My body feels awful...

[Overcomer_Rev1211 3]

Hello. I am 1 1/2 weeks post-op and I feel week, dizzy and miserable. I know it takes time to get used to the adjustment, but how long does this last? I can't stand my Protein shakes. I just think they're disgusting and that makes me not want to drink them.. and sometimes, they make me nauseous. My mouth is always dry and it has a weird feeling in it. (I don't really know how to describe it. My mom said it might be from the sugar free stuff) I seriously just want to stay in bed all the time- I don't, but I want to. I've already been to the ER for dehydration, but I don't know how to properly get all my Protein and fluids.

Any good advice?

Thanks, y'all.

[AlanaRN 419]

The only thing I can say is hang in there. It's gets better. I'm 5 weeks post op tomorrow and feel much better. It takes awhile!

[*Lexie* 1,486]

The Protein shakes didn't agree with my stomach after surgery either. If you are having trouble getting Water down too, then call your doctor. Getting dehydrated is a real risk.

I would suggest calling your doctor to ask if you can start some puree early. They let me do that and I immediately felt so much better. It's amazing how your energy comes back.

[bobbyswife 862]

Do this:

[Jennifer Rogers 111]

Do this: water-670x1045.jpg

OMG!! Thank you @@bobbyswife !! I saw this when I first started here, and hadn't been able to find it since! I love this idea.

[yourstrulysleeved 3]

I agree that you should stay in close contact with your Dr.

Two things to consider:

Try putting fresh pepperment leaves in your Water. I was given that advice 5 weeks out and it made a huge difference for me. Since it is fall i suggest you find dried leaves but it really foes help.

Second. Get of those Protein bullets they sell at GNC as they pack 40 grams of protein in a small amount of liquid. Pour it over ice. Its not bad.

I hope this helps. It really was great advice for me when i needed it. Also GNC has some good tasting shakes but try to get sample packs because you dont yet know what tastes you can tolerate. I wish you success!

[Jennifer Rogers 111]

@@Overcomer_Rev1211 I'm 2 weeks out tomorrow, and I'm struggling with everything you are. Everytime I stand up, I get so dizzy my vision dims for a second. It scares me. I also feel HORRIBLY weak. I started out being able to get all my fluids in, all my Protein, and I was walking every day. That lasted a week...this entire second week, I haven't walked once, I've gone the last 4 days with MAYBE 24g protein per day (and that's pushing it, and I'm only getting half my Water down. NOTHING appeals to me. I think I'm just burned out on the full liquids and I'm waiting for an order of GENEPRO protein I got off Amazon...it's supposed to be fantastic and I can add it to ANYTHING I eat. I'm looking very much forward to my first post op appt tomorrow and getting the go ahead to begin the puréed phase. I am praying I start to feel better soon, and I'll pray for you too. It's definitely no fun. Much harder than I imagined. And I didn't come into this thinking it'd be simple, but crap!

[Overcomer_Rev1211 3]

@@Jennifer Rogers yes, that's exactly what has been my experience. The first week, I thought, "Man, if I an do this the whole time, this isn't too bad" but I feel like my body has decided it just wants to feel sick. I go for my post-op on Wednesday. I'm just so used to not getting sick often so I really want to be well... I'm so glad I got on here because y'all know what I'm going through!

[finediva 979]

@bobbyswife. So how do you do you do this with the not drinking 45mins-1hr after a meal? When do you eat if you are drinking on the hour? I've been struggling with Water intake since surgery. At my three month check up my surgeon still wants me to wait to drink after a meal, oh, and at least 1/2 hr before a meal.

[Overcomer_Rev1211 3]

@@Jennifer Rogers PS- I'm praying for you, too! Thank you for praying for me.

[docbree 199]

@@Jennifer Rogers - it sounds like you may have orthostatic hypotension from dehydration. I think you should call your surgeon. You many need IV fluids

[bobbyswife 862]

@@finediva That water bottle is just a guide. You still need to not eat 30 mins before or 30 mins after meals, but if your meals are still liquid at this point, the 30 minute rule is irrelevant. My understanding is that the 30 minute rule applies to when you move to mushies and softies and beyond.

[bobbyswife 862]

@@Jennifer Rogers you have to make yourself walk! Blood clots are still a risk at 1 week post op. Please try to move around, but if you are dizzy make sure someone is assisting you. If you are THAT dizzy, go to the ER. Don't mess around with this. If you need fluids and are seriously dehydrated, they will have trouble getting a vein. My daughter has a brain disease and once got so dehydrated they had to tap a main artery to get fluids in her. You do NOT want to go through that.

Edited November 3, 2014 by bobbyswife

[VSG_lauren 104]

I understand.. I felt awful too. I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel.. but for me, week 4 was the magical week when I started feeling better. Sip on broth. Homemade is the best just boil chicken with bone in for a couple hours and add salt and pepper to taste. It tastes good and hydrates. Try sipping warm Fluid. I couldn't drink any artificial sugar is made me so nauseous. Warm fluid and broth, saved me! It WILL get better!

[CherokeeGirl 25]

Oh sweerie...been there. What flavor shake? I have mixed berry I get at Walmart, I put a container of blueberry greek fit & light yogurt in mine as well as a few squirts od berry Water Enhancer....still not the best, but it ups the Protein level..i am not crazy about powdered shakes either but really can;t afford to buy all premade. Just gotta do the best you can....for first few weeks it was bad for me, i had complications...i looked like a ghost, people kept telling me how awful I looked, I wasn't getting enough Protein for my body....and i was...am so sick of Water, which i used to love...I could scream. put something you like in it, I put a couple of tablesoons of powered milk..I like it sometimes i put carnations canned milk in it...just a bit.....and there a lot of different enhacers you can buy. I'm still dealing, it's such a learning process.

::::hugs::::