12 Days Post-Op Gastric Sleeve and Totally Regretting it

[Arabian78 34]

I had a sleeve done on Feb. 26th. I came home 3 days later. Once I was home and off my pain meds, I started with diarrhea all day long. The diluted Gatorade that I drank all day just ran right through me. Because of this, I was not well when I went in for my one-week post-op appointment. I had a really low blood pressure and really high heart rate. My doctor said it was because I was dehydrated from all the diarrhea. He did not approve me to move onto Protein Shakes or my Vitamins, and I was not approved to go back to work. He wanted me to stop my blood pressure meds and to just keep sticking with diluted Gatorade and broth. I wasn't to see him 2 days later (which was yesterday).

Yesterday, my blood pressure is still low, heart rate is still high. I still have diarrhea all the time. I'm still not allowed to go back to work. I'm a teacher and I really can't take anymore time off. I've had IBS my whole life so I was always worried about that before having this surgery, but my surgeon said I would be fine. Its only going to be worse when I start the Protein shakes as they made me sick before the surgery. I wish I never did this. I feel like I'm never going to be able to go back to work (we only get 7 sick days a year so all of this time is unpaid) or leave the house again because of the diarrhea. Will this get better?

[Apple203 1,314]

I'm so sorry you are having this experience, Fingers crossed you feel better soon, and can start taking in some Protein. Regarding your reaction to Protein Shakes, which varieties have you tried? And have you considered the clear protein shakes or Unjury unflavored protein added to broth, etc? I personally have issues with Premium Protein, but sfh Pure is fine for me.

PS - I have the same surgeon! If you wouldnt mind sharing, why were you in the hospital for 4 days?

Edited March 9, 2018 by Apple203

[FluffyChix 17,415]

Wow, so sorry to hear this. ((hugs)). I second the using either unflavored Protein Powder and adding it to broths when you're cleared for it, or to add in some other form of Protein like egg white protein, or vegan protein. Whatever you can get in.

My RD said in a failsafe worst case scenario, I could whisk in pasteurized eggs (Egglands Best) into my broth so that it was creamy, not like egg drop Soup. That means you have to keep the broth around 140-145 degrees. Just to get some protein in.

I know it isn't unusual to have diarrhea when all you're having is Gatorade and clear broth. Can you try the Powerade Zero? Theoretically it should firm up with solids.

Hang in there!!! It WILL get better!

[James Marusek 5,244]

Right after surgery, I became lactose intolerant. That meant anytime I tried to drink milk or other products that contain lactose, there was an instant upset stomach and a quick trip to the bathroom with diarrhea. Therefore I immediately cut out all lactose from my diet and the diarrhea problem was resolved. [Warning some Protein Shakes contain lactose]. Long story short after about 2 months this lactose intolerant condition went away.

If you haven't already, I suggest that you take a probiotic. Generally when you were in the hospital you were given antibiotics to fend off any bacterial infection. The antibiotics not only kill off the bad bacteria but also the good gut bacteria and you need to reestablish colonies of this beneficial bacteria. This is done by taking Probiotics.

Fluids are very important. So maybe you might try something warm to drink such as tea. Maybe a fine herbal tea such as chamomile, or blackberry leaf or raspberry leaf tea. When you get out of the liquid stage, you might try bananas. They always seemed to help me.

[Arabian78 34]

5 hours ago, Apple203 said:

I'm so sorry you are having this experience, Fingers crossed you feel better soon, and can start taking in some Protein. Regarding your reaction to Protein Shakes, which varieties have you tried? And have you considered the clear Protein shakes or Unjury unflavored protein added to broth, etc? I personally have issues with Premium Protein, but sfh Pure is fine for me.

PS - I have the same surgeon! If you wouldnt mind sharing, why were you in the hospital for 4 days?

Hi Apple. I was only in the hospital for 2 nights, came home on the third day. That's the standard for Dr. Gandsas's patients. I have tried Isopure, nectar, Bariatric Advantage, and Orgain. I just got some of the unflavored IsoPure yesterday. I tried to add it to some skim milk but it was HORRIBLE, like I wanted to vomit after a sip. I just made some broth and added it to that and it curdled like cottage cheese. I was able to get a few bites in. I think I'll just keep drinking the flavored stuff. I have diarrhea whether I drink it or not.

[Arabian78 34]

3 hours ago, James Marusek said:

Right after surgery, I became lactose intolerant. That meant anytime I tried to drink milk or other products that contain lactose, there was an instant upset stomach and a quick trip to the bathroom with diarrhea. Therefore I immediately cut out all lactose from my diet and the diarrhea problem was resolved. [Warning some Protein Shakes contain lactose]. Long story short after about 2 months this lactose intolerant condition went away.

If you haven't already, I suggest that you take a probiotic. Generally when you were in the hospital you were given antibiotics to fend off any bacterial infection. The antibiotics not only kill off the bad bacteria but also the good gut bacteria and you need to reestablish colonies of this beneficial bacteria. This is done by taking Probiotics.

Fluids are very important. So maybe you might try something warm to drink such as tea. Maybe a fine herbal tea such as chamomile, or blackberry leaf or raspberry leaf tea. When you get out of the liquid stage, you might try bananas. They always seemed to help me.

Hi James. You know, probiotics is a great idea. I'll try to get some today. How did you get your Protein in when you were lactose intolerant? Not sure if that's what's going on with me since even Gatorade made me sick, but I'll definitely try the probiotics. Thank you!

[Arabian78 34]

5 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

Wow, so sorry to hear this. ((hugs)). I second the using either unflavored Protein Powder and adding it to broths when you're cleared for it, or to add in some other form of Protein like egg white Protein, or vegan protein. Whatever you can get in.

My RD said in a failsafe worst case scenario, I could whisk in pasteurized eggs (Egglands Best) into my broth so that it was creamy, not like egg drop Soup. That means you have to keep the broth around 140-145 degrees. Just to get some protein in.

I know it isn't unusual to have diarrhea when all you're having is Gatorade and clear broth. Can you try the Powerade Zero? Theoretically it should firm up with solids.

Hang in there!!! It WILL get better!

It's funny you mentioned whisking the egg in the broth. My doctor told me yesterday to try that. I had it twice yesterday, but it's very painful getting the egg to go down. My doctor said to put 3 eggs in, but I only put 2 in and I could only eat about half. Then I was miserable for like 3 hours. I don't think I was ready for that so now I'm hesitant to eat it again.

[Apple203 1,314]

@Arabian78 Whole Foods has a bunch of Protein alternatives to whey that you may want to try. Keep plugging away :-)

[FluffyChix 17,415]

Hahaha! Well don't eat it all at once silly! No way can I even think of 2 eggs! But having 2-3oz of fortified broth at a time, is doable.

[Yadifan 23]

I second the Probiotics!!! My surgeon was insistent that I begin them as soon as I came home from hospital!! Good luck!!!

[sideeye 1,440]

The chocolate Orgain was the only shake I liked (I did extensive pre-op taste testing), and I didn't like the vanilla Orgain - pretty specific, but it tastes like the chocolate flavor has a lot less artificial sweetener in it. I've been drinking three of them per day, if I had to drink any other brand I'd probably have trouble with it.

Try your doc again about the nausea meds - if nausea is making it impossible for you to drink liquids, then obviously nausea is CAUSING the dehydration. His mind might have changed in the intervening day.

[James Marusek 5,244]

3 hours ago, Arabian78 said:

Hi James. You know, Probiotics is a great idea. I'll try to get some today. How did you get your Protein in when you were lactose intolerant? Not sure if that's what's going on with me since even Gatorade made me sick, but I'll definitely try the Probiotics. Thank you!

Many experience problems drinking Protein Shakes. I hated them. But in the beginning I drank them, three 16-ounce Protein shakes a day, in order to meet my protein requirements. You do not have to like protein shakes only tolerate them. There are many varieties of protein shakes available today. Experiment until you can find one you can tolerate. I used Muscle Milk Light (Vanilla Creme) powder blended with Water and a half a banana. That worked for me. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, you might try premixed Isopure.

[Arabian78 34]

22 hours ago, Yadifan said:

I second the Probiotics!!! My surgeon was insistent that I begin them as soon as I came home from hospital!! Good luck!!!

I just got some. The owner of the local health food store said he was surprised my doctor didn't recommend them after a surgery like the sleeve. The capsules were huge but he had some that are soft chews. I'm hoping this is the answer.

[Apple203 1,314]

Just now, Arabian78 said:

I just got some. The owner of the local health food store said he was surprised my doctor didn't recommend them after a surgery like the sleeve. The capsules were huge but he had some that are soft chews. I'm hoping this is the answer.

How are you doing -- any better today? What is the name of the soft chews?

[Arabian78 34]

I'm about the same today. I really don't feel horrible, it's just the constant running to the bathroom that is no fun. The probiotics are Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics Original Formula. You take one twice a day on an empty stomach. When you first bite into them, they are crunchy but keep chewing and it sort of turns into a "chew" consistently. They aren't flavored but they are gross or anything. I really hope these help. (Crossing my fingers)