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MyFitnessPal Community

1st few weeks after surgery

mwc12

Does anyone remember the first few weeks after surgery and what it was like. I've been having a very tough time and was wondering how everyone else got through it. I need all the input I can get

Melissa
Surgery 11/10/2011

Replies

IsMollyReallyHungry

The 1st 3 to 4 weeks were rough mentally and physically. Not sure what type of issues you are having but it was rough. I cried a lot and felt I should not have had the surgery. I cried because I wanted certain foods and I could not have them. I had lost my friend. FOOD. I am not sure what type of problems you are having but I had more mental issues than physical.

I stopped watching TV for about a week because of all the food commercials, etc. Can you shed more light on what is going on?

I started feeling better 6 weeks out when I went back to work. Each day I got stronger and stronger and after 2 months I was good to go. It was a dream come true and I was thankful I had surgery.

Hang in there dear because it will get better for sure and what type of surgery did you have?

Laura8603

What kind of surgery did you have? I had gastric bypass 3 years ago. First few weeks were definitely the toughest. I stayed on protein shakes longer than I had to because I knew I could handle it. I was completely exhausted the first few months and really did not start feeling "great" until the 6 month mark. Hang in there!! I promise it gets better!!

tncmom

I had gastric bypass and the first month or so was awful. But, it gets better and so do you. Just keep thinking that - you did this for the long haul. I could not wait to move through the phases and my doc actually gave me permission to move through them a little faster since I was doing so well. Remember, that is what your doc is for - to answer questions, give suggestions and help you out. Call the office and see if there is a nurse or physicians assistant that you can talk to.

Hang in there!

maxsdad9

The irst few weeks suck! It get's better and you will figure out what you can eat and what you can't. You will be thinner and happier. Give yourself time.

Simona38

Like everyone else said, the first few weeks were rough. Food was getting stuck, I was in a lot of pain every time I ate and I kept thinking I made the biggest mistake of my life.

Now...3.5 months later I know this is the BEST thing I've ever done for myself. I know what I can eat and what to stay away from. Yes, I miss certain foods but that feeling quickly passes. I'm not a dumper so I can eat pretty much anything. If I indulge it's few and far between and in very small quantities.

IsMollyReallyHungry

Like everyone else said, the first few weeks were rough. Food was getting stuck, I was in a lot of pain every time I ate and I kept thinking I made the biggest mistake of my life.

I was definitely thinking why did I do this for sure.

mwc12

That's how I have been feeling crying at a drop of a hat, getting upset with everyone probably because they get to eat whatever. Foodwise yeah I miss it and I'm having a lot of nausea but the doctor knows and on meds for that but nothing taste good and I don't feel like eating anything, I have a hard time with protein shakes even though I could drink them before the surgery. Right now it seems like all I like to eat is apple sauce. I don't know the emotional part is difficult. I have lots of support but yet I still feel all alone, and I just feel so tired. I probably could go on and on thanks everyone for all the input.

Melissa

mwc12

Sorry forgot I had gastric bypass November 10th

MSWDiet

SORRY IT HAS BEEN ROUGH FOR YOU. EXPERIENCES VARY SO WIDELY. I GOT LUCKY. MY FIRST FEW WEEKS WERE EASIER THAN EXPECTED. FROM THE DAY OF MY RNY I HAD NO PAIN, NO TROUBLE WITH THE POUCH... BUT IT DID NOT LAST.

SURGERY DAY, AS INSTRUCTED BY MY SURGEON I WALKED AS MUCH AS THE NURSES WOULD ESCORT ME AND BY THE EVENING I WAS WALKING THE FLOOR ON MY OWN. WHEN I WAS SEATED I KEPT MY LEGS MOVING; AGAIN, AS I WAS INSTRUCTED. I WAS CLEARED FOR RELEASE THE NEXT MORNING BUT REQUIRED TO STAY UNTIL MID AFTERNOON.

WHERE FOOD WAS CONCERNED IT WAS 3 DAYS ON LIQUIDS FOLLOWED BY ABOUT 12 DAYS ON PUREE. DAY 16, SOLIDS COOKED SOFT ETC... I HAD NO ISSUES UNTIL I WAS A MONTH OUT. THEN ANYTHING I ATE SAT LIKE A HUGH BRICK IN MY POUCH. LIQUID OR SOLID, IT SEEMED LIKE NOTHING WANTED TO DIGEST. DENSE PROTEIN WAS THE WORST. THIS WENT ON FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS.

FOR ME THERE WERE NO REAL EMOTIONAL ISSUES. I DIDN'T MISS FOOD OR HAVE DIFFICULTY BEING AROUND FOOD. MY EMOTIONAL ISSUE WAS WANTING TO EAT, FEELING HUNGRY, FEELING THIRSTY, YET BEING UNABLE TO EAT AND DRINK WITHOUT FEELING PERPETUALLY OVER STUFFED. AN OUNCE OF DENSE PROTEIN COULD KEEP ME UNCOMFORTABLY FULL FOR EIGHT HOURS.

YOU NEVER KNOW ONCE THE PLUMBING IS RE ROUTED. YOU STRUGGLE NOW BUT IT WILL PASS. I HAD ZERO ISSUES AT THE START AND THEN I STRUGGLED. IN THE END THE BODY HEALS AND WE GET THROUGH IT. BE STRONG. IT IS WORTH THE STRUGGLE.

tncmom

That's how I have been feeling crying at a drop of a hat, getting upset with everyone probably because they get to eat whatever. Foodwise yeah I miss it and I'm having a lot of nausea but the doctor knows and on meds for that but nothing taste good and I don't feel like eating anything, I have a hard time with protein shakes even though I could drink them before the surgery. Right now it seems like all I like to eat is apple sauce. I don't know the emotional part is difficult. I have lots of support but yet I still feel all alone, and I just feel so tired. I probably could go on and on thanks everyone for all the input.

Melissa

The crying at the drop of the hat is to be expected - your estrogen is stored in your fat, when you lose fat, you release those hormones into your body and you have to deal with them. Expect your monthly cycle (if you have one) to be all sorts of wonky, too. It took a couple of months before the tears stopped and I am 6 months out and still have not had a regular cycle. The GYN just put me on birth control to get the cycles regular for now.

You are only two weeks out right now - be gentle with your self. My doc explained that I could get away with not worrying about the protein etc. until about 6 weeks out. I could not stand shakes for about the first three months, now I drink one every day for breakfast and I enjoy it.

Hang in there, I'm here for you if you need it - just let me know!

mwc12

Thanks everyone its great to to there are others like me and help me through

Thanks

fbbtaylor

I am 11 weeks post op so it wasn't that long ago that i was where you are. I was tired, moody, and had to completely learn a whole new set of cues from my sore and sensitive stomach, it like learning a new language......

Initially couldn't stand protein shakes....but that has changed. I found that re-fried beans were great when i was having a hard time with getting stuff down.

I also developed and still have an intolerance to sugar. if i eat anything with more than 5 or 6 grams I get a bad headache, flushed and lightheaded.

It is such an individual journey and i find that i have many similarities and many differences as compared to others. I just did the best i could with everything and over time things all seems back to normal. Thanks goodness my mother was here for a month....the help was a saving grace!

skatermom503

I am 7 weeks post-op and still have that "OMG! What have I done?" feeling every day. But also, everyday is a little better. I sailed thru surgery and had an uneventful recovery but I have been miserable. Nothing tastes good or it gets stuck. And I have a metallic taste in my mouth that drives me crazy. Having said that, I will say again, each day is a little better. And it will be for you too. This is an adjustment but it will be worth it in the end. Hang in there and know you are not alone. A lot of us feel, or have felt, the same way and it will improve. Best of luck!

AdymondNtheRuff

It was really hard for me cause gas got trapped and my night and days were mixed up... had you asked me would i have recommended in the 1st two months i would have said no but there after i loved every minute of it. i do not believe i took full advantage of it...I needed this site for help and support! We are here to help you!