Struggling

[starspring 30]

I'm hoping for some advice or suggestions, even encouragement. I was sleeved on 4/23 and recovery has been a very slow go. I know I'm not getting my Protein in, I have a hard enough time with my fluids. My Vitamins, liquid or chewable come right back up. I don't sleep all night, I'm up in 4 hours. So...im tired, hungry, lethargic and no fun to be around. I feel like this was a huge mistake, one which I cannot correct. I don't know what to do. How much longer, if ever before I feel better?

Thanks for listening to my rant!

[southernsoul 773]

It's only been 3 weeks or so after you had major surgery. Try to cut yourself some slack & understand that everybody heals at a different rate. Just hang in there & keep trying...things will start to get better very soon!

[Terribj 208]

The 2 things that saved me....

powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup (has a TON of protein) and sugar free popsicles. I had a really hard time the first 3 weeks as well.

I know it's hard, but focus on staying hydrated and trying to get in the Protein.Hydration is priority 1 at this stage.

Syntrax nectar is a good source of Protein if you don't like the "milky" shakes. The fuzzy navel powder mix with Water it and it has a juice consistency.

Rest, walk, rest, walk. I know it is hard, but I promise it gets better.

[aNewTanya 109]

Hi

I was there so very recently. I didn't enjoy hearing 'it's going to get better' from everyone cause it definitely didn't feel that way but I'm 6 weeks post op and I'm 5 million times better today than I was 3 weeks ago. Soldier through. Inbox me if you need any encouragement.

[squeaker31 65]

I hear you! Recovery was much tougher physically than I expected. Popsicles and iced fluids helped me a lot to up my fluids. I am 5 weeks out and finally sleeping through the night and the pains are gone.

To sleep I would take a hot shower and an adavan. Helped a lot even though I would still wake up after a few hours it was restful sleep.< /p>

Personally I never could get enough Protein on the shakes even the nectar kinds. But once soft foods were Introduced it's been much much easier.

Good luck! It will get better even if it doesn't feel like it now.

[NewSetOfCurves 1,553]

I went through the exact same thing and I felt like it took me forever to bounce back in comparison to others (some of whom were already back at work after a week!). It took me a little over 5 weeks before I felt a shred of normalcy. I was fatigued, I would black out when I got up, I slept sitting up with the heating pad over my tummy or my back or shoulder (the gas!), and I was definitely not getting in all my fluids and Protein. But, as a previous poster stated, hydration is key. sugar free popsicles and Jello saved me. Water hurt too much and I felt like I had extra restriction because of the hiatal hernia repair. At one point I felt better and decided to Water my plants and nearly fainted.

However, the feelings of normalcy will come. The swelling will subside and allow for more intake. As your stages progress, the calories will increase and you will gain back your energy. I know it doesn't feel like that now, but I promise you, it is around the corner.

Good luck to you.

[LivingFree! 478]

Hi starspring,

Hope you are feeling a little better from the posts from the others so far. What everyone is saying is so true. It is so hard to believe that you'll ever feel "normal" again when you are right smack in the middle of feeling so rotten AND feeling like you made this HUGE LIFE MISTAKE.

Just keep coming back here for all the support and questions you have. There are so many awesome people on here who REALLY can say they know how you feel because they HAVE been through it. Last week I celebrated (and I mean C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E-D) my 3-year surgiversary. Has it all been sunshine and roses? Of course not. Has this surgery changed my life beyond my wildest expectations? Words cannot begin to explain.

Don't forget--you don't have to do everything "perfectly" especially at first when you're just learning. You follow your program to the best of your ability and keep open communication with your bariatric team. They deal with the issues you're having all the time (hard time w/liquids, Vitamins, sleep, etc). Don't be afraid to bug them for help. That's what you're paying them for!

My wish for you is that you get stronger both physically and emotionally every day (and YOU WILL!!!). Take good care of yourself. We all care!

[Comeflywithme 402]

Guys this is SOOOOO awsome!! I am so glad I found this forum where there are countless, beautiful people wiling to help out with such amazing, heartfelt advise, like all the ones I've read above! I'm 1 week out and I can't tell you how helpful this is Thank you! Bless us all as we go through this journey!!

[plumlove 12]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for this thread! I feel like I am really struggling as well! I am in my 3 week - Sunday will make me 3 weeks post op going on 4. I cannot hit a target to save my life:

Protein - too low and hate Protein shakes! I can eat about 1/4 of a cup or 2 ounces at a time so I finally started eating some fish that actually stayed down unlike most other foods that felt like a brick and made me sick. Even if I ate 2 ounces of fish at all my meals I still won't be able to hit 70g of protein...

Water - 40-48 ounces

Vitamins - UGG - seem to make me a little nauseous as I try to balance with my PPI and colace….

Exercise - not really - back to work and activities of daily living.

Energy - low - muscle fatigue.

Guys really? What the heck - how do I get it together???

Sleeved on 4/28 - gained about 10 lbs in the hospital - lost that and another 13-15 lbs…. Does that sound right? Also I have been going p and down the same 2 lbs for about 5 days now…..

Help!

[starspring 30]

Thank you all for your encouragement, advice and shared experience. I am concentating on staying hydrated and I ordered the Unjury broth as well as the Protein Shake. Hopefully that will help. One day at a time, right? I am blessed to have your responses and will keep you posted

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

Make sure you are getting proper Vitamins also. I am 67 and my husband 66. We were fortunate enough to feel wonderful after surgery )both also had hernias) with few problems. We have had some setbacks since, but I felt like the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders after surgery because of the terrible health problems we had. Six months post op, we are stable. Depression may be a little part of the problem too, because surgery doesn't fix what gets us down in the dumps. Just think weight loss, summer sunshine, and keep doing what the doctors tell you = success! Best wishes everyone!

[LivingFree! 478]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for this thread! I feel like I am really struggling as well! I am in my 3 week - Sunday will make me 3 weeks post op going on 4. I cannot hit a target to save my life:

Protein - too low and hate Protein shakes! I can eat about 1/4 of a cup or 2 ounces at a time so I finally started eating some fish that actually stayed down unlike most other foods that felt like a brick and made me sick. Even if I ate 2 ounces of fish at all my meals I still won't be able to hit 70g of protein...

Water - 40-48 ounces

Vitamins - UGG - seem to make me a little nauseous as I try to balance with my PPI and colace….

Exercise - not really - back to work and activities of daily living.

Energy - low - muscle fatigue.

Guys really? What the heck - how do I get it together???

Sleeved on 4/28 - gained about 10 lbs in the hospital - lost that and another 13-15 lbs…. Does that sound right? Also I have been going p and down the same 2 lbs for about 5 days now…..

Help!

Plumlove, to answer your question--you DON'T "get it together" in three weeks!!! You're doing fine. You've made a huge life change and you will be changing for many years to come. You just had major surgery--of course your energy is kinda low. It's ok. You do your best; you hit the suggest goals the best you can; you keep in touch with your bariatric team; and it will come together. Highly suggest that you do not weigh every day. Once a week will give you a realistic measure of how your weight loss is going. Regarding protein. There's a lot of different options. Just keep sampling 'til you find what you like for now. Just remember, your taste buds are kinda screwy right now and are definitely subject to change. What you may find digusting today, you might try a month from now and totally love. Work with your bari team about the Vitamins to find a combination that works for you until your stomach heals and you can tolerate all the regular ones again. Exercise--do what you can--just try to get yourself to "move"' every day. Doesn't have to be formal killer workouts at the gym! Hang in there. It's all so overwhelming, but you will do this and find the joy that so many people are talking about!!!

[LivingFree! 478]

Thank you all for your encouragement, advice and shared experience. I am concentating on staying hydrated and I ordered the unjury broth as well as the Protein shake. Hopefully that will help. One day at a time, right? I am blessed to have your responses and will keep you posted

Hi again starspring,

So glad to hear that you're feeling the "power" of BariatricPal. You are so right about "one day at a time!" You will be amazed how quickly these days turn into months and years, and all these challenges will just fade away. Keep your sunny side up and even though it doesn't feel possible right now, you CAN make this whole experience FUN. (Ok, so sometimes it REALLY takes A LOT of imagination! . . .)

[plumlove 12]

• LilPrincessS,

Thank so much! I really needed to hear this. I guess I tend to feel so much pressure to "get it together" seeing as how I went so far to cut out most od my stomach! Thanks for the reminder to just do my best and keep learning and improving !

Hey everyone,

Thanks for this thread! I feel like I am really struggling as well! I am in my 3 week - Sunday will make me 3 weeks post op going on 4. I cannot hit a target to save my life:

Protein - too low and hate Protein shakes! I can eat about 1/4 of a cup or 2 ounces at a time so I finally started eating some fish that actually stayed down unlike most other foods that felt like a brick and made me sick. Even if I ate 2 ounces of fish at all my meals I still won't be able to hit 70g of protein...

Water - 40-48 ounces

Vitamins - UGG - seem to make me a little nauseous as I try to balance with my PPI and colace….

Exercise - not really - back to work and activities of daily living.

Energy - low - muscle fatigue.

Guys really? What the heck - how do I get it together???

Sleeved on 4/28 - gained about 10 lbs in the hospital - lost that and another 13-15 lbs…. Does that sound right? Also I have been going p and down the same 2 lbs for about 5 days now…..

Help!

Plumlove, to answer your question--you DON'T "get it together" in three weeks!!! You're doing fine. You've made a huge life change and you will be changing for many years to come. You just had major surgery--of course your energy is kinda low. It's ok. You do your best; you hit the suggest goals the best you can; you keep in touch with your bariatric team; and it will come together. Highly suggest that you do not weigh every day. Once a week will give you a realistic measure of how your weight loss is going. Regarding protein. There's a lot of different options. Just keep sampling 'til you find what you like for now. Just remember, your taste buds are kinda screwy right now and are definitely subject to change. What you may find digusting today, you might try a month from now and totally love. Work with your bari team about the Vitamins to find a combination that works for you until your stomach heals and you can tolerate all the regular ones again. Exercise--do what you can--just try to get yourself to "move"' every day. Doesn't have to be formal killer workouts at the gym! Hang in there. It's all so overwhelming, but you will do this and find the joy that so many people are talking about!!!