Question:
I'm nervous about after surgery, and confused on my plan of action...

I have 33 days to go before surgery, and I'm super nervous. I feel like I'm obsessing. It's all I think about. I think what I am most nervous about is afterwards. Does the eating and drinking come naturally after surgery? Like getting in the proteins, and the waters, etc. I really like profiles that kinda state step by step the things they experienced in the first few weeks after surgery. Can ya give a WLS sista some pointers?    — Michelle J. (posted on September 10, 2003)

September 10, 2003
i studied for 3 years about wls before i had it done and i was still nervous. i was mostly concerned about having complications after surgery because they are so common. i am 2 1/2 weeks postop from open RNY and down 23 pounds. i feel very good too. the first week and a half i had to drink very very slow(raindrop size sips). now i can drink almost normal(normal sized sips not gulps). i'm also eating ok too and i haven't been sick not one time. if you measure and eat slowly you'll do fine. this is the begining of my third week and i am starting to feel "normal" again.
   — franbvan

September 10, 2003
Don't worry! I researched this surgery for a year and now I am scheduled for open RNY in 13 days. I have good days and bad days. I feel excited then I feel stressed and depressed! Up and down! I have read everybody does it. Pray about it! That always helps me. Hang In There Baby!
   — Tammy E.

September 10, 2003
To me, nothing came naturally, and I'm 4 months post op and still learning like a baby how to eat and what I can eat that my "new born" tummy can handle. It is trial and error, but you have a basic plan to follow that will help you along. Protien first, water, water, water, and chew chew chew! God bless you.
   — Happy I.

September 10, 2003
Hi, Michelle: I'm 3 weeks post-op lap rny and I know exactly how you feel! I felt the same way; I couldn't think about anything about this surgery. Believe me, that's normal! As far as food goes, I'm still on full liquids like pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, creamed soups, scrambled eggs, grits, cream-of-wheat, and farina. I put my food in a little 2 oz. plastic cup (I bought mine at Gordon Food Service, but I understand you can also get them at Sam's Club) and I eat with the baby spoon that my surgeon's office gave me. One of the hardest things for me is to make that 2 ounces last for a half hour! So I usually crochet while I eat; I take a bite, crochet a little, take another bite, crochet a little more... I drink my fluids out of either a sippy cup or a sports bottle, although I'm learning now how much a sip is and don't really have to rely on those anymore. <p>I truthfully didn't think I would have any problem getting in all my fluids and protein drinks because I sipped alot during the day pre-op, but I've really struggled with it. You have to constantly sip all day long!</p> <p>So far, I feel like I've done pretty well; I went back to work after 2 weeks, and the biggest problem I'm having now is gas...apparently I'm still swallowing alot of air and it gets uncomfortable. It's relieved somewhat if I get up and walk. That's my best advice; get up and walk as soon as possible and as much as possible. You will feel so much better!</p> <p>Good luck, and God Bless! Feel free to e-mail me if I can help in any way! Moiasa
   — Moysa B.

September 10, 2003
I think it's natural to obsess about such a major life change, so don't sweat that. I did a lot of research into the surgery before I went ahead, and I thought I was very well prepared. However, I still found the first couple of months to be a bit overwhelming in regards to eating and drinking. You really do have to relearn new eating habits. It took quite a bit more time, energy, and thought to plan my food, figure out how to get my water in, schedule my vitamins and calcium, and pack meals and snacks for work, than I had anticipated. It could get weary. But then it gets better. You know how much protein is in the things you normally eat, and so you don't have to calculate so much, and figure so much. The vitamins become a habit, and to some extent so does the water. After about six weeks or so, it wasn't so all-consuming. I am lucky in that I've had very few problems with food. Most things agree with me, but some people do have a hard time figuring out what the pouch will accept. It took me awhile to learn what full feels like, and so for about the first four months, I had to weigh and measure all my food to keep from overeating. That, too, has gotten easier. I can eyeball an appropriate serving now. Be prepared, but don't worry about this aspect. It gets so much easier after a few months, that it turns out to be just a bump in the road. You move past it and forget about it. Best wishes to you.
   — Vespa R.

September 11, 2003
Hey, I am nervous too, 28 days and a wakeup!! Anyway I wanted to comment on the postop fluids, a woman in one of my support groups wrote the following: "pain was due to gas in my stomach, which my doctor said was due to unconsciously swallowing air. A lot of us have a habit of doing that completely unconsciously, and it normally doesn't cause any bad effects, just increased burping and/or flatulence. But a newly postop tummy is VERY sore, and the added pressure can cause quite a bit of pain. I figured out some techniques that helped me avoid swallowing air, and I will try to describe them here. First, to avoid swallowing air when you drink, tip the cup back a little bit till the opening between your lips is completely covered by fluid. When it is, part your lips slightly and try to let the liquid SLOWLY flow in. Avoid sucking or slurping because these actions tend to bring air in along with the fluid. Just let a tiny bit of liquid flow into your mouth, then swallow. Then let another tiny bit flow in, followed by another swallow, and so on. When eating liquids with a spoon, put the tip of the spoon inside your mouth and let the food sort of melt off of it into your youth. Again, avoid sucking or slurping it off the spoon. Licking the spoon with your tongue is okay, though. :o) Doing these things SLOWLY and carefully should help you minimize the amount of air you're swallowing." I hope this helps with one area at least. Lisa (can't wait to cross over to the losing side) we will both be there soon.
   — Lisa H.