Question:
I am getting upset

I am 18 days out from VSG surgery, and the only food i seemto do well with is vanilla fat free yogurt. everything elsei seem to try bothers my stomach. Mydaughter who had RNY the same day seems to be able toeat pureed foods, and soft foods justfine. I tried an egg and cant even eat a teaspoon of it. but the yogurt ican eat 6 oz of. I am having trouble keeping up with the 60-80 grams of protien daily this way. Any suggestions. When i think i want a food and cook it by the time i am done cooking it i cant eat it. the smell of most foods cooking makes me feel ill. Someone told me it is in my head. I thought maybe i am expecting too much too fast. and figure i maybe need more time then my 17 yr old to bounce back after such an extensive operation. Also any women who are of childbearing age that had the surgery, did you get your period right after surgery and it lasted a longer amount of time then normal. My daughter got her period 10 days before surgery. it lasts usually 5-6 days. then when she was less then a week out she got it again for between 9-12 days. is this normal??? anyone which can help me with my eating delemma i would appreciate it a great deal. I am getting sick of yogurt to tell you the truth. day in and day out...    — 2bethin62 (posted on March 2, 2009)

March 1, 2009
Hi Gail I had RNY july of 08 and have lost 130 pounds what foods did the doctor say u can eat at this time? I wasn't able to eat much in the beginning either, and only being able to eat a bite of something is normal,The smell textures even change I do not believe it is in are heads everything changes we are all different, remember u r still healing, I think 6 oz is a bit much, do u drink protein drinks the smell gaged me, try refried beans, cream of wheat,are u on soft food? string chz, chilifrom wendys, its going to take a while but the protein is important did u get nausea pills this helps I have read the periods have been like this right after and during surgery, I wish u the best enjoy your new tool Tammi
   — Tammi Sandoval

March 1, 2009
When I had my RNY, I was only allowed to have protein drinks (Ensure was the only one that I could keep down) for three weeks! It took me at least three months to get back to feeling OK (not good but OK). My daughter-in-law was back to OK in three days!! I was 59 when I had my RNY and she was 30 years old (young??). I learned that "one size does not fit all" and everyone has a different path! You must be patient with yourself. Your journey is your journey and it is what it is! There are many people on this site that will help you with food choices but just remember that you will not stay at this stage forever! Good luck to you (and your daughter). Sincerely, Rena RNY 4/30/08 @ Duke NC weigh 110; lost 117 lbs forever!!!
   — RenaMansi

March 1, 2009
Just take your time letting your self heal. I could not do the 60 grams of protien at first and they said not to worry for awhile.
   — trible

March 2, 2009
You will only be able to tolerate certain things for a while. I did protein shakes, cottage cheese, chili, soups, riccota cheese, soft scrambled egg. Certain things still make me sick, but they are getting better! Don't push yourself, enjoy the time away from all that food! You can't be hungry!
   — kristina838

March 2, 2009
I know it's very difficult situation. But there is an upside to this. Your body is regulating itself to be a normal weight person.
   — Kathleen W.

March 2, 2009
I will try to help with the period question. I had RNY on 2-11-09 and had my period about 10 days before my surgery. When I came home the day after my sugery I started my period agian and it lasted a few days. The nurses said this may happen (they also said sometimes the blood thinners they give you before and after can bring it on) so I think it is probably normal. I am 40 so I don't think that this part has to do with age. I hope this helps. Take care:0)
   — sse032568

March 2, 2009
Gail, you are perfectly normal, in that all of these surgeries can make our bodies react differently. Even if you and your daughter had the exact same surgery, you may both react to certain foods differently. For a while after my VSG, I couldn't even watch certain food commercials on TV without feeling BLAHHH! I can eat anything now, but still very much in moderation. I have lost 120 lbs in 11 months. Don't fret. It will all get better. It just takes a little time. Take it one day at a time.
   — corky1057

March 3, 2009
I had VSG September 5, 2008, and had a lot of problems tolerating things the first month. I was lucky to get in 60 g of protein in a day! My surgeon has us drink his Metagenics Bariatrix shakes - we would do 1 scoop in water or milk several times a day - each scoop was 10 g protein (now I do 3 scoops in 12 oz water for 1 meal a day, so I get 30 g of protein at least once a day). Other than that I had a lot of fat free chicken broth, yogurt, milk, I did puree some cottage cheese with banana and ate that, I tried Isopure Protein drinks from GNC - but that's about it! Very boring, but it took all I could just to get liquids down. It does get better, but nearly 6 months out now and I still have difficulty with chicken and turkey burger and fish - I can handle about 4-6 very small bites and then I am full - but I can eat 6-8 oz of refried beans or cottage cheese for a meal. Oh - I also had a lot of sugar free popsicles! I have lost 92 lbs since I saw my surgeon (15 prior to surgery, the rest after surgery), plus I had lost 18 lbs the year prior. Everyone is different, and some can do anything at first, others have more difficulty. I wondered partly if it was age, as I am 54. I was in menopause and hadn't had a period in over a year - started a period 3 days prior to surgery! And it lasted nearly 9 days. Since then I have had 2 more. But this isn't uncommon! If you want to you can check out my profile and read more about what I went through - and I'd be happy to keep in touch!
   — Wendy M.

March 3, 2009
Hi Gail, Lots of good input for you already ... I was just going to add a couple points. Later childbearing age females/perimenopausal females as a group (in other words, over 40) do seem to notice a greater change in previous patterns of period frequency, length and flow. As far as protein intake, as you know it is vital for tissue healing, muscle restoration and long-term energy, so it's something you need to try to concentrate on getting as close to the amount recommended by your dietician or surgeon as possible. Eggbeaters were easier for me than regular scrambled eggs at first. Rather than just eating my fat-free vanilla yogurt, which slips right down and doesn't give you a 'fullness' for long, try mixing it with a half-scoop of "Soy Protein 95" (an isolated unflavored soy protein from GNC that you can mix with anything) and 4 frozen strawberries or 1/2 handful of frozen blueberries - about 150 calories, 18-22 grams of protein and it tastes like a milk shake! If the texture is too thick just add a little skim milk. I drank this every day for the first 3 months. I'm 10 months out from LapBand and have lost 91 lbs total. I'd also recommend you take one of these nice people up on their offer and visit their profile and hookup with a "buddy" - everyone needs a friend to make this journey with them, preferable someone who's just a bit ahead of you down the road. Good Luck and God Bless! Julie Preston, RN
   — MuseAcal

March 4, 2009
Well, Gail, I certainly can relate to your food issues. Weeks after my VSG surgery I couldn't even stand the smell of many foods. They literally made me sick at the stomach. And the only foods I was able to eat for a long time was sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles. Just eat what you can it will all change in a little while. but do remember to get in as much protein as you can daily. BE BLESSED.
   — datagirl2

March 4, 2009
You might try some of the protein isolates like Isopure liquid ready to drink, or one of the isolate protein powders like Isopure or BioChem. They are easier to digest. And you can get your protein. That's what I lived on for many weeks. The only yogurt I use is light and fit carb control sugar free, still. Warm herbal tea or Amy's lowfat organic soup heated up are bery soothing to the stomach. Best of luck... and this is all temporary.
   — lorannw

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