SOS-I'm failing fast sleeve sistas and brothas

Hi everyone,
I had my surgery on 02-20-09. I was discharged on Monday on 14 days of full liquids. I can have cream of wheat, applesauce, pudding, etc.

My question is what was your system to get in the bare minimum of necessary nutrients? I know there has to be a way.

Currently my top priorities are medications, vitamins, water, and protein. THAT ALONE is overwhelming. I get full so quickly because they have me splitting my pills to swallow. I stagger them and have to wait for the fullness to subside before continuing. Water is being sipped. Popsicles fill me after 1 bite. I've been up and at it since 7 am and have yet to get in 10 oz of water today. I told mom that I am afraid that I will end up vomiting everyday by trying to overstuff.

I managed an oz or 2 of protein shake today and it taste like monkey butt. Any suggestions???

Thank you very much.
Que

I had the same issues.  All you can do is try to get in what you can.  Don't stress over what you can't accomplish.  I was unable to get in all my fluids, all my vitamins and meds not to mention the protein drinks once I was allowed to have them.  It takes time for your new stomach to adjust.  It will happen, just don't force anything, that causes spit ups and vomiting, which is not a good thing. 

Thanks Jennifer. This is great advise and it is nice to be reassured that it is okay to not try to over do it.

Okay, here are my suggestions.  I'm sure there will be many who disagree, but here goes. . . There is just NO WAY you can get everything in now.  It's too soon!  Try to get in your protein shakes, if you can, because those will give you liquids AND protein at the same time.  I used the Nectar Fuzzy Navel and now I have the chocolate.  I didn't even TRY vitamins till about 6 weeks. 

Right now your stomach is still swollen and surgery so recent.  Just rest and drink as much as you can to stay hydrated.  I did have to be put back in the hospital at 5 weeks for dehydration, because I couldn't keep anything down.  Call your doctor if this happens to you.  You may need to scoped, like I was.  But it sounds like you're doing fine.

Give yourself a break.  I know it's nervewracking, because they make you feel like you HAVE to get everything in or something terrible is gonna happen.  This board and my friends from my support group were a lifesaver when they told me to just try my best every day. . . sip, sip, sip.  Believe me, it WILL get easier.  I'm 13 wks. out now and have lost 75 pounds!  Best of all, I EAT my protein every day and don't have to drink it any more.  You'll get there!  Just be patient.  Good luck.

Hi Thin,
when I read the begininng of your response I thought
uh oh.

I agree 100% with what you stated. At this point there is no way that I can do much more so seeing that you had similar issues and are 75 lbs down at 13 weeks is awesome. Congratulations and thank you.

Que,

So sorry to hear you are struggling still.  Know that you are not alone.  I too had trouble getting in my stuff after surgery.  For now, maybe you should wait on the vitamins.  Your body should have vitamins stored up to last several weeks (check with surgeon).

Focus on your water and your meds. with some protein added throughout the day.  I NEVER found protein that I liked.  I found that I could 'stand' the IDS New Whey protein bullets in 42 grams.  I actually never developed a like for them.  The good thing about them is you only have to drink a little to get a lot of protein.  I think if people are honest, very few get in the full amount of protein or even water for some time after surgery.

If you are really concerned, you have to speak with your surgeon or NUT.  Do not get dehydrated and end up with kidney failure...it does not happen often but it can happen.

You will get better soon, I am sure.

Howdy Michelle in Oregon,

thanks a million. I go for my 1 week followup on next Tuesday and will discuss my concerns with my NUT. I am not to start the big gun vitamins until later. I am currently required to take 1 multivitamin a day. I read your response to my mom and we both agreed that perhaps the protein bullets may be the solution at this time. I bought the big jug of powder and it is overwhelming.

My biggest concern is kidney damage so I am working hard. I think that I will be okay. I have some ketosticks to gauge my progress too.

It is so hard in the begining! Try your best to get in water and protein. YOu can drink a clear protein that might help. It gets easier as time goes by. The recovery time seems like a job. But it is really worth all the hard work! You will feel better soon!

Thank you so much for your words of comfort and support Calligirl.

For the first couple weeks just focuse on fluids and taking your meds/vits.  You just cant do much more then that.  It just takes time (which was so hard for me to understand!)