Question:
Feel like I didn't even have surgery...
I know this is going to sound completely NUTS; but, somedays it seems as though I didn't even have the RNY surgery. It's been 35 days out and 42 pounds down, I'm doing great, no complaints with that, but I hear/read all these statements about how particular foods/beverages cause different people problems (you know, the bad stuff we should not have) not that I want a problem or anything but I half way feel like nothing is going to affect me. I am almost to the point of pushing the limit (I don't want that--I truely don't) I'm worried that since nothing seems to affect me negatively (as in negative re-inforcement) I may step over my boundries and not be able to turn myself around. This has got me so depressed, I'm using this tool to the best of my abilities (at least I feel like I am). Is there anyone else out there that seems somewhat immunine to "bad reactions to foods...dumping, vomiting, diahrea) I've never had anything other than a "full" feeling, at which time I always stop. Tomorrow I go to see my Nutritionist for the first time since surgery. I know she's going to increase my intake as that is the next step (I have been told) but I'm scared to get the okay to go up to 2 oz. I'm so worried that I have already caused a problem with the pouch (or else wouldn't I have some reactions to something)... I mean, I actually had a bite of Chocolate Bliss Pie and didn't feel anything. I didn't eat but a bite but just the same. Am I paranoid or what? Losing it...Leslie — LuvNSummer (posted on December 25, 2007)
December 25, 2007
I was the same way. I had RNY 10/04/01 and nothing bothered me! I was
waiting for "dumping" and not being able to tolerate certain
foods, but it never came. I figured I was lucky, but I was nervous too
wondering if something wasn't "working" the way it was suppose
to. But the weight came off and it was good~
I heard so many people talk about their horror stories about their favorite
foods making them very sick and how they couldn't eat a lot of things
anymore. I was glad to not relate to them.
— Abby P.
December 25, 2007
I'm 21 days post RNY. I'm still on pureed/soft foods and have been watching
what I eat. I can eat 1/4 to 1/3 cup of food at a meal. I tolerate refried
beans (Taco Bell) and chopped chicken salad. I tried a slim fast protein
bar today (1/2 at a time) and did ok. I keep the sugar to less than 8 gr.
The only thing I threw up on was a piece of wheat toast. I guess I didn't
toast it enough. I get nauseas when I eat too much or too fast. but other
than that I've been doing ok.
Some people get sick more easy than others. Just use your tool with a new
way of eating and develop new habbits. That's what it's for. Good luck...
— VA_Bill
December 25, 2007
Leslie, I think it's wonderful that you are doing so well. Plus the weight
is coming off, so you must be using the tool of the RNY to your best
advantage. I am three weeks post op, and I have had to remind myself that
I had surgery, too. I haven't felt bad at all. The only weird feeling I
had was when I drank water too fast...I felt like I had something stuck in
my chest for a few seconds. But I have had no nausea or vomiting (thank
God!). I bet you would feel bad, even if you didn't necessarily
"dump" if you ate much more than the one bite of pie. You are in
control, and YOU are doing this. The surgery only helps. Bravo for doing
so great. You are an inspiration! :) God bless....
— Lisa S.
December 25, 2007
Stick to the protocol you surgeon recommends. You may not have found any
foods that bother you now, but you'll probably find something to give you
"dumping syndrome" and I be you won't like the feeling.
Depression is a common feeling after surgery--after all, you've given up
your best friend--LOTS OF FOOD. Us portion control to limit your eating.
If you don't, you may have problems. I "fell off the wagon"
several months after my RNY surgery. I started out at 345, and got down to
222, attenidng support group meetings. I stopped the meetings for 3 months,
and checked my weight again, which was NOW 242. I followed the protocol
closely again, and began my meetings again. I'm not down to 203-204 and
attend more than one meeting per month. These support meetings offer you
information and you can speak directly to other patients who mayh have gone
through your same scenario.
— Dave Chambers
December 25, 2007
A bite of dessert probably didn't have enough sugar to make you sick. I
had very little problem with full liquids and soft solids, but making the
transition back to solid food is proving a little hard. Not painful, I
haven't gotten sick, but I have felt really full and uncomfortable with
just a small amount of food. As far as sugar, DON'T TEST THAT ONE. You've
got a powerfull ally in dumping syndrome as long as you don't know exactly
where the line is. And yes, you will get sick from sugar. Why test it?
Just accept that it's the way you're "wired" now and use it to
advantage. Just because you don't have a lot of problems doesn't mean it's
not working. The 42 pounds tells you that. Good Luck!
~Shirley
— Shirley D.
December 25, 2007
I know exactly how you feel! I am almost 15 weeks out and have had almost
no problems, and nothing from sugar at all. I was scared to death to eat
anything at first for fear of dumping. The only thing that has bothered me
was I had some fried chicken from KFC (just the meat, no skin) and it made
my belly hurt for about 30 min. Other than that, I've done great. I am
right there with you that I DO not want to have all the problems I hear
people talking about. I guess everyone responds differently. I have lost 56
lbs since surgery so I know my tool is working and I try and focus on
protein, but with the holidays I have had a sugar cookie (no icing) here
and there and a few slivers of pie. Maybe if I ate a larger portion of the
desert (which I won't) it might make my belly hurt. It stinks, but not,
that I can have those things. I wish I could't, but I also know IF I feel
the need for something sweet I can have a couple bites and won't be
affected. I'm not advocating trying all these things and see what works. I
almost liked being afraid of trying things! :) It sounds like you are doing
great. Just make sure you are getting in your protein and fluids and a bite
or two of something sweet every once in a while won't kill ya. Good luck
and happy holidays!
— juliebelle0402
December 25, 2007
I had surgery in july of 05 I have lost over 100 pounds. I am 66 yrs old
so dr said I would lose slower. I like you have not had any side affects
eccept meat I cant eat it and it come up. I wonder what Dave meant when
he said follow the protical. Hang in there you are doing great. Dont test
it too much right now. sybil
— sybiliowa
December 25, 2007
be thankful and it will be fine I am thankful and I have alot of problems I
smell some foods and it makes me sick I throw up all the time I can eat 6
teaspoones a day and I am full but I do not regret my decision cindy
— toyotawife
December 26, 2007
I didn't dump for several months after RNY. That's 'cause I stuck to the
plan and didn't eat improperly. I lost weight and wondered what all the
stink was about. Most importantly, I wondered but I did not WORRY or FRET
about why I wasn't having problems that others were having. Don't worry
Leslie. When you get back to a "regular" diet, you WILL
experience the dumjping syndrome. Avoidance of it will then help you to
stick to the plan -- and you will continue to lose, lose, LOSE! [Weight
that is ;-)]
— [Deactivated Member]
December 26, 2007
Leslie, you are doing great! I too have not had any problems. I am 15
weeks out today and have lost 52 lbs. I am eating a lot of foods and have
not dumped on anything. I was really looking forward to having a reaction
of some sort to keep me in check if I was to stray. No chance. I am
somewhat upset that this process will rely soley on mental challenges vs
food restrictions. I wasn't even getting a full feeling until lately, and
that isn't even on a daily basis. I am not measuring my foods and not
exercising as I should. I was always a rule breaker. I wish I was a
stronger person or even paranoid enough to not try those trigger foods or
fattening foods. Be strong and stay on track and you will be successful.
— lisa912
December 26, 2007
Leslie....I am just over 10 months (RNY on 2/15/07) and I still do not have
an appetite. i think I have "felt" hungry twice in over 10
months. I've had head hunger on and off. all of the things you are listing
are side effects from surgery and NOT everyone gets them. Some people wake
up hungry, able to eat what they did before surgery, can tolerate sugar and
fat and "bad things".....the question and solution I pose
is....you had surgery and were preparing to make a lifestyle change - so do
it. If you think you will handle the "bad foods" then don't eat
them. my doubts and/or mind hasn't let me down yet - if I think I can't eat
something and/or think I shouldn't - I've been right. there have been
occasions when I did try something I shouldn't have or so soon and have got
sick. I dump. Sure. again, it's a side effect. does everyone dump? no. does
everyone dump the same way? no. I have a friend who can eat WHATEVER she
wants...does she? to an extent, yes, but watches fat/sugar and of course
portion control. One bite sometimes will affect me and sometimes not. But
my rule of thumb is - you only taste the first bite anyway....so one bite
on.
— jammerz
December 26, 2007
I am 2.5 years postop. Have I ever dumped? No NEVER. I was able to eat
anything almost from the beginning. Never had trouble with beef or chicken
or pasta or rice. Consequently, I did end up gaining weight after 1.5 years
out after being on a stall for a year. For some people, the RnY just does
not work. Now I am seeking a revision to a duodenal switch.
— KRWaters
December 26, 2007
Leslie; I had my RNY done Jun 11, 2007 and I do not have an appetite yet
that is a normal thing in fact I'm told by my bariactric nurse who is a
qualified group leader in the state of WA. your appetite does come back at
some point her's came back in about a year, also your sweet tooth can come
back as well, I've lost a total of 107 lbs since my surgery, and I to do
not have any side affects or hunger yet either. So really what you are
experiencing is a normal thing. Ralph in WA.
— usetobephat1
December 26, 2007
Leslie, I too have not experienced those yucky feelings. I am not sure if
its good or bad. I had my Rny in july 07, always hungry and can eat
anything, altho kfc did make me sick, but then again it made me sick before
the rny. Just do not puch the limit to see if you can get sick.. I have
tried that and its not fun. So now I just eat what I am suspossed to eat,
and yes I have had pie, etc.. but just a very small taste. I was depressed
thinking I was charged for nothing, and that the doctor did nothing, since
I could eat anything, including candy, sugars, chicken, but when i did push
the envelope, I did get sick. Consider yourself lucky, I do that I can
enjoy life and still enjoy a small peice of something without feeling
guilty or sick. 42 lbs is great!!!! I have no complaints and I am doing
good. Some weeks better then others. but feel good.. make sure you get the
protien in before anything else tho.. and the vites.. BE HAPPY... Cynthia
— babesintoyland
December 27, 2007
I am 2 weeks post-op and the only thing that really makes me sick is the
rtd high protein, Ensure. Within 1/2 hour of drinking 4 oz., I have
diarrhea. So, I switched to a different protein drink. I am able to
tolerate the soft diet with no problems!! I never had any pain whatsoever
and am already in the gym!! I read the horror stories posted about the pain
and am glad that I ignored them!! Good luck to you and have a Happy New
Year!!
— boleszc1
December 27, 2007
It just really differs with some people. My uncle could no more eat a bite
of chocolate before he was running to the bathroom, while I could eat a
whole huge bag of chocolate and be fine. I'm regretting even TRYING to see
if I could handle the bad food, because now that is my mine staple
food...I'm getting practically nothing in but sweets. So I suggest that
you don't even put yourself down that path, because its gonna be very hard
to get back on track once you veer off....
— wecangetright
December 29, 2007
A couple things... you are only 35 days out. My assumption is that you
are still fairly restricted in what you are eating. You didn't say but my
assumption is that you are still a very small amount (less than 2oz) of
soft/mushy/pureed stuff.
You are probably not eating enough of anything to cause any kind of
reaction... 2 oz of food is a very small amount.
Everyone is different... some people dump, some people don't.
If you are eating less than 2oz. at a time, then it is highly unlikely that
you did anything to your pouch... speak to your surgeon if you are
concerned.
One big thing to remember about WLS, it's not fool proof. You still have
to watch what you eat and following the nutrition guidelines set out by
your healthcare team. Just because you *can* it, doesn't mean you should.
Best wishes.
— mrsidknee
Click Here to Return