One week post-op and miserable

[CJinMichigan 14]

I had my surgery one week ago; woke up with the dry heaves that continued for 2 days. Went home on Wednesday; pain is bearable but I can't drink more than an oz without feeling stuffed. I can't stand the Protein Drinks anymore and can't drink enough Water so now I'm dehydrated. How do you drink enough water when it makes you feel awful to do so? Right now I regret doing this. If I knew then what I know now I wouldn't have done it. Please give me some encouragement!

[WyomingMountainGal 1]

Hang in there. Keep sipping and walking as much as possible. It gets better every day!!!!!!

[Lissa 2,631]

That's true. If you keep sipping and walking it should improve tremendously in just a couple of days. You might want to make a call to your doctor about not being able to drink, though. His staff may have some advice that will help you drink more. Some folks tolerate hot or cold drinks better than lukewarm, so maybe mix it up and see if that helps.

You are still really swollen from surgery and may just need a little more adjustment time, too.

Good luck on your journey!!

[Tennille P. Elerby 0]

Hang in there. that sounds identical to my post opt experience. I dry heaved for a couple months after surgery. I think some of it is that "foaming" stuff the doc tells you about. Protonix works wonders on the heaving tho.

Once again hang in there it gets better with time.

[fluffylibra30 323]

try sugerfree popsiscles maybe? that will atleast keep you from being dehydrated........it will probably only last a few days.

[Penpen 28]

Hang in there! The first 4 weeks were really hard for me. I was so sick of sipping, sipping, sipping and not being able to get in all my Protein. It does get much better as time goes on. You'll be okay. Right now, your stomach is still healing and may still be swollen. I also regretted having the surgery but now I love what I did. I now feel back to normal and can eat just about anything....except the amount has changed. I still don't like Protein Shakes which by the way, I did like them before surgery. Things will change and you will start to have more energy AND you will be able to get more food and liquid in over time. I know it's really hard not to feel down right now because you probably don't feel so hot....hang in there...it does get better.

[Sleevie WonderLand 41]

It really does get better over time. I agree with Lissa, you should be in touch with your surgeon/nutritionist asap to let them know what's going on. Dehydration is nothing to play with.

[esquiregirl 1]

Unfortunately, you never hear until “after the fact” how hard recovery is from the VSG. I was miserable for a long time too. Only after I had my surgery did my Dr mention that recover from VSG is often harder than Roux-en-Y “traditional” bypass due to the need to make the pouch as small as possible. Be prepared for the 1^st month to be a matter of survival. That is what it felt like to me.

Just keep being persistent & you WILL start to feel better. Also, some of the Proteins are just nasty BUT there are plenty of them out there which are tasteless/odorless (*that was a big thing for me) or tasty, whichever is your preference. Do your best to meet your water/protein/vitamin requirements, but if you don’t, please don’t be discouraged. Focus on them as “goals.” If is gives you any motivation, I am 11 months post op & I have lost 106 lbs. Yes it is worth it!

[sweetness2005 18]

:ack2: First i want to say i am sorry that you are feeling so bad. I hope that you feel better soon. I wanted to share with you a few things that i do, I have a large cup of small Ice chips near me at all times. That was i dont have to worry about sipping and i can still get in the Water that is needed. Second I am not sure about the protien drink that you have to drink but i have gotten the chocolate Protien from Odwalla(protien monster) 25g protien, B12, Potassium,Calcium and B6. I really like it. I also do the sugar free frozen fruit bars. I hope this helps. Take care and just see this as one of the many bumps in our life we have had to go thru.

[Shae 44]

I wish I knew who posted this so I could give credit to them because this is not my original idea but it is a good one.

Try drinking with a spoon. Take a teaspoon (not a measuring spoon, just your regular smaller spoon) of any liquid every 5 minutes or so. The low calorie gatorade or Zero Water are good. Warm (not hot) tea works for some people.

Also, I know this sounds like the same old same old but you have to move around. Not fast or for long periods but walk around the living room or out into the yard or back and forth through the house, etc. Do it as often as you can. It is amazing how quickly you feel better when you get moving.

[justforme 0]

I am seven days out and miserable. I think I underestimated the bloating and swelling. The gas is terrible especially on my left side. I too am having toublewith drinking much of anything so far sugar free popsicles have been helpful and so has ice chips. I maybe need to walk more but I am so tired. Hang in there I think we will get better day by day...

[sasicas 194]

Hang in there, it WILL get better. Make sure you are walking a lot, it really does help. We were encouraged to use a medicine cup and drink one every 20 minutes in the beginning. Time consuming and annoying but worth it.

[Patti Sue 1]

YES! Hang in there it gets better. My first month was awful, I couldn't drink Water, i still cannot get it all down. I only eat two to four spoons of anything about four times a day. Some days I can drink more than other days. I tell you as soon as I was able to have Jello I felt better and it just kept getting better after that. I think it took a good two months before I stopped feeling sick every time I ate something. I can't eat a great deal of the things I used to, I have to say that I am learning to eat AND drink all over again now.

You have had over half of your stomach removed, it takes a long time to recover from it. Hang in there, once you start losing and can SEE it things will change for you. Hang in there!

[wishes 125]

It gets better. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but it does!

[jenni_867 14]

i would suggest possibly seeing your doctor and maybe getting an anti inflammatory for your swollen stomach. The doctor gave me a shot and I've been much better since. I\m only one week out too, and I can't drink Protein Drinks at all yet. Clear fluids still for me....chicken broth, lipton cup of Soup, peppermint tea and lemon tea. Those have been soothing and will keep your fluids up. SF Popsicles have been a blessing.

If you are concerned about your Protein, try Isopure, but I suggest diluting it, because it's very sweet.