2 weeks post op and struggling

[Sarah_Starter 0]

My surgery was 1/28. My recovery was AWFUL. I threw up basically non stop for about 36 hours. Dry heaving after that procedure is so much fun. None of the nausea meds worked. I had to beg them to knock me out so I could sleep. So I got off to a really bad start.

Now I’m more than 2 weeks out. I have not been able to tolerate much in the way of anything. I can only sip an ounce of a Protein Shake at a time and then I have to lay down until my stomach stops hurting. It’s essentially easier for me to just not eat. Best guess, I’m getting maybe 300 calories a day. Nowhere near 64oz of Water or 60g of Protein. I’m closer to 36oz of water and maybe 20g of protein. I’m eating yogurt and blended Soups. Super watered down retried Beans. I’ve nibbled on some crackers with a sip of water and they actually seem to go down way easier than anything else. I guess carbs are easier to digest. I don’t need a lecture on following the diet. I’ll worry about where the calories are coming from when I can actually eat. I’m definitely losing weight as the calorie deficit is so huge right now.

I’m just wondering if anyone else is having such a hard time getting anything in. I don’t throw anything back up. I just cannot take more than 3 tiny bites or 1-2 sips at a time and then I have to lay down for 10 mins to digest. I cant spend all day repeating that cycle.

[Guest]

This sounds awful, I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Definitely no lecture from me other than this is probably where I'd demand to see a doctor. We're so used to being second class citizens in the healthy system due to our size, definitely don't let them brush you off if you're genuinely concerned.

On the plus side, you're closer to your fluids goal than your Protein goal, which is definitely the right priority when your body is giving you this hard of a time. Best of luck!

[NovaLuna 710]

Some people have a harder time then others getting everything down the first few weeks. For me I had the most issues with my Fluid intake. I still struggle with this one, to be honest, but I AM better with it now that I'm a year out. I, personally, only struggled with my Protein the first two or three weeks and then I got a routine that worked for me (1 Protein Shake in the morning and 1 at night. Until I cut out that second protein shake because I can get most of my protein through food now and only need 1 shake that I HAVE to take due to my surgery requiring higher protein intake). I had basically no appetite for the first three months and had to force myself to eat, so it's pretty normal to not want to eat, but still have to force yourself to. If you feel like you're struggling then definitely call the surgeon's office for advice.

I hope things improve for you!

[ms.sss 14,693]

Sorry you are suffering *hugs*.

I had a pretty slow start in the eating-department the first couple weeks. I didn't have any nausea or sickness though, but just couldn't (or wouldn't?) get anything in. The first two weeks I barely ate/drank anything...my logs showed I ate about 300 calories in total EACH of those two weeks (not days, WEEKS). Suffice it to say, I was pretty tired and run down. I had frequent headaches (was probably really dehydrated). I slept ALOT.

I didn't try to force myself to eat/drink during that time...only put something in my mouth when I could stand it (which was very rarely). By around week 3 it got infinitely better. It was like one day I woke up and found that I could chug Water. I didn't actually feel hungry, i don't think, but for the first time since surgery, the thought of swallowing something didn't repulse me.

I would suggest a chat with your doc...more so for any nausea or pain you are experiencing. The food intake part should come in time.

Good Luck! ❤️