Day 4 - Post Op Thoughts

[KCSG 38]

Just sharing my various thoughts through this journey:

1. Psych: Yesterday was a challenging day. Was an emotional roller coaster including lots of self-doubt and realization of physical limitations. I had two negative moments during the day where it was hard to keep my emotions in check. Ultimately, ended the evening with a positive mindset but this part of my new life is much more difficult than I anticipated.

2. Hydration: really, really, really hard. I didn't get to the 60oz the doctor instructed me to ingest. Because the sleeve is still extremely swollen, you have to take micro sips and its hard. It hurts a lot and physically hard to maintain. I woke up with a headache today which I assume is because I am starting to be dehydrated. Going to do my best to increase today. Just really hard.

3. Protein: for me, nearly impossible to get even close to 40-60g. It took me several hours to put down a Protein drink. I barely got in 7oz which clearly doesn't get me close to the Protein recommendation. Will try and get 40 today. That also would knock out 16oz of liquid. I worry about this...don't want to be malnourished and start losing my hair.

4. Pain: obviously my abdominal incisions and trauma continue to hurt...swelling finally starting subside externally but clearly still very pronounced internally with the sleeve. I'm still taking the pain meds a few times a day.

5. Recovery: I have been shocked how much more its going to take. I'm 43 and wasn't in terrible shape at 270lbs...and this has been really hard. I really believed I'd be up and close to normal in a few days. Not so. Everyone is different but the recovery is slow and you can't rush it.

Today is about goals for me: 60oz of liquid and at least 40g of protein. If I fail, I fail. One step and one day at a time.

Thanks to everyone here for your support. It's a great community.

[nervousnelly 24]

My 3rd day was the worst. I just wanted my old stomache back..... It does get better. I am two weeks out this Tuesday and feel back to normal.... Although still working on drinking fluids.

[kitkatcannon 26]

It won't be long before you are feeling better. Recovery is different for everyone. I felt decent after about a week. I felt pretty great after 2 weeks but was still a little tired. I'm six weeks out now and my energy has come back. My mental breakdown came a week post-op. I started having regrets because I was still on liquids and missed food. I cried most of the day that day. However, by the next day I got over it and just kept reminding myself that it was only temporary and reminding myself the reason why I had this surgery. For me, everything changed when I got to the pureed food stage. I didn't feel deprived because I was at least able to eat food again. I haven't felt deprived or had any regrets since. You're going to be fine. Just remember that "this too shall pass".

[KCSG 38]

Thanks very much...the first step is always the hardest.

It won't be long before you are feeling better. Recovery is different for everyone. I felt decent after about a week. I felt pretty great after 2 weeks but was still a little tired. I'm six weeks out now and my energy has come back. My mental breakdown came a week post-op. I started having regrets because I was still on liquids and missed food. I cried most of the day that day. However' date=' by the next day I got over it and just kept reminding myself that it was only temporary and reminding myself the reason why I had this surgery. For me, everything changed when I got to the pureed food stage. I didn't feel deprived because I was at least able to eat food again. I haven't felt deprived or had any regrets since. You're going to be fine. Just remember that "this too shall pass".[/quote']

[livelyterry 55]

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I too am having band to sleeve revision on Oct 1.

Have you tried popsicles and SF Jello? Also my doc's first week diet says Clear Liquids, and not to be too concerned that first week with the Protein thing, just getting in your 64 oz of liquids and get the swelling down. His 2nd week is full liquids and this is where he says we need to start working on the Protein requirement.

Of course you need to do what your doc says..

[KCSG 38]

Good luck with your surgery!

My doc said the same thing. I'm trying to get the Protein in just because I feel weak and would like to get more active. But Water is my big goal for today.

I haven't had my surgery yet' date=' but I too am having band to sleeve revision on Oct 1.

Have you tried popsicles and SF Jello? Also my doc's first week diet says Clear Liquids, and not to be too concerned that first week with the Protein thing, just getting in your 64 oz of liquids and get the swelling down. His 2nd week is full liquids and this is where he says we need to start working on the protein requirement.

Of course you need to do what your doc says..[/quote']

[MIJourney 490]

Those first few days were pretty rough. My Protein and liquid numbers were no where close to the amounts I was supposed to be getting in. I went back to work at 2 weeks and felt pretty normal. At my 2 week post-op they told me it's hard to reach those numbers at first. Good luck with your journey!

[Macy6 356]

I feel ya. I gave up on Protein until two days ago, only consumed what I needed to keep going during the day. When I finally took in 70g of protein, 2 days ago, I took in more that day than I had since surgery combined. Now I'm easily taking in 70g of protein and 70+oz of Water. It will get better, I wish you luck.

[val212 9]

Just sharing my various thoughts through this journey:

1. Psych: Yesterday was a challenging day. Was an emotional roller coaster including lots of self-doubt and realization of physical limitations. I had two negative moments during the day where it was hard to keep my emotions in check. Ultimately' date=' ended the evening with a positive mindset but this part of my new life is much more difficult than I anticipated.

2. Hydration: really, really, really hard. I didn't get to the 60oz the doctor instructed me to ingest. Because the sleeve is still extremely swollen, you have to take micro sips and its hard. It hurts a lot and physically hard to maintain. I woke up with a headache today which I assume is because I am starting to be dehydrated. Going to do my best to increase today. Just really hard.

3. Protein: for me, nearly impossible to get even close to 40-60g. It took me several hours to put down a Protein drink. I barely got in 7oz which clearly doesn't get me close to the Protein recommendation. Will try and get 40 today. That also would knock out 16oz of liquid. I worry about this...don't want to be malnourished and start losing my hair.

4. Pain: obviously my abdominal incisions and trauma continue to hurt...swelling finally starting subside externally but clearly still very pronounced internally with the sleeve. I'm still taking the pain meds a few times a day.

5. Recovery: I have been shocked how much more its going to take. I'm 43 and wasn't in terrible shape at 270lbs...and this has been really hard. I really believed I'd be up and close to normal in a few days. Not so. Everyone is different but the recovery is slow and you can't rush it.

Today is about goals for me: 60oz of liquid and at least 40g of protein. If I fail, I fail. One step and one day at a time.

Thanks to everyone here for your support. It's a great community.[/quote']

Have you tried drinking Isopure? They sell it at GNC and The Vitamin Shoppe. It's a 20oz. glass bottle with 40 grams of protein and kind of tastes like Gatorade. I really hope that you start feeling better.

[barbmeow 92]

I think you are pretty normal, Day 4 I was cussing at myself saying what the hell did you do this for? I was able to drink Water cold water, but needed to take zofran to keep it down. Also had to take meds for the pain every 4 hours (Tylenol and Ibuprofen). Did this for 6 days then was able to stop. I had to eat lite vanilla greek yogurt 2-3 oz, every two hours to keep my stomach filled or the pain was unbelievable. It slides down well and you can barely feel it. I do not know where you live but the lite Kroger brand has 16 grams of protein.I would put a half a scoop of vanilla Protein Powder into my 3 oz of yogurt and that would give me 18 grams of Protein a serving,90 calories, maybe 6- 8 spoonfulls.

The headache was incredibly bad, went on for 6 days.Then stopped has not come back.

I would drink 2 0z a water and hour, stop for a half hour eat, stop for a half hour drink for an hour then stop for a half hour, then eat, ...you get the picture. I hated it I felt like it was a full time job.

After day 8 things started to turn around for me.I hope they will for you too.I was able to drink more and the pain in my abdomen stopped, the gas I was having stopped killing me and life was so much better. Except for the fatigue. I learned to listen to my body if it said sleep I did, and I think recovery was improved by sleep. I also started walking at day 6. 10 mins to start now 2.5 weeks out 30-40 mins a day. I did 3 hours of walking one day, but paid a price got nauseated, and sweaty. Way too much at 2 weeks.

I am 62 and this surgery was way harder than the one I had at 42. But at 2.5 weeks post surgery I am feeling hopeful that this time I will lose weight and keep it off. I hope you will understand that this hard time you are having will pass and you will feel better soon. Just one day at a time. Start walking even if only for 5 mins to begin it seemed to really help me, and sleep when you can, even with little cat naps between eating and drinking, sleep is the great restorer of health.Feel better soon.

[KCSG 38]

Thx all...doing great on Water today and now having Greek yogurt. I won't get full Protein but feel a lot better just having the yogurt. I need to buy unflavored protein powder ASAP.

[KCSG 38]

Ending the day a little down...very weak and wondering how I make it another month before really feeding myself. Thanks for all the support...time to sleep, if I can. God bless...

[MIJourney 490]

Ending the day a little down...very weak and wondering how I make it another month before really feeding myself. Thanks for all the support...time to sleep' date=' if I can. God bless...[/quote']

Each day will get easier! Promise!!!

[livelyterry 55]

How are you today KCSG ?

[KCSG 38]

How are you today KCSG ?

A little better. Got out of the house and about a mile of walking in. Tired me out but feeling better. The mental side of this is something I completely underestimated.