I am struggling!

I'm struggling to get my fluids down.  Yesterday I was only able to get 3 spoonfuls of soup, a few sips of Isopure and a few sips of water down all day.

Today I'm trying to get down a protein shake.  I'm still in a lot of pain at the incision spot.  It's got to get easier!

Hang in there, I promise it gets better everyday!  Remember to sip, sip, sip, and walk, walk, walk!

Don't force it..do what you can do...

it took me over a week maybe 2 before I could even come close to hitting my protein /water

remember that your stomach was cut and is very swollen right now..just take it slow....

I struggled to get my fluids in too.  I was only able to get 1 ounce down every 30 minutes.  If you can please get some Powerade Zero.  Since I couldn't get a lot of fluids down the Powerade Zero helped me to stay hydrated.  I drank that instead of the water.  Once I was able to drink more fluids then I added in my water.  It does get easier!!  The pain will eventually go away and you will be able to drink more. 

I'm now 10 days post-op. At first I struggled too! I maybe got 16 oz of water down the first three days I was home and maybe one protein shake a day. It does get easier and go slow. Really try to get the water in, you don't want to be dehydrated. Now, I'm at 48 oz throughout the day and still only about 1 full protien shake. I can only eat 2oz every four hours. I feel full constantly and I know that i need the water and some sort of nutrition. It is almost like a full-time job :)  You can do it!

I'm also still in a little pain on my left side near the large incision, but it becomes managable. There are some people who have no pain and don't need the pain meds that the Dr gives you. I wanted to be that person and tried to not take the pain meds. That was a mistake and I had to get over it. I still take it twice a day to help as it still bothers me when I walk.

Hang in there! It will get better, just take care of yourself :)

I totally agree with GrayC. Don't force it. Take little sips at a time throughout the day..enough to stay hydrated. You just had surgery and it will be just about impossible to get all the recommended liquids in at this point. I found that drinking warm tea and beverages were more soothing at this stage. You will see with every passing week as you heal..you will be able to drink more with less discomfort. 

It does get easier, I promise.  I know some docs say no straws, but I found using a straw and slowly sipping almost constantly enabled me to get the water down better than trying to gulp.  Also keep the water room temperature- cold always felt like a punch in the stomach to me.  Try chicken broth mixed with V8, it tastes pretty good and is what saved me on the full liquid week. 

I am 7 weeks out and the incisions don't hurt now, but the first week they were sore and after that they'd be fine for a while then suddenly start hurting.  As long as they are not red and draining, they are healing.

It took courage to make the decision to have the surgery, it takes courage to get through the early days, and I'm guessing it will take courage to stay focused on eating right for the rest of our lives. I guess if we were brave enough to decide and brave enough to have the surgery we can beat the fat!

Good luck

Dee

Easy does it is right- be gentle with your recovery.  You are in the process of healing- remember.  As to liquids- take it slow- also, I found that warm worked so much better than cold- and if it is ok with your plan, chicken broth worked wonders for me.  This is your first few days--concentrate on comfort, peace, rest, fluids as you can and get up and move around the house as you are able- it will help with the healing.  You're going to be ok.  Take care.  Bonnie

I does get easier. You need to heal and give yourself that time. I was very lucky and didn't have issues with getting my fluids/protein goals. It took me almost an hour to drink an 8oz glass but I was drinking non stop. It was my fulltime job during my recovery. That is what my surgeon said she took me out of work for, so I could focus on the proper hydration. Dehydration can happen quickly and get you back in the hospital quickly.

Keep sipping at all times when you aren't resting or walking, sip. Warm liquids were much better for me then cold and still are.

Best of luck to you!