checking in day 4 after surgery

What truck hit me!!!  

Today I think I had a dump experience.  I woke at 7 am - I had not had a BM since the surgery.  I took in 1/2 cup of a protein drink, took a vit b and a drop of vit d.  within 5 min of finishing I was nearly on the floor.  I made it upstairs to the bathroom - called in my hubby and he stayed with me until it passed.  I think I passed out on the john while he held me - what love.  

The BM was my first - so is was not pretty - had blood in it.

Went back to bed - work at 10 to shower.  Feeling a bit better but still have all those thoughts flying in my head.

I am sipping but not as much as I thought I would.  I have protein bullets mixed in water and plain water.  I have yet to finish more than 16 oz in a day.

I walk around the house and today will walk around the yard.

I have not taken my heart meds - they said if I feel light headed to skip - well - light headed is my middle name.  

I know next week will be better.  But today - I am not sure I can see past the hour.

I did puree foods before I went in - when should I try those?  

I am not hungry - just know I need my energy

When do I start my vitamins again?

One more thing - my hubby is showing signs of the flu now - this is not good.  

Prayers requested
Mary - Vashon

MY DAUGHTER ASKED ME-"MOM WHEN YOU COME HOME YOULL BE SKINNY RIGHT?" SHES SO WEIRD-BUT IM GLAD FOR YOUR BM-VERY WEIRD AND A LITTLE TO MUCH IMFORMATION BUT IM GLAD. YOU SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM YOUR HUSBAND IF HES SHOWING FLU SYMTOMS. NO ENERGY IS NOT GOOD FOR YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM. I WILL PRAY FOR THE BOTH OF YOU AND I CANT WAIT UNTIL I WAKE UP SKINNY-SPEEDY RECOVERY OH SISTER!

Mary,

I hope you feel better soon.  Please sip your water and keep on sipping constantly, so you don't become dehydrated.  You could be dehydrated and that is what is causing you to feel lightheaded.  I was on clear liquids after I came home from the hospital, not pureed foods.  Take it slow and easy.  I hope your husband is not getting the flu....please try and stay away from him so you don't get it.  Prayers being uplifted for the two of you!

Blessings,

Debbie

Mary,

Just curious, didn't your surgeon give you information about what rules to follow post-op?

I was on liquids for the first 2 weeks post-op, pureed, 3rd and 4th week and then on to soft foods until at 6 weeks, full regime of food. . .

Not being hungry at this stage is normal, enjoy it, some stay that way for an extended period of time, others (like me) have hunger return quick enough and then you will have to determine real hunger from just head hunger (feeding something besides the body). . .  right now your main objective should be getting in fluids, clear broths, sugar free ice pops, sugar free jello, water, decaf tea (no caffiene whatsoever) and all those count towards your fluid intake.  As to vitamins and such, call your surgeon, doctor's office and find out exactly what regime you should be on at this point.  I can't remember when I was put back on vitamins now, it might have been early on, but chewables only, nothing bigger than an mm was what my doctor's office told me.  Lack of fluids can cause dizziness, not to mention that if you are on pain meds and that can cause lightheadedness.  Take it easy and don't do more than you are capable of and definitely call your doctors office for guidance as each surgeon has their own plan of recuperation.

Welcome to the Loser's Bench, you're bound to be a winner!

Hugs, Laureen

Hi,
Sorry you had a rough go of it.  Hope you are feeling better.

I can't help with the WLS stuff as I have not had surgery but I did notice you said you had blood in your BM.....you should tell your Dr and Surgeon if you have not done so already.  Blood in stool is not normal.

Take good care of yourself!!

 Well blood in the first bm after surgery is normal.  This was indeed my first from Sat.  They were watching my blood counts as well - it was normal.  It's the rest of them I have to watch closely.  I am also watching my temp and other pain.  I have neither so far.  

I promise if the next movement has color that is red - I will call.

Thanks

I did not get the name of the truck that hit me either- bummer. Taking in fluids was very hard for me at first. I wasnt hungry or thirsty at all. I didnt even get to start protien drinks until the 4th day after surgery, I was then on liquids for a good two weeks, and then onto pureed/soft foods. I still have trouble getting in my fluids- never thought thatwould be a problem as i drank lots of water b4, but not being able to drink & eat at the same time, puts a damper on my drinking, and then i just forget.

Take some time for yourself, dont push too hard.

good luck,
Kim

thanks kim Today is day 4 after surgery. I manage to get down at least 24 oz of fluid in. I hope to increase that soon. According to my post-op plan I am OK to have puree foods - but one at a time. I mixed my meals when I pured them - could be a mistake. I don't think I am ready to 'eat; yet anyway. I do feel better tonight. I found a liquid stool softener - not tasty at all. the dose is 1-3 tsp - I took 1 tsp in some water - took me almost 15 to get it down. I do need to restart my heart meds tomorrow. Today was not a solid day for me to do that. The episode this morning was just too scary. I have not felt like that since before my hystrectomy. i remmber that well. took me almost a month to get my bowels back in order. But - I am not in pain. that is a bonus for me. I am resting and walking and sipping. Today was a beautiful day too - my garden is overgrown and my dogs are no help! Small steps. Thanks gang Mary - Vashon

Mary,

I didn't even try protein drinks until about 3 weeks out. I just really worked on water, ice chips were my friend (even tho I wasn't hungry I still wanted to chew!), broth, jello.I crushed my pills. Sure hated those but I survived for a couple of weeks of that. 

I figured at 377 lbs I certainly wouldn't starve for a few weeks!! I had enough stored fat to see me through an entire season. Within about 3 weeks I was eating thin cream of wheat and creamed soups.

You mentioned blood in the stool. My first stools had something like blue foam in them!!!! Talk about a shocker. . Must have been something left from surgery. Not big chunks or anything just something blue. 

I kept an insulated cup of crushed ice with me all of the time the first few weeks. It served two purposes. I was getting water without realizing it and it gave me that "chew" sensation. 

Hang in there. Mary, you will get better day by day. Sure hope you don't get the flu. Ours here has been a really nasty cold with such a sore throat. Finally getting better after almost a week. Hugs,

Hi Mary,
My surgeons dietician has us on full liquids for 2 weeks after surgery- includes cream soups, liquified yogurt, then pureed starting at 3 weeks.  They want us to start a Chewable Multivite (CELEBRATE.COM), chewable Iron, vitamin D, chewable calcium (taken separate from Iron and Multivite for absorption purposes). and to resume these the day after surgery.  They also have us taking in only 2 oz. 3-5 meals a day, along with clear liquids.  How does one get in enough protein.  My protein powder has 3.875 g protein per 1 0z serving, so if I have 5-2 oz. servings this only totals 39 grams protein a day & other calorie free fluids.  How does one get minimum of 60 grams protein at this stage.  Am I missing something?  I am glad to hear from more recent posts that you are doing better.

Lori  <><