doesn't happen to all, but dang I miss ice cold
milk and while I like soy and lactaid milk isn't bad - it is a whiney
thing, but it isn't the same!! =]
Bottom line? Keep your head up. Keep as much positive energy going as you
can. I hope the support from the folks here helps. I wish you the best of
luck!
— JaimeK
February 21, 2009
I agree with the magic bullet. Its good when you get to the mushy stage of
eating. I mix my protein drinks,make omelets,and mix soups. I use it all
the time.
— Virginia H.
February 21, 2009
I wish I had known I would have a great dislike for artificial sweeteners.
I had a very hard time getting in protein shakes do to the a. sweeteners.
Then I found out that I tolerated splenda and not the others...But I wish I
had known before hand. It wasn't until I found unjury unflavored protein
powder that I was able to get my shakes down without gagging. Good luck to
you!
— gpcmist
February 21, 2009
The best thing I did was find friends here on OH that I could write to and
know they would try their best to answer my question. I bought samples of
protein powders from Vitalady.com and then after surgery could not tolerate
them. I also am now lactose intolerant. I use Isopure zero carb drinks.
Just follow your surgeons instructions and allow yourself time to heal. I
have had no complications of any kind,but I know some do. Please add me to
your friends list and write often.
Lana
— lmayes58
February 21, 2009
The one thing I wish I had known beforehand was that for a great many
people their periods start right around the surgery - either just before,
day of, or right after - even if they have just had one! For me, I had
been in early stages of menopause - hadn't had a period in over a year -
darned if it didn't start 3 days prior - and was still going a few days
after! I freaked out, worried that they couldn't do the surgery, but I
guess it happens frequently. A lot of times it is due to the stress of the
surgery. Since surgery, I have had 2 more periods, but none for past
couple months. I am 5 1/2 months out.
— Wendy M.
February 21, 2009
I had trouble taking in the protein drinks and finally found Boost low
sugar which helped the nausea. I also had hydration issues and finally
someone recommended G2 (It is from Gatoraid but it is low sugar) I could
not exist without my G2. Good luck and Godspeed.
c
— ceecee127
February 22, 2009
Don't stock up on anything because your tastes will probably change after
surgery. You can contact several companies and ask them to send you
samples of different protein drinks to try. I didn't find anything until I
was 2 months post op from www.bariatricchoice.com called protidiet grape,
tropical fruit and orange. I am not able to do any of the protein mixes
with milk or anything gritty.
— tonitoot
February 22, 2009
I took an elastic, velcro close belly binder...it made ALL the difference
in the world for getting up and down, sleeping (including on my side) and
for walking. Well worth the price of about $60. I used it at home for a
week, until I could walk straight up with no tummy discomfort and I used it
to sleep for about a month. You can pre-set the size and just step in and
out of it...and make it smaller as your tummy "deflates"..lol
Also..lip balm and oral moisturizer...dry mouth will happen continuosly for
the first few days and nights. Keep a water bottle by you at night at
home..you will wake up thirsty alot..drink a few sips during that
time..best wishes...speedy recovery
Kim in Fontana
— *KiminFontana* *.
February 22, 2009
Wow...you've done more than you think. Being mentally prepared or informed
is very important. The physical stuff comes a little at a time and all you
have to do is follow the instructions. This site is helpful because we are
all in this together, all at different stages. I had LAP RNY on 12/9/2008
with no complications. LAP recovery is easier than open. I do agree with
most, sipping and walking will help with most of the discomfort. Having a
supportive spouse is the best! I made a goodie bag for my husband for the
waiting room, with cute little love notes, munchies, drinks, a good book,
some crossword puzzles and a neck pillow for napping. I think the waiting
is the hardest for our loved ones. My surgery was 5 hours long, he was
very thankful that I had done what I did. I also prepared 4 or 5 meals
ahead of time for my family. When I came home from the hospital I just
took an entree out of the freezer and heated it up. It was easier to do
than plan a meal when you're just not up to it. I wish you the best of
luck and look forward to hearing all about your experiences.
— Fircrkr64
February 24, 2009
I learned that being your own health care advocate (by doing your own
research) can save your life or spare you serious health risks such as
permanent damage from vitamin deficiencies because your doc or surgeon
might not be running all your vitamin labs yearly. Or be up to date yet on
some tests and their proper ranges... Or you stopped taking your vits and
don't go get ALL labs yearly OR MORE!
If you learn nothing else, one thing you must learn is to take your
vitamins because malabsorption is REAL! And the damage can be permanent if
you get too low on certain vitamins...EVEN if you are gaining weight, you
can be malnourished with RNY and other GP surgeries. PLEASE take the right
vits for your surgery type and test how well you absorb them yearly! Also,
the more you learn about nutrition and how your body works, the better
success you will have with both health and weight loss! (It is impossible
to learn all the complexities of your body as even scientists are still
baffled as well) but you will have a new anatomy unlike the regular human
body...YOU and YOU alone are the only one who KNOWS when something is
WRONG...Don't ignore symptoms that don't feel right! Prevent problems! Take
responsibility for YOU! And go lose all your weight and just be healthy
doing it! :) It's so great! 5 years PO and holding my health and my
weight!
— .Anita R.
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