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8 days post op rollercoaster

M

Mimi K

Member
Hi everyone I just wanted to share some of my experiences over the last week since surgery. I wasn't able to get as many fluids down as needed as was sent for 2 separate fluid infusions since leaving the hospital. I actually became severely dehydrated due to two nights of nonstop hot flashes and night sweats. Since then, I have been able to get all of my liquids in. Protien shakes were too thick and sweet and needed to be diluted with skim milk. I advise getting good hydrating waters with vitamins and electrolytes instead of plain water and crystal light. I got some Shine waters and Tapout to keep myself better hydrated. You won't be getting much from sugar free jello and popsicles.

I took pain killers for a couple of days and nausea meds for the first week. I don't need either of those anymore. I am moving slow with some soreness and tiredness.

About the Food: I want to eat very badly. I was expecting to have no appetite but it is definitely still there. I physically can't eat, but boy do I wan't to! The cravings have been practically unbearable. I can't watch TV because every single commercial is about delicious food! Everything onTV is about food or contains some sort of eating. somebody please tell me this gets better!
 
Sounds like things are stabilizing and you are easing into a new normal. I've been a fan of sugar free PowerAde. The slowness and soreness works itself out.

I did not have the unpleasant desire to eat that you mention. What surgery did you have? I had RYBS, and now my stomach no longer sends such intense signals to my brain to nom, since most of the surface area of the stomach doesn't come into contact with food. It just sits there. Apparently. :)
 
I also didn’t have the feeling of hunger or needing to eat after gastric bypass. Sorry you are struggling with this. It will be awhile before you are able to chew anything, but maybe some ice chips would help? Don’t give up. It gets a lot easier
 
I'm 7 days post-op and struggling too. Yesterday was awful, today is not much better. I was also hoping the hunger hormone wouldn't be an issue. I'm struggling with the protein being way too sweet as well. I tried diluting with fair life 1% milk and it was still too sweet. At some point while trying to eat yogurt I just started crying. Again it was sweet and making me nauseous. The more I thought about it the more upset I got. My daughter in law made me some mashed potatoes. They are on my liquid list. It helped but not for long. Today is not much better. I've only had two cups milk with 13 grams protein each, two 2oz mashed potatoes and water. I had two popsicles as well. The thought of broth makes me nauseous. I have a Greek lemon chicken soup I'm thinking about trying. Just strain the broth from the chicken and orzo. I know the hunger is probably in my head but it really feels like my stomach is mad.

I'm still very sore but today is the first day without pain meds. I'm taking my pelvic faithfully. I just want food. I know I can't.
 
Mimi K said:
Hi everyone I just wanted to share some of my experiences over the last week since surgery. I wasn't able to get as many fluids down as needed as was sent for 2 separate fluid infusions since leaving the hospital. I actually became severely dehydrated due to two nights of nonstop hot flashes and night sweats. Since then, I have been able to get all of my liquids in. Protien shakes were too thick and sweet and needed to be diluted with skim milk. I advise getting good hydrating waters with vitamins and electrolytes instead of plain water and crystal light. I got some Shine waters and Tapout to keep myself better hydrated. You won't be getting much from sugar free jello and popsicles.

I took pain killers for a couple of days and nausea meds for the first week. I don't need either of those anymore. I am moving slow with some soreness and tiredness.

About the Food: I want to eat very badly. I was expecting to have no appetite but it is definitely still there. I physically can't eat, but boy do I wan't to! The cravings have been practically unbearable. I can't watch TV because every single commercial is about delicious food! Everything onTV is about food or contains some sort of eating. somebody please tell me this gets better!
Click to expand...
I'm so sorry to hear that you are struggling like that. I understand we are all different and have different surgeons and nutritionist, but, I thought I would share with you what my surgery bible (that's just my nickname for it) says I can have days 3-14. I am allowed cream of wheat, malt o meal, creamy soups(no chunks) sugar free pudding, sugar free popsicle. Maybe you can try some of those things and see if they make you nauseated. Just remember to take a minute between bites that way your brain has time to tell your stomach you're full. Many thoughts and prayers are with you!
 
rjbj said:
Sounds like things are stabilizing and you are easing into a new normal. I've been a fan of sugar free PowerAde. The slowness and soreness works itself out.

I did not have the unpleasant desire to eat that you mention. What surgery did you have? I had RYBS, and now my stomach no longer sends such intense signals to my brain to nom, since most of the surface area of the stomach doesn't come into contact with food. It just sits there. Apparently. :)
Click to expand...
I had the sleeve. I know this is more in my head than my stomach!
 
Rayvenskye said:
I'm 7 days post-op and struggling too. Yesterday was awful, today is not much better. I was also hoping the hunger hormone wouldn't be an issue. I'm struggling with the protein being way too sweet as well. I tried diluting with fair life 1% milk and it was still too sweet. At some point while trying to eat yogurt I just started crying. Again it was sweet and making me nauseous. The more I thought about it the more upset I got. My daughter in law made me some mashed potatoes. They are on my liquid list. It helped but not for long. Today is not much better. I've only had two cups milk with 13 grams protein each, two 2oz mashed potatoes and water. I had two popsicles as well. The thought of broth makes me nauseous. I have a Greek lemon chicken soup I'm thinking about trying. Just strain the broth from the chicken and orzo. I know the hunger is probably in my head but it really feels like my stomach is mad.

I'm still very sore but today is the first day without pain meds. I'm taking my pelvic faithfully. I just want food. I know I can't.
Click to expand...
Yes! I feel the same way. But today is a little better. I couldn't get all of the protein in for the first week, and actually it is not expected. Only drink what you can but keep the clear liquids coming and keep them high quality. Having a few bites of mashed potatoes throughout the day helped me also. Yogurt and shakes are too thick but are getting easier. I drank Fairlife Fat Free Milk for a few days instead of the sweet shakes and did much better. I've been doing cream of chicken and cream of potatoe soup, and homemade broth. I do not add protien or milk because it makes it too thick and nasty.
 
TYNSMommy said:
Girl! I am right there with you! The struggles are real! I keep thinking back to the last time I actually had anything to eat and it seems like a lifetime ago lol. We are in this thing together, 1 day apart! We got this. Please feel free to message me anytime!
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My last meal was 2 weeks ago! Salmon, brown rice, and broccoli! I'm dying!
 
TYNSMommy said:
I'm so sorry to hear that you are struggling like that. I understand we are all different and have different surgeons and nutritionist, but, I thought I would share with you what my surgery bible (that's just my nickname for it) says I can have days 3-14. I am allowed cream of wheat, malt o meal, creamy soups(no chunks) sugar free pudding, sugar free popsicle. Maybe you can try some of those things and see if they make you nauseated. Just remember to take a minute between bites that way your brain has time to tell your stomach you're full. Many thoughts and prayers are with you!
Click to expand...
Thank you! Yes, most of those are on my list, and I am tolerating them much better now.
 
Mimi K said:
Yes! I feel the same way. But today is a little better. I couldn't get all of the protein in for the first week, and actually it is not expected. Only drink what you can but keep the clear liquids coming and keep them high quality. Having a few bites of mashed potatoes throughout the day helped me also. Yogurt and shakes are too thick but are getting easier. I drank Fairlife Fat Free Milk for a few days instead of the sweet shakes and did much better. I've been doing cream of chicken and cream of potatoe soup, and homemade broth. I do not add protien or milk because it makes it too thick and nasty.
Click to expand...
Today was better. No crying at least. I got closer on the protein. My mom made vegetable beef soup. Pulverized it in her food processor and brought it over. I know she's trying to be helpful cause I sounded sad, but pureed is too soon. It looked green and tasted gross. I took only one sip and was like nope. I'm not a fan of cooked carrots, it's all I could taste. Popsicles are my friend right now. I'm looking forward to soft food phase.
 
Hang in there everybody, it gets better! Like I’ve said many times, this experience is so psychological! It really helps me to journal when I have “head hunger” and want to eat when I shouldn’t. Stick to the plan, keep sipping your fluids and focus on the protein, and before you know it you will be eating regular food again.
 
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