[Jorga Thomas]

Hey, I'm New here.
I had Laproscopic By-pass 1 week ago. I've already gone back to work.
I have questions?????
1. My abdomen is swollen some, How long will it take to go away?
2. How long will it take before I can see some results?
3. Can I drink diet Dr. Pepper, someone told me No, it will stretch out your stomach.
4. I'm so worried that, after all I've gone through that I will not loose any wt. ???????
5. My doctor told me to drink clear liquids- wk 1 then soft-like potatoes wk2. ?????????
6. Are there any crutch foods or drinks you suggest.

[fr1endly2]

HI Jorga.....
wanted to welcome you to the great family of support here at
renewed reflections...I look forward to getting to know you thru your posts.
CONGRATULATIONS on your surgery and i will give you input as best
as I can for all you asked. I do suggest you run these same questions
thru your surgeon....as every surgeon has a different protocal and all my answers are based on my surgeons protocal.

1. ITs wonderful that your back at work so soon, many doctors require a min. of 2 weeks home.

2. Abdomen swollen should be discussed with your surgeon. I know i had experienced gas bloat but not swollen....please let your surgeons office know of this immediately.

3. HOW long will it be for results...we are all different we all loose differently. SOME people come home from hospitol looseing some gain from all the IV fluids. I would imagine your scheduled to see the surgeon
and he will let you know how that is going as you go for your post op care which is very important.

3. CAN you drink Dr. Pepper .....well i would hope you know the sugar in such a product may cause you to dump. AGAIN my surgeon recommends
no soda post op. THE bloat and bubbles would be painful...again check your surgeons rules here.

4. WORRIED about not looseing...well we all worry about that but in time
you will no longer be worried about this progress will happen. SURE we all want it off yesterday....but takes time.

5. YOUR docotr told u to drink clear liquids...wk 1 then soft week 2....like potatoes....well my sugeons protocal is a bit different again i state do the food stages as your surgeon suggests. I imagine you have full confidence in him/her that you allowed them to do this major surgery on you.

6. CRUTCH foods to eat or drink? many post op patients find protein shakes that they like to help bring the protein levels up in their daily eating. YOu can visit the sites E store for some great yummy products
to help get your daily protein in.

GOOD LUCK
and again welcome

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, Jorga, ((((((HUGS)))))))
Congratulations on joining the losing side.
You've just had major surgery, and I'm sure you're well aware that your insides are still healing, so you have to take it easy.

As fr1endly2 says, at this stage, run EVERY Q you have by your surgeon. Everyone on this board will speak from their own experiences, but the surgeons each have their own experiences as well, so everyone is on a program/protocol different from other post-ops unless they've had the same surgeon. As your journey takes you further along the way, things will get easier.

As for losing, yes, you will lose, and you will lose very well, PROVIDED you follow the instructions you are given. What you can eat, what you should stay away from, sticking to the small poritions, and plenty of exercise. Of course, there will be times when you fall of the wagon, but so long as you come right back up on track, you'll be fine, so don't beat yourself up for that small slip.
One more thing, beware of "head hunger", that can be your worst enemy.

May your journey go well.

[Kat]

Hi,
I can't believe that your back to work already!!! 1 week out and I was still having trouble getting in and out of bed!!!! Good for you.
As far as your food goes, ask your doc for instructions. Everyone is different.
Good luck and welcome to the board!
Kat

[Robbin]

I agree w/ Cat, I was still having a hard time getting around, and at one week I was getting my drain tube removed.
Listen to what Lisa and doc said as well. It is important to takE things slow....drink slowly and chew every bite to, well,,,chew chew chew.!!!!!

Goodluck and keep reading and letting us know how things are going.

ROBBIN

[Jorga Thomas]

Thanks for all the kind words. Yes.....I went back to work, I'm a newborn nursery nurse in a hospital. I work 12 hours shifts from 7am-7pm. I work 7 day on and 7 days off. The other nurses have been very supportive, and I don't lift anything heavy. A newborn baby @ 7 lbs. max. I am going to the doctor in 6 days for my check up. I have to drive @ 3 hours to the doctor. He is in Houston. I didn't have a drainage tube. I had 5 laproscopic incisions with steri strips. I am taking it slow, and yes I could hardly move around for 5 or 6 days or so. I am still weak but I believe that is a combination of not getting enough protien and just generalized weakness from having surgery. I think I'm doing good. I have decided that instead of swelling, it was mostly bloating and gas.( I'm a better nurse for others than I was on myself.) I am eating some soft/pureed foods, but at times I find it much easier on my stomach to just do liquids. I don't want to rush things. Also.......I've lost @ 10 lbs already.
P.S. There is no surgar in Diet Dr. Pepper, it was the carbonated drink that worried me.

[JLR12679]

Before I could sign up for my first consult I had to go to a beginners meeting at the hospital that I am going through. At the meeting they discussed some of what life would be like after surgery. They said that they do not sign off on anyone till 4 weeks after your surgery to go back to work, and they said no soda not even diet after surgery. He said the bubbles bloats the stomach, and over time can streach it. As for non carbinated drinks I love Fruit 2O and crystal light. I have not had the surgery yet, so I cant really answer any of your other questions. I just know that I have started setting goals for my self so I get in the routine, this of course was inspired by the doctor. He said if you sign up now for the consults to begin then we will take your first weight today If you gain any weight between now and your first consult (8 weeks away) then you are not serious about loosing the weight. This was good advice. I have not had soda in 2 weeks. And I have cut back on junk food, with any luck I will be down to 290 before I go for surgery. !

[fr1endly2]

YES we are usually recommended to not have carbonated sodas (even diet).....
glad your doing well but remember you had MAJOR surgery and your insides rearranged. YOU are still healing inside big time and it will be weeks before normal energy returns. I must admit for me a good 2 months till i somewhat felt better.
TAKE it slo
and keep in touch we care.
hugs

[Robbin]

I know when I returned to work my first week was soooo hard.
I crashed as soon as I dragged myself upstairs at the end of the day. I cried alot and found that once I started getting more protien in little by little that tired feeling went away somewhat.
I still do not lift anything heavy because I am still worried about the hernia., I might be Ok now, but I figured my dr. will let me know when it is OK.
Today is exactly 2 months since my surgery....down 40 lbs...and still feel very FAT!!!!!!
Can't wait until I start feeling thinner......

Jessica it is very good that you try to keep those pounds off prior to your surgery. it really helps you in the long run. I personally didn't loose alot of weight prior and there were a few complications with my breathing after...It was not fun. but I learned my lesson.
Keep up the good work., you will be so very glad.

Keep well...ROBBIN

[fr1endly2]

CONGRATULATIONS ROBBIN 40 lbs in 2 months is AWESOME and your off to a great start. (((HUG))) i know for me i still feel fat with all i have lost
so i can relate to your comment...still feeling fat.
HANG in there your doing wonderfully.
all the best