am I drinking too much?

I had my surgery on the 6th and came home with no problems and am able to drink and eat the jello and broth. But I feel that I am drinking 'sipping' too much. It seems like I am eating the jello all the time and drinking broth all the time. I cant seem to get full. I actually broke down and ate about 2 teaspoons of cottage cheese and a cracker yesterday with no problems and felt better. I just dont know what else to do. any advice??

Mary, The 3-4 protein drinks that you drink daily should give you substance enough to satisfy you. Be sure to drink your protein drinks. Water and liquids will just mainly go right trough you and that's why you feel not satisfied afterward. Here in a few weeks you'll start to notice the feeling of being satisfied. Just hang in there and you'll start to notice little suble changes about how you feel. You are still healing inside and it'll take time for the nerves and your intestines to heal and wake up. Hopefully I've helped and not confused you but, if you have questions or concerns be sure to call your surgeon's service. Take care, Kelli 255/168/150

Opps...I just noticed I refered to you as "Mary" and I have no idea why I did that. I'm sorry.

Kelli, My previous screen name on here was my first name, Mary, that is probably where you got that, no biggie. lol Also, my problem is, the doc told me that I couldnt start protein shakes until after my first doc appt, just clear liquids until the 16th. Although, I will probably go ahead and do like 2 a day until then just to get a different taste in my mouth. You didnt confuse me at all. I appreciate anything.

Newly post-op, expect to have problems guaging whether or not you are full or hungry. Until your pouch has healed, it is "numb," and it's rare to feel hunger or fullness. It took me about a month before I felt full, and about six months before hunger kicked in. As for eating or drinking too much...At this point, you have to sip constantly to get ANYTHING in. And if you would happen to overdo it, your body will let you know...while you're hovered over the toilet. Don't panic, you're doing just fine. Once I finally made it to solid foods, I could eat 1/2 cup at a time without a problem. Too bad I can eat up to 1 1/2 cups at a time now Pamela -102

I guess I am lucky in that I can get any and all liquids in so far. I just know I am getting at least the 64 oz in each day. That is why I was a little concerned. But other than that, I cant wait until I get the formal go-ahead to eat something, like scrambled eggs, yogurt, mashed potatoes, ect. It is hard going from eating 3000-5000 calories at least a day down to less than 300 a day. Nighttime is still my bad time. So I am still struggling with that part of the day.

Hi Darlene, I have been wondering how you were doing, did I tell you I finally got approved? I am so happy I can barely stand it!!! I am curious as to how you feel after surgery, I'm really nervous about that but happy, and hope you keep us posted on how you are doing. I was so happy for you, that you got to have your surgery, way to go!!!!! let us know how you do, SherryWhite

Sherry, I will tell you this... it is very painful to get out of bed and you will definitely need assistance often to get up. I actually got to my room and within 2 hours of being there, I wanted to get up and walk, hoping I would feel better sooner. It was a hard little walk, but it got a little easier each time. I hated laying in bed, so most of the time, I slept in the chair and between the bed and the chair, I might have slept a total of about 12 hours while I was there the 2 days. A word of warning too, lol, the barium, the first thing you get to drink, which isnt even until around early afternoon the next day, is the most awful stuff in the world... try to imagine ahead of time. The second thing, the blue ice chips... it is like ice chips with blue ink on them. I dont know which is worse. I told my nurse that they really must not like me if the first things I got to drink were so bad. Here is a hint for you, if you dont have any green swabs in your room, ask for them. They will wet your mouth and give you a little sip, shhh. Other than that I am doing fine, still sore around the drain site, but I am sure that is just because it is something sticking out of my body that wasnt there before. My staples itch really bad too, but I was able to sleep on my stomach my first night home. If I wouldnt have been able to do that, then I probably wouldnt have slept at all.

Darlene, I have no advice, since I am still pre-op. I just wanted to say I am pleased your surgery went so well. I just looked at your profile again, and I saw your darling children. You must be very pleased to be back home with them. I hope the hunger thing goes away. I am sure I will feel the same way after surgery. Linda

Hi Darlene, I am so glad your surgery went well~! I would say try to make sure you drink and drink and drink as much as you feel like you need. The more the better. I switch from gatorade to crystal light to water back and forth all day. I flushes all of the stuff out that has been in your body... As for protein drink,,, humm I started on them the day I left the Hospital and have been on them ever since.. And as for a cracker this early~!, I am no Dr but I would say beee carefull on that one. I am the first to admit the jello, protein drinks and the Philly Swirl bars gets old, but they are on my menu LOL, if you could call it that. Anyhoo, I would be carfull adding foods to quick as they could cause problems. As for the pesky staples on and drain. Three words /keep /them /clean... I got my tube out on the 7th and man it was sooooooo nice to have it out, but now I get to keep a pretty bandage on to stop the fluid that still drains while it heals. Ok thats yucky... LOL As for the staples, well mine stung a wee bit when the Dr took them out but it was quick. Other than that hang in there the worst is over and the best is yest to come (new clothes shopping~!) Ok so I am a guy and looking forward to buying a new suit and not having to have to custom made, I wanna buy off the rack~! Woo Hoo. Keep letting us know how your doing Gevin 307/278 (12 days post op) /150 ish