August surgery buddies!

[heartofmercury 186]

Hi Everyone, I was posting over in the RNY August thread, but it doesn't seem to be very active. I had my surgery on Tuesday, so today is my Day 3 Post Op. The surgery & hospital stay went very well, but I had a rough first day at home yesterday. I think it was mostly because I no longer had the IV for hydration and it takes forever to drink enough Water on your own.
The barium swallow test at the hospital was pretty gross. Plus, it didn't move very fast through my bowels so I was sitting around for like an hour while they kept trying the x-ray; they finally sent me back up to my room and had a mobile x-ray come up a few hours later. Everything was fine, it was just slow moving. It made me really nervous that something was wrong though.
I was on a pre-op liquid diet (OptiFast shakes only) for 7 days, clear liquid only the day before surgery and until this morning, I've only had Clear Liquids. I haven't been hungry at all, but I can tell my body is pretty weak from not taking in many calories. I've been really tired.
Today I started full liquids, which for me is 3 servings of 2 oz per day until my 1 week post-op appointment. I had 2 oz Fairlife chocolate shake this morning which went down well and I'm working on a 2 oz portion of SF vanilla Protein pudding right now.
It's been difficult for me to get my 64 oz of liquids in. I never thought it would take this long to drink! Before surgery, I was a person who drank 100+ easily before bed.

I had my surgery on Monday and had a really hard time the first day at home also. I barely got any liquids in and had a bunch of gas pain. On post-op day 3 I went in to my doc's office for IV fluids with Vitamins and that really helped! I'm trying to hit my fluid goals every day now on my own, but I get really tired and feel Water logged. Just want to let you know you're not alone.

[I Am Enough! 197]

40 minutes ago, tranquil_chaos said:

Hi Everyone, I was posting over in the RNY August thread, but it doesn't seem to be very active. I had my surgery on Tuesday, so today is my Day 3 Post Op. The surgery & hospital stay went very well, but I had a rough first day at home yesterday. I think it was mostly because I no longer had the IV for hydration and it takes forever to drink enough Water on your own.

The barium swallow test at the hospital was pretty gross. Plus, it didn't move very fast through my bowels so I was sitting around for like an hour while they kept trying the x-ray; they finally sent me back up to my room and had a mobile x-ray come up a few hours later. Everything was fine, it was just slow moving. It made me really nervous that something was wrong though.

I was on a pre-op liquid diet (OptiFast shakes only) for 7 days, clear liquid only the day before surgery and until this morning, I've only had Clear Liquids. I haven't been hungry at all, but I can tell my body is pretty weak from not taking in many calories. I've been really tired.

Today I started full liquids, which for me is 3 servings of 2 oz per day until my 1 week post-op appointment. I had 2 oz Fairlife chocolate shake this morning which went down well and I'm working on a 2 oz portion of SF vanilla Protein pudding right now.

It's been difficult for me to get my 64 oz of liquids in. I never thought it would take this long to drink! Before surgery, I was a person who drank 100+ easily before bed.

I didn't even now there was another thread SOOO glad to hear that you came out well and with no complications! The barium test sounds awful, but I'm glad everything came out all right. Yeah, I'm a 100+ ounce Water drinker too and I'm not quite sure how that is going to mess with me afters. Especially since you have to wait before and after eating to drink again. Are you putting Protein in your pudding and water too?

[tranquil_chaos 47]

3 hours ago, heartofmercury said:

I had my surgery on Monday and had a really hard time the first day at home also. I barely got any liquids in and had a bunch of gas pain. On post-op day 3 I went in to my doc's office for IV fluids with Vitamins and that really helped! I'm trying to hit my fluid goals every day now on my own, but I get really tired and feel Water logged. Just want to let you know you're not alone.

Yes, Water logged is the feeling! Today I did a Vitamin Water Zero in Lemonade and it just didn't seem to want to go down. I'm doing Powerade Zero fruit Punch now and it's much easier. How weird is that? I was so happy to have my IV out at the hospital but now I'm like "I want the IV back!!"

2 hours ago, I Am Enough! said:

I didn't even now there was another thread SOOO glad to hear that you came out well and with no complications! The barium test sounds awful, but I'm glad everything came out all right. Yeah, I'm a 100+ ounce Water drinker too and I'm not quite sure how that is going to mess with me afters. Especially since you have to wait before and after eating to drink again. Are you putting Protein in your pudding and water too?

My nutritionist said adding Protein to the liquid foods (pudding, yogurt, skim milk) was fine, but for now she didn't want me to add any to my water, so no protein waters. She said eventually I could do that, but not within the first couple weeks because anything with added protein is technically a food and your body metabolically processes foods differently than water. She said to focus on hitting the water goal over any other food goal for the first couple of weeks. There is no way to reach my protein goal when I'm only consuming (3) 2oz portions of liquid food per day.

[RaisnHL 20]

I’m struggling to get in my Protein, all the sweet/thick Protein Shakes make me so nauseous… I’m drinking Bone Broth now, and it’s going down much easier! It’s only 9g protein which isn’t much, but I figured something Is better than nothing 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Sunnyer 131]

25 minutes ago, RaisnHL said:

I’m struggling to get in my Protein, all the sweet/thick Protein Shakes make me so nauseous… I’m drinking Bone Broth now, and it’s going down much easier! It’s only 9g Protein which isn’t much, but I figured something Is better than nothing 🤷🏼‍♀️

I completely agree that I think the Protein Shakes I've tried so far have been pretty disgusting. I have been drinking chicken broth for the three days, and that goes down the best. Water on its own makes a bit nauseous at times. I'm having fantasies of greek yoghurt and oats that I will (hopefullyI be allowed to have next week.

[heartofmercury 186]

I completely agree that I think the Protein Shakes I've tried so far have been pretty disgusting. I have been drinking chicken broth for the three days, and that goes down the best. Water on its own makes a bit nauseous at times. I'm having fantasies of greek yoghurt and oats that I will (hopefullyI be allowed to have next week.

Yes! Same with the fantasies about greek yogurt! I had a dream last night I was eating Malt-o-meal. I haven't had that since I was a kid.

[RaisnHL 20]

On 08/12/2022 at 18:23, Sunnyer said:

I completely agree that I think the Protein Shakes I've tried so far have been pretty disgusting. I have been drinking chicken broth for the three days, and that goes down the best. Water on its own makes a bit nauseous at times. I'm having fantasies of greek yoghurt and oats that I will (hopefullyI be allowed to have next week.

Yessss!! I’ve been dreaming about oatmeal! I also dreamed that I ate a spaghetti noodle and woke up feeling like I had a noodle stuck in my throat 😵😂

[heartofmercury 186]

Yessss!! I’ve been dreaming about oatmeal! I also dreamed that I ate a spaghetti noodle and woke up feeling like I had a noodle stuck in my throat [emoji43][emoji23]

[emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787] I find comfort in the fact that we're going through this together!

[Sunnyer 131]

I'm having real problems with nausea today. I can't stomach another Protein pudding or shake.
Last night I tried some clear Soup and it went down fine.

I've been using myfitnesspal to keep track of my Water and protein. I've only been able to get 8-25 grams of protein per day, and around 1 liter maybe of water and drink (33 o). I'm supposed to aim for 1.5 l of water (50 oz). I can tell by the color of my urine (hope that's not TMI) that I'm dehydrated, as it's more orange than yellow.

It's just so hard to get more down with constant nausea. Do you have any tips or tricks for getting more fluids and protein?

[Dogmom68 135]

On 08/13/2022 at 06:23, Sunnyer said:

I'm having real problems with nausea today. I can't stomach another Protein pudding or shake.

Last night I tried some clear Soup and it went down fine.

I've been using myfitnesspal to keep track of my Water and Protein. I've only been able to get 8-25 grams of protein per day, and around 1 liter maybe of Water and drink (33 o). I'm supposed to aim for 1.5 l of water (50 oz). I can tell by the color of my urine (hope that's not TMI) that I'm dehydrated, as it's more orange than yellow.

It's just so hard to get more down with constant nausea. Do you have any tips or tricks for getting more fluids and protein?

The only things I know to do are to sip on Swansons chicken (or beef) Bone Broth (9 grams protein) and/or to add unflavored protein liquid or powder to your drinks/ broths. You can order protein liquid from Amazon and it will really boost your protein intake. Maybe incorporate some Pedialyte in your water or no sugar Gatorade or Powerade to help with the dehydration. My dietitian told me Soups, broths, and Powereade all count towards my Fluid intake. I’m so sorry you’re having nausea. That is so miserable. If it gets really bad and uncontrollable then call your doctor for sure. I hope you feel better soon. 💕

[tranquil_chaos 47]

I'm sure this is normal, but it freaks me out. I lost 12 pounds during my pre-op Optifast week, but when I got home from the hospital, I was up 6 pounds! I know this has to be swelling and Water retention, but it's really scary to see the number go UP.

Also, I've been wearing the abdominal binder 24/7 since surgery and let me tell you how much it helps!! When I take it off to shower you can tell just how much it supports you. I highly suggest wearing one after surgery! My hospital provided me with one.

Pain is still pretty up there, today is only Post Op Day 4 so I suppose that is to be expected. I'm still taking the prescription pain killers every 6 hours.

My partner is getting me some Pho broth from our favorite Thai place today and I'm pretty darn excited for that since it will count towards my liquids. We are going to strain it and he's going to get all the good bits and I'll get the broth!

[karakent 137]

Just got my confirmation call for my pre-surgical testing appt in Tuesday! Its becoming soooo real! Argh!! Also, I ate some a pickle slices. Do you guys think that’s terrible? Where do pickles fall on the list of things you can’t eat on the liquid diet? Anyone have any ideas?

Also for those of you who have had your surgeries already thank you for posting your stories and how it went. Its making it easier to wait on line for my turn to come!

[LookingForward22 320]

Went for my pre-op covid test today. I need to quarantine until Tuesday (surgery day).

We made hotel reservation to be closer to the hospital (it is an hour drive from the house).

Today and tomorrow still on the high Protein liquid diet… Monday is all clear liquid and I start my blood thinner shots.

I need to get my overnight bag packed pack yet, but I’m trying hard to not over pack (like I always do).

I’m super nervous and ready to be on the other side of surgery.

How is everyone else doing?

[heartofmercury 186]

Went for my pre-op covid test today. I need to quarantine until Tuesday (surgery day).

We made hotel reservation to be closer to the hospital (it is an hour drive from the house).

Today and tomorrow still on the high Protein liquid diet… Monday is all clear liquid and I start my blood thinner shots.

I need to get my overnight bag packed pack yet, but I’m trying hard to not over pack (like I always do).

I’m super nervous and ready to be on the other side of surgery.

How is everyone else doing?

You've got this. I was also really nervous before and even cried in the pre-op waiting room. Everything ended up fine. Remember a long phone charger and a heating pad! Some other things I was glad I brought were single use face cleaning cloths, chapstick and an eye mask. It all goes by so quickly and before you know it you'll be discharged from the hospital. Sending good thoughts your way!

[LookingForward22 320]

On 08/13/2022 at 16:01, heartofmercury said:

You've got this. I was also really nervous before and even cried in the pre-op waiting room. Everything ended up fine. Remember a long phone charger and a heating pad! Some other things I was glad I brought were single use face cleaning cloths, chapstick and an eye mask. It all goes by so quickly and before you know it you'll be discharged from the hospital. Sending good thoughts your way!

Thank you… the closer I get the more nervous I get. I know I’ll want to cry going back, but if I do - my poor husband will start to cry also and I don’t want that. Lol.

For my upper endoscopy I was brave until I went back - but when I was back in the waiting area myself (for like 2 minutes) before they rolled me into the operating room I started to tear up and I swear the whole place was consoling me telling me it will be the best nap of my life and I’ll be annoyed that they woke me up. Of course that made me laugh.

Thanks for the reminders…. I didn’t think about an eye mask, great idea! I just grabbed my Moxa packs (heating packs that don’t need plugged in - they last 12-24 hours), my lip balm and the long charger will go with me that day.

I’m sure everything will be fine… it’s just freaking me out being intubated and the length of the surgery. I know it will all go smoothly… I just am ready to be in recovery. I’m looking forward to coming home and having Tomato Soup and working to meet my Water goals. Lol.