New member - with questions
Hi
My name is Evy, and I’m 2 weeks away from saying yes and signing on
the dotted line for bypass surgery. I have spent the last couple of
hours reading some of the past postings and I did not run across one
person from Canada. I only mention this because I am in Toronto and I
know that there are some slight differences with regards to protocol
in the U.S. and Canada. Insurance I am not concerned with as it is
covered by the Canadian OHIP plan however, I did have to fall into a
very specific group first (100lbs over weight <I’m 150 over
27 or more <I’m @ 53
weight). I also noticed that in the U.S. there seems to be more
variations of the surgery, I was only given information on 2 types of
surgery - Divided Gastric Bypass (ROUX-Y) and Vertical Banded
Gastroplasty. My surgeon will be performing the ROUX-Y surgery if I
sign on the dotted line. I had to go through a lot of testing to get
to this point, bone density tests, cardiac tests, cholesterol tests,
nutrition class and a full review from a social worker.
It was interesting to read about the post-op hair loss!! This is the
first I have heard of it and would like to know more, it this common
in all cases?
I’m not nervous about the process of the surgery, as I have had other
smaller surgeries. I am more concerned with what happens after? My
nutritionist tells me that after the surgery my new pouch will hold
no more than 4oz (8 tbsp) of food, taking in to consideration that a
normal stomach hold (comfortably) 1 litre of food - 4oz seems so
drastic and this is the part that is scaring me the most. What is it
really like after the surgery? What are the first 4 weeks like? When
did you start eating solid food? What foods have you not been able to
eat? Is the 4oz rule really true or is the pouch usually bigger? What
is an average meal like now, 6 months or 1 year after surgery?
I’m the kind of person that needs specifics and I have not been able
to get that kind of information from any of the people I have talked
too so far.
You might find this interesting, I was told by my nutritionist that
the first few weeks after the surgery the diet is milk based - I’m
lactose intolerant!! - How’s that going to work?
Any feed back would be appreciated.
Sincerely
Evy
Toronto, Ontario
P.S. have any of you been pregnant after the surgery? I only ask
because I have no children and would like to have some in the near
future but don’t know if nutritionally I will be able to support a
pregnancy?
Thanks again for your support.
August 1st, 2005 at 2:12 am
Hi, Evy, I’m Bonnie, 13 weeks post op from an open RNY. I started at 511,
weighed 432 two weeks ago, and my goal is anything under 200.
If you do a search in OSSG archives you’ll find that there have been many
discussions on the subject of hair loss. So far I haven’t had any experience
with it.
“My nutritionist tells me that after the surgery my new pouch will hold no more
than 4oz of food, taking in to consideration that a normal stomach hold
(comfortably) 1 litre of food - 4oz seems so drastic and this is the part that
is scaring me the most. What is it really like after the surgery? What are the
first 4 weeks like? When did you start eating solid food? What foods have you
not been able to eat? Is the 4oz rule really true or is the pouch usually
bigger? What is an average meal like now, 6 months or 1 year after surgery?”
Unlike Feral Mermaid, I don’t know what size my pouch was after surgery. My
surgeon said it would be the size of his thumb, but afterward he said he made it
a little bigger. In the first four weeks you’ll probably eat liquids or pureed
food. I ate liquids for one week until I got out of the hospital, then started
pureed. In the beginning I could eat about an ounce. I tried things like
yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, soup, peanut butter, sugar free jello and ice
cream, and protein drinks. After 3 to 4 weeks (I was still supposed to be on
puree) I started experimenting. Everyone does. Some things hurt my stomach or
made me nauseous and I didn’t try that particular food again for several weeks.
I found that I could eat turkey, ground beef, and fish, but not chicken or
shrimp (the nutritionist didn’t want me to try beef of any kind for 3 months,
but like I said, I experimented). Most days I had to force myself to eat
because I wasn’t hungry. I went through about ten days of vomiting all the
time. My friends kept encouraging me to eat so that my body wouldn’t get
malnourished. Now I eat about 3 ounces. My diet is still fairly simple and
mostly meat. I eat pot roast, pork chops and ribs, fish, chili, meatloaf,
oriental chop suey, etc. I ate ham for a while but now it doesn’t agree with me
again so I’ve stopped. I have stayed away from all soft breads, baked goods and
pasta. I do eat crisp crackers and rice cakes. I found that I don’t dump so
I’ve given into temptation and had candy a couple times, but usually I eat sugar
free stuff. The nutritionist didn’t want me to try raw veggies for 3 months,
but at 8 to 10 weeks I was able to eat a raw baby carrot and one broccoli
floret. I’m only now allowed to try salad but I haven’t yet. The hardest thing
to do is figure out when I’m full. That was most likely my problem during those
ten days I was vomiting. I was eating too much. I told my doctor that
sometimes I eat and I feel fine, but a half an hour later my stomach feels
unnaturally full, like what I ate expanded. The nutritionist says that our
brain doesn’t get the signal to stop eating for at least 20 minutes after we
start, so if my meal takes less time than that I’ve most likely overeaten.
You might find this interesting, I was told by my nutritionist that the first
few weeks after the surgery the diet is milk based - I’m lactose intolerant!! -
How’s that going to work?” I was not and am not lactose intolerant, but many WLS
patients are. Like Feral Mermaid said, tell your nutritionist. Most likely
you’ll just use soy based products. I’m thrilled with my progress and I know
I’ve still got a lot to learn. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions and
make friends with other WLS patients. They will be your best resource. Bonnie
in VA Open RNY 10/28/02511/432?/199
August 1st, 2005 at 1:44 pm
Well, not EVERYONE experiments with things before they’re supposed to.
Sounds like you’re really doing great, though. Keep up the good work.
Don’t be leading folks astray.
Pam