Question:
I am 7 weeks post op and am having a hard time getting the protein down.

When I do try to eat bland solid food (mostly chicken) I have to "run" to the bathroom. I lost 30 pounds pre-op and have only lost 30 pounds since my September 15, 2006 surgery date. You would think that taking in fewer that aprox 500 calories per day that the weight would be falling off like crazy! Also, I have extreme pain in my outer thighs and calves. I have not resumed walking the treadmill (doctors order to wait) so the pain in my legs is not from over doing it. Anyone out there have any idea's? Thanks, Carol    — 7andcounting (posted on November 2, 2006)

November 2, 2006
carl- hi! i had mysurgery on august 25 and have lost 38 pds.I too have trouble with food . i think its not takeing enough time to take small bites. i read the papr or do puzzels in between bites . and that seems to help. i have pain in my calves also. some oe told me its not getting enough vitimins but i dont know ...best wishes e-mail me and let me know how u r doing ok thanks ... dawn swensonat;[email protected]
   — dawnafae

November 2, 2006
Hi Carol....500 calories is not enough for your metabolism to boost to drop the weight. When you starve yourself (as 500 calories pretty much is) you will start breaking down your muscles for protein. The calves and thighs have very large muscles so that is where it would start. When you consume this few calories your body is going to do its best to hold onto as much weight as it can (i.e. slowing down your metabolsim to a crawl). #0 lbs is great in 6 weeks....try eating a bit more (especially protein) and you will start to lose. Best wishes!
   — SteffieBear15

November 2, 2006
hi carol, keep following your md's and nutritionist's plans for you. i too had lost weight preop, some say because postop wt loss is 'true' loss, no excess water to shed, you lose more slowly. celebrate the 30 pounds off. i had trouble eating until about 6-7 weeks out, keep up the fluids and use protein supplements as suggested by your md/nutritionist. some days i get in plenty of water, some days i do as best i can. good luck.
   — Fluffy W.

November 2, 2006
Hi Carol, My first instinct is to ask if you are chewing enough? That is a big deal- Chew, Chew, Chew! Are you drinking with your meals? How did you do on the liquid diet? If the only way that you can get enough protein in is with added shakes, do it! Don't quit eating, your pouch needs to get used to taking food. Measure what you are eating. Remember, when the Doctor got through with your "Pouch" it was only 1 ounce. Don't over do it. Eat 6 small meals a day and wait 30-60 minutes after you eat to drink. Take your supplements and hopefully start exerciseing soon. You do need more calories. If you don't get enough, it puts your body into "starvation mode" as someone else said and your body holds on to everything. Give it some time. Right at first it is difficult to eat and you are just strarting with solids, right? Cut up your food to about the size of your little fingernail and CHEW, CHEW, CHEW! - Judy
   — jk_harris

November 3, 2006
Is it just meat protein you're having trouble with? I couldn't eat chicken for 5 yrs, so I can understand that. Are you drinking plenty of water? Getting in 90g+ of protein in supplement form? Are you puking most everything, or just meats?
   — vitalady

November 4, 2006
Hi Carol.... First of all, congrats on the wt loss preop/postop.. If I were having the problems that you are having, I would see my primary care physician and get another referral or contact the surgeon for referral for the dietician. These people are the experts in the nutrition. I have heard that alot of people have trouble with chicken for a long time post op, are you having trouble with other forms of meat? The thigh and calf pain .... could your doctor do some blood work to see what your calcium/potassium levels are ... these are the frequent culprits for cramping and they are important electrolytes for the heart as well...... good luck to you...
   — Kari_K

November 6, 2006
Carol, It was 3 months out before I started loosing weight. I went from a size 26 to a 12, a few 10's fit, too. The weight loss started so suddenly and bang, I was in a 16!!!!! I didn't even realize how much I'd loss until I went to the outlet mall and was shopping for newLevi blue jeans and the 16 fell to my knees, the 14 was still too big and (thank you Lord) the 12 fit. You should have heard me laughing loudly and crying in that outlet store. I knew they must have though I was crazy! However, I have to break myself off the Halloween candy. I love taffy, especially the peanut one tha only come out at halloween! I've gained 5 pounds and panicked! One good source of Protein is unsalted Peanuts or peanut butter, yogart, kidney beans and cottage cheese. I especially like raw peanuts. After I started eating them, I stoped loosing my hair. I can't eat enough meat either, one bite and I'm full. The MD doesn't know why. You might try Pro-stat Protein substitue. I was able to drik in pre-op but can't tolerate it now. ??? I'd like to start a weight lifting program to put some muscle on my skinny legs and arms! You might have a post op stricture. Its nothing you've done wrong but as the incision heals on a RNY (I don't know what kind of surgery you had) the opening sometimes strinks and food is very slow moving out of the pouch. My physician did a five minute procedure to stretch it back out and I rerely have problems with digestion. Becca, pre-weight 250 post weight 145-150 size 26 to size 12 (a few 10's fit, too!
   — Lilkonza