5 Weeks Post Op Having Hard Time Drinking & Eating

Minda is right... Every diet and program is different. I had surgery just before you and my surgeon has me on pretty much a full, regular diet, as tolerated with the exception of raw veggies and fruits. Just take it SLOW and make sure you really chew good. Ice cold water still bothers me, so I tend to do room temp. I still do not gulp water or really anything. Sip smaller sips. You really need to work on your water and getting in more. 

BTW, I'm on the Missouri side of the metro!! Since we had surgery at the same time and live in the same area, maybe we can be each other's WLS buddy??

Good luck!!!

The good thing out of all this is your:saving grace" Protein shake. Leave the peanut butter and "Wendy's" chili out. I do realize we are allowed legumes (beans) but best to make your own chili at home. Much healthier with ground turkey and great northern beans have a softer exterior (skin on them) i have found.

I still can't tolerate the protein shakes so i am still drinking The
New Whey liquid protein. 42 grams of protein per 3.5 oz container. My surgeon is just fine with it and she doesn't agree with some that say our bodies aren't absorbing all that protein, because it is. I don't drink it all at once. I spread it out through out the day, sipping.

Now is a good time to be introducing soft foods one at a time. Experiment with what you can tolerate. Cottage cheese is a good protein that goes well with unsweetened apple sauce and don't forget your cream soups with meat. Chicken cream is my favorite. Try a scrambled egg. Great protein in there. Also G2 Gatorade, instead of crystal lite. to keep your electrolytes up and would be better for your hydration.

It will get better. Easy goes it, be kind to your new sleeve.stomach. It's still swollen and healing. It will get better in time. Even though i am just 17 days post of and 25 pounds down. I know when my stomach says enough or more. What may not work one week may work the next week. Like i said, you're sleeve is still healing.

Perhaps you can find a support group in your area since you don't have follow ups with your surgeon. There's lots of information and support there for you.

Sending positive energy your way that it gets easier. for you.

Sincerely Sherri AKA Motherearth

Yes, i agree with perhaps changing as far as the temp on your fluids, that may be what's causing your tummy to hurt. Easy goes it, our sleeve is still healing and will take time for it to adapt to what your putting into it and visa versa.

sure your body is absorbing that collagen protein In the shots. It is going directly to your hair and nails and skin,but NOT to your muscles ,which is where you. Need it. Collagen is not even a complet protein,lacking some of the amino acids that make protein complete.

whey isolate or even egg white protein is preferable to the shots. They are a waste of money.

GL

Thank you Holly skin for sharing your information. That's great news that the protein drink i'm drinking isn't going to waste. Am happy it's reaching my skin, hair, nails. Fortunately i'm taking in solid protein in from fresh dairy, salmon, salad shrimp, meat from chicken legs, eggs, Greek yogurt, sugar free pure protein bar for muscle mass as i exercise as well. I will consider taking in another source of liquid protein to boost my protein as needed.

Thank you again for your information. Much appreciated.

Sincerely Sherri AKA Motherearth

Thanks everyone for your input and support!!!  I will definitely take your suggestions to heart.  The reason I am eating yogurt, peanut butter and chili is because those are the only things that don't hurt my stomach in week 5.  Week 3-4 I had no problem with other stuff.  I ate chicken, turkey, shrimp, salmon, cottage cheese, etc just fine. This week I can't.  So I was only drinking about 2 glasses of water, and maybe one protein shake all day and that's it.  So I would eat something, I ate those 3 things I just mentioned so I would get some nourishment in my body. Also I burp constantly and have never had that problem since surgery. 

I will try water at room temp and hopefully that will do the trick as well as get some gatorade2.  I have tried to make my own chili 2 times pre-op and once a couple a days ago. It was so nasty I through it away all 3 times.  I know chili should be simple, but I can't make it.

PrincessPR I would love to be your WLS buddy. My niece and I are looking for a support group. We had the surgery at the same time.

Thanks again EVERYBODY!

 

 

I know what you can tolerate (both what and how much) will vary so don't worry too much about that - you are still very early out.

you can give yourself discomfort and even pain by eating something that is "allowed" or that you did before that suddenly is too much.

so, slow down and listen to your body. you really can't go too slow.

 So I was only drinking about 2 glasses of water, and maybe one protein shake all day and that's it.

every day your first priority needs to be enough liquid so you don't get dehydrated. after that, protein.

Thank you for your great suggestions.  

--Allowed, but not mandatory.  Slow down.

--First liquid, then protein!

UPDATE.....

I found the problem!! Yay!!  I was watching and reading others and I realized I'm having a hard time eating because of my upset stomach. My doctor gave me some type of acid reducer to take for the first week after surgery and I didn't have any issues for the first month. So I started taking Prilosec 3 days ago and now my stomach feels "normal" again like I did in Week 4.  

Everyone kept saying SLOW DOWN.  At first I was thinking that I'm not GOING FAST.  I'm following my doctor's post op diet to the T.  But after thinking about it a few days, I see the need to SLOW DOWN.  I am making myself miserable trying to eat things and am not enjoying them because I can't eat much of it because of the density. So I'm taking a step back to the pureed stage so I can get in more calories with less effort.

Finally, I can't find the post now but thanks to the one who suggested that I can still get input from my surgeon even though he is in Mexico. That made me realize I do have the number to the hospital coordinator. 

What are the symptoms of an ulcer? Or even an irritated stomach lining or irritated stitches? Ever anything like that? Anybody out there that knows?

Did your surgeon advise you to be on a protein pump inhibitor antacid? I've seen many go home with it so they have it to start with it.

I agree with you that it's not normal to progress so well, then go to hurting.

But even though your surgery was in Mexico, you should have been told how to call or email him with problems such he can advise you. He's still your doctor, even if you aren't in his office. That's included in the surgical fee with all of them.

I'd call him first thing Monday morning. Nothing like tapping his training & experience.

Keep us advised on what he says and how you're doing.