Day 3- hard time eating

[Melanie36 71]

I had surgery 2/16. I was sent home from hospital on 2/17. Now it's my first full day at home.

I am trying to get fluids in, but wondering how much I should be focusing on food/calories at this point. My guts are rumbling. I have diarrhea pretty bad. (Which is surprising to me since I've heard a lot about constipation- not diarrhea). I'm going to send someone to get lactose free milk in case that's the issue, but how hard should I be focusing on food vs Water day 3? I think I only got like 100 calories yesterday and can't imagine much more today?

When did you really focus in on food?

Oh- I have no nausea. I should add that. I just have zero appetite and the diarrhea is making me not want to eat!

[Jusst*mee 28]

I'm 3 months out and fluids are still my first priority. Dehydration is not fun at all. Your calorie intake won't be much at this point anyway. I wouldn't focus on calories. What were your post op directions?

[Stevehud 1,790]

food? this early? are you not on a liquid diet for awhile after surgery? Unless by food you mean yogurt o Protein shakes . I cannot imagine tring to actually eat something that soon, but thats me. calories arent important, fluids are most important, Your gut will rumble it is your stomach getting used to its new size, it feels a lot like severe hunger pains, bu its actually a combination of acid, inflammation and trauma. takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to calm that down. The diarrhea thing is common at first, was with me for the first month. taking in all fluids its very tough to make a solid out of. so just be sure to increase your Fluid intake appropriately.

[Melanie36 71]

Thanks. Yes, by food I definitely mean full liquids! :-)

Trying cream of wheat with unflavored whey powder and even that is hard!

[Carriejess 27]

Had mine on the 13/02 I still have diarrhoea. I'm going for fluids first my food intake is like this

Am half a yoghurt

Mid morning 1 small cracker (cracker bread/Dutch toast, the melt in the mouth kind which I am allowed) with light cream cheese

lunch couple of tablespoons of Soup with Protein powder mixed in.

Afternoon half a yoghurt

dinner Soup again and a cracker but split in two halfs.

Then a Protein shake throughout the day a few dips here and there.

With as much Fluid as I can manage which is definately not as much as I am hoping it will be in another week!

[cadladykim 55]

Oh dear, you shouldn't even THINK about food for at LEAST a week, maybe 2! These first couple weeks are strictly to let your body calm down.

Surgery of this type is like a trauma to your stomach. It's still inflamed and healing. You shouldn't consume anything but liquids. Your biggest concern is dehydration right now while you recover. Your doc or nutritionalist should have told you that in upon discharge if not before. Once you can start on puree foods (usually week 1 or 2 post op) then you can do yogurts, Protein shakes, and mushy foods. I cant stress how important it is to follow this and not push the next steps. You could make the inflamation worse, bust open your internal staples or worse. It's a long process, but totally worth it if you just are patient.

As far as calories, my NUT told me that I wont have to worry about calories for about 3-6 months. That is, as long as when I do eat, I eat quality high protien foods first (not junk or processed food). Your portion sizes will be so small that food calories will probably still be less than 1000 even at 6 months. I am 3 weeks post-op and i average maybe 600-700 calories - doing nothing but protien shakes, yogurt, pruee and soft foods. I'm slowly adding more solids to my diet, and yes, it adds a few more calories, but the portion sizes are so small that it is insignificant to what I am burning just by walking.

Honestly all you need to focus on is Fluid intake and Protein intake. the rest will take care of itself. Good Luck!

[Melanie36 71]

Thanks. I have a suggested eating plan for the full liquids stage and I just can't even think of cream of wheats or yogurts this early. I'm just going to focus on liquids and Protein (lactose free milk and broth with whey powders) and like you said, I'll let things take its course for the week.

[onamissiontoloseweight 0]

i just had my surgery 2/16, and was released from hospital 2/17 yesterday . I thought i had a bladder infection...i was going #1 every ten minutes. Pressure on pelvic floor so intense, we went to ER in the middle of the night last night. No bladder infection, thankfully. Just so much pressure only relieaved after using the restroom, but then it returned. Today, Day 3, that problem no longer; but now I have such nausea!! Dry heaved all morning. Trying to drink the New Whey liquid Protein from Walmart mixed in water; a bit of broth and icy Water. When I put a neausea pill side my cheek, it makes me feel more nauseated. Tastes terrible! Help me what I need to know these intial firs few days, if you will ~ !!

Edited February 18, 2015 by onamissiontoloseweight

[SweetGAPeach 32]

Hey Melanie,

My Dr. requires 3 Protein shakes a day and only Clear Liquids, i.e., sugar free Jello, crystal lite drinks, broth, and sugar free popcicles. That's it, no soft, or other Soups of any kind for 4 weeks postop. I think it took me 4 days to get all 3 Protein Shakes in and 5-6 to get all liquids in.

I think we had surgery 6 days apart (2/10 here). I've had no issues and am dropping weight like crazy. I go see my Dr. on Friday, but I think he's just gonna weigh me and start me on the Vitamins.

Just take your time and don't push to hard. Everything needs time to heal.