It's 3:30 in the morning

Okay - so I don't want to be a debby downer here so please help me see the up side.....I'm exactly 3 weeks out and not really doing so hot here. I'm still regretting my decision. I've lost 20 lbs but the weight loss is so far buried in my mind because of all the other issues. Issue #1:  I try very hard to get in all the fluids but it just is not happening. On my best days I get 40 ozs.  This has lead me to think more about what my habits were pre-surgery. I never drank anything without something to eat with it!  If it was in-between meals, I would go get a soda, but never a soda alone. I always got something to eat so it would make me thirsty so I could drink the soda. So, now - here I am on the total opposite pole; never having food with liquid.  I almost get nauseated drinking all this fluid without food.  Issue #2:  pre-surgery, I was a picky eater and that hasn't changed. If it tastes bad, it makes my gag reflex go into action.  I can't drink the protein shakes.  They make me gag.  I've spent over $200 in different proteins and different stuff to add to them but I do not like milk or any milk substitutes (I think it is the consistency). I've tried to make them a more shake consistency but have been unsuccessful at that. #3:  my stomach acid and gas are overtaking my life.  When I eat a few bites of chicken or beans or whatever, my stomach starts churning out major acid and it causes pain, so I only eat a few bites. Basically, I think I'm starving and dehydrating myself.  I spoke with the nurse practitioner yesterday about the stomach pain. She doubled my prilocec so hopefully this will help this issue. She said if it doesn't, they will want to do a leak test. God help me.  #4:  I cannot sleep past 2:30 in the a.m. My eyes fly open at 2:30 and I'm done. The rest of the day, I'm a zombie.  I would take a sleep-aid but they are so stupid big that I would have to cut them into little pieces to get them down.  Well, sorry for the length but, I need major help here. Please.

 I would not be so hard on yourself about getting in all your fluids in the first 3 weeks there was no way I was getting in all the fluids they wanted me to get in. my doctor said just to make sure to drink as much as I could so I was hydrated and later focus on how much I was drinking. 

for the protein shakes have you tried adding SF jello pudding powder to them?! have you tried isopure protein drinks? they are really big bottles and 40g of protein I have to add water to it because its a bit strong in taste. they also have protein drink shots you can buy.. protein does not necessarily have to come from the shakes, most of us would not make it..

as for sleeping there is a powder sleep aid you can get at your local pharmacy im not sure what it is called though..

Sorry you are having such a rough time but time will pass and things will be great for you..

Sorry you're regretting your decision.  I hope that changes as you start to feel better.

I too spent many $$$ on protein powders and bars.  Some I can take for awhile and then they turn gross to me.  I recently found THE BEST protein powder ever AND you can order individual ones in case you don't like them or want to try different flavors.  Tera's Whey (teraswhey.com)

Yesterday I had a package of Acai Berry in 4 oz Bolthouse Passion Orange Guava juice and 4 oz water.  Absolutely delicious.  Like drinking fruit juice.  No funky after taste.  The other day I tried the Bourbon Vanilla in the same juice and it was good too.  Today I'm going to try the Fair Trade Dark Chocolate.

At three weeks out I was still on full liquids and honestly couldn't imagine trying to eat solid food.  Of course, every doctor has a different protocol, but maybe you should try backing down on the solids.  I honestly couldn't eat chicken for MONTHS!

As for sleeping, try some Melatonin.  Natural hormone produced in our body that is less prevalent as we age and is also depleted by stress.

Hope you feel better soon and love your sleeve!

I am so sorry that you are so feeling so badly. It makes one extremely pessimistic to feel so ill. I can feel your negativity.
I realize that it is hard to see any positives at this time, but if you can latch onto something really positive about the results of your surgery and try to be thankful. Think about that,
It might make it easier to get through some of the issues one at a time.
The issues: You are not alone, we have shared your problems, and can assure you that it gets better, and you will be glad.
I NEVER was able to get up to goal with my fluid intake early on. I love water, but for a while it was really hard to drink very much.
I assure you things are much better now.
I never used a protein powder after the 3rd day post op. I got sick on them, and was never able to get one near my mouth from then on. Each person is different and tolerates different things
I used other sources of protein. My NUT helped me. Also my surgeon said not to worry so much about the protein intake until my second week or so. Soon I was able to eat mushies and it was oh so much easier.
Most OH folks have the sleeping issue also. I read about it on the OH website before my surgery, so I was prepared for it.
I also had to start taking ppi twice a day for a while, but I don't need them much now. We can testify that things get easier as you go along.
Hang in there!!
You are doing all you can by addressing each issue individually and trying to do the best you can with each.
Try not to feel bad about them. Your best effort is all that anyone can do. So, you are a big success from that view point.
Best of luck to you as you work through the issues.

Oh thank you so much CJCC55.  I'm sooo glad to hear that there is someone with the same issues. I was so worried that I was just of the ones that shouldn't had done this.  I have not read anything about the lack of sleep on here but now I'm going to search it.  My NUT did tell me not to worry about  the eating right now if it caused pain. She said it is surprising how long a person can go without food. Of course, they don't bother to tell you that other folks don't get in all their fluids either. I was feeling like such a failure.  I will take your advice and look to the positive.  I gotta tell you, your post is such a relief for me that I'm sitting here trying not to cry (I'll mess up my make-up and I have to go to my intership).  Thank you again. I really love this site.

I could not tolerate any of the protein drinks. Every one gave me massive runs. I tried about 10 kinds, and just quit. My doc had me on purees -- soft tofu, ricotta cheese, I made egg custards with lo sugar and lo fat milks. Check out eggface on the web for good ideas. Once I past the 3 week mark, and had mushies I was good to go.

I know that the not sleeping thing gets old fast. If it continues, see a psychiatrist to have an evaluation for depression. The surgery can really mess with your biology, and can cause a chemical imbalance. Early morning wakefullness is one symptom of a clinical depression. If melatonin does not help, please see a shrink for an eval. A short term course of anti-depressants can do wonders.