22 days post op and struggling

So today is day 22 post op and I am having a really hard time.  In fact it's so bad I'm wishing I hadn't had the surgery.  I'm finding that I am depressed and I'm so thirsty.  I am such a picky eater that I can't get in any food and I don't think in a day I even get in a half a glass of water.  I can't stand room temp water and cold water hurts.  I'm not hungry and there is so much I don't like that I can't even think of what to eat.  I can't stand the protein shakes so I am getting no protein and they want me to have 60grams a day.

I am not posting this to scare people  away from surgery however if you are a picky eater and you think that you will just figure this part out after surgery like I thought, think again. 

 Teasha part of me wants to just give you a hug and tell you that things will get better as you progress....the other part of me just wants to tell you to suck it up because you have no choice.   You went into this surgery process wanting a better more healthier life for yourself.  Why would you jeopardize your life now?  You must drink water!  You'll end up in ER if you don't.  Hubby and I were given sippy cups to use and we found those to be VERY helpful in getting our fluids in.  We all were used to gulping down water but we can't do that now, so the sippy cups really helped us to break that habit!

As for the protein shakes, try going to a place that will give you a few samples to try.   Make sure you use a container with a lid on it to drink your shake from......you can't smell it that way.   It's not an option, or a choice, you have to do it!  I'm very concerned about you!!!   Use a blender with lots of ice....add some splenda...add some instant coffee...add whatever you need to get it down.

This is a second chance at life for you Teasha.  Please don't let it go by without giving it an honest effort!!  


Please if this continues call your surgeon or Dr and make them aware and get checked out for other possible complications.

Much like the other poster told you you must get some fluids in ASAP or you risk suffering severe dehydration. Find a form of protein you can get in. I used milk and skim milk powder a lot in the beginning.
Keep trying different things until you find what will work for you.

Linda

 hey Teasha, I can really relate to what you are going through, and i am so very sry, but you really need to suck it up with not being able to stand the taste of some things and get some protein and food most of all ur water in every day as well as ur vits... if you don't you will end up in the hospital back on IV or worse .. Death, i don't want to scare you or any one else but this is the path you chose.

There's lots i don't like or can't tolerate but i try to at least get in what i can to survive as well as my 60 g of protein every day, try going into the Ontario recipes site that Karen and Tracy has lots of menu's in there and you also can get unflavored protein powder and sprinkle it in ur foods no tastes also maybe try Costco premier shakes they are not bad when chilled or over ice that way you will be getting ur liquid intake.

I know its rough for the fist bit for some of us but you can do this and be amazed at the results.

All the best to you on ur journey and if you want feel Free to msg me if i can help you in any way. i still have my days of struggling, but i have to suck it up and just do it.

Joy 

It is going to get better...jut sip sip water all day and night...for 2-3 months you wont be able to get all the protein, but get the water in they say you should,  you will increase as time passes...this is your best weightloss time...Feel s****y, but it is normal for some like you...like being anorexic as you are not interested in food...embrace this s****y feeling as it will get better, and it is doing the world of good to you as you are being food deprived, but dont get dehydrated without your water..

Force yourself, tell yourself it is MEDICINE when you take in your protein drinks and water, "ugh" as they may be!..No more eating for pleasure  ( I am 3.5 years out and do now, then have to diet the old fashioned way!).

IT DOES GET BETTER ...wait for it to happen and do your best with water and protein in the meantime, consider them MEDICINE you need for good health even though you don't feel like them...just like your suplements.

If you cant stand the protein shakes how about having some Greek yogurt, if you don't like the taste of the Greek yogurt try adding some sugar free jam into it. It tastes like fruit on the bottom yogurt them. You can even water the yogurt down with milk for added protein and it will be easier to get down.

You are probably depressed because you are not getting the proper nutrition in. You are in a brain fog right now.

I don't want to make you feel bad here but its not about what you "like" at this point, its about what you need. If you don't like room temperature water you need to get past it and drink it anyway. Your heath depends on it.

I would encourage you to call your weight management centre and speak to someone. Even if they have to admit you to get some fluid in. Dehydration is a serious matter and so is malnutrition.

I feel for you

my heart goes out to you - i too am a very fussy eater but i've been able to find healthy and tasty foods i like.  i'm sure you'll find out what works for you but it does take time.  define what picky eater means to you (is it cuz of pouchie or tastebuds) and what you're willing/able to eat, then check out the recipe forums, there's also lots of websites for crockpots (great for soft foods) there's also eggface, etc...  i find i eat a lot of tuna, chicken, chili, mexican, yogurt, apple sauce, melba toast (everything is homemade and loaded with protein then pop it in the fridge or freezer already measured for ready to eat foods.) 
as for the water, i've never had any issues so can't really offer much input there.  if room temp and cold doesn't work, have you tried warm water?  maybe try to go back to basics with the water.  get a bottle that fits 500ml and a small cup and sip every 2-3min, keep an eye on a clock and time it - force yourself to sit and do nothing bu****ch the clock and sip (not easy to do when busy but it sure beats passing out or hospitalization****il the 500ml is empty.
i hope you're able to get protein and water in, it does take time to learn how to eat and drink and time it all.  best of luck and keep us posted.

debi.,

Hi Teasha.

Ditto to what others have said. You will end up very sick if this doesn't turn around soon.

Re: water; I couldn't stomach water until very recently (I'm nearly 7 months out), so added crystal light to my water and drank tons of herbal tea (I made sure that it had no caffeine). 

For protein, I mixed Beneprotein into Mott's applesauce (the strawberry kiwi is pretty good) and added skim milk powder to whatever I could.  I didn't like many protein powders, especially the ones you mix with milk, but ended up being ok with the Wieder's mango peach (you mix it with water; it can be found at Shoppers Drug Mart).

Are you on soft food yet?  Soft boiled eggs are great early in (I remember posting about how delicious my first post-WLS egg was).  Greek yogurt with some splenda and/or SF jam is now one of my favourite things, and I really didn't like it prior to surgery.  Pureed red lentil or split pea soup is a good food early out too.

I hope you start being able to tolerate liquids and protein soon.  I strongly suggest contacting your clinic asap about the difficulties you are having.  Good luck!

GNC also has peach mango whey kool.  These were a saviour for me b/c I couldn't get the other kind down.  These are more like water/juice - easy going down.  I don't care for plain water anymore, so if you're not already, try crystal light.  Don't want to sound mean, but this isn't the time to be picky - that's for children, not grown-ups.  Get with it, force yourself to drink, or you'll end up in the hospital, and none of us want to see that happen.

I had a hard time immediately post-op too because my sense of taste changed and a lot of things I THOUGHT were going to be fine for me no longer worked, so I understand your predicament.  Here are some things that really helped me -

I hated water!!!  So, I used a timer set for every 5 minutes, and I had to drink 2 tbsps every 5 minutes.  Doesn't sound like much, but over a day it adds up.  The timer was crucial until I was able to drink more at once.

I used unflavoured protein powder (Beneprotein from Sick Kid's Hospital or through special order at most pharmacies) and mixed it with anything wet - applesauce, clear soups / broths,  decaf coffee, pureed foods, anything at all.  Again - a whole lot of little scoops (about 1 tbsp) spread over a day can really get the protein up very quickly.  If you can add it to milk products as someone else suggested, all the better!

Finally, and I know this sounds gross (sorry), try brushing your tongue several times a day.  I discovered that my tongue was coated with "stuff" at first (I know, not very scientific!), and this was making my sense of taste worse than was necessary.

Keep at it - it WILL get better.  Just make sure you don't get into trouble in the meantime.

Claire
9 months post-op
HW 348
CW190