Which food do you think gave trouble?

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Good Morning,

I had a bad night last night, something didn't agree with me and gave me gas. I'm going to post what I ate yesterday and am curious if anything jumps out at you. I was up since 2:30 am (and I usually have a bowel movement first thing in the morning and that's not happening, a little constipated.) I'm thinking perhaps the cashews?!

At 5:00 am: 2 tablespoon Tylenol liquid (regular dose)

Morning breakfast: Isopure zero carb grape frost 40 gram protein drink and Louis Kemp imitation crab stick. Also armour thyroid pill, baby aspirin for blood pressure, omeprazole 40 g, high ADEK chewable vitamin, B-12 sublingual

Morning snack: Polly o string cheese stick, 2 Advil

Lunch: 3 ounces of deli chicken. Also dry vitamin D, calcium, and high ADEK chewable vitamin

Afternoon snack: Tylenol liquid, then an hour later 2 Advil, then at the 5:20 movie, 2 ounces of cashews. A little later, the last high ADEK chewable vitamin

Dinner: Egg drop soup. Also took calcium and probiotic.

Before bed: Took last calcium and 2 Advil PM (having trouble sleeping)

In case you're wondering, FitnessPal states this adds up to 39 fat, 29 carbs, 88 protein, and not that it matters 808 calories.

I'm really trying to stay positive but I'm 6 weeks post-surgery Monday and I'm afraid maybe this wasn't the right decision for me. I'm worried about what can go wrong, I know even without surgery things go wrong! It just seems like many things do and I'm trying to do everything right but hernias, blockages, and even strictures seem to occur whether or not all rules are followed. I also still feel discomfort in spots and am very tired, though the wonderful vets on here say give it three months. Maybe I'm just feeling sorry for myself because I don't feel like my regular self and I'm afraid that won't happen in my case! Is that silly? I want to play tennis again and don't know when I can, my doctor said when you feel ready, but I'm not sure what that will feel like. I guess I'm also hoping things go well when I go back to work at 7 weeks, so only one more week off!

Your feedback is appreciated,
Kelly

[illinids2]

I have to ask Kelly, because I hear people talk about getting gas a lot on here and it confuses me. Please don't take this wrong as I am just trying to understand. Gas is a normal part of every human being's life so when I hear people say they have gas it makes me say, "okay, I would be worried if I didn't have gas". Are you saying you had long lasting and very painful gas or just that you had some gas and the odor was bad?

Personally I don't get bad painful gas. I do have times when my system aches and I feel like I need to puke (like I at too much or bowels aren't moving enough to clear room for the food).

So as to what might be causing your discomfort, personally cashews do not cause any issue for me and in fact the oil actually loosens things up. When you say deli chicken do you mean lunch meat or rotissere chicken? The skin from chicken can cause me issues as it is not easily digestible so just checking.

The other thing I have to ask, why are you taking so much tylenol? Tylenol is a very dangerous drug when taken too often and can have side effects (google dangers of taking too much tylenol). It could be binding you up and causing some issues. Additionally, if I take too much calcium it hurts my gut and feels like it constipates me (almost like a minor blockage). At times I have forgotten to take my calcium during the day so I took 3 or 4 at a time, and that is when I had issues.

Just some ideas.

[west4thavenue]

Kelly, I am so sorry you are not feeling well.  I don't see anything that appears "wrong" with your intake, so I am going to let the vets address anything they see.  What I really want you to know is that the gas and lack of energy are not uncommon for 6 weeks out. 

As for me, I can tell you that only since I was at the end of my 4th month out did I begin to feel like myself.  I had lots of diarrhea and that ended only about a month ago.  And it always seemed to hit me either in the middle of the night or early in the morning.  I was really concerned, like you, that my weight loss was exacting a sacrifice of quality of life!  No energy.  Nada.  My big love is gardening -- a very serious hobby -- and I thought it was simply over.  I didn't have the stamina to even water my plants.  My husband had to empty my greenhouse this spring and was trying to take care of everything for me (he hates it, but he did it, bless him).

Then, it just changed.  Go figure.  I have had the best time in just the last 4 weeks.  I don't just feel like myself again, I feel better than I have felt in years!  WAY better than I was feeling before surgery.  I won't lie to you, Kelly, I have gas on occasion, but it doesn't hurt like it did and I'm really pretty regular.  It's not a biggie.  I have so much energy it's crazy! 

DS is a big, fat life altering surgery and your guts got put through a mixmaster.  Six weeks in the healing phase is not much time.   You are going to do beautifully.   Pace yourself going back to work in the beginning.  You will manage and get through this phase and come out on a higher "top" than you ever imagined. 

Do not lose heart!  You haven't even gotten started!

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Thanks, illinids2. When I say gas, I mean pain in the abdomen, like I have to go to the bathroom, but that doesn't happen. It lasted a bit and I got up 2 or 3 times, then it went away but came back later. Now it's gone. I follow your posts and I think you're a very lucky guy as you seem to handle everything good!! Good point about everyone having some, that makes me feel better.

The deli chicken was lunch meat. I still can't eat a lot but try to get some animal protein in everyday.

The Tylenol seems to work better than Advil and it is liquid so it's easier to take. I thought 2 doses of Tylenol would be okay daily. I had an open procedure and the spot that hurts is where the band was removed (the port was probably in there good after 6 years). I'm googling what you suggest now (and I'll probably never take it again!) I take my calcium at least three hours apart in doses of 500 each for a total of 1500.

Thank you, very much, for your ideas,
Kelly

Ps- I'm getting in over 65 ounces of fluids, too!

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Monica,

What a wonderful, inspirational post, thank you! Just knowing I'm not the only one who ever felt like this means the world. Your gardening sounds like my tennis. I'm so glad you are feeling absolutely wonderful! That certainly gives me lots of hope. I'm happy your husband helped out to keep your gardening going.

I appreciate your response, thank you!

Kelly

[illinids2]

Aug 16, 2014 8:24:54 GMT -5 OnMyWay2Thin said:

Thanks, illinids2. When I say gas, I mean pain in the abdomen, like I have to go to the bathroom, but that doesn't happen. It lasted a bit and I got up 2 or 3 times, then it went away but came back later. Now it's gone. I follow your posts and I think you're a very lucky guy as you seem to handle everything good!! Good point about everyone having some, that makes me feel better.

The deli chicken was lunch meat. I still can't eat a lot but try to get some animal protein in everyday.

The Tylenol seems to work better than Advil and it is liquid so it's easier to take. I thought 2 doses of Tylenol would be okay daily. I had an open procedure and the spot that hurts is where the band was removed (the port was probably in there good after 6 years). I'm googling what you suggest now (and I'll probably never take it again!) I take my calcium at least three hours apart in doses of 500 each for a total of 1500.

Thank you, very much, for your ideas,
Kelly

Ps- I'm getting in over 65 ounces of fluids, too!

If you are still hurting I don't want to scare you away from managing your pain. Tylenol in moderation is safe just be aware it is really easy to get too much without realiz8ng.

As far as the pain you are having o get that at times as well and had it last night and now. BTW I get up 2-3 times a night to poop and I couldn't eat or drink squat for the first two months. I had an extremely difficult first several months including a 3 day hospital stay for a kidney stone( failed procedure to get out and Stent for 10 days) and several er trips for dehydration.

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Illinids2, I was going to like your recent post but then realized the trouble with the kidney stones and hospitalization would be included! Thank you for sharing this with me, your posts are fairly carefree and I never would have known you had trouble the first several months. In comparison, I'm doing pretty good. I'm sorry you experienced that your first few months and am so happy you're in grand shape now. You add great perspective to this entire group.

Regarding the Tylenol, I appreciate your having me read that. The truth is, why use that if I can use Advil instead. Now, once in a while I have serious arthritic pain (yes, I'm 46, but arthritis runs in my family) and for that I have hydrocodone that I take once a day until it passes. I checked that after reading up on it and that has 325 in it so I should be okay if that crops up. Fortunately, I haven't needed it since surgery. I'm hoping that continues!

Thanks again for your great advice.

[Girlrocker]

You have new post-op challenges, and trust me/us, we all did! You can page back here a loooong way and you'll read the tales. Some are in detail on the MyStory board, which is a kind-of blog function here. You are totally normal in your recovery, the first 3 months can be very difficult because you have a brand new digestive system, you are healing from a very major surgery, and, it's a LOT of work on a body part that doesn't deal well with being manhandled - the intestines. So your GI area system is pissed off while it heals. Think progression like an infant because that's really what is - new like a baby, liquids to very slow, gradual progression into more dense, solid foods. But factor in the scope of the surgery you just had, which puts the gas, malaise, aches/pain, discomfort into perspective.

Depression, anxiety, buyer's remorse are normal too. Women particularly deal with hormones going amok, and the anesthesia is the worst culprit, which we are also healing from. We read of other's complications and wonder, is it happening to me. We feel guilty 'we did this to ourselves', like it was a vanity surgery instead of remembering that we do it to be healthy, live. There's a general blue print for DSers of foods,items that might set things off - carbs (good and not so good), caffeine, sugar alchols...and then, you can ask 20 people and get 20 different answers, it's trial and error how our body reacts, and mostly sorts itself out longer term in terms of your own patterns.

The early postop time is hard, and there is a lot progression, trial and error and change this first year, but the farther out you are, the more it overall stabilizes. Always with some 'quirks' but none that make the quality of life you get in return not worth it. You should always stay on top of your pain, and if ever in doubt, call your surgeon, PCP or go to emergency room. And post here, always and often.

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Thanks, Sharyl, you pinpointed my feelings exactly, "I did this to myself!" Wow, you hit it right on. I guess I'm just rushing the "wanting to be myself again" part and that's why I'm feeling this way. I think I've read everything on the boards as it's so darn helpful to see how others handled it. I definitely did this to make my life better (and try to get rid of diabetes) but I'm still nervous I guess. I don't know why, I have an awesome husband and family and everyone is supportive. I think I'm just a take charge type of person and, in this case, I'm at the mercy of my body healing so it doesn't matter what I want because time is the only healer. Thanks so much for all your support all the time.

Enjoy your weekend,
Kelly

[newyorkbitch]

I would stick to Advil 3 times a day and stop the tylenol. Then reduce to Advil twice a day. Etc.

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Thanks, NYB, always good straightforward advice comes from you! (Gees, I'm starting to count on it, you're very knowledgeable!)

[newyorkbitch]

Try eating real food for one day. No imitation crab, no processed deli meat….just real food.

Eggs, real chicken (dark meat), fish…

[illinids2]

Aug 16, 2014 10:17:58 GMT -5 OnMyWay2Thin said:

Illinids2, I was going to like your recent post but then realized the trouble with the kidney stones and hospitalization would be included! Thank you for sharing this with me, your posts are fairly carefree and I never would have known you had trouble the first several months. In comparison, I'm doing pretty good. I'm sorry you experienced that your first few months and am so happy you're in grand shape now. You add great perspective to this entire group.

Regarding the Tylenol, I appreciate your having me read that. The truth is, why use that if I can use Advil instead. Now, once in a while I have serious arthritic pain (yes, I'm 46, but arthritis runs in my family) and for that I have hydrocodone that I take once a day until it passes. I checked that after reading up on it and that has 325 in it so I should be okay if that crops up. Fortunately, I haven't needed it since surgery. I'm hoping that continues!

Thanks again for your great advice.

Thanks and no worries if you had liked, I would have understood what you meant.

It gets easier the further you get out, but I still have rough days on occasion (gut aches) but a gazillion times easier than early on. 

Regarding the foods NYB advised, I found some kind of sauce or broth helped to lubricate and get those foods down easier.   Sunny side up eggs that are very runny were and still are a great/easy source of protein.  It took several months before I could do scrambled or an omelet.  

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Aug 16, 2014 12:45:54 GMT -5 newyorkbitch said:

Try eating real food for one day. No imitation crab, no processed deli meat….just real food.

Eggs, real chicken (dark meat), fish…

My first time quoting, so I hope I do it right!

Today I had a scrambled egg, 2 1/2 pieces of bacon, string cheese, roast beef for lunch, and now my hubby is making me his delicious sea scallops with Hawaiian Sea Salt (they are a treat!) maybe a sugar free jello later. I also had my Isopure 40 gram protein drink. Hopefully, that's better!

Thanks again, everybody!

[maggiesara]

NSAIDs like Advil can chew the hell out of your stomach if you don't take them with food, and it looks like you're not getting much food in. I would seriously recommend talking to your doctor about pain management; at this point you're medicating yourself to an unhelpful extent. If your pain is bad enough that you need the doses you're taking, you should probably be under the care of a doctor, and specifically one who knows how much you are capable of eating right now.

FWIW, some of the worst stomach pain I ever had was a result of taking Advil on an empty stomach.

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Maggiesara, Thanks for your response. As illinids2 and NYB suggested yesterday, I cut out the Tylenol and only took Advil twice. I actually felt fine, imagine that LOL. I surprised myself! I'm actually getting in twice the protein than recommended right now, I'm six weeks out tomorrow. I just started solids about two weeks ago and, though I'm trying hard, if I try and get any more in, I will be sick. I think I'm eating to capacity right now and am anticipating as time moves on, my stomach allowing more without the overstuffed feeling worried it will come back up.

I'll definitely take your advice and not take Advil on an empty stomach. I appreciate that recommendation very much.

Have a great Sunday,
Kelly

[Joanne]

Aug 17, 2014 7:01:25 GMT -5 OnMyWay2Thin said:

Maggiesara, Thanks for your response. As illinids2 and NYB suggested yesterday, I cut out the Tylenol and only took Advil twice. I actually felt fine, imagine that LOL. I surprised myself! I'm actually getting in twice the protein than recommended right now, I'm six weeks out tomorrow. I just started solids about two weeks ago and, though I'm trying hard, if I try and get any more in, I will be sick. I think I'm eating to capacity right now and am anticipating as time moves on, my stomach allowing more without the overstuffed feeling worried it will come back up.

I'll definitely take your advice and not take Advil on an empty stomach. I appreciate that recommendation very much.

Have a great Sunday,
Kelly

Kelly,
I'm glad it seems to be working out! You'll definitely be able to eat more in time. It's not easy in the beginning to get in that much protein. What worked for me was giving up the idea of mealtime, and just eating throughout the day. Every hour or so I would eat something, usually some ricotta cheese or an egg, or something like that. My surgeon suggested it to me for nausea, which he said sometimes can be caused by hunger. It did help with my nausea, too, but the real benefit was I was able to eat enough protein without that OMG I'm so full I'm going to be sick feeling.

[newyorkbitch]

Same here - I think you should eat some protein every hour or two.

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Good advice, I've been taking in protein about every 2-3 hours but I'll up it to 1-2 hours. I am trying and appreciate all the advice! I'm assuming protein can mean anything, nuts, cheese, chicken thighs, etc. Thanks again!

[illinids2]

Aug 17, 2014 8:24:31 GMT -5 Joanne said:

Aug 17, 2014 7:01:25 GMT -5 OnMyWay2Thin said:

Maggiesara, Thanks for your response. As illinids2 and NYB suggested yesterday, I cut out the Tylenol and only took Advil twice. I actually felt fine, imagine that LOL. I surprised myself! I'm actually getting in twice the protein than recommended right now, I'm six weeks out tomorrow. I just started solids about two weeks ago and, though I'm trying hard, if I try and get any more in, I will be sick. I think I'm eating to capacity right now and am anticipating as time moves on, my stomach allowing more without the overstuffed feeling worried it will come back up.

I'll definitely take your advice and not take Advil on an empty stomach. I appreciate that recommendation very much.

Have a great Sunday,
Kelly

Kelly,
I'm glad it seems to be working out! You'll definitely be able to eat more in time. It's not easy in the beginning to get in that much protein. What worked for me was giving up the idea of mealtime, and just eating throughout the day. Every hour or so I would eat something, usually some ricotta cheese or an egg, or something like that. My surgeon suggested it to me for nausea, which he said sometimes can be caused by hunger. It did help with my nausea, too, but the real benefit was I was able to eat enough protein without that OMG I'm so full I'm going to be sick feeling.

Exactly what I try do, although sometimes I get back to back to back meetings at work so not always every hour do I eat...but the nauseous feeling is definitely why I eat a little something all the time. That also makes me drink since I have never been an all day drinker (pretty much just drank at meals or when really thirsty which wasn't often). Eliminating the hunger/nauseous feeling also really gets the protein count up.

Now I find myself earing sometimes when I am full because I want to finish my food before it gets cold mcd ' s sausage burrito meal for my second breakfast after my early morning 4 eggs and 8 bacon meal....an hour or so later. ..Grab through drive through right at work and eat at my desk while clearing urgent overnight email (support an international group)...so if I eat first breakfast at 6 am I get the second one finished by 7:30-8:00. This includes about 33 oz of coffee as well. Anyeay, morning time is a huge protein intake time and I push just a little to get it in but I do it ....btw I tear the tortilla off where there is no egg/cheese so I only eat about half of the two tortillas but I do eat the hash brown.

[OnMyWay2Thin]

That sounds good. I can't wait until I enjoy eating again and can fit in more. When did that happen for you? My husband commented on it this morning, asking when I would be enjoying eating out with him again (we used to eat out 2-3 times per week.) We went to breakfast after church this morning and I had a sunny side up egg and three pieces of bacon. I thought I was fine but slow. I actually finished two pieces of the bacon on the way home. I can't imagine eating a normal lunch or dinner out right now, I think it would be a waste of money! Then again, I want to be fair to him since he enjoys eating out. I'm hoping I haven't lost my desire to eat for good... I'm now going to get some tuna fish to get the food/protein in. Thanks!

[west4thavenue]

Aug 17, 2014 12:20:18 GMT -5 OnMyWay2Thin said:

That sounds good. I can't wait until I enjoy eating again and can fit in more. When did that happen for you? My husband commented on it this morning, asking when I would be enjoying eating out with him again (we used to eat out 2-3 times per week.) We went to breakfast after church this morning and I had a sunny side up egg and three pieces of bacon. I thought I was fine but slow. I actually finished two pieces of the bacon on the way home. I can't imagine eating a normal lunch or dinner out right now, I think it would be a waste of money! Then again, I want to be fair to him since he enjoys eating out. I'm hoping I haven't lost my desire to eat for good... I'm now going to get some tuna fish to get the food/protein in. Thanks!

I know exactly what you mean.  It takes some time to enjoy a meal.  Frankly, I still don't know if I will ever be able to eat salmon or tuna again, as they were early go-to foods. 

My DH and I have a date night once a week.  We both look forward to it.  Usually, I bring home a good part of my dinner in a to go box.  It isn't a waste of money at all since I still eat it, just not all at once.  I love having it for breakfast the next day.

My sense of taste was significantly altered after surgery.  I don't know why.  It is getting better, though, thank goodness.  Scott/illinids2 has said the same thing happened to him.  He seems to be enjoying eating again rather than facing the "chore" of it.  Often, I am not enthusiastic about what is on my plate.  I eat what I need to eat and it's okay.  A different mind set altogether, and one I am very happy to adopt.

[illinids2]

At 4 months the volume of food that I could eat throughout the day really increased and it has become less difficult with more options as to what I can comfortably eat every month. I can't stress enough how moist, sauce laden meats and soups really helped me with lunch and dinner type meals. Breakfast since around 3 months has been relatively easy because bacon eggs are high protein and very easy for me to eat (i eat costco microwave bacon that isn't super greasy so it is easier to eat in volume then bacon dripping with fat - that is too much and oil slick inducing - I don't look for fat like others, I don't avoid it but I don't intentionally eat fatty food)......but the other meals were very hard because things like a hamburger did not go down well for me until the last couple months but I figured out that if I had a hamburger along with a bowl of good soup (more beef/timato/chicken stock based broths and not creamy thick diups) that the burger went down easily. I can't drink much with meals so the soup ends up being my liquid and helping digestion/pushing food through my stomach and intrstines.

Anyway..just my timing of when things changed and how I aided that change with learning how best to eat got me. We are all different via maybe this style of eating can help others.

[newyorkbitch]

You are all still early out. Things will change, and change again, and change again. For years.

[Joanne]

Aug 17, 2014 12:20:18 GMT -5 OnMyWay2Thin said:

That sounds good. I can't wait until I enjoy eating again and can fit in more. When did that happen for you? My husband commented on it this morning, asking when I would be enjoying eating out with him again (we used to eat out 2-3 times per week.) We went to breakfast after church this morning and I had a sunny side up egg and three pieces of bacon. I thought I was fine but slow. I actually finished two pieces of the bacon on the way home. I can't imagine eating a normal lunch or dinner out right now, I think it would be a waste of money! Then again, I want to be fair to him since he enjoys eating out. I'm hoping I haven't lost my desire to eat for good... I'm now going to get some tuna fish to get the food/protein in. Thanks!

You will definitely enjoy it again, in time. It happens gradually. I remember reading somewhere that the sleeve reaches it's maturity in terms of stretching around 18 months. But I also know people who say their capacity continues to increase.

My husband and I were, and still are, major foodies. We would love to dine out at great restaurants and try new things. For the first few years I would make a meal of a protein based appetizer and maybe a salad or soup - I can still do this. Back then I would not really be able to finish it, but now I can. A typical meal out for new now would be someting like this:

-A glass of wine
-A tiny taste of bread
-A protein based appetizer, usually something seafood
-Whatever I want for the entree, focusing on eating just the protein.

I could probably eat most of that, if I left whatever starch might be on the plate, and took my time.

[illinids2]

Aug 17, 2014 16:06:02 GMT -5 newyorkbitch said:

You are all still early out. Things will change, and change again, and change again. For years.

It is funny that you mention a glass of wine because I enjoy good wine with a meal.  We went to a place last night that does a variety of things well and I got a pesto chicken breast dish (topped with bacon and glazed balsamic vinaigrette) and it was served with oven roasted veggies (zucchini, onions, squash) & potatoes.   I ordered a glass of pinot noir because it sounded really good.  I ate one of the two chicken breasts and bacon,  a couple small roasted potatoes and pretty much most of the veggies. My wife had a wood fired mushroom pizza, so i had a small piece of that as well.  The kicker was that I could only drink about 2/3 of the glass of wine. I am not sure what it is but with a meal I just really have a hard time being able to drink my wine (we were going to a concert on the riverfront so I didn't have the time to stay and drink it) and it killed my cheap ass to leave part of a glass of good wine behind.  


I can definitely feel wine triggering my GERD so I know when to stop.

Regarding volume of sleeve, I wonder where mine is at now because every morning for breakfast 1 I have 4-5 jumbo eggs (either sunny side up or scrambled wet  with a good half cup of cheese) and 6-8 slices of bacon.  I eat that with some coffee in less than 5 minutes and then head to work and then when at work a little over an hour later I eat a McD's sausage burrito meal (2 burritos, only about half of tortilla from each and a hash brown)....so I know my stomach has had to stretch out a pretty good amount.

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Thanks again, everybody! Trying to take this all in...

Hoping as the changes occur over the years, they are good ones moving forward...

Enjoy your week,
Kelly

[mylittleblackdress]

Are you getting in any exercise? A couple decent walks every day might help improve your gastric motility and help relieve some of your discomfort.

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Thanks, Everything is fine now. Yes, I walk a lot! Thanks for the great suggestion.

[nursemelanie]

Aug 17, 2014 20:19:15 GMT -5 illinids2 said:

Aug 17, 2014 16:06:02 GMT -5 newyorkbitch said:

You are all still early out. Things will change, and change again, and change again. For years.

(we were going to a concert on the riverfront so I didn't have the time to stay and drink it) and it killed my cheap ass to leave part of a glass of good wine behind.  

Me too Mark! Leaving good wine might just qualify as a sin!! lol

Just this weekend, I had my first desire for a glass....ewe I could just taste it!! But it can wait.:-)

lisa or anyone. In regards to sleeve size: At 4 yrs out my sleeve could fit a kid's meal. I was never a big quantity eater. The preparing for surgery with just protein drinks and now almost 8wks out(tomorrow) I can't eat half that. So I know from MY experience that even a sleeve can shrink down if you allow it. I am VERY grateful that I didn't push the subject of reducing my sleeve size, because my surgeon was spot on that I would need the size to get in the protein.