[stevesgirl]

Hi All

I hate to keep posting such negativity. Everyone here seems to be making such great progress and doing so well. I'm feeling trapped. When I was one month out of surgery, I was worrying about all my symptoms. At 2 months, I feel like all I have done is worried and stressed and I can't calm it down. The support group meeting didn't go well. Most people did gastric sleeve and said they were "scared of Roux en Y" Everyone in there, even a guy one week out looked happier and more energetic than I. No one seemed to have any constructive comments about how I said I was feeling. One girl told me that she has to get in at least 100 grams of protein a day. When I told her that I just can't imagine getting more than the 60 to 70 I get cause I just cant get it all in thru the day, she said that out of my 46 gram protein shake, my body is actually only absorbing 30 g because that is all the body can absorb at one meal. I keep reading around here that 130 carbs is what the brain needs everyday, but I'm lucky to get 30, so now I'm worrying about my brain function. I always worry I am not getting enough calories. I get anywhere from 400 to 700 a day at this point, and somedays I feel so not hungry that I will get sick if I push myself to eat more. Now I worry about why I worry soooo much!
I don't know why I'm not dealing with all this better. I guess that I had expectations for where I would be by now and I am not meeting them. So panic/depression is setting in and I honestly think that my anxiety is really making me physically unable to consume to much at once. Lately my calories have been dropping because I simply cannot force the same amount down that I was taking a week ago.

I know I have to see someone about some mood stablizers. I'm afraid of a medication but don't know how to do this on my own.

I am really concerned about my protein intake. Has anyone else heard the body only absorbd 30 g at a time?

And the calories...am I getting enough? It doesn't seem like it but I don't know how to get more!

God, I wish I could get some peace..now its becoming hard to sleep cause I'm so anxious I will never get my personality back and be happy and feel "normal"!!!!!

[beckamarie]

Jess you are doing an amazing job and I think you ae haing some of the same fears most of us early ut had, you should do a search on some of us and read our early out posts and you will see honey you are normal for what you feel. Let me go dig up some posts to put our mnd at eae....Hang in there hun you are doing great

[DocSanae]

Awww (((((((HUGS))))))
Because of the difference in anatomy, it's true that the "sleevers" do have it easier in regards to food intake, especially early out. However, there are some drawbacks with sleeve, just as with any other surgery, and for sleeve, it's much easier to stretch the sleeve than the pouch. Also, because food intake is easier, it seems many people get *loose* with the good food choice/moderation and modifying eating behaviours, which is the key to weight loss, no matter what the method, be it surgery or conventional.
When people with different types of surgery mix, it will often be difficult to understand the issues for other types.

Also, you are still only a 1.5 months or so out of your surgery, you still will be having a hard time figuring out how best your pouch works.

Originally Posted by stevesgirl

I know I have to see someone about some mood stablizers. I'm afraid of a medication but don't know how to do this on my own.

Never do medication that have mood effects on your own. Ask your surgeon or your PCP for referral to a psychiatrist, or a psych program set up for WLS post ops.

I am really concerned about my protein intake. Has anyone else heard the body only absorbd 30 g at a time?

It's true that the body can't absorb more than around 30g in one sitting, This has been discussed here in the past, but I haven't seen the subject come up recently. If you are able to get in food 3 times a day, try to divide the protein to 20g for each meal, that way, you will be able to get in a total of 60g, and be able to absorb it all.

And the calories...am I getting enough? It doesn't seem like it but I don't know how to get more!

You're getting in enough for where you are now. Right at this moment (still at this moment) for you, the thing to do is concentrate on protein intake first, and water, and if you have any extra left, veggies and last, carbs. Don't worry about the low carb intake now. Keep in mind, food, unless processed and refined, include a lot of nutritents other than the kind of food it's said to be, so you will get in some carbs from things you don't even expect to. Fruits are a good source of carbs. So are veggies.

God, I wish I could get some peace..now its becoming hard to sleep cause I'm so anxious I will never get my personality back and be happy and feel "normal"!!!!!

You're quite normal there, actually. The blues will hit you at one point or another, it takes some time for your mind to catch up with your body, and withe the difference in the *pace* things actually move, from what you expected, will throw a curve to your peace of mind.
You will get back your happy personality, and it will be even better than before, actually. It only takes time, and you need patience. As a matter of fact, patience is one of the most important things you will need to practice throughout your journey.

(((((((HUGS))))))

[not quite Barbie]

Jess,
I've been keeping a diary of the food I've been eating since the surgery and I went back to see what I was eating when I was at your point. I was getting around 600 calories a day, and struggling to get in 60g of protein. It's really hard for RNYers to get our food in at the beginning and the sleever's don't understand that because they don't have this tiny little pouch. It will start getting easier - really!

Don't worry about the calories yet - your body will take what it needs from all the stored fat. That's the goal, right? But don't skip the protein because your body will eat the muscle if you don't give it what it needs. Spread your protein out over however many meals/snacks you are allowed to have. I was told to do 3 meals, 3 snacks. Cottage cheese and yogurt and low fat mozzarella sticks are great ways to get a lot of protein from a small amount of food. Fish, chicken breasts, whatever meats you can tolerate at this point (which may be very few). Eggs (yuck, I'm so sick of eggs).

I was barely eating carbs at all at your point. By the time you get all the protein in, then the veggies - that's it. No more room. I'm just now starting to get the right amount of carbs at 5 months out. Don't worry about it yet. Use this time to drop as much of the weight as you can, because you will start slowing down once you start eating the carbs.

And look how well you are doing. You've already lost more than me and we started at just about the same weight. You go girl!

[Kenyar]

everything you are going thru is TOTALLY normal. gosh i see so much of how and what i use to post in your posts. you will find your way. hang in there.

[clancythecamper]

Ditto - they've said it all. I felt pretty freaked out early on and it does get better - just keep going - like there's a choice lol - but you will make it. I had many of the same concerns and kept working on my nutrition and getting a handle on what to eat and how much and when; when I got my labs done at 4 mos out, I was doing well and feeling so much better and stronger. You can do this!

[BOOTS]

Hun Your Doing Fine!!!!! Try To Find A Group That Is More Geared Towards Your Type Of Surgery. I Did And I Love Love Love My Group Meetings!!!!

Also At Your Stage I Was Hardly Able To Get In 400 Calories. 6 Months Out On A Average I Do About 750 Calories. So Dont Worry Your Doing Fine. Carbs Till This Day I Cant Even Reach 80. And Also Try Not To.

Just Stick To What Your Doc Say And What Your Doing Now Because Your Doing Fine.

[traciflud]

You are too early out to be worried about the carbs and all of that, get in what you can and as for feeling better, I didnt feel good until at least 3 months out. You are still healing on the inside and it takes your energy. I kept a journal early out too and I was barely getting in more than my protein shake for breakfast back then, and most days, I was just to nauseated from food I had to force myself to eat, and then I just stuck to yogurt and mixed nuts most days! Hang in there it gets better!!

[jenniegirl]

You are doing awesome...My dietician told me the limits but stated only do what you can and that is what is most important. I have felt fine and am still losing, I eat what I can tolerate and do not count calories or protien. I make sure every meal has protein and a veggie or fruit. I just went an appointment today and they said I was doing fine but I have to up my dairy intake. So dont worry too much and just do what is comfortable.

[stevesgirl]

Thanks Everyone for the reassurance. I guess its clear that I may not have been prepared for the emotional toll this would take and the mind racing that comes along with it. What Doc said about patience is so key, but not something I would call a virtue of mine. Its funny, in dealing with other people's issues I am incredibly patient. When it comes to me its so different. I overthink every little pain, everything I can or can't consume, why I could eat more two weeks ago, why I feel so drained, why I feel like I'm losing my mind..now to the point where I have guided myself into mental anguish!
Kind of funny..I feel like a spaz compared to all of you. Even people less far out than I seem to be "dealing" a little better. But I think getting caught in that loop of thinking is causing me to feel chaotic. Wish I could turn it off like a light switch or something.

Ok so I will not worry too much about my calorie level/carb levels, but will continue to make sure I get the protein. (I still do need a supplement daily though). I will try not to overfocus too much on the logistics and seriously try to calm down so I stop looking like this 24/7.

I will look this up, but can anyone tell me important ranges of vitamin intake. I am getting 2 multi V with Iron and 1000mg Calcium daily, plus one B12 twice a week.

Thanks again for the words of comfort.