Pardon the length, but, Y'all…I cannot seem to figure this out and get in the groove of things. Ugh!! I have lost 24 lbs in less than a month. I am pleased with that; however, I have been in the ER two times this week. The first time, I was deficient in magnesium, potassium, electrolytes, and Calcium. They fixed me up and sent me home. The second time, my blood work came back normal, but I felt..and still feel…completely exhausted and nauseated. My sister found the sleeve support online and suggested I visit to gain support myself. I am soooo hopeful that you all can help me! I am 3 weeks post op...

Here is my cycle:

- Wake up early to get kids off to school. Vacillate between drinking and eating…not sure which to do first. Finally decide to do whichever I need more at the time.

- Wait the obligatory minutes between eating and drinking, while not being satisfied with the first decision I made….usually nauseated so I don't eat much. (Drinking is 2-3 oz. at a time, and eating is 3-4 spoonfuls at a time.)

- sleep to regain my energy level. This means I miss out on precious time needed to hydrate myself.

- Get up and try to eat because I know my body needs it. Eat only a few bites. Nauseated. Not hungry.

- Try to drink a bit after waiting for some time. All the while, I question if I'm drinking enough. Grab Pedialyte and drink up.

- Feel totally weak.

- Go back to bed wondering when I'll strike the balance and this will become less of a job/effort.

- Lose my desire to eat and drink.

It's the middle of the night right now. I am up..wide awake…because the hunger pains are sooooo strong. So, I am up drinking a Protein, low cal drink and here comes the nausea. Zofran isn't my friend as it's not doing the job. Pushing through and drinking it anyway..but, man...

Surgeon's office is overbooked, and they cannot see me for a week. They say it's just weakness and, therefore, I must wait. They contribute the weakness to the weight loss, which I understand. Nutritionist isn't available to ensure that I am on the right track. So, I am seeing my primary doctor tomorrow. Hoping I can get in with the nutritionist in that office. (I love my surgeon…this isn't a slam on him or his office…)

Any advice or eating/drinking schedule recommendations are incredibly welcome. Thank you so much!

I am not sure others have mentioned this, but as a sleeve patient, when I was on liquids, I sipped all day. I wasn't instructed to wait between Protein shakes and other fluids. My primary goal was to get in all my protein and fluids.

I sipped something continuously. I counted all liquids like protein (Soups, shakes, puddings), Popsicles, ice, toward my Fluid count.

It does get better.

Spoke too soon. Ate soup. Got totally nauseated. Again. Grrrrrrr...... Gotta figure this out. Glad I see the dr in a couple hours! I'll keep following your suggestions.

I was a little obsessive compulsive with my drinking but it worked for me. I sat with the one ounce medicine cups and drank one to two ounces every 15 minutes. I actually used the timer on my phone. But that's all I did all day. Sounds like you have other obligations. Also I wrote down every time I drank. My goal was forty eight oz per day. Before my surgery I had a terrible experience with dehydration electrolyte imbalance and kidney failure so I was terrified of getting dehydrated. Good luck to you I hope things get better.

Think I'm out of the woods now. I took everyone's advice here. Took things slow. Sipping all day. Put up with the nausea …which did decrease with antacids. I have felt good for days now. Thanks again to everyone. Great support here for sure!!! So excited as I move out of purees. Which signals progress to me! Hugs to all.

So glad to hear!

​So glad you are feeling better!