I’m 4 days out from gastric sleeve and hiatal hernia repair as of today. Woke up a little dehydrated this morning and not feeling great. Yesterday was the first day I missed my water goal. (yes I had other things that contribute to my water, but I’ve been pretty good about getting 64 oz plus those other liquids)

I have had super low energy today - sleeping way more than normal.

I’m working hard to get my water in but no matter how much I drink my mouth seems dry - and this stubborn headache won’t go away.

Today has thrown me for quite a loop because I expected to feel better day 4 than I did day 2 and that is not the case. The day after surgery I was walking around the ward and feeling relatively good - considering the surgery. I was up and around and went for a short walk on day 2. Day 3 I didn’t do as much but I did get time in on the recumbent bike - energy level was low, so I thought I could take it easier on the bike and still hit my movement goal.

I have been getting my water in ok today - despite the nausea when I got up earlier, had a frozen juice popsicle and that went down ok. Had some protein soup (broth only with protein powder) - powder was not the best with that broth, but I got it down. I’m struggling with the shakes today (which I usually have no issues with - but today they aren’t appealing).

I struggle with artificial sweeteners - they upset my stomach and can trigger headaches, so I’m limited in some of the options I have during my liquid phase. The yogurts suggested are of course the ones with artificial sweetener which makes them not ideal on a day I’m already not feeling well. Which eliminates yogurt based smoothies that are suggested in place of a store bought shake.

Can anyone tell me if you experienced anything like this your first week? I’m still on full liquids, transition to purées Wednesday. Maybe it’s the low calories kicking my butt energy wise? I’m struggling to even hit 800 calories, my goals are 800-1200 … I’m getting about 770-780 most days. I don’t think it’s a Keto flue because I’m allowed fruit juice and I use that for popsicles. I haven’t had caffeine in months so I don’t think it’s withdraw from that either.

I’ll call my nutritionist Monday if I’m still not feeling well, but since it’s the weekend I thought I would ask if others experienced anything similar and how you got through.

Any suggestions or advice appreciate. Thanks in advance.

7 minutes ago, SleeveMeToIt said:

Thanks!! I've just ordered several clear Protein Drinks and the protein soups! Fingers crossed I can take them. whey protein can cause an issue for me, focusing on the collagen with a few limited whey protein sources in Soups or something else.

I will cross my fingers too ?

19 hours ago, SleeveMeToIt said:

Sunnyer - I am the same and unable to stomach Protein Drinks. I am still pre-op and am very worried about this going forward. I am allergic to milk and eggs and get very sick, so in addition to the allergy I also have an aversion to things that are creamy even if they aren't milk based because of how sick the milk makes me.

How are you getting in your Protein during the liquid phase?

I did broth during the liquid phase and I also forced myself to drink a protein drink a day or eat a protein pudding, even if they made me gag.

I didn't actually hit my protein goals during the liquid phase, and I still don't. I was getting maybe 15-30 grams of protein per day during the liquid phase, instead of 75, and during the puree stage 20-65 (most often 25-45) grams of protein per day.

To date, my best day has been 65 grams of protein, so I've never actually reached the 75 gram goal. A lot of the protein after the liquid stage has been from fish and beans, but also from eggs and a little milk, Last week I added ground beef and found that I tolerate it well, better than milk products.

But the protein drinks and puddings make me gag and throw up, so I makes me able to eat less during the day. I don't know how happy my doctors will be that I skip them, but I just can't. I'm nauseated enough as it is, more or less all day, so I can't deal with the fake sweet taste of most or all protein products.

Edited September 2, 20223 yr by Sunnyer

Have you tried different artificial sweeteners? I can only tolerate Splenda because the others give me a headache or diarrhea. There are so many different formulas out there, one has to work for you or you will find it very difficult.