Question:
How long after the surgery do you start to feel normal again

Hi, I'm sitting here reading everyone's questions about dumping,what to eat and what not to eat,what makes this person sick and that person sick. I'm wondering how long after the surgery do you start to feel normal,is it weeks,months,or years before you can eat what you want with no problems. I dont want to be sick if I eat something that dont agree with me. I was considering the DS surgery untill I heard that blue cross no longer pays for that.    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 31, 2002)

January 31, 2002
I have BC/BS and they are paying for my surgery. You may want to check on that again. I have not had my surgery yet but have had surgery in the past 9 months and it takes you 4 to 6 weeks until you start to feel good. Everyone is differant my doctor told me to exercise and walk before surgery and you will recover better. Well I walked 1 mile everyday and I did recover very well.
   — Lisa B.

January 31, 2002
You won't be able to prevent getting sick from certain foods until you have tried them and know what to avoid. Once you figure that out, then you don't have any problems with dumping. There could always be something every once in a while that doesn't agree with you, but isn't that the case with anyone? As far as feeling normal, I was 4 weeks post-op and didn't feel like I had anything done, unless I was eating or looking at my tiny scars. Enjoy your journey!
   — Cheri M.

January 31, 2002
I had Lap RNY 1-8-02. I was in the hospital for 4 days and after I came home I would say within a week maybe two I was back to my normal routine without any problems. I won't be able to try all food until I'm 6 weeks post-op to give my new tummy time to heal but then its all trial and error to find what will work and what won't. Hope this helps you some. Vicki Mize
   — vmize

January 31, 2002
*sound off* People use the term dumping very freely - anything that makes them sick for any reason. Really, dumping is when too much fat or sugar (sugar for most people) gets to the "unaccustomed" intestine very quickly and releases a surge of insulin, causeing nausea, stomach cramps, rarely vomitting, and often diahreah. Lots of poepl get sick from eating to fast, too big of a bite, or the fate of the gods on that particular day. That isn't dumping, however, that is "diagreeing" or made me sick. WHen I dump, its my fault and 99% of the time I know I am about to do it to myself. I only get nausea, ususally. Has to be a _lot_ of sugar (I don't like fatty foods) to make me crampy of give me the big "D". If I feel sick after eating normal food, its usually cause I ate too fast or didn't chew. Maybe once every 2 weeks. I have never thrown up from my surgery. (I did once with the flu). I eat whatever, I mean whatever I want. I don't drink fizzy soda, I find it uncomfortable, and flat soda is icky. I only eat turkey and chicken, my personal choice. Everything else in moderation. Last night I made cookies, and I ate ONE. Not 6, not 12, not with 2 glasses of milk and extra frosting and lots of fingerfuls of dough. ONE. And I will eat another after dinner tonight. I love the self control I have now. (I am 10 months out). Everyone's milage varies, however, I think I am in the majority.
   — M. A. B.

January 31, 2002
About feeling normal, I felt pretty normal once I got on soft solids. Up to that point I really had to make a big deal about what I ate. I got used to different foods and made another jump to "normalcy" at about 5-6 months when I could eat a little bit more and people stopped wondering why I wasn't eating. I do "eat what I want" but that is not the same as eating like I did preop. I avoid bread and sugar and eat about 100 grams of protein a day. Also no fried foods with heavy breading. Fat doesn't necessarily make me dump but too much can make me feel really bad.<p>About dumping I just have to say that I both agree and disagree with the previous poster. Yep, a lot of times it is my fault that I dump. BUT I have dumped on ProBlend 55 protein drink, cottage cheese, and tuna and crackers that I ate before with no problems. Luckily I do not have the diarrhea but boy I did get the shakes, nausea, and dizziness. If you are prone to it, sometimes you just dump. And sometimes if you try the food again it will be just fine the next time. The good news is that if you do dump it will be over in 20-30 minutes. It is NOT the end of the world. I don't know how much you have to lose, but to me losing 100 pounds and feeling great 99% of the time is WORTH the 1% of the time I eat something I shouldn't or have a bad reaction to food. Good luck to you on your decision!
   — ctyst

February 2, 2002
I had a LAP RNY on 11/5/01. I finally started to feel like my old self about 3 weeks ago. All the minor pains stopped, I've been able to eat pretty much anything I want (just not as much of it!!) and I have more energy.
   — Patty H.

February 2, 2002
I had open RNY (conversion from VBG) on December 11th. I am now feeling normal. I went to Carl's Jr. today with my mom-in-law (not something I do often--I do try to avoid fast food) and ate a hard taco, well, half of one. And it was delicious!!! I was satisfied, I ate off the regular menu, I'm down 36 pounds and feeling pretty good. I think everyone has their own schedule and needs to be patient (Ha! That's funny coming from me, I have NO patience!). I have not dumped or thrown up (sorry to be gross), but I have had a little queasiness after eating (doesn't matter what it is) but it seems to be slowly going away. So, I guess a positive attitude, FAITH and a good surgeon all count towards how you'll feel! God Bless!
   — Lisa U.