Help! What can I do???

Okay I don't know if I should be worries or if I am just paranoid.

I cannot eat. I can't force it like all of you guys (I saw what people are eating who had surgery the same day as me!). Tomorrow I am 2 weeeks out and this is what I ate today:

b: 2oz. protein shake and 1/2 cup of milk
l: 1oz tuna pureed with l/f mayo
d: 2oz. of cream of crab soup

32oz. of water for the day.

What can I do to get more in? I am getting a little worried. I don't want to hurt my body in any way but I'm just not hungry. I ordered a new protein shake off line and it should be arriving soon so I hope that helps. What else can I do? Keep in mind my body does not want me to eat and I don't want to force it and throw up!

Please help!!!

Lauren

Everyone is different.  Don't expect your intake to be the same as everyone else's.  From what I have seen and heard, as long as you are getting something in, getting in protein and your liquids, you are doing good.  I would be more worried if you aren't eating or drinking anything.  I had to force myself in the beginning also, but it gets better.  Once you get hit with the "head hunger" you will be wishing for the days where you had to make yourself eat.  Call and talk to your NUT if you are worried.  They would be the best to let you know if things are going ok or if you should step it up a bit.  Congrats though on your weight loss....hope this helps.

Lauren:

You'd be surprised at how little our bodies actually need to survive.  I had the same issues as you after my surgery.  Writing down every little thing I put in my mouth, counting the calories and it really freaked me out.  I kept thinking, I can't live off of this little bit of food, but guess what, you can.  It will get better.  For some of us, it just takes a little while longer.  I think you are doing great!

Hi Lauren,

You definitely can not compare what you can take in with others.  You are doing great!! i couldn't take in as much as you did as early out as you are.  To tell you the truth I didn't get to drink 32 oz of water until I was almost a year out. I just couldn't do it.  It was a major challenge for me.

My husband was drinking 32 of fluid just 2 weeks out and I was like wait a minute that is not fair. lol 
But like I said everyone is different. You are doing wonderful and you never force yourself to have more. My doctor told me stop as soon as you feel that you can not.  I was told to eat 1/2 cup of serving with each meal. and when it was dense protein I barely made the entire 1/2 a cup.

Best wishes in your journey.

Thank you all so much for the responses. It makes me very happy to know that others could not eat 2 weeks out too. I just don't want to do anything wrong and end up with malnutrition.

Cira~ wow am I relieved to hear that it was hard to drink water. Yesterday was my best day with water. I usually only drink a little over 16oz. I know I'm dehydrated too... I wake up in the middle of the night with dry mouth and leg cramps. I wish I didn't have to take such small sips!

Thanks again for the advice!

 

Lauren

I'm struggling the same as you.  Our stomachs are both 4oz I believe, even with different surgeries.  I was told to try and get in 2 oz each hour but no more as far as food.  I'm finding that protein shakes are food and not a liquid.  If I drink it too fast, !!  I think we'll both be ok as long as we focus on not getting dehydrated and having protein first and foremost in the food dept. 

I am at work and feeling so sick right now. I almost feel like I could throw up but I'm holding it back! I haven't thrown up yet. I hate this feeling!

Lauren -

I'm sorry I didn't respond earlier, I wanted to make sure I could put together some coherent thoughts for you.  You've gotten great advice - the best of which is to NOT compare yourself to others.  Easier said than done, I know, but it's the quickest way to get discouraged - be it comparing what you're eating, how you look or how much you've lost.  Everyone is different, everyone's surgery was different, hence, everyone's results will be different.

It will get easier to drink more, I promise.  I never go ANYWHERE without a bottle of water.  In the beginning, I sipped all the time and it gets tiring, but you know what?  The sips add up.  Track them in a journal - and while you're doing it, track what you're eating and how you're feeling - you'd be surprised at how your emotions play into these things, too.

When Aaron was initially post op and our "relationship" was first blossoming (lol!), I told him how much I drink in a day.  I thought he was going  to pass out or cry - he was convinced he'd NEVER be able to do it.  And you know what?  He's now drinking 100+ ounces of fluid a day.

I also notice that you're eating some dense, high protein fills - those will fill you up and keep you feeling full longer.  It's a learning process, honey, DO NOT be too hard on yourself.

Hang in there and email me if you need anything (sending you a PM).

Hugs,

Tia

I totally could not drink much in the beginning, and then again after my stomach perf.  It was very hard.  But now I drink at least (on my worst days) 48 oz of water, but usually it is much higher.  I measured the cups I drink out of (24 oz) so I know approx. how much I am drinking.  I always drink at least 2 cups of water, and usually more.

My problem in the beginning was that I was used to drinking when I ate and after I ate. That was when I drank the most.  But since I couldn't do that anymore it was difficult.  I also couldn't gulp like I could before.  But now I can.  It will get better.

Plus you are eating pretty well for 2 weeks out, honestly!  I don't eat that much (as we discussed) now at 6 months out.  Have you tried the cream of chicken made with milk?  Or yogurt? Those are both easy to get down.  The tuna is a little harder because it is denser.  It's good that you can do it though.

You are doing a great job!