Elizabeth21

I have also found that adding unflavored Protein powder to drinks and/or food can help add protein grams to the day. Good luck.

Remember to keep focus while you are eating so that you note how your stomach is feeling. Even after you get an idea how much you can usually eat at a sitting, sometimes the stomach signals will still vary and you actually will need a little less. I have learned that it is far better to eat a little less, remembering that I can always eat more later, than to get to that uncomfortable place of having had too much. Good luck!

@@KansasSapien, the pills should be just as effective as the liquid. If you are having uncomfortable pain despite the meds, call your doctor. You may be experiencing a complication. I ended up with a lacerated spleen and knowing what was wrong enabled me to avoid doing things that would make it worse. Also got different pain meds to help. Good luck.

I agree with @@stephh above. And, it will not be long before participating in the Eucharist fully will be fine. (A few weeks.) However, @@donnag53, you mentioned that you are a Eucharistic Minister. You may need to alert your Eucharistic Ministry organizer that you will not be able to consume any leftover Blood or Christ or Eucharist until you are further in your recovery so that another Minister can aid you. Good luck.

I found taking a small very cold sip of Water and letting it flood my tongue before swallowing helped. Also, sometimes I would take a mouthful drink, but hold it in my mouth for a moment while I would swallow it in three parts. After several weeks you will be able to take larger sips. Hang in there. Good luck.

Here is advice I give in all sorts of situations: Don't let perfection get in the way of progress!! Breathe. Focus on the Protein intake and getting enough fluids. Avoid high sugar. You'll feel better and do fine. Good luck!

@@eagersleever15 Do not be discouraged about feeling hunger. It sounds like you are getting very few calories in at all. I have found that I will still feel hunger when my calorie count is very low. Even so, it is nothing like I experienced before surgery and most importantly it takes so much less food to feel full and satisfied. Keep sipping the shakes. You will get there. Good luck!

I found the liquid at Walgreens. I'm betting you will too. If not, get the pill form, crush it and take with a spoon full of something to mask the flavor -- bouillon will work. Good luck!

@@kathy0529 Don't worry. Your "friend" will not matter at all. Mine showed up the day before surgery. No problem. Good luck!

@@blondiebabs, you have come to the right place! The people here at this site are very supportive! So, you can at least count on some emotional help here. And, as you've already seen, lots of great suggestions too. Best wishes to you. Keep us updated!

Hi All. I would appreciate suggestions for Vitamins. I got the Bariatric Advantage chewable and they are awful. So doctor said I could chop NatureMade for Her in half and take it. It makes me nauseous! Has anyone found a gentle, palatable multi-Vitamin and/or Iron supplement?? Thanks for your help!

Hello. Found out today at ER that I have a lacerated Spleen from Sleeve surgery. I'm 3 weeks post-op. Anyone know about how long it should take to heal? And OUCH!! Thanks.

@@Aerohead21 I am so sorry to learn that you are going through this too. And yes, my stomach recovery has gone okay, but the spleen has been awful. Hopefully since they have discovered yours sooner you will get faster relief. Let me know how it goes for you!

Thanks for the support!

I just got GENEPRO unflavored Protein and have tried it in a few things. I do not taste it and after thorough stirring it dissolves. Only a half teaspoon adds 5 grams of protein. I ordered on Amazon. If your worried about flavor, add it to strongly flavored items and just add a little. Those extra grams will add up and help you feel better. Good luck.

My nutritionist actually recommends Shredded Wheat around week 6 or 7. LIke anything, start small, chew lots. As for Protein, toss a little unflavored Protein powder in your milk to boost the protein if you need. Good luck.

@@BeagleLover Nope. The surgeon has disappointed me with his knowledge in this regard. (See my answer above.) Thank God for the internet!

@@MarylandCrab They are not removing it. It should heal on its own. The worst part is that the injury irritated my phrenic nerve and so I was having muscle spasms to the point that I could not breathe. My surgeon did not figure this out because he said he'd never had someone with this kind of pain at 3 weeks out. My own internet research helped me figure it out. So I took some anti muscle spasms meds and that finally interrupted the cycle allowing my muscles to settle down. It is not unlike back muscle spasms, only in this case when it was flaring up I could barely breathe. The pain was right up there with labor pain. On a scale of 1 to 10, a 12. Once the spasms settled some, then percocet could address the actual muscle pain. So finally after four days of suffering, yesterday I began to feel some relief. It has taken a lot out of me though. I had originally hoped to go back to work this week with shortened hours, but, now I am going to try to reschedule appointments and just try to work from home. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be much stronger because next week's schedule is not very flexible. Thanks for your support!

@@Luana526 Thanks for sharing your excitement! As for getting your Protein, try using some unflavored powdered protein to boost your intake. You can add it to your drinks between meals and foods you eat. Good luck!

Turns out I have a lacerated spleen. Went to ER today. Apparently injury to the spleen in not uncommon with these procedures. Glad I have an answer AND pain meds now.

Hi All. I could feel that darn lap surgery gas pain for two weeks, then it went away -- I thought. Yesterday, after 4 days without, I woke with a fresh painful stab on the left side of my ribs and up through my shoulder. Anyone else struggle with this? Any suggestions for relief? Ouch!!