Question:
I AM 1 WEEK POST OP (OPEN RNY) VERY LIGHT HEADED IS THERE SOMETHING I CAN EAT?

NOT LIKING THE PROTEIN PROCEL VERY MUCH, CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME SOME OTHER TYPE OF PROTEIN I MIGHT EAT OR DRINK TO HELP ME, WILL I ALWAYS FEEL LIKE THIS????????    — [Anonymous] (posted on September 18, 1999)

September 17, 1999
Hi. I just had my surgery 18 days ago and this light headed feeling is normal. Mine went away about 3 days ago. Just hang in there. Your body is under a lot of stress yet and may be goind through some withdrawals from the junk we use to eat. I feel fantastic. Like a new person. Good luck
   — Laura L.

September 18, 1999
You should give your doc a call and make sure the lightheadedness is being caused by something you need to eat or not. There are a variety of proteins out there, Designer Protein, GNC has a house brand, Pro 50, Whey Protein, etc. I'm trying several to see what I like best, but mixing them with flat soda, like orange or rootbeer, etc. helps, as well as ice to make it more like a milkshake, you can add extra Equal to sweeten more or sugarfree flavorings, a little crystal lite powder, all help to make them taste better. You're only a week post-op ... no .. you won't feel this way forever. The lightheadedness could be from meds too ... check with your doc!
   — Sherrie G.

September 18, 1999
What are the protein grams per serving and the sugar grams in the product you're using now? Some "medical" brands offer 5g of protein to a huge amount of sugar. Stick with products with more like 30g of protein to 5g of sugar. If you don't know where to start, email me.
   — vitalady

September 19, 1999
Have you tried Designer Protein at your health food stores (GNC) they are low sugar and lactose free? They come in several flavors: French Vanilla, Chocolate, Natural, Strawberry and Vanilla Praline. They are the ones I can drink. I have to drink seven a day. But I double up on a couple so I don't have to drink as many. There is also Citrameno and Cheramino, these are like syrups you take by the tablespoons. The Citrameno is suppose to taste like orange and the Cheramino is suppose to taste like cherry. I haven't tried these yet but will be purchasing these soon. They would be nice to have when it's to inconvenient to make a protein shake. Also some ideas for mixing the French Vanilla with either 1/2 orange juice and water or 1/2 pine-orange banana juice with water and your scoop(s) of Vanilla in a blender. This tastes really good almost like an orange julius. Hope these help. Protein is so important you need these so your body doesn't canibalize your muscle mass.
   — bperrin

September 19, 1999
Have you tried some cream of wheat? I ate that with equal.Also have you tried skim milk( I put it on the rocks)how bout yogurt? While you are on cl. liquids you are pretty limited but full liquids gives you more of a variety. I could eat liquidy mashed potatoes and we would go to Kentucky fried Chicken and get me a mashed potato with gravy and I could keep that down. Just hang in there it does get better- but remember that while you are feeling like you can't eat ANYTHING you are losing weight.You will drop most of your weight the first 6 mo. and continue from there depending on how much you have to lose. Have you tried soups? Boullions? I also froze Crystal Light and scraped it so it was like a snow cone. I ate diet puddings and diet jellos too. Good Luck I hope that helps. Keep at it - it does get better. I am 17 mo post-op and have lost 159#. God Bless!! Jan Terry
   — Jan T.

September 19, 1999
NO! You will not always feel like this, its gets better and better everyday !!! You just had major surgery, your not going to feel fabulous yet , but you will!! Try Designer Protein from GNC, its really very very good. Of course, you should check with your physician / dietician first, but mine said that it's fine.
   — Mary Anne M.

September 20, 1999
I know exactly what you mean, I am now 4 1/2 wks post op, open rny, and the first weeks were very hard. You are probably at the full liquid stage, right? I drank a lot of milk, sugar free pudding with extra powdered milk, instant breakfast (sugar free), and sugar free jello. Don't forget the juice, that gives you extra calories and fluids. Dilute it 1:1 and sip it all day. I feel much better now, you adjust to the lower intake after awhile, email me if you need anything else.
   — Stephanie S.

September 20, 1999
Take it easy, rest frequently and don't push yourself. I also was very lightheaded, I was only able to go through 1/2 the grocery store at a time. This went on for at least a month. Also I'm 58 which could accountfor some of it. Be sure to drink your protine it will help you get over this hump. Time and lots of rest will help you get over this.
   — Anna D.

September 22, 1999
Have you tried Designer protein from GNC? Its around $18.00 a can and will last about a week. It actually tastes good with a pkg of Nutra sweet in it.I like the choclate flavor. Has 17 grams of protein per scoop. Two scoops to 8 ounces of skim milk, a few ice cubes and you have a shake. That is 41 grams of protein counting the milk. In the begining I used one scoop and 1/2 cup of milk twice a day. I still use it now after almost two years, when I get light headed or know I haven't had enough protein.
   — Ellen M.

October 6, 1999
Hi Im about two weeks postopt and for the most part I have been doing well. I have had a few light headed moments but I mostly contributed them to the pain medication. However yesterday I was light headed and dizzy all day and I have not had a pain med for two days. I concentrated the whole day on trying to make sure I got plenty of protein when I ate my meals and I still felt very light headed and tired. Finally about 8:30 pm I gave up went to bed and slept till 8:30 the next morning. I was so tired. I just could not seem to wake up. But today I feel much better. So maybe letting yourself get to tired might affect how you feel as well. Make sure you get plenty of rest. Your body is healing and needs it.
   — kissaducky

October 7, 1999
Hi, I have been having the same problem. I cannot keep high protein drinks like ensure, resource or boost down--just get sick and vomit them up. So my doctor told me to take tofu for protein. I get the liquid (soy milk) blend it with fruit and ice, and sip it all day. Really tastes much better and ensures that I get the protein I need. Also use firmer tofu to mix a yogurt with any fruit. Hope this helps you.
   — Aimee M.

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