Day 3 Post Op Question

I am 3 days out of surgery ( Surgery was 8/21) and I CANNOT finish my required protein shakes. My surgeon wants me to do 40 oz of shakes/day. Yesterday it took me the whole day to drink 10 oz plus a little water here and there. Will this get better? Are his expectations too much? 

Also, a very personal question, but when can I expect to have a BM? I have yet to have one and I feel like it would help things.

I am almost 3wks out and still can't do more than 1 shake/day. And for the first 2wks, I couldn't even do 1 whole shake. You will get there. Just keep sipping. In the beginning I used 1oz cups and took sips every 5-10mins. But, it was really hard for me to get the shakes down. I stuck to flavored waters. My Dr said that fluids are more important than protein in the beginning.

As far as the BM, I think I had some diarrhea on day 4. Hubby was about the same time as well. Don't worry, you will go when it's time and more than likely it will be diarrhea.

Glad that your surgery went well! Good Luck and keep us updated on your progress!!

I'm almost 2 weeks out and for the first week I was still on the clear liquid diet. I was so bloated the first 4-5 days I probably wouldn't have been able to get in my shakes either. I was able to get in my fluids thank goodness. As for the BM, I had my first on wed night. I have been having them regular (at least once/day****il I started pureed foods. Now it's good to get in one. But I began Miralax today so that's gonna help me regulate.

I;m 6 day out, clear liquids only first 5. give tummy time to start healing.  Today I had hot choc. protein drink. and drinking drinking. My Dr was more interested in the liquids getting in. keep sipping

im  4 and 1/2 weeks out and I can  eat 4 oz of solid protein , takes all day to drink my liquids but only 20 minutes to drink an 11 oz shake , I had a lose 34f sleeve , and started drinking full liquid the day I came home , the 3 rd day after surgery

most people don't have a bm for around 1 week , I had diaraia for 1 week after that till I started solid food ( tuna , chicken ground up meat balls ) now I can eat anything in 4 oz servings

The thing is, everyone is different.  One isn't any better or worse than the other as long as you can get your fluids in.  I had no problem getting in all my fluids from day 2 when I was allowed to start drinking, but I was on clears for a week.  I was lucky.  Seems more people are like you and have a hard time getting the liquids in.  Just keep at it, and it gets better and better and eventually stops being a full time job!

Jane

For me I take 10oz of skim milk and mix in 2 scoops of protein powder (60 gms protein) mix it in my magic bullet and every 2 hr I drink 2oz i. At the beginning like you it took me about 30 mins to get that in but it does get better. I set my timer like I said every 2 hr for protein and then sipped water in between. Hang in there. 

I too had diarrhea on about day 2 then not again until day 5, really nothing to come out we have only been on liquids....

Did you try chicken broth with protein powder? Sometimes the warm liquid goes down easier.  I couldn't tolerate sweet drinks after surgery, so chicken broth saved the day for me.  I also put protein powder in jello, s-f, f-f pudding, and yogurt, and I was able to make my protein numbers from early on.

My stomach was swollen for the first 7 weeks, and I had a hard time getting my liquids in until it calmed down at 2 months. I was getting 30 ounces of fluids a day and my team was still concerned, so you may want to check with your surgeon or NP.

I think all you can do is do the best you can.  And contact your surgeon if you fear dehydration.  They can give you an IV to "tank you up" as my surgeon says. Its much better to catch the dehydration early.

Best of luck,

Carol

6 days post op here...I just keep sipping on diet iced tea...so far, I've managed about 32 oz of that over the course of the day..and 12 oz of Carnation Instant Breakfast.  I just keep sipping.  Not worried about how much protein at this stage, just making sure I'm staying hydrated.  As for BM's...I started having diarrhea in the hospital..day 2 I guess..had that up until day 4..now, nothing..just lots of gas.  

Thank you everyone for your responses! I feel a lot better today, lots of gas pain, but I'm STILL not drinking hardly anything. I don't feel depleted or anything. Its difficult because I feel like if I don't drink all of it I am wasting money on Carnation.