By: Candy Justina

Candy Justina — Mon, 01 Aug 2005 10:44:46 +0000

Well, not EVERYONE experiments with things before they’re supposed to.
Don’t be leading folks astray. Sounds like you’re really doing great, though. Keep up the good work.
Pam

By: Tristan Rosario

Tristan Rosario — Sun, 31 Jul 2005 23:12:00 +0000

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

Comments on: New member - with questions

By: Candy Justina

By: Tristan Rosario