Sheri Piper

I was sleeved Feb. 19, and surgery went well. However, since then, it's been one thing after another. I was home for 5 days, wound up with gout in both feet and ankles....5 more days in the hospital. Eating and drinking still going ok at this point, and weight coming off. Got home for 3 weeks, went back to work for one week, gallbladder decided to act up, wound up back in hospital for removal and developed sepsis (blood infection). Back home after a week, still off work, and I can't get down, or keep down proteins. I can eat Popsicles, frozen yogurt (sometimes), water is difficult to get down, and I don't know what to do. Saw surgeon and he scoped me and straightened out a kink in my stomach, but things are not a whole lot better. I'm weak and discouraged! Is anyone else having these problems? How do I handle them? I'm scared to death to get dehydrated again, but I know I'm only getting less than 5 grams of protein or so in a day, and that doesn't always stay down. Suggestions??

I've been doing fine, Until today. I have just NOT felt good all day today, or last night. My pouch is grumpy, it doesn't want anything in it, I tried some soup last night and cottage cheese, that didn't go well, decided to try canned chicken with light mayo for lunch, it didn't like that either. I just went back to work 4 days ago, and I wonder if I'm just plain tired out and that's what's making me not feel good. When my pouch acts up, my back hurts, my shoulders ache...not a lot of fun. Does anyone else have days like this?

I understand what you're feeling, but remember, you're not alone. We just have to ignore those that can't understand where we are in our goals. I'm having the same issues with drinking, and I know how frustrating it is. Have you tried liquids at different temperatures? Right after I was sleeved, cold liquids worked really well for me. Then suddenly they started giving me and uncomfortable, almost painful feeling. So I went to room temperature liquids, they work ok, but sometimes I still have that uncomfortable feeling. When that happens, I drink something warm. Like broth, or even just warm water with lemon in it. That seems to work most days, so I kind of alternate between room temp and warm. Has the doctor given you anything for nausea? My surgeon sends his patient home with nausea meds for about 3 months. You might ask your doctor for something. Don't let this get to you. It will get better. Remember, you're not alone, there's lots of us out here supporting each other.

I noticed online that Walgreens carries the Protein to Go online, and might possibly in the store. Please let us know your thoughts on the Protein to go when you get yours. I'm having the same problem. I had no problems getting in the protein up until this last week, and now it's like food doesn't like me at all and I'm nowhere near getting enough protein in. It's all I can do to get the liquids in. I'm almost 6 weeks out from surgery, and this problem is frustrating! I don't want to be weak from lack of protein, or dehydrated!

At my last NUT class, the gal talked about avoiding sugar alcohols, they're found in gum, among other things. She said that they can cause the same issues as eating something that has too much sugar...upset stomach, vomiting, etc. Here's a link to an article about them... http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=948 This could be why your pouch feels too full after gum..

Ok, maybe I'm rushing things a bit. I don't have a food scale, I think maybe I should get one. Thanks for answering me...

I had my sleeve done on Feb. 19. This last couple of days I've had a hard time eating protein (on phase 3 diet), and when I drink liquids, after a couple of sips my pouch feels too full and cramps. I'm getting discouraged, I was doing really well with the eating and drinking before. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what did you do?