Post-surgical issues

[Pal_In_Tx 0]

Hi all! I am new to blogs so I apologize if this has been addressed elsewhere. I am desperate for input from fellow sleeve recipients. I had sleeve done on 10/31 so I'm almost 7 weeks out. I lost 7 lbs with the pre-surgical diet. Since then, I have lost only 25 lbs. I feel strongly that my dietary limitations have been a large part of what has been stalling me thus far. The first two days after surgery I just continuously retched non-stop despite having two different anti-nausea medications. I had to add a third medication in order to get the symptoms under control. Since then, I have had ongoing issues with intense nausea, occasional vomiting, and near-constant epigastric discomfort (severe burning, gnawing, boring sensation) which has been plaguing me. I am scheduled this week for a barium swallow, but my surgeon says he thinks it will likely be normal based on the description of my symptoms.

The problem is....I am no where near what I need to be taking in as far as Protein is concerned. I'm probably lucky to be getting 10-15g per day. Sometimes after a few bites, my stomach just cramps up. The Protein Shakes are way too sweet. I have tried adding unflavored Protein Powder to Soup, but because I'm not able to eat very much at a time, I'm still not able to get anywhere near the total Protein count that is recommended. I have also had a nightmare of a time trying to find any Vitamins that I can keep down -- chewable, liquids, etc. I can only imagine that my body has decided that it is starving and is holding on to every little thing. I'm sure that my metabolism is at a complete stand still. I had decent weight loss in the beginning, but it tapered off, and has all but come to a screeching halt. This past week, I fluctuated up and down, ultimately losing one pound.

Has anyone had similar symptoms, tolerability issues, and weight loss frustrations?

My doctor seemed to shrug it off as a normal part of the recovery at this stage, but I spend my days on the verge of tears.

Thanks for any input, feedback, suggestions, tips, etc.

[VSGnewguy 164]

Are you using pre-made (ready to drink) shakes or have you tried making your own? If you mix your own whey Protein Powder with Water and no sweetener, maybe that would be more tolerable to you.

Hope you are feeling better soon!

[Creekimp13 5,840]

Your other issues aside.....I would love to lose 25 pounds in 7 weeks! That's almost 13 pounds a month. That's a HUGE loss. I would be enthusiastically satisfied with that kinda progress. Everyone talks about stalls being a very normal thing.

[Pal_In_Tx 0]

I haven't tried it with plain Water because it has a strange after taste that I have to mask. Interestingly enough the only thing I've tried that has been relatively well tolerated is the Peachy Green smoothie with hemp Protein from Juiceland (peaches, apple, spinach, kale) Just figuring out how to recreate it on my own.

Thanks for your reply!

[GreenTealael 25,360]

1 hour ago, Pal_In_Tx said:

Hi all! I am new to blogs so I apologize if this has been addressed elsewhere. I am desperate for input from fellow sleeve recipients. I had sleeve done on 10/31 so I'm almost 7 weeks out. I lost 7 lbs with the pre-surgical diet. Since then, I have lost only 25 lbs. I feel strongly that my dietary limitations have been a large part of what has been stalling me thus far. The first two days after surgery I just continuously retched non-stop despite having two different anti-nausea medications. I had to add a third medication in order to get the symptoms under control. Since then, I have had ongoing issues with intense nausea, occasional vomiting, and near-constant epigastric discomfort (severe burning, gnawing, boring sensation) which has been plaguing me. I am scheduled this week for a barium swallow, but my surgeon says he thinks it will likely be normal based on the description of my symptoms.

The problem is....I am no where near what I need to be taking in as far as Protein is concerned. I'm probably lucky to be getting 10-15g per day. Sometimes after a few bites, my stomach just cramps up. The Protein Shakes are way too sweet. I have tried adding unflavored Protein Powder to Soup, but because I'm not able to eat very much at a time, I'm still not able to get anywhere near the total Protein count that is recommended. I have also had a nightmare of a time trying to find any Vitamins that I can keep down -- chewable, liquids, etc. I can only imagine that my body has decided that it is starving and is holding on to every little thing. I'm sure that my metabolism is at a complete stand still. I had decent weight loss in the beginning, but it tapered off, and has all but come to a screeching halt. This past week, I fluctuated up and down, ultimately losing one pound.

Has anyone had similar symptoms, tolerability issues, and weight loss frustrations?

My doctor seemed to shrug it off as a normal part of the recovery at this stage, but I spend my days on the verge of tears.

Thanks for any input, feedback, suggestions, tips, etc.

I'm also Almost 7 weeks out

Have you tried clear Protein Drinks or Protein waters? Also adding ice or Water to those super sweet Protein Shakes really helps...

And not a popular opinion but you may have to buckle down and survive one swallow at a time.

Speady recovery

Edited December 17, 2017 by Tealael

[Frankette 95]

I can only stand the shakes when added to coffee. I had to wait 2 weeks per docs orders but now I add Premier Protein to Decaf coffee in morning and drink on it for an hour or more. Also have one after dinner as a snack while watxhing tv. The coffee really cuts the sweetness of the shakes.

[Sullie06 1,013]

GNC makes a pretty good Protein tea, they also have protein waters on the market now that are not horrible tasting and much easier to stomach than the shakes. Immediately post surgery I could no longer stomach most Protein Shakes, they were to sweet and thick. I found the GNC Lean25 shakes were pretty good and they have so many flavors.

As for Vitamins, what about a patch?

[maalban12 6]

The Protein Shakes are your Breakfast ? And for how long? What can you eat for lunch? I’m 3 weeks and I basically can eat just in small portions I do have a lot of smoothies but I have notice this week I haven’t lost started with 222 and I’m down 208 is this normal?

[yolandalou 5]

The Vitamins look into purchasing yourself a Tespo
They are on same currently fur the month of December

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