three weeks postop

Hello everyone! Well, we finallhy got a computer at home, and so this is the first chance iI've had to post since my surgery. (I also updated my member profile) I'm feeling OK, although definitely tired. If I do too much, I am cranky and not feeling well. My biggest complaint is that I have discomfort in my stomach which makes me not want to eat, while at the same time, I'm hungry. The discomfort, and it's really not pain, makes me feel nauseated. It's almost like a contracting feeling in my stomach. Does anyone else know this feeling? Is it normal?? I think it may be that I'm still taking too big of a sip when I drink. I'm trying to remember to slow down. It has definitely been a rollercoaster ride. THe first couple days in the hospital were awful. I had terrible gas pain, and yes, I took all of your advice (passed on to me by my Angel, Darlene, via the cards) to walk, walk, walk. It finally passed by about day 8 or 9. My incisions are healing; two were giving me a problem but I seem to have crossed the hump and they're looking better. I would say that the hardest thing to deal with has been the emotional loss of food as a buddy, a crutch, a comfort. I went grocery shopping and came home and cried, and told my husband I was not ready for that yet. I am also having a hard time gagging down my protein drink. I try to do it by warming the Lactaid and having one scoop of powder, for about a 36-gram protein hot chocolate. It's starting to wear though, and if anyone has any recommendations on how to get protein in during the liquid/soft foods phase, I'd really appreciate it. Also, does pudding count as a food, or a liquid? I know it sounds stupid, but think about it, it melts in your mouth, so it is essentially a liquid when it goes down. I ask that because I've made sugar free pudding with lactaid, and tossed in a couple heaps of protein powder. However, a one ounce serving has only about 3 grams of protein, so it doesn't go a long way in helping me get to 60 grams a day. Well, I've chatted on long enough. Thanks for reading, and if you have any suggestions, please feel free to post here or email me at [email protected] Take care, Heather

Hi Heather, I wanted to start by saying that I had my surgery 4 weeks ago, and I truly can understand your feelings regarding the loss of food. We are all prepared for the "mind hunger" but you truly don't understand how hard it can hit you until you go thru it yourself. I felt the exact same way you did. I cried and cried, and the only time I regretted the surgery even a bit was because I wanted to eat. It had nothing to do with the pain. I missed food terribly, but it does go away. You are right around the corner, honey. I had a MUCH better week this week, on week 4. Some advice I have is to try and diversify your food intake (whether it be pureed, etc.). I try like crazy to get my protein in, but still try and make pureed food more edible. If the food/drink doesn't go down easy, I don't force it. If you need some suggestions, just let us know. I got my best ideas from people on this message board. Good luck - it WILL get better. I promise. Love, Tammy P.S. I had sever nauseau also, and my surgeon gave me a fabulous prescription for it. I don't need it all the time now, but when I start feeling icky, it's great to have. FYI.

Hi Heather, I am about 3 1/2 weeks post-op and am currently in the soft foods stage. It depends on the doc I guess. I would say that pudding is not a liquid, but a soft food. My doc also said not to worry about protein too much, it would be too hard to get 50-60 grams of protein in at this stage considering the amount of food we are taking in. If you are really worried about it, use some protein powders on your food and protein drinks. I have not incorporated protein drinks in my diet, they would fill me up too much and I would not get any food in. I also miss food, but try to use sf popsicles and such to counteract it a bit. Sipping some kind of liquid helps also. And reading all these posts. Pam