I'm 24 days post op. I am still struggling. I don't see how anyone can get in the Protein and the fluids. And I NEED them. I have so little energy. A trip to the grocery store left me with a burning chest like I ran 5 miles and weak legs. I return to work tomorrow where I will need to stand for 10 hours and move quickly. ... I can't drink a whole 8 Oz Protein shake. And even Soups leave me feeling off.. saw doc on Friday..he said my pouch opening is "tight". I am so deflated. Constantly thristy.... super fearful about work tomorrow. Anyone PLEASE tell me what I am doing wrong and what was your intake like at this point?

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What did your surgeon recommend to help? Try getting some protein powder and mixing with fluids and just continually sip all day long. It doesn't sound like you should be returning to work until you can get in your protein and fluids.

Surgeon said do the best I can and it will improve....

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The only way that I was able to get in all of my fluids was to use a straw. Before that I choked down fluids and it hurt and I felt full. Once I started using a straw I could drink more than enough, I never had any issues with gas, and I used a straw to drink almost everything for probably 2 years. It's only in the last 6 months or so I realized I could drink from a Water bottle or can and not feel like it hurt my throat, although I'm sure that I was capable of this within a few weeks after surgery, I just relied on a straw forever.

Some surgeons tell you to use a straw, others tell you not to. Medically using a straw is not going to hurt you and when you struggle with fluids, a straw can make the difference between getting the nutrients you need and not.

Really??? I was told I could never use a straw again because I would take on too much air! I was a huge straw drinker pre-op.... guess it couldn't hurt to try?

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My nutritionist suggested setting a timer on my phone and like every 10 minutes when it goes off, take a small sip of Water (or your Protein shake). She recommended about only drinking a half ounce at a time. Perhaps get a medicine spoon and measure 15mL and try to drink that every 10-15 minutes. Hope that helps and you get some relief!

Also, consider taking a little more time off, if possible. It sounds like you're not ready and risk making your condition much worse.

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@@angelb429 Try fluids at different temps - hot, warm, room temp, cold - and see any are more tolerable. Get some G2 or Vitamin Water Zero and sip that (you probably need electrolytes), sugar free popsicles or jello. Just do what you can to get in fluids. Please be careful if you go back to work - we don't want you back in the hospital!

I find I can't drink very cold fluids anymore. Room temp or slightly cold. As for the straw, I've been using a straw from day 1 when they gave me a 24oz cup with a straw in the hospital. No problems, I'm 9 weeks post op.

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Everything changed for me once I started using a straw at week 2. I'm now one month out. Getting my liquids in, on soft foods and heading back to work tomorrow. I walk 3 miles every day. You just have to find what works for you!!

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The straw debate has been going strong on the forum... Common sense would say better to use a straw or better to get dehydrated with no Protein?

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them"

Einstein

Really??? I was told I could never use a straw again because I would take on too much air! I was a huge straw drinker pre-op.... guess it couldn't hurt to try?

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I was told not to use a straw as well because of the air and it could cause gas

I've been using a straw from almost day 1. I'm almost 2 years out and below goal. Use the damn straw if will help you get your fluids in and keep you from becoming dehydrated.

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to get the job done.

I was told no straws and stuck to that at first. Unfortunately I wasn't hitting my Fluid goal, so at my 1 month check-up, I asked if I could use a straw because that was the only way I could drink Water before surgery. My doctor said to go ahead. He was only concerned about me intaking too much air, but he said that if it didn't bother me and it got me to drink more water, he was all for it. Been using a straw since and hitting my water goals.

Hitting your water and Protein goals are so important! Good luck!

Edited June 5, 201610 yr by Takoyaki

I'm five weeks out and have used a straw and chewed some gum. Life goes on. Do whatever will get you through.

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