Post-Op Liquids

[Big Black Beauty Queen 0]

Hello everyone! I just found/joined this board and am amazed at the wealth of info here. I'm struggling a bit, and am sure I'm not alone on this one.

Surgery was Monday 18/June. My instructions are to have Clear liquids for 2 days, then move to proteins-- with the suggestion that I consume 64oz worth of liquids daily. After my experience today, I'm not sure I can get all of that in.

I drank what I thought were small, slow sips all day, barely consuming 11oz, and by the end of the day I was in agony. Excruciating pain below my left shoulder blade, spitting up foam for hours, basically throwing up everything I'd consumed for the day and then some. Like I said, agony!

I'm trying to sip slow and get as much as I can in, but I think I'm still so swollen inside that a bit is all I can take right now.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions? Any and all would be greatly appreciated.

[Back~To~Amy 307]

You are definitely not alone on this. I'm only 16 days postop and still cannot get in all of my Protein. I made a similar post right after surgery and people told me not to worry about protein too much at that point. At this stage, you really need to work first on getting in your liquids. If you can't do protein, use Water, crystal light, broth, sf Popsicles, etc. You are no good to yourself of you get dehydrated. The protein will come. Good luck to you and welcome to the boards!

[emily_0192010 168]

Hello Sorry to hear you are having problems with your liquids! If you can't get your Protein down, focus on your Water. With only 11 oz you will become dehydrated. For me, "small sips" were so small I could barely tell I had anything in my mouth. What I was taught was "an ounce every ten minutes"... because that's 6 an hour, times 10 hours a day= your min. To do this the straw was just about attached to my mouth! It took me a good couple weeks before getting my Water in wasnt a struggle.

Also, are you drinking everything cold? Cold is generally bad for sleevers. Cold KILLED my sleevie. Do warm liquids, broth, bouillon, Decaf coffee (IF you are allowed), tea (again, IF you are allowed).... warm tends to go down MUCH easier. Some people use a candle warmer to keep their drink warm since it takes us so long to drink them.

Good luck!

[Star1221 270]

Exactly Emily. I drank everything room temp or warmer. Also, I was on only Clear Liquids for the first week. Not even Protein. Maybe take a day and do only Water, broth, and crystal light ( or whatever clear liquids). This will give you tummy a rest for a minute and regroup. Hope you feel better soon, hun

[carriecat 12]

I agree with the room temp or warm liquids. I am 17 days post op. I drank grape crystal light (walmart brand) and i put in the Pure Protein grape shooters. I couldn't taste them, and I still got in 27 grams of protein. I'm desperately afraid of losing my hair, so I drank them from day 3 on. Decaf tea (no cream) and chicken broth are also soothing.

[Back~To~Amy 307]

Good suggestion about drinking liquids warm or at room temp. I do find too that they go down easier.

[Big Black Beauty Queen 0]

Hi everyone! Thanks for all your helpful replies. I have been taking liquids at room temp, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded-especially since it represents such a change from the norm.

I ended up calling my clinic and they had me come in. After a fluoroscopy they determined that my sleeve wasn't emptying properly. I've been advised to keep taking in as much as is comfortable, that they will hydrate me over the weekend, and that next week we'll come up with a plan of action as soon as my labs come back. Surgery to stretch the bottom of my sleeve is a possibility.

Go figure. I'm glad that I called them daily and pressed them for a resolution. Being in agony is a great motivator, met me tell ya.

Thanks again! : )

[Back~To~Amy 307]

Hi everyone! Thanks for all your helpful replies. I have been taking liquids at room temp' date=' but it doesn't hurt to be reminded-especially since it represents such a change from the norm.

I ended up calling my clinic and they had me come in. After a fluoroscopy they determined that my sleeve wasn't emptying properly. I've been advised to keep taking in as much as is comfortable, that they will hydrate me over the weekend, and that next week we'll come up with a plan of action as soon as my labs come back. Surgery to stretch the bottom of my sleeve is a possibility.

Go figure. I'm glad that I called them daily and pressed them for a resolution. Being in agony is a great motivator, met me tell ya.

Thanks again! : )[/quote']

I hope that you get some resolve soon and that you get to feeling better ASAP!

[Big Black Beauty Queen 0]

Thank! : )