Question:
when will I feel normal?

Hi I am 3 1/2 weeks post op and I feel not too good I had an open DS/BPD I did well in hospital and when I came home I felt pretty good. Lately I have been feeling nauseated or had hunger [pangs followed by nausea and vomiting once I eat. I am tired and have very little energy. At the moment I am not taking my calcium or iron as I was having lots of vomiting following taking them and one of the GP's said to stop til my stomach is not so inflammed. I don't regret doing this because I know the wonderful possibilities my life will have once I lose weight I am just wondering when will I feel better? and what can I do in the meantime?? Susan    — susan T. (posted on August 18, 2002)

August 17, 2002
Hi I had the same problem and Reglen and another (ulcer)med I can't remember the name but it started with a "P" did the trick for me...I only had to take both of them for about 6 months...The Reglen really calmed down the inflamation as did the other one also....I felt the difference in about 4 days.....but until you can get the help you need, stick with very small amounts, baby bites, just about 1/2 teaspoon every 5 minutes all day long...Eating very slow made my food stay down ....Also my LIFESAVER was hot tea...Fortunately, I could hold down milk in my tea also, so I just made me cup after cup of hot tea with sugar, sometimes with milk and sometimes not....gosh it sure calms a sick tummy....try it....Good Luck
   — Joi G.

August 17, 2002
Hi. I had lap RNY. For the few weeks I thought I was going to die. I was so tired, I couldn't walk 20 feet without having to rest. I just did what the doctor told me, walked as much as possible. Sure enough, on my forth week post op I felt great. Everyday got better and now I feel fine. So if your poblems continue talk to you doctor. You should be starting to feel a lot better soon. Good Luck.
   — Sarah K.

August 17, 2002
It actually took me about eight weeks before I began feeling "normal" after my RNY. For me the problem was extreme fatigue. But one day I woke up feeling fine and it has generally been smooth sailing since then. Congratulations on your surgery and stay strong! Focus on what you'll be feeling like a year from now and you'll do great!
   — BlueGray

August 18, 2002
Hi... I am now 4.5 months post op. I too had the early nausea and felt generally lousy. At about 6 wks I knew I had to get this under control. What worked for me was upping my protein, drinking as much water as I could and now I'm up to about 80-100 oz a day or more, but Celestial Seasoning Peppermint tea and sf hot chocolate were my staples. I kept a mug of hot peppermint tea with me at all times and switched off sometimes with the sf hot chocolate which I added in about 2 oz of milk to. Once you get the nausea under control make sure to get the protein in. At the time I used Extreme Pure Pro which is premixed and more like juice (orange cream, punch and grape) and I mixed a half bottle with half crystal lite (raspberry ice or orange strawberry banana worked great). Now I use Proscore100 Chocolate and love it. It is my breakfast every morning. 2 scoops, l/2 c. ice, 6 oz of 1 or 2% milk and blend. Sometimes to make more chocolatey I add a little sf choc pudding. MMM Vitalady suggested this to me and I absolutely love it. Now at 4.5 months and 66# gone, I feel super. Make sure you get your multivitamins, calcium, and magnesium in...the iron can hold till your stomach feels calmer. My best to you.
   — AJC750

August 18, 2002
Susan, what is your diet like? At 3 weeks you should be on heavy liquids, like cream soups and very soft foods, like runny eggs, cottage cheese etc. If you are throwing up, perhaps you are eating too fast? Try slowing down, eating less. Are you throwing up everything to include liquids? If so, check with your doctor as you may have a stricture. I, too, felt extremely nauseous the first month or so especially in the am and had to force myself to drink and eat. And had no energy. But I did not throw up all the time like you are doing. I got my energy back around weeks 4-6 when i was able to start eating solid food. Good luck to you-the early stages really suck but it does get better. You have a great positive attitude-most of us regretted the surgery during the early weeks!! Hang in there
   — Cindy R.

August 18, 2002
Hang in there. Give yourself another week or so. I noticed a big difference just between a day or two. I went back to work at 4 weeks but still felt alittle tired. At 6-7 weeks I was doing everything as before.
   — liz D.