7 weeks post op Struggling

[marandaw]

Hi! I’m new here. I am 7 weeks post op from gastric bypass surgery and I an down about 35 pounds from highest wait before surgery and almost 30 since surgery.

I thought I was doing really well my first few weeks, and then my 6 week follow up happened and I have been spiraling ever since. Long story short, my doctor has us skip the pure stage and go to soft solids. But most everything I try to eat hurts and is uncomfortable and could/can barely get much down. So because of that I was putting protein powder in my water and drinking my shakes, drinking both basically all day while trying to see what I could try to eat. I felt good about getting in my protein and getting in my water. Then I saw the nutritionist and she told me I was doing it all wrong!
She said that is considered grazing all day and that I should not do that. Water is water only (no protein). And that I am only supposed to have 3 set meals per day (maybe one shake meal replacement) and that I should only eat for 30 minutes and then thats it. Nothing else but water rest of the day. In this method I am struggling to get in my protein numbers and also my water. But ai am also just super demotivated now. I told her I was drinking the fairlife core power shakes she said that was also wrong and that I should be drinking shakes specifically made with the nutrients I need. But they told me in the hospital I could drink those shakes!! Im frustrated that I’m getting conflicting information from my care team. Frustrated that because I am not tolerating food very well at all that I am not getting to my protein or hitting my water goals. And when I try to have a high protein loaded shake or yogurt for breakfast I have diarrhea for at least half the day after as well. Which isnt too uncommon for me bc I have no gallbladder but still makes me feel like I cant even leave the house because I feel like I am going to crap myself all day. Thank god I work remote. BUT the upset stomach is the Least of my worries.

At this point Im just looking for some advice on what any of you did at this time after surgery especially if you struggled with eating, and what recipes you can suggest. Thanks!!

 

[dianeseattle]

Hi Maranda, welcome and congratulations.

It sounds like you're going through some extremely frustrating times. It shouldn't be that way. Just know that you've come to the best support group you'll ever find.

There's a lot of information on my profile and I can certainly relate to your experiences. I was really lucky, though, because I was accepted into a post-op program at the University of Washington's Medical Center. I was intensely monitored and my journey was used to set standards at the federal level for future patients.

But SO MANY of the people in this group have had virtually every outcome you can imagine. You can use the Search feature up in the top bar to enter specific terms like nausea, water, protein grams or any other concern you have. I truly advise you to use it and benefit from the variety of experiences members have shared.

As to the conflicting advice and prohibitions you've been getting, well, that's just wrong. You shouldn't get such judgmental opinions from various doctors. If you have a surgeon who did the procedure, that doctor should be able to refer to to after-care, and an important part of that should include a bariatric nutritionist or dietician. The doctor shouldn't be part of that. Once the surgery is done, the doctor just goes on to do another surgery on another patient. That's IT.

One thing I found extremely helpful was adding a fiber laxative to my daily routine. It doesn't make you feel like you'll crap your pants. It helps solidify your stool and makes it easier to just sliiiiiide right out, so you don't risk breaking stitches or feeling pain. I really advise you adding it to your diet.

And it's really important to get your water in. I think this was the hardest thing I ever did. But it was so unnatural for me that I had to set up a routine and it literally took me ALL DAY to do it. Here's what I did: I measured out my 8 glasses (64 ounces) into a pitcher which I kept in my fridge. I'd pour out a glass and then use a spoon to take a drink, swallow, rest and then drink another spoonful. This is difficult if you work outside your home but it's something I believe you just have to get used to, regardless of who might be staring or commenting. It's no one's business but yours.

Another thing I did was to begin reciting affirmations silently as I walked outside or did housework or regular work. I took mine from a book by Sondra Ray called "The Only Diet There Is," subtitled "A diet from negative thinking."

I can't stress how helpful this was for me. My "mantra' included statements like "Everything I eat turns to health and beauty," and four others. It's important to state them in the present tense, as if it was happening right now, not in the future. If you can't immediately accept that this is your reality, just turn it on its head. Right now your "fat brain" is telling you all kinds of negative things, and in your case, that doctor is adding to your low self-esteem. That's bullsh*t, by the way. That's not a doctor. That's a saboteur and I'd get away from him as fast I could.

There's an old joke I always keep in mind. "Q: What's the difference between God and a doctor? A: God doesn't think he's a doctor." We are taught from an early age that we need to obey everything a doctor tells us--especially if we're women under a male doctor's care. Again, that's BS. A big part of women's problems for ages is the inequality of women to men. I lived through the women's movements of the Sixties and Seventies and wow, what a revolution that was.

I hope you'll find a medical provider and any support groups you need to affirm what you know and feel. You're right and you deserve someone smart enough to know that.

You're awesome and smart. Don't let anyone tell you different.