First day of full fluids didn't go so well.....suggestions??

[NurseKelly 43]

So the full Fluid thing didn't go so well for me today. I started off slow with a small Protein Shake, and then a few hours later had a small amount of fat free greek yogurt, and then I started noticing my stomach was blowing up like a balloon and I started having bad gas pains.....by the time I had some Tomato Soup for dinner, my stomach was horribly distended and my left shoulder pain was unbearable! I took some gas-ex and used the hot water bottle and it has subsided a bit but obviously my stomach wasn't happy with the introduction of full fluids. Which I am having a hard time understanding because I was strict and stuck to clear fluids for the full five days my surgeon recommended. I tried calling the after hours number for the clinic but they could only recommend going to the ER if I felt it was bad enough. So I am going to just drink Water for the rest of the night and call my clinic tomorrow. I am also worried that if my stomach distended to far, could it move my band?

I am also concerned because I was only able to get 575 calories and 47 grams of protein in which is way below where I should be. I am afraid I am going into starvation mode and it is going to mess up my metabolism!

Did anyone else experience this when switching to the next phase?

[♕ajtexas♕ 3,771]

It sounds like you might of drank too fast and maybe too much at one time. Your stomach is still healing and swollen. When I started the full liquid stage I could only drink small amounts at a time (2-4 oz). As long as you stay hydrated you should be fine. But be sure to follow up with your doctor.

Hope you feel better.

[bandedmarci 15]

Oh no! I'm sorry this is happening to you! I start full liquids on Friday, though I have been having "full" Protein Shakes all along as they were allowed. Good luck tomorrow- hopefully it's nothing! I wouldn't worry about your nutrition if its just for one day.

[2muchfun 8,927]

If you're still taking pain medication, the meds can shut down your digestive system causing fluids to stay in your stomach. For me, the sphincter in the lower part of my stomach closes off completely.

Don't worry about calories at this point.

tmf

[Leslie80 14]

I thk u had too much liquids.

[Summerrain 520]

Whilst I was on the liquid and mushie stages I only ate when hungry and that was not often. I was told not to worry about getting in enough Protein, calories at this stage but to sip only whilst hungry, as you heal and swelling goes down you'll be able to get more in. We won't starve to death in a few weeks if we don't get in 1000 calories a day. From memory the first few weeks I was lucky if I could manage more than 300 calories a day. Eventually I got back to normal and was able to get my requirements in.

[NurseKelly 43]

It sounds like you might of drank too fast and maybe too much at one time. Your stomach is still healing and swollen. When I started the full liquid stage I could only drink small amounts at a time (2-4 oz). As long as you stay hydrated you should be fine. But be sure to follow up with your doctor.

Hope you feel better.

I don't think I drank to fast, I made sure to sip slowly, but maybe I had a bit too much? I had a whole boost Protein shake.....took me about 20min to drink and a whole Tomato Soup to go (170mls) and that also took me 20 min or so to drink?

[NurseKelly 43]

If you're still taking pain medication, the meds can shut down your digestive system causing fluids to stay in your stomach. For me, the sphincter in the lower part of my stomach closes off completely.

Don't worry about calories at this point.

tmf

I stopped taking my pain meds yesterday, and yesterday was only one dose, but maybe my stomach is still moving slowly?

[NurseKelly 43]

Thanks everyone, you have eased my mind a bit and my gas pains have subsided quite a bit. I will take it even slower tomorrow and maybe less at a time.