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Just 8 weeks post-op and still feel miserable. Does it get better?

cmintah

New Member
I had Gastric Bypass at the end of October. Two days post op I had a complication with blood clots. Just got back to work and now I just found out I have two ulcers. I have been so nauseous and have dry heaves all the time. I am so tired of feeling miserable. I don't know what foods to eat and my doctor tells me I need more protein. Any advice would be appreciated. New to this type of forum, but I want to just give up on this whole concept so thought I would see if anyone has advice out there.
 
Hi cmintah, welcome to the board. Sorry that you are having problems. Most of the issues you've described are temporary and will go away. I promise you it will get better. Right now focus on getting your protein and water in. I would look at eating mostly soft foods that you can add unflavored protein powder to, something like Unjury powder might be good. Also there are protein drinks, like Isopure that have 40 grams of protein and 20 oz of water. Work with your Nutritionist to see what foods will have the least impact on the ulcers. Some of the others should have even better advice. We're here for you, just let us know.

Frank

:cool:
 
Welcome!
I hate to hear that you are having trouble. I don't have any advice for ulcers but I can tell you that Unjury is great for getting in protein. I like the chicken soup flavor on cold days and Chocolate splendor mixed with milk after a workout. If you mix the Unjury with milk it is about 30 grams of protein. I know at first getting it all in seems impossible but with time it gets easier.

Best wishes
 
Hi.. WELCOME to the forum!!! I had 2 ulcers before I ever had surgery and the doctor had me take Prilosec for several months which got rid of the ulcers. You would have to check with your doctor to be sure you can take that medicine with having bariatric surgery.

As far as you feeling so bad from the bariatric surgery itself, something is not right, I would put pressure on your surgeon to find out what is wrong. You should be feeling much better by now! Good Luck!
 
I had Gastric Bypass at the end of October. Two days post op I had a complication with blood clots. Just got back to work and now I just found out I have two ulcers. I have been so nauseous and have dry heaves all the time. I am so tired of feeling miserable. I don't know what foods to eat and my doctor tells me I need more protein. Any advice would be appreciated. New to this type of forum, but I want to just give up on this whole concept so thought I would see if anyone has advice out there.

Yes welcome to the forum.

I am also 8 weeks post op. Yes, there are a series of issues in the early weeks and months that we all experience that do go away.

First and foremost and several folks have said it already, make sure you get your needed protein; 60 grams for ladies and 80 grams for men. Find the protein sources that are most agreeable to you such as a hard boiled egg. For example, I cannot consume scramble eggs. However, I can easily consume one soft boiled, poached or hard boiled egg.

Don't overeat at your meal times. The guideline I received is 1/2 cup total of food. Always consume protein first! Then have fruits and then have veggies. Many fruits and veggies cannot be consumed until you are at least 4 months or so post op. So for fruit I enjoy a couple of ounces of apple sauce. It works for me.

KNOW WHEN YOU ARE GETTING FULL AND STOP STOP STOP BEFORE YOU ARE. Otherwise, you will feel miserable. Most of us find we burp or belch a lot when eating or drinking. Everything must be done slowly, very slowly. It takes me a good hour to drink my 8 ounce isopure grape flavored protein drink or my Premier protein Shake. I take little sips at a time. Then I wait to let the gas out by burping after a few sips. This is why they told you in the hospital to take an ounce every 15 minutes or so and sip it slowly; don't gulp it down. You will suffer if you do gulp it down.

Keep a good journal on foods that work well for you and for foods that cause discomfort. Become keenly aware of this and you can reduce your misery considerably. In the early go you will find that even if you get your 60 grams (woman) or 80 grams (man) of protein consumed and some fruit or a little veggie, you will NOT be consuming a lot of calories. Many days I see that I only get in about 800 calories. Now, 8 weeks out I am usually getting close to 1000 calories but not more. Ocassionally, I have made it up to 1200 calories since I allowed myself a "goodie" and the goodie didn't bother me since it was extremely limited. What is a goodie? One cookie.

I even had a cranberry juice or apple juice (and I spiked it with one shot of vodka !!! ).

So eat carefully, be fully aware of foods that begin to bother you long before you consume too much of them. Small meals. For me I even stay below 1/3 cup of total food at a meal. I find I do more than the 3 meals; I am doing mini meals 5 or 6 of them during the day. So, I might have a soft boiled egg now and wait about an hour to hour and a half or 2 and have another soft boiled egg. I CANNOT HAVE BOTH OF THEM IN ONE SITTING. Otherwise, I will feel miserable for about another 2 hours.

All of this is very individual. You have to be completely aware and journal and remember foods that have adverse effects. I love pineapple. But right now it doesn't love me. So if I have more than one pineapple slice out of a can it is too much. I used to sit down and eat the whole can!

Are you getting what I am saying? I hope so.

Best wishes, Happy New Year.

As those of us who are experienced and further down the line in terms of one or more years post op have told you, it does get better.

Be diligent.

Ralph
 
Are you on any of the proton pump inhibitors?

I know I will be for quiet a long while, like the rest of my life. My surgeon and nurse both stated this is to protect my pouch from any possibility of irritation due to excessive acid brought on by foods, drinks, medications or my bodies need to over produce acids.

I wish you the best.

In my late 20's I had over 12 ulcers due to an undiagnosed birth defect. I know what your feeling and it is not pleasant by any means...
 
Are you on any of the proton pump inhibitors?

I know I will be for quiet a long while, like the rest of my life. My surgeon and nurse both stated this is to protect my pouch from any possibility of irritation due to excessive acid brought on by foods, drinks, medications or my bodies need to over produce acids.

I wish you the best.

In my late 20's I had over 12 ulcers due to an undiagnosed birth defect. I know what your feeling and it is not pleasant by any means...

An excellent point.

I am taking Pepcid 40mg a day. I am also taking Prilosec. I am not sure that the Prilosec is doing anything for me, but I am taking it. It is all about protecting our new smaller stomach.

Ralph
 
Just focus on protein and water. And go back to liquid. Once you feel better, then one thing at a time added. I was definitely making myself eat at the eight week mark.
 
Just focus on protein and water. And go back to liquid. Once you feel better, then one thing at a time added. I was definitely making myself eat at the eight week mark.

Hi Jonny!!! WELCOME to the forum! I see you are at goal weight..

Congratulations on your success!!!! :)

Cheyenne :cool:
 
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