Questions regarding minor pain, protein intolerance

Hi everyone... I'm 5 days out from my surgery on May 26, and I'm happy to say that everything has gone very smoothly. I stopped taking the liquid lortab yesterday.... to be honest, it just tastes so terrible, I wanted to stop as soon as possible! Does anyone here have suggestions regarding a less-strong painkiller, such as liquid tylenol or liquid ibupropfen? Do these taste as bad as the lortab? And what about gelcaps... does anyone know if these are as easy to digest as capsules? I may call the nurse about this, but thought I'd talk to all of you folks with the real experience! Also, yesterday I finally tried the StV protein supplement with the 1% milk/powdered mild/carnation instant breakfast. It tasted pretty good, but since I drank it (about a third of the mixture) I've been feeling kind of bad... really bloated and "blown up" - like I'm stuffed all the way to my eyeballs. Is this lactose intolerance? It's really yucky, and makes me hesitant to eat or drink anything at all, which I know is not good. Any advice? How long does it take this to go away once you get it, and is there any way to move it out quickly? I appreciate any advice.

Hi Katy I am 14 days out today! I also tried the StV Protein supplement you have noted above and I felt bad all day long. I did not even get dressed yesterday. I did not eat until 9:00 last night. Since my surgery all I want to drink is milk so that is what I am going to stick with. Milk and water! Sorry I have no advise on the pain med. I had no problem with the lortab the tastes did not bother me. Teresa

I found that once I was spending more time up I didn't take the Loratab except at bedtime. Personally...I know the taste isn't that good but...the warm fuzzy feeling was so worth it that I never had a problem with it! lol in the hospital the nurse suggested my sucking ice chips just before taking it to help. I have about 1/3 of a bottle left and I guard it like a treasure knowing that someday I may need it badly. As far as the milk....the main thing is to sip..sip...sip it and split it up throughtout the day. Too much at one time can bake you feel bad. I found when I felt bloated it helped to suck on sugarfree popsicles. I have also found any time I get sick from something I eat I try to eat a popsicle as soon as my pouch is calmer and it helps. It must have something to so with the cold being soothing. You are so new to this and trust me it will take time to adjust. Just follow your Dr. Adn Nutritionist's orders and you will do great! Welcome to the winning side!! You Loser You! HUGS, Marianne

Hi, 8 weeks post op here. Hardly an old-timer, but been there, done that. I couldn't (and still can't) tolerate that protien shake recipe. You can get GasX in strips that melt on your tongue (kind of like those Listerine breath fresheners). They don't add bulk to an already bloated stomach, but they reduce the surface tension of the gas bubbles and make them easier to burp (or pass the other way). The ingredient in GasX (simethicone) is gentle enough for babies, so you will be fine. As for adding protien, I drink 16 oz of skim milk with 1/3 cup powdered milk and just enough sugar free Nesquik to suit my taste. It takes me 1 to 1 & 1/2 hours to drink this so I put the bottle (I buy it at work, but you could get just one and wa**** out to make this easy) in a 32 oz styrofoam cup and put crushed ice around it. As it melts, the cold water keeps the milk nice and cold til I get done. If you don't have crushed ice at home, you can just put some ice cubes into a sandwich bag and hit them with your hammer or meat tenderizer to cru**** Good luck and I hope you have a speedy recovery. Cindy

Katy, For the Loratab...you can have flavoring added to it at the pharmacy. I go to Walgreen's & have it added to any liquid meds. It really does tone down the taste. I've only tried the grape flavoring so far. As to the protein shakes...If you mix it in a blender, you are introducing air to it...and to your tummy. That could be why you felt bloated and yucky after drinking it. Try mixing it by adding the liquid to the powder a little bit at a time and using a whip or fork to mix it by hand. Do it like you would a rue so you can keep down the lumps. You may also want to experiment on the flavoring you are adding to it. I couldn't handle the taste of CIB so I tried the powder jello. Most were too sweet, so I added about 1/2 pack of lemon or lime flavored. That wasn't too bad. If you try these things and still have problems, contact the dieticians. Sherri

Thanks to everyone for your helpful advice. I still feel a little stuffed and bloated, and can't sleep as a result! So I think tomorrow it may be chicken broth and popcicles for me.

I couldnt handle the taste of protien drinks so I had milk milk milk.. and string cheese.. after the first 3 weeks... As for the loratab , my nurse at St V got me hooked on putting the loratab in a medicine cup and filling it the rest of the way with white grape juice.. I have had my knee replaced and I still take it from time to time.. pills will never work the same way for me so Im liquid for good..... The white grape juice is an everytime for me!! makes it worth drinking. And I totally relate to the warm fuzzy feeling of the liquid...