How do you do it?!

Hey everyone  This is my first post on OH and need some advice.  

I had my RNY on Monday Nov 4th. Everything is well but has been a struggle to get in all these liquids to say the least! I take tiny sips on protein drinks and water throughout the day and I'm only averaging 40 oz of liquid and 40 g of protein a day. I absolutely love water. I fill a 20 oz water bottle and before surgery could fini**** in less than a half hour. Same with protein drinks. Now it seems like it takes me all morning to finish the same 20 oz bottle and not have discomfort or diarrhea (tmi sorry).

My question is: Does it get easier with time? On my follow up, my doctor was throwing around the option of going back to the hospital for liquids/feeding tube if it doesn't improve. I'm working HARD to make that not happen so any advice or tips you could throw me would be greatly appreciated!

Yes, it does get easier.  Many people find that they can drink somewhat normally again in just a couple of weeks.  40 ounces per day is actually doing pretty good for the first week and I am a little surprised that your surgeon would mention the possibility of hospitalization for IV fluids.  I would be VERY surprised if you got dehydrated with that amount of water (but I'm not a doctor).

You are also doing fine with protein intake.  It is very difficult to get in the full protein allotment during the first couple of weeks and you are not going to endanger your health when you are getting  2/3 of your protein requirement!

I suspect that your surgeon used the threat of hospitalization as a "motivational" tool.  I think it is crappy when they do that -- I think it is disrespectful of the patient and insults the patient's intelligence -- but many surgeons do.

You are doing fine.  Just continue with both.  You will get there shortly.

Lora

Lora,

You have no idea how much relief I have after reading that. I'm taking this very seriously and wasn't sure why my 110% effort wasn't cutting it.

Thank you 

I agree it aggravates me when I see surgeons try to scare patients with such drastic measures. 

Some people can drink normally right away. It probably took me three month to be able to drink at an average pace. It just meant I had to drink slowly and more often.

Things will evolve pretty quickly for you the first month or so.

It does get easier with time.  as you get out a couple more weeks you will see that you will be able to get more in at a time making it easier to get in your fluids.  

I can drink pretty normal now and I'm 9 weeks post op! I think auger about a month I was able to drink better! You are doing great so far!

I think you're doing great! It's hard to get in all the protein recommended - that's why everyone drinks protein shakes. As for the drinking, sounds like you are doing fine. I don't know why your surgeon said something so dramatic. Sometimes people who are overweight are also treated a bit like we are "soft" in the head. 

Nerak

Yes it'll get easier. A common suggestion here is to get in 30/60/90 on protein. 30 grams by 30 day, 60 in 60, 90 in 90. You aren't doing terrible IMO for a new post-op. 

Drinking room temp or hot liquids may also help you get in more. Right now staying hydrated is most important the protein will come. 

Thank you for the 30/60/90 suggestion. I find those goals to be much more reasonable.