Hello fellow sleevers,

I am exactly one week post op and the fluid struggle is real! I am supposed to transition to 2 tbsp of soft food but it’s so hard getting enough fluids in plus 3 protein shakes (yes I know shake amounts count as fluids) I’m just not there yet!

I knew the first few weeks would be hard. I do NOT regret this in any way, but I wanted to bellyache (haha pun) a little.

Feeling weak and dehydrated which is shocking for me and if you knew me you’d be shocked I was saying that!!

I know this gets better!

In the meantime (to the tune in Finding Nemo of just keep swimming) ~~~~~~~ Just Keep Sipping~~~~~~~~!!!!

Hope everyone is doing well!

I'm had mine on 7/31 and got home about 3 pm. I'm struggling to get my fluids in but I went for IV therapy today and was also given Toradol in my IV. I notice when I got home that I was able to drink bigger sips than yesterday. I was told to aim for a minimum of 60 g of protein for the first 2 weeks and that's 2 shakes at 22 fluid oz plus 64 oz of water. I might be able to take the liquid from the shake out of my water to get my 64 but I don't think I'll be getting 64 oz of just water today.

I can't start on soft foods until the 3rd week. uggg

Hang in there! We can do it!

Edited August 3, 20188 yr by photogirl70

I had my surgery on 7/9 and I felt exactly the same way the first week. Sometime during the second week it gets easier. It seems like you are able to intake a little more fluid at a time. That first week your sips are so tiny that you aren't getting anywhere near the amount of fluid you are supposed to have.

Thanks gang!

I'm in the exact same place!! I feel like i cant drink anymore or ill float away!!! I just keep telling myself do your best Jessica! We got this!!! I get to start puree today.. excited and scared! How are you all feeling?

Oh boy...I’m just about a week out and not getting all the liquid and protein yet. I know I shouldn’t be so hard on myself....but I don’t want to end up in the hospital because I’m dehydrated or worse yet with a leak. It’s encouraging it gets better. Does anyone have any special advise to help get me through? Tips?

Hi There!

You are doing great! I understand the struggle! My Doc said dehydration is the biggest concern over getting all the protein in. So try to get close but hitting your goal every day is hard, especially in the beginning!!

At the end of two weeks here is what I have for you. The sips get bigger and less painful, so Yay! We do fill up fast though. I got brave and had four sips at once today and found out immediately its too much for me right now.

I personally found Gatorade Zero the easiest and best tasting electrolyte drink. I am tired of Vitamin water right now. The colder for me the better!

As for other fluids with protein I used broth (mainly chicken) and had chocolate protein shakes using water (everything else was too thick). Tonight I will add unflavored powder to some Miso soup broth!

I was supposed to start pureed yesterday. I lovingly cooked the chicken and some carrots in broth and pureed them separately and packed them up neatly! Yesterday, God laughed at me LOL i managed to get 2 table spoons of chicken in before getting full. I had taken an anti biotic (one of my incisions doesn't look right) and bammy tummy said - GET OUT!

Today I am back to liquids only per my Docs instructions. Tomorrow soft foods. Cottage cheese and unsweetened apple sauce with me adding cinnamon seem to be my favorites! Then trying pureed again on Sun. I must confess though I may break down and try baby food on Sunday!

I just brewed some decaf peppermint tea to make a big ol pitcher of tasty ice tea.

Keep at it! You will have stronger days and weaker days! Hell, after typing all this I need a nap!

Congratulations!! We are on our way to healthier us(es)?

Maybe that’s my problem.....trying to get ALL water and protein in each day and when I don’t, I feel like I’m failing. Even all the water is hard. I don’t think I have drank too much at one time....not sure what that feels like. I do notice sometimes it tends to go down a big harder so. Maybe that’s it?

Many who have had my doctor have said he’s very strict up front about what to do and not do—-but falling short really is ok. If he sets high standards, it helps people to be mroe successful and his stats are better than the natural average. But it sure puts a lot of added pressure on me.

I am also one that does not fail...so a lot of the expectation I place on myself too. I need to relax! Lol

The whole point of this staged diet is proper healing of your stomach.

Everything we add protein to is also included in our fluid count. So 4 oz protein shake, 6 ounces of broth, and 4 more ozs . Thats 14 ozs right there! Do not stress!

You do as much as you can without making yourself sick. That's why my surgeon said do 12 ounces of electrolyte drink because it is unlikely you can hit those goals.

Your job is to heal, rest, and sip when you can! These stages are the hardest but they are temporary!

I use the my fitness pal app to track my intake. I know I have to listen to my body and hydrate. I'll move to the next stage when I feel I can.

Seriously rest, sleep, and sip. No need to start worrying at this time!