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I know it sounds crazy but I really was not hungry at all after the surgery. I got sick of all the protein shakes, but no hunger. I was soo ready to start food though, not because of the hunger but the bore of only drinking, and all the tasty food all around!
So I have begun eating pureed food already and have had absolutely no problems. I am getting my appetite back already adn I dont know if that is normal or not. I get hungry just in time to eat. I have been eating as the nutritionist told me, but I feel like I could eat more than I am supposed to, so I really have to watch out! Im to the point where when I finish my allotted meal, I am not hungry, but I am not really full either. I dont know if it is just because it is pureed food, but I thought I would be UNABLE to eat too much for a while at least. The good news is that I am trying new things and nothing so far is causing me any problems!

Keep up the diet!

Brittany

Hi everyone.  Don't know how many of you have taken advantage of the montly meetings, but they are awesome.  Dr. Raja and staff have a great class and work hard at the programs. Sure would like to see more banders attending.  Last week there was quite a crowd was very uplifting sharing our thoughts and stories.  Hope to see you there next month!

Congratulations on having the surgery, and thanks for sharing your thoughts on your preop & post  I am still hanging in there with my diet.  Some days more successful then others, but every morning, I wake up with the intention of eating  healthy. My problem is that (like you said in your msg) I am always surrounded by food.  I cannot seem to escape or hide from it.  The food is always there right in my face. I am also very involved with my school and church, so there is always some social event to attend.  And you guessed it...there is always food. 

I have to agree with you, the preparing and waiting period is probably the toughest.  In your email you said, you were not hungry after the surgery...that really caught my attention.  I mean, you didn't eat solid food for week prior to the surgery.  I would have thought you would have been ready to eat anything but a protein drink.  I hope things go as smooth for me, as they appear to have gone for you.  Good luck and my prayers are with you.  JFM

Hello everyone... first time I have posted, so hope it goes through!  Would anyone have and care to share any recipes for protein bars?  Would be a good change from the protein shakes! Thanks!!!

so I had my 2 week post op appt today, even though I am only a week post op (I live out of town), and I am still learning about my vitamins. I dont know whether the nutritionist wasnt specific at the beginning or I just missed it, but I have bougth the wrong vitamins more than once. So here is exactly what I know so far:

Everything has to be chewable or liquid

Iron: needs to be at least 27mg a day. Can be in a multivitamin or separate. Make sure either way it is taken 2 hrs apart from the calcium.

Calcium: must be calcium CITRATE!!! not regular calcium.

multivitamin needs to contain B complex


B 12

hope this helps!

I wish that the nutritionist would give us a list of her top protein shakes, and maybe a little info on what she would like for them to contain (vital nutrients). There are so many different types of shakes out there and I want what's best for me. I just assumed that the ones on the store linked to this site was the recommended ones, but that was not true.

It has been a few days now and I had not had this problem any more. It only lasted  those first few days after surgery. I wonder if everyone experiences that?

So I had my surgery on tuesday, and just started having bowel movements on thursday. Since then I am on my regular schedule, same as before surgery. But I noticed that my stool is black and greenish yellow, but doesnt smell any different (I know, gross ). It is not at all tarry, or formed in any way. I thought it may just be a mixture of old blood, chocolate shakes, and increased iron intake, but am not sure. Trae called today and I completely forgot to ask her about it. Now I have to wait until monday to call them back. I am feeling great, I have energy, been shopping, walking the neighborhood, all that, so I dont FEEL as if I am losing a lot of blood. If it gets worse, or more symptoms appear, I will go to the Emergency Department, as I dont know whether this is normal or not. If anyone knows, please let me know if this is serious or not.

I will update you on whether it gets better or worse, and what Dr. Raja says about this.

Brittany

So last night I decided that the pain wasnt too horribly bad, and so I decided not to wake up in the middle of the night to take any pain meds. HUGE mistake!! I woke up at 6am in pain. I had to go to the bathroom, but when I tried to move, the pain became overwhelming. I was sore all over. My neck was stiff and I couldnt lift it up. My legs were sore and not easily mobile, and of course I cant twist my abdomen. I had to shimmy on my back to the side of the bed, then let my legs hang down before I could get up. That was the worst pain yet! I couldnt even stand straight up! I went to the bathroom and took my lortab before getting up. I have been in pain all day today, but if I get up and walk, the pain is diminished. So even though you dont think you can sit up, let alone exercise, try it. It's possible! I will be SURE to get up and take some pain medication in the middle of the night tonight so I dont have a repeat of this morning.

I just had my surgery done yesterday!  I was fortunate enough that I had already met with dr's, and nutritionists for may years before doing this surgery, so the insurance approved me within 2 weeks of putting in the request. I received the laproscopic gastric bypass, so I was on a full liquid diet for a week prior to the surgery. It was very difficult to stick to when everyone around you was eating, there were tons of food commercials on TV, and no matter where you drive, you will pass countless resteraunts.
The surgery yesterday went very well. I checked in, a receptionist called me back and verified I was who I said I was, then banded me and took me back to the surgical holding area. They started an IV with normal saline, gave me pepcin for gastric acids, and heparin to prevent blood clots. I waited a while, before the surgery, but it was worth the wait. It was so nice that the anastesiologist, surgical nurse, and Dr. Raja came around and told me what each of them would be doing. They made sure my family was comfortable, and kept me updated. When it was time to go to surgery, they gave me a medication that made me dizzy as they pushed me to the surgery room. I have no reccollection of that room though. I must have already been out! Next thing I know, I was out of surgery and my first thought was "did I fall asleep and just dreampt I had surgery?" But it was allready over! I quickly moved upstairs to my private room, and was able to begin walking. It really hurt to get up, but after about a minute or 2 of walking, it got easier, and every time I got up it has been easier and easier, with less pain.
I was sent home at 3pm today. Its nice to be back home. I have gotten to walk outside a lot and get fresh air. I am not hungry AT ALL. but am able to tolerate my liquid diet. I am now just focusing on making sure I get all my protein I need first. Its so much less painful than I thought! So I guess it was before the surgery that has been the most difficult so far. I hope this has answered your question. Please feel free  to ask anything!


Brittany