jamie ds
New Member
Posts: 2 
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: March 12, 2015
Surgeon: Dr. Felix Spiegel
|
Post by jamie ds on Apr 22, 2015 8:51:53 GMT -5
I had DS surgery on March 12, 2015. I am about 6 weeks out. I have been feeling better and better, and am learning my lessons about what to eat, what not to eat, drinking around meal time, all of the basics. My biggest question is... will I ever feel normal eating again. There are times when I have little to no discomfort when eating, but sometimes it hurts to eat the soft things. (I am careful about what I eat at this point, but sometimes I experiment to see what my body can handle. I promise I am not talking about anything crazy or harsh.) I just need some hope. I am tired of stomach pain. I cuold just use some advice and words of encouragement. I don't have anyone to talk to in person about this, at least not anyone who has had surgery. |
|
mistercy
Full Member
Posts: 228
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: 03/26/2013
Surgeon: Mitchell Roslin
|
Post by mistercy on Apr 22, 2015 9:45:11 GMT -5
Hi Jamie - welcome to the Dark Side! I am two years out, having had my surgery in March of 2013. The beginning was rough for me, too. A lot of foods caused me great distress. I had to go on an elimination diet to find out what was bothering me. It turned out that post-DS, I had developed a sensitivity to soy, artificial sweeteners, and my lactose intolerance was being highly intolerant. Also, if you eat a lot of carbs, you will definitely get that tummy rumbling. The good news is that with time, you figure out what agrees with your system, and what does not. Two years and over 200 pounds later, I have no regrets! Don't panic - you'll get there. Peruse boards like these for advice on what to do and what not to do. You will have to make your mistakes like all the rest of us, but will learn. You've been given a life-changing opportunity with your new tool. Take advantage of it! A webslinger once said, "With great power comes great responsibility". You have been given the power, now you need to find the ways that make it work most effectively to change your life! And, most defintely, don't panic - it does get better! Good luck!
|
|
PeteA
Full Member
Posts: 221
Surgery Date: 4/15/13
Surgeon: Dr. Phillip Schauer
|
Post by PeteA on Apr 22, 2015 10:26:08 GMT -5
Jamie,
I'm about a month behind mistercy (DS 4/15/13). You will feel normal about eating again. Things will get progressively better. The first 3 months can be pretty unpredictable and may not be any indicator of where you end up. I now eat meals equivalent to the people I've known as "skinny" all my life. Not the amounts I ate before the DS but not restricted as to what I can eat. I do occasionally have what people refer to as "tiny tummy" days where I just don't feel I can get in very much food but they are pretty rare. Welcome. It has the occasional ups and downs like everything else but at 2 years I would do it again any time.
Pete
|
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Apr 22, 2015 10:43:46 GMT -5
I had DS surgery on March 12, 2015. I am about 6 weeks out. I have been feeling better and better, and am learning my lessons about what to eat, what not to eat, drinking around meal time, all of the basics. My biggest question is... will I ever feel normal eating again. There are times when I have little to no discomfort when eating, but sometimes it hurts to eat the soft things. (I am careful about what I eat at this point, but sometimes I experiment to see what my body can handle. I promise I am not talking about anything crazy or harsh.) I just need some hope. I am tired of stomach pain. I cuold just use some advice and words of encouragement. I don't have anyone to talk to in person about this, at least not anyone who has had surgery. Jamie you will feel completely normal again...it's just going to take time. I'm 15 years out. I had a cheese omelette with rye toast for breakfast, plus an orange and coffee. |
|
jamie ds
New Member
Posts: 2
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: March 12, 2015
Surgeon: Dr. Felix Spiegel
|
Post by jamie ds on Apr 22, 2015 11:32:00 GMT -5
Thank you very much. I am positive and hopeful about everything. Some days it just feels miserable. Some days I feel nearly normal.
|
|
|
|
Post by jpcello on Apr 22, 2015 11:47:41 GMT -5
Jamie - it's a marathon. You have to pace yourself - with everything. As others have stated, you will feel normal again, it just takes time. Could be a couple of years, but it will happen. Remember you have the rest of your life  I eat "normal" for me. It's a new normal but it's normal nonetheless. |
|
|
|
Post by goodkel on Apr 22, 2015 12:39:27 GMT -5
Welcome Jamie!
You are very early out from your surgery and still healing.
Watch how much you are eating. Too much volume at once can be very painful. Don't try to eat three meals a day. Instead, graze all day long on small amounts every time you feel hungry. As long as it is protein, you can eat as much as you need throughout the day to feel satiated.
You CAN drink while you are eating. Not drinking while you eat is an RnY rule because of the pouch that they have. You have a fully functional pyloric valve that prevents you from flushing food out of your stomach too quickly.
Can you tell us what other instructions you received from your surgeon? I am particularly concerned about vitamins. Other than guiding you through the first couple of weeks, surgeons are not known to be knowledgeable about longer term DS care.
Avoid carbohydrates, particularly anything white: bread, flour of any kind, rice, potatoes, pasta, sugar. Keep your carbs under 50 grams a day and restrict them to green leafy vegetables or berries and melon for fruit. Always eat your protein first and a bite or two of a carb if you have room afterwards. You don't need fruits and vegetables, your vitamins should be taking care of that. But, you DO need protein, whey isolate, not collagen, if you are making shakes.
In two weeks, you should be up to eating/drinking 60 grams of protein a day. 90 grams by 90 days out.
As jpcello said, you are learning a new normal.
It does get easier. Promise.
|
|
shawnern
Junior Member
Posts: 52 
Surgery Date: November 24,2014
Surgeon: Michael Kendrick MD
|
Post by shawnern on Apr 22, 2015 15:05:58 GMT -5
I'm about 5 months out and I'm feeling pretty good, actually fantastic! Like Pete said, the 3 month mark was magic for me . You will feel better soon but please don't push it. Slow down, make sure you are chewing your food, and don't take that extra bite. Happy healing!
Shawn
|
|
|
|
Post by bswitched on Apr 22, 2015 16:10:41 GMT -5
I'm 6 weeks out today and feeling pretty darn good ! I'm just struggling with a cold this last week. Ground meat gives me a little trouble but as long as I stick to small amounts of protein 5-6 times a day life is good. My most favorite protein is steamed shrimp.
Best of luck..... And I've taken on the marathon mentality too..... This is not a sprint it's a marathon !
We will get there.
|
|
|
|
Post by bboop on Apr 22, 2015 23:11:48 GMT -5
One thing that you said was some days I can eat more. That's absolutely correct. There are fat days (as I call them) when I feel as if I could eat everything in the house...but protein first. Then other days I don't eat as much. Chicken broth with a few chunks of chicken in there. The same was true in the beginning, although with my new tiny tummy, I didn't realize it. Do what Gookel said, eat several times a day...make it protein...cheese, lunch meat things like that, chew them well and remember your tummy is small. See if that doesn't help you some. Oh and to this day I don't drink much when I eat...you can but I seem to pack in more protein if I don't drink too much at meals. I let food settle and then I drink.
You sound as if you are doing fine for being early out. Hang in there sweetie, it will get better, I promise.
Happy snacking.
|
|
|
|
Post by goodkel on Apr 22, 2015 23:53:33 GMT -5
I'm 6 weeks out today and feeling pretty darn good ! I'm just struggling with a cold this last week. Ground meat gives me a little trouble but as long as I stick to small amounts of protein 5-6 times a day life is good. My most favorite protein is steamed shrimp. Best of luck..... And I've taken on the marathon mentality too..... This is not a sprint it's a marathon ! We will get there. Good to hear that you are doing well. I was wondering about you. Early out, those shrimp rings you can buy pre-cooked at the supermarket was one of my go-to foods. Shrimp went down easily. I could eat as much as I wanted then put the lid back on and have some more later. No cooking and delish. Good choice! |
|
|
|
Post by OnMyWay2Thin on Apr 23, 2015 6:32:19 GMT -5
Just wanted to chime in that it does get easier, much easier! As time goes by, you learn what's good and works for you. Heck, at the stage you are at I was overwhelmed and wondering how I was going to make it. You don't sound anywhere near that mentality! Hang in there and you'll do fine. I liked the shrimp and crab, also. I have to say, this is the best thing I've ever done for myself, it made me healthy!
Enjoy your day,
Kelly
|
|
|
|
Post by bswitched on Apr 23, 2015 6:56:06 GMT -5
thanks Goodkel I'm learning something new almost every day about my new anatomy. So far, it's the best decision I've made for my health! |
|
|
|
Post by west4thavenue on Apr 25, 2015 4:40:37 GMT -5
Hi, Jamie. My surgery was March of 2014. My first three months were really tough, and from what I have read, my body has adjusted more slowly to the DS than others. That being said, I am worlds away from where I was a year ago in every respect. Hang in there. It gets better and better and better!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2015 15:43:51 GMT -5
Hi Jamie,
I'm a little behind you, with my vsg revision surgery booked for next week, with ds to follow shortly. But I do remember how anxious I was following my RNY surgery, but I think that no matter what type of Bariatric surgery, you do ultimately get back to that "normal" feeling after a while (I did with rny).
In fact, I'm trying to look at the post-operative period as a blessing, that is the real opportunity to get the weight down, as eventually you will be back to normal and it might be tougher to lose then.
Good of luck and congrats!!
|
|
|
|
Post by goodkel on Apr 29, 2015 0:26:22 GMT -5
Buyer's remorse is not unusual during the first month or so. I clearly remember my moments of,"What have I done to myself?!?!" It can be scary. But, those pounds start coming off and you never have to go hungry to do it. Then light starts shining in.  |
|
|
|
Post by bboop on Apr 29, 2015 10:21:29 GMT -5
What are shrimp rings? I've never seen them...what's the brand?
|
|
|
|
Post by bswitched on Apr 29, 2015 10:48:14 GMT -5
Shrimp rings are usually found in the seafood dept. of your local grocery store. It is presteamed shrimp that they arrange into a circle "ring"
|
|
derinoe
Junior Member
Posts: 75
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: 06/04/2014
Surgeon: Dr. Marek L.
|
Post by derinoe on Apr 29, 2015 10:55:41 GMT -5
I have message you, and welcome to the forums! This group got me through the hardest days of my post op. Each time I think of questions this is the first place to go. People are amazing here with honest support. It does get better, it takes time to adjust and learn but it gets better! Hang in there you are in a right place.
|
|
|
|
Post by goodkel on Apr 29, 2015 18:22:42 GMT -5
What are shrimp rings? I've never seen them...what's the brand? Well, shoot. I just returned from the grocery store. Too bad I didn't see this before I left. I discovered the shrimp rings first at Winn Dixie and now at Walmart Neighborhood Market (just a grocery store). Sometimes they are refrigerated and sometimes in the seafood freezer section. They are basically just shrimp cocktail. Cooked, shell removed except for the tail, and a container of cocktail sauce in the center. Eat them cold. This is an image of a large one. I get the small ones for myself that are about the size of the inner ring.  |
|
|
|
Post by mark540 on May 4, 2015 6:22:48 GMT -5
5 years out and I feel pretty much "normal". I was a good 2-3 years as I went through experimenting with different foods and figuring what works and doesn't work for me.
Every now and then I forget and eat the wrong foods or too much of the wrong food and I am reminded of what not to do. Particularly anything with wheat flour in it is on my forbidden list with the exception of a slice of toast or a single piece of bread with dinner. Two slices and I'm in agony from the gas.
|
|
