Re: IMPORTANT tips for new postops

[Guest guest]

Martha...

Thanks for the advice. Merry Christmas !

Going to see Doc Fisher this morning for my two week post-op follow

up. Maybe I'll get an early Xmas present and will be advanced to

Stage III. So far everything has been good and you are right it's a

challenge to get everything in.

Regards,

Gordy

>

>

> Just a reminder for new postops... If you have any of the

> following symptoms, don't wait, see your MD:

> Trouble breathing

> Inability to keep fluids down for more than 24 hours

> Fever over 100 F (37.8 C)

> Pain (we're not talking discomfort--I mean Pain), especially in

> abdomen, or chest, or legs

> If you're less than 3 months out, don't expect to be able to

> take in all those supplements, chug all that water, or eat all

> that food. Your little pouch has to walk before it can run.

> Make sure you:

> Get in some form of protein first--If you're having problems,

> try softer and wetter.

> Forget the cream of wheat, mashed potatoes, saltines, rice. No

> nutrition there, takes up valuable space that could be filled

> with protein, and carbs are calories you don't need.

> Drink your water/fluids in sips. No way will you be chuggin'

> that stuff down right now.

> For supplements: Make B12 and multivitamins your first priority;

> iron and calcium your second priorities, but don't take calcium

> at the same time as your iron. Calcium does come in liquid form,

> so that may be easier at first.

> For vitamins, try Bariatric Advantage chewables.

> Trader Joe's has great B12's ( " sublingual " means under the

> tongue).

> For calcium: Take cacium citrate, not calcium carbonate

> Carbonate is cheap and easy to find, but not well-absorbed by

> little pouches or by post-menopausal women: Needs a lot of acid

> to break down.

> For iron: Take ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate, not

> ferrous sulphate (very irritating to stomachs and very

> constipating).

> Start with the exercise as soon as your MD says it's okay to do

> so.

> Go to support groups.

> You'll notice I don't tell you requirements (for example, how

> many grams of protein, how many vitamins, etc.). Those are given

> to you by your Kaiser program.

> Hair loss:

> Most of us had hair loss starting at 3-4 months postop. 95% of

> the time, the hair loss is thinning. It is very rare to have

> bald spots. Hair loss is a result of many types of trauma; for

> example, childbirth can cause it. Your hair WILL GROW BACK. In

> fact, it starts to grow as soon as it falls out, but it takes a

> while for it to be long enough for you to notice it. There are

> no remedies that have been proven to make it grow back faster.

> Good nutrition does improve the texture and shine of hair, so

> keep up that protein and those vitamins. But if you don't have

> room in your pouch to take both the vitamins, iron, calcium, and

> Biotin (which some people recommend for hair regrowth), forget

> the Biotin: There's no proof it works.

> Finally...why do I think I'm such an authority?

> First of all, I'm an old RN (general medical/surgical,

> specializing in oncology*) who loves to do research and see what

> helps people recover from illness. The above are lifestyle

> guidelines I've learned from going to 2-4 support groups/month

> for over 3 years, reading the medical literature, and talking to

> the Bariatric staff at Kaiser South City. And all of it has

> helped me stay at goal for 1.5 years. Thanks to everyone for

> being here, and happy holidays!

> Martha

> *I have to give credit where credit is due: My chemo patients

> have taught me everything I know about hair loss.

>

[Guest guest]

Martha...

Thanks for the advice. Merry Christmas !

Going to see Doc Fisher this morning for my two week post-op follow

up. Maybe I'll get an early Xmas present and will be advanced to

Stage III. So far everything has been good and you are right it's a

challenge to get everything in.

Regards,

Gordy

>

>

> Just a reminder for new postops... If you have any of the

> following symptoms, don't wait, see your MD:

> Trouble breathing

> Inability to keep fluids down for more than 24 hours

> Fever over 100 F (37.8 C)

> Pain (we're not talking discomfort--I mean Pain), especially in

> abdomen, or chest, or legs

> If you're less than 3 months out, don't expect to be able to

> take in all those supplements, chug all that water, or eat all

> that food. Your little pouch has to walk before it can run.

> Make sure you:

> Get in some form of protein first--If you're having problems,

> try softer and wetter.

> Forget the cream of wheat, mashed potatoes, saltines, rice. No

> nutrition there, takes up valuable space that could be filled

> with protein, and carbs are calories you don't need.

> Drink your water/fluids in sips. No way will you be chuggin'

> that stuff down right now.

> For supplements: Make B12 and multivitamins your first priority;

> iron and calcium your second priorities, but don't take calcium

> at the same time as your iron. Calcium does come in liquid form,

> so that may be easier at first.

> For vitamins, try Bariatric Advantage chewables.

> Trader Joe's has great B12's ( " sublingual " means under the

> tongue).

> For calcium: Take cacium citrate, not calcium carbonate

> Carbonate is cheap and easy to find, but not well-absorbed by

> little pouches or by post-menopausal women: Needs a lot of acid

> to break down.

> For iron: Take ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate, not

> ferrous sulphate (very irritating to stomachs and very

> constipating).

> Start with the exercise as soon as your MD says it's okay to do

> so.

> Go to support groups.

> You'll notice I don't tell you requirements (for example, how

> many grams of protein, how many vitamins, etc.). Those are given

> to you by your Kaiser program.

> Hair loss:

> Most of us had hair loss starting at 3-4 months postop. 95% of

> the time, the hair loss is thinning. It is very rare to have

> bald spots. Hair loss is a result of many types of trauma; for

> example, childbirth can cause it. Your hair WILL GROW BACK. In

> fact, it starts to grow as soon as it falls out, but it takes a

> while for it to be long enough for you to notice it. There are

> no remedies that have been proven to make it grow back faster.

> Good nutrition does improve the texture and shine of hair, so

> keep up that protein and those vitamins. But if you don't have

> room in your pouch to take both the vitamins, iron, calcium, and

> Biotin (which some people recommend for hair regrowth), forget

> the Biotin: There's no proof it works.

> Finally...why do I think I'm such an authority?

> First of all, I'm an old RN (general medical/surgical,

> specializing in oncology*) who loves to do research and see what

> helps people recover from illness. The above are lifestyle

> guidelines I've learned from going to 2-4 support groups/month

> for over 3 years, reading the medical literature, and talking to

> the Bariatric staff at Kaiser South City. And all of it has

> helped me stay at goal for 1.5 years. Thanks to everyone for

> being here, and happy holidays!

> Martha

> *I have to give credit where credit is due: My chemo patients

> have taught me everything I know about hair loss.

>

[Guest guest]

Martha,

Thank you so much for your input. We are very lucky to have you in

our group,not only sre you a RN but one who has gone down the same

road and is not only speaking from knowledge but from experience

Hapy Holidays everyone!!!

>

>

> Just a reminder for new postops... If you have any of the

> following symptoms, don't wait, see your MD:

> Trouble breathing

> Inability to keep fluids down for more than 24 hours

> Fever over 100 F (37.8 C)

> Pain (we're not talking discomfort--I mean Pain), especially in

> abdomen, or chest, or legs

> If you're less than 3 months out, don't expect to be able to

> take in all those supplements, chug all that water, or eat all

> that food. Your little pouch has to walk before it can run.

> Make sure you:

> Get in some form of protein first--If you're having problems,

> try softer and wetter.

> Forget the cream of wheat, mashed potatoes, saltines, rice. No

> nutrition there, takes up valuable space that could be filled

> with protein, and carbs are calories you don't need.

> Drink your water/fluids in sips. No way will you be chuggin'

> that stuff down right now.

> For supplements: Make B12 and multivitamins your first priority;

> iron and calcium your second priorities, but don't take calcium

> at the same time as your iron. Calcium does come in liquid form,

> so that may be easier at first.

> For vitamins, try Bariatric Advantage chewables.

> Trader Joe's has great B12's ( " sublingual " means under the

> tongue).

> For calcium: Take cacium citrate, not calcium carbonate

> Carbonate is cheap and easy to find, but not well-absorbed by

> little pouches or by post-menopausal women: Needs a lot of acid

> to break down.

> For iron: Take ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate, not

> ferrous sulphate (very irritating to stomachs and very

> constipating).

> Start with the exercise as soon as your MD says it's okay to do

> so.

> Go to support groups.

> You'll notice I don't tell you requirements (for example, how

> many grams of protein, how many vitamins, etc.). Those are given

> to you by your Kaiser program.

> Hair loss:

> Most of us had hair loss starting at 3-4 months postop. 95% of

> the time, the hair loss is thinning. It is very rare to have

> bald spots. Hair loss is a result of many types of trauma; for

> example, childbirth can cause it. Your hair WILL GROW BACK. In

> fact, it starts to grow as soon as it falls out, but it takes a

> while for it to be long enough for you to notice it. There are

> no remedies that have been proven to make it grow back faster.

> Good nutrition does improve the texture and shine of hair, so

> keep up that protein and those vitamins. But if you don't have

> room in your pouch to take both the vitamins, iron, calcium, and

> Biotin (which some people recommend for hair regrowth), forget

> the Biotin: There's no proof it works.

> Finally...why do I think I'm such an authority?

> First of all, I'm an old RN (general medical/surgical,

> specializing in oncology*) who loves to do research and see what

> helps people recover from illness. The above are lifestyle

> guidelines I've learned from going to 2-4 support groups/month

> for over 3 years, reading the medical literature, and talking to

> the Bariatric staff at Kaiser South City. And all of it has

> helped me stay at goal for 1.5 years. Thanks to everyone for

> being here, and happy holidays!

> Martha

> *I have to give credit where credit is due: My chemo patients

> have taught me everything I know about hair loss.

>

[Guest guest]

Martha,

Thank you so much for your input. We are very lucky to have you in

our group,not only sre you a RN but one who has gone down the same

road and is not only speaking from knowledge but from experience

Hapy Holidays everyone!!!

>

>

> Just a reminder for new postops... If you have any of the

> following symptoms, don't wait, see your MD:

> Trouble breathing

> Inability to keep fluids down for more than 24 hours

> Fever over 100 F (37.8 C)

> Pain (we're not talking discomfort--I mean Pain), especially in

> abdomen, or chest, or legs

> If you're less than 3 months out, don't expect to be able to

> take in all those supplements, chug all that water, or eat all

> that food. Your little pouch has to walk before it can run.

> Make sure you:

> Get in some form of protein first--If you're having problems,

> try softer and wetter.

> Forget the cream of wheat, mashed potatoes, saltines, rice. No

> nutrition there, takes up valuable space that could be filled

> with protein, and carbs are calories you don't need.

> Drink your water/fluids in sips. No way will you be chuggin'

> that stuff down right now.

> For supplements: Make B12 and multivitamins your first priority;

> iron and calcium your second priorities, but don't take calcium

> at the same time as your iron. Calcium does come in liquid form,

> so that may be easier at first.

> For vitamins, try Bariatric Advantage chewables.

> Trader Joe's has great B12's ( " sublingual " means under the

> tongue).

> For calcium: Take cacium citrate, not calcium carbonate

> Carbonate is cheap and easy to find, but not well-absorbed by

> little pouches or by post-menopausal women: Needs a lot of acid

> to break down.

> For iron: Take ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate, not

> ferrous sulphate (very irritating to stomachs and very

> constipating).

> Start with the exercise as soon as your MD says it's okay to do

> so.

> Go to support groups.

> You'll notice I don't tell you requirements (for example, how

> many grams of protein, how many vitamins, etc.). Those are given

> to you by your Kaiser program.

> Hair loss:

> Most of us had hair loss starting at 3-4 months postop. 95% of

> the time, the hair loss is thinning. It is very rare to have

> bald spots. Hair loss is a result of many types of trauma; for

> example, childbirth can cause it. Your hair WILL GROW BACK. In

> fact, it starts to grow as soon as it falls out, but it takes a

> while for it to be long enough for you to notice it. There are

> no remedies that have been proven to make it grow back faster.

> Good nutrition does improve the texture and shine of hair, so

> keep up that protein and those vitamins. But if you don't have

> room in your pouch to take both the vitamins, iron, calcium, and

> Biotin (which some people recommend for hair regrowth), forget

> the Biotin: There's no proof it works.

> Finally...why do I think I'm such an authority?

> First of all, I'm an old RN (general medical/surgical,

> specializing in oncology*) who loves to do research and see what

> helps people recover from illness. The above are lifestyle

> guidelines I've learned from going to 2-4 support groups/month

> for over 3 years, reading the medical literature, and talking to

> the Bariatric staff at Kaiser South City. And all of it has

> helped me stay at goal for 1.5 years. Thanks to everyone for

> being here, and happy holidays!

> Martha

> *I have to give credit where credit is due: My chemo patients

> have taught me everything I know about hair loss.

>