Swollen stomach

I had gastric bypass surgery on august 15th. I have no problems getting my fluids down.I'm drinking more than 64 oz.(I sip all day long). I'm on stage 3 and doing fine with that.I weighed myself in the hospital and it said I gained 2 pounds. I'm still swollen 5 days later. My stomach feels like a big balloon that needs to pop.Does anyone else feel this way?

It's exactly what I went through. I had my surg. 8/11; my urine output was low on the 12th so they hit me with a lot of fluid boluses. I came home on the 13th and my tummy just felt tight as a drum. But, finally on Tuesday the 16th, the lower end started working really well, so well that the family and I couldn't share a bathroom that day My tummy has gone down nicely ever since.

The swollen stomach is normal, and all tha****er probably is making it worse. The hospital actually wouldn't allow me to drink more than 5 cups in 24 hours so that I wouldn't bloat. Remember, if you had RNY, the exit whole is really, really small - I've been given the analogy of the dull end of a pencil and that's over a week post-op when some of the swelling has gone down. I wish I had only gained 2 lbs in the hospital. I came home 12 lbs heavier! Talk about a little fluid pumped into me, but I had lost it, plus 9 pounds by week 1 post-op. . You'll be fine.. check with your doctor's office for the amount of water they feel should be appropriate for you to be getting down this soon as all doctors seem to have their own ideas. Dawn

Dawn, Thanks so much for the advice on the water. I also realized I was getting down the 64plus ounces of water and not putting in enough protein. I've been having three meals of 13 oz. protein and the res****er. This adds up to only 39grams protein daily. I've read that we should be getting in 50plus a day. Today I'll try to get in 3 or 4 small meals with protein and drink less water. Hopefully my stomach goes down.The discomfort makes me not want to eat, but I'm always thirsty. If it doesn't I call the doctor's office on monday. ***************************Rita

You might want to shoot for about 75 grams of protein, that's what I have in my post-surgical diet....it's hard at first, but it's getting easier to get it all in now at 10 days out.

Marsha, Thanks for the advice. I took a look at your web page. Well done You are truly an inspiration *******************Rita

Hi! My surgery was 8/11 also. I have to ask...how are you getting in all of your protein? I'm struggling to get it in. I am finding that any protein powder makes me nauseous. I try to drink as much of them as I can, but can usually only get in about 4 oz before I just get too nauseous. It just seems to be the powders that are bothering me. I've mixed them with Lactaid, water, kool-aid, soup, jello, whatever I can to get it in, but it always makes me nauseous. I've resorted to simply drinking as much Lactaid as I can throughout the day. Any suggestions? I don't have any problems getting any of my other liquids in, just those mixed with powder. Thanks, Tina

Christina, I'm only able to get about 37 to 45 grams a day in so far. I have Carnation Instant Breakfast (no sugar added)13 grams of protein mixed with sugar free soy milk twice a day. For another meal I have 4 oz. lowfat cottage cheese (11grams protein). That's 37 grams for the day plus my water. I've also had yogurt (no fat w/splenda)8 grams of protein. I've come to realize I'm drinking too fast and too much and that is causing my bloated and painful stomach . ********************************Rita

Hi All, The nutrionist I see as part of my program said that the amount of protein one needs is 1/2 (this is for women... men's is different) of your ideal weight. That may give some of you a guideline to follow if your program doesn't offer more specifics... I'm almost 3 weeks out and don't come close to the 65 grams I'm supposed to be shooting for. My one protein drink a day offers 20. I so sympatize with you on the drinks. The Isopure made me sick to my stomach the day before surgery so I won't try them again though some on the board like them. I've tried Slim Fast Carb, Atkins, Pro-rate, and Carb Solutions (the last two with both soy milk and with water) and they ALL give me stomach/intestine cramping and gas almost immediately. I just deal with it as it's the most protein I get all day. I can only eat a little over 1 egg (if I don't mix it with cottage cheese - if then maybe one) which gives 7 grams and then one more meal of either fish or sliced turkey for another, maybe 14 grams. That's it... which of course explains why I'm so tired. There's not much I can do when I've been told to stay away from dairy (the RN thinks it may be the cause of my extreme pain I keep getting 2 hours after eating) and I'm only allowed soft proteins. We do what we can. Good luck! Dawn

Hi Rita Wow i am still on liguids..I start on full today and get off the clear but still liguids!!I was told not to worry bout the amout so much of protien this week just to make sure I was drinking all day long..water or whatever was on my list..i guess its working!! i am down 20 lbs!! When i get my 1 week check this week i will be moved to soft foods..eggs tuna cottage cheese cheese and am looking forward to it but i waited far to long for this to go against my surgeons orders at this point in the game..my swelling (from my ports) are getting better I can sleep on my sides now I hate sleeping on my back!!!So I know I am healing! Good Luck to you let us know how you are doing!! lori 6 days post-op and doing fine