WellIm about 2 months post o.o. and 38 pounds down. I feel like I'm constantly struggling to get in liquids and protein. I average about 35grams of protein and 3-4 cups of liquid a day. Exercise is about 40mins or more on weekdays and 30 mins or more on weekends. I know I could be better, but sometimes I feel so weak, like I have no energy! To top it off, I'm still getting bad pain in my legs, and it seems to be worsening at times. As well as the chest pain Ive been getting, it also seems to have gotten much worse. Not sure if my pneumonia never fully went away or its something to do with my sleeve. There are also random times of pain and discomfort in my abdomen, as well as twitching and pulsating in my abdomen and legs. I feel like I cant even eat any kind of meat or protein without feeling suck to my stomach! The worst part is if I take even a bite to much. I I feel like I'm ready to explode and feel sick for the next few hours. I just dont even know what to do! My body feels like its constant weak and I feel tired a lot.im also constantly worrying something serious is going on especially because of all the chest and leg pains that seem to have escalated a lot more lately. Just last night I was at Wal-Mart for a a little less then 2hrs. After about and hour an a half I started to feel a little sick. Next thing I know I'm getting bad chest pain, I can barely catch my breath and feel like I'm gonna pass out. I really thought I was gonna have to go to the er. Is this normal? What do u guys suggest? Anyone else experience anything like this??

This sounds a lot like dehydration. One of the dangers of getting too little Water in you is that your blood has a hard time circulating and your heart has to work harder and everything IN your blood (nutrients, wastes, ect) can't move efficiently. Your extreme low water intake is going to kill you if you are not careful.

Your Protein seems low, too.
SEEK THY NUTRITIONIST! DRINK THY WATER! SCREW THEE NOT AROUND WITH THIS.

You definitely need more Water and Protein. You have got to stay hydrated and getting enough protein is critical for healing.

With all of your other symptoms, I highly recommend you see your doctor. Have you had your blood work done lately? Are you taking all of your Vitamins?

You definitely need more Water and Protein. You have got to stay hydrated and getting enough protein is critical for healing.

With all of your other symptoms, I highly recommend you see your doctor. Have you had your blood work done lately? Are you taking all of your Vitamins?

As far as I know my vitamins seem to be fine. I usually take 1 Multivitamin daily and a b12 Vitamin 3x a week as well as Vitamin D 2x a week, an sometimes tums for added Calcium, though I usually get at least 2 servings of dairy a day, sometimes 3 or more. I just don't even know how to go about protein, I feel so full sometimes from just a few bites an then I start to feel sick. For awhile I was drinking so much milk daily but started cutting back. I started feeling stuffed an was dealing with bad phlem so they told me to go easy on milk. And now that I'm doing that, I'm struggling even more. It was hard enough before! they also want me to avoid Protein shakes which I hate anyway!..but was doing for awhile. I just don't know how to go about it, I can sip, sip, sip and by the end of the day I'm not anywhere near 8cups of liquid! an with meat, I can chew an chew an it isn't enough to help me eat more then a tiny bit of protein. They also don't want me snacking which I do sometimes..Ill have a snack at the end of the day but even that string cheese won't help add enough protein! :/ this really sucks..I'm not discouraged, I just wish it was a little easier by now. Hopefully if I make it to 3months things will be better. I don't have an appointment till the end of next month but I'm thinking maybe I should schedule it sooner now. I have the feeling like you guys that I maybe be dehydrated and/or lacking some vitamins or something. I just really want to make sure its not anything serious. I'm still worrying about blood clots an all that. As far as blood work goes, I'm thinking my feb appt is also for that but not exactly sure. Guess I will find out, possibly sooner then later. Wish me luck girls..

Edited January 12, 201610 yr by ZombieQueen

I would focus on getting in enough fluids first and foremost. I would also call the doctor and get a f/u on the pneumonia. Some of this sounds like dehydration but some also sounds like the bug you had hasn't fully gone away. Protein is important but dehydration is worse.

Why did they say no to protein shakes?

Either you are getting terrible medical advice that varies from just about every other Bariatric surgeon on the planet or you are seriously misunderstanding it.

You can't thrive if you're not getting enough Water. Of course you're exhausted and can't work out. Your body is fighting for survival. You need minimum 64 oz every day. You're getting a third of your MINIMUM.

You also need Protein if you hope not to starve. Without enough protein your body will begin feeding on itself, including the muscle you need to have the energy to do things like breathe and be awake.

You need to be much more concerned about water and protein, unless there is a legitimate medical reason your doctor doesn't want you taking protein, which I can't really imagine. It's hard to imagine a Bariatric surgeon approving a candidate for surgery that can't have protein.

Try protein shots, protein puddings, adding protein to yogurt, applesauce, whatever. I have been drinking Isopure low carb protein water. A 20 oz bottle has 40 grams of protein. That's half of your protein requirement and a third of your liquid requirement in one bottle. And it tastes like kook aid. And I haven't even had surgery yet.

Seriously you need to take proper care of yourself. Nobody else is going to do it for you.

You definitely sound dehydrated and undernourished. Have you tried Syntrax nectar Protein? They are like koolaid so they may not fill you up as much as the milk-based shakes do. They come in variety of flavors. 2 scoops in 32 oz Water would give you 40g protein you could sip on all day. Add in a couple cups of decaf herbal tea (warm liquids went down better for me), another couple cups of water and you've got your fluids in. Try adding unflavored Protein powder to some Soups. They may not fill you up like dense Proteins do, so you can get more in. Plain Greek yogurt flavored with vanilla protein powder would give you a big protein boost, too.

I had to sip all day long from the moment I Woke up till the minute I went to bed. I never didn't have a water bottle in my hand and I rarely ate/drank anything that didn't contain protein. And I did not go to bed until I got my 64 oz and 60+g. You have to make these a priority. They are WAY more important than excercise at this point.

To add to what others have said: you need to be sipping fluids and/or protein pretty much at all times. Until you are able to reach your minimums keep sipping.

Ok some people are freaking me out with all the dying talk lol, just being real. I am trying to focus on liquids at this time until my next apt but i'm second guessing it. I spent all day sipping yesterday and got in 6 1/2 cups of liquid. By the end of the night some of it even kept coming up. Soo would focusing on my liquids at this time (next 3wks) be such a bad thing? And I know protein is important for muscle mass and in general, but vegetarians can clearly live without it. Its not like I'm not getting any? how safe would it be to focus on liquids right now? This journey is not easy and I do not have all the resources. At this time I'm trying my best, my stomach can only hold so much. I've talked to them about protein powder and shakes before being approved. They recommended getting protein from natural sources because they feel it helps create a better and healthier lifestyle later on, and natural protein isn't processed like protein powder/shakes. I personally could careless about that but thats their reason, and I think I'm gonna go pick up some premier as soon as I get the chance. Ps thanks for the suggestions kindle!

Personally, I think for the first weeks after surgery you need to get Protein however and whenever you can (supplements, shakes, etc.). Getting enough protein and Water is critical for healing.

Once you have healed, you will have the relative luxury of deciding how to get your protein (plant-based or otherwise).

In the meantime, you have a very tiny, injured, and swollen stomach that still needs nutrition to heal and your body needs to function.

Premier protein is a great choice. If you drink three in a day you have 90 grams protein and 33 oz of fluid out of the way.

I'm confused by this. Vegetarians don't live without protein. We just get it from mostly plant based sources.

Ok some people are freaking me out with all the dying talk lol, just being real. I am trying to focus on liquids at this time until my next apt but i'm second guessing it. I spent all day sipping yesterday and got in 6 1/2 cups of liquid. By the end of the night some of it even kept coming up. Soo would focusing on my liquids at this time (next 3wks) be such a bad thing? And I know protein is important for muscle mass and in general, but vegetarians can clearly live without it....

Who said anything about dying? This is what makes me think there may be an issue with listening skills or comprehension.

You keep saying "they" but it's not clear who "they" is. I doubt very much that your Bariatric surgeon told you to avoid Protein supplements, and if so, you need to seek a second opinion. You are not physically capable of getting your minimum protein requirements on food alone with a sleeved stomach.

If you got this advice from another doctor, you need to realize that no doctor, no matter how skilled, is trained in bariatrics unless they were trained in bariatrics. Bariatric patients have special dietary and nutritional requirements that non-specialist doctors likely will have no familiarity with.

And vegetarians do get protein. That's a pretty well-known misconception. Are you getting any nutritional guidance? Where did you have your surgery?

I disagree that a sleeved person can't get their protein from food alone. You may not be able to soon after surgery but I'm 20 months post op and get a minimum of 80 grams of protein, usually in excess of 100 grams, through food alone. It is possible but you have to work up to it. I agree that until you can, shakes are the way to go

Who said anything about dying? This is what makes me think there may be an issue with listening skills or comprehension.

You keep saying "they" but it's not clear who "they" is. I doubt very much that your Bariatric surgeon told you to avoid Protein supplements, and if so, you need to seek a second opinion. You are not physically capable of getting your minimum protein requirements on food alone with a sleeved stomach.

If you got this advice from another doctor, you need to realize that no doctor, no matter how skilled, is trained in bariatrics unless they were trained in bariatrics. Bariatric patients have special dietary and nutritional requirements that non-specialist doctors likely will have no familiarity with.

And vegetarians do get protein. That's a pretty well-known misconception. Are you getting any nutritional guidance? Where did you have your surgery?

Ok so first of all "psychprof" No one has an issue with comprehension and yes I do take that as an insult. I believe that I am aka, HUMAN and like other people jump to conclusions when I hear certain things a certain way, my mind jumps to "Okay so, I'm going to get sick an die if I don't do it this/that way soon!" And no my surgeon did not set up my diet although he agrees as well with my nutritionist and the team that I work with in regards to my bariatric lifestyle. The nurses I work with highly advise against protein powders, so while you're trying to imply that I'm somehow full of ****..learn to becareful with your words. I'm not a liar, I exaggerate at times, or misinterpret things but I'm not going to make crap up, or do things based off another surgeons advice/rules because I for one believe in following my surgeons program, when I do things a little different its because I WANT TO. Like taking Protein powder for example, which was recommended against! And Yes I know the obvious, I get vegetarians get protein. I ment to the extent of a meat eater because for one I was a vegetarian for YRS and have veggie friends as well! To top it off even going back to meat, my family and I have never personally ate meat all that much, so once a day most of the time was enough.

Edited January 13, 201610 yr by ZombieQueen