My 1st crazy question...

Do I have to drink all my fluids in those little medicine cups?  I have just been sipping on a bottle of water, a bottle of boost, a bottle of Propel and some Crystal Light.  Am I doing this all wrong?  I have been keeping track of how much fluid is in the stuff I am drinking, but I am so afraid I am getting too much or not enough.  I have convinced myself that my surgeon didn't really operate on me, seeing as I haven't felt "full" from drinking...am I supposed to?  I swear I don't  know where some of these thoughts come from!  All that pain and trouble...I sure hope she operated on me! I'm pretty sure this didn't make much sense, but I am so afraid I am going to mess up somehow.  And also, I feel GREAT...is that normal?  And bruised where my incisions are...is that normal? Ok, so 1 question turned into a few...thanks for all the help...I am just a little overwhelemd by all this stuff! Kim :)

Noooo!! Stop using the medicine cups :)  Get you a big cup..that has ozs. listed on the side...up to 32 ozs. is what mine says and it has a lid on it and a little hole for sippin' and take that baby with you every where you go!!! And just try to fill it up twice a day!  And i'm sure if you get too much fluids you will know it..but right now..I don't think you will have that problem..so keep on doin' what you're doin'. Also from what i understand you will not feel full for several weeks out because they cut your nerves and they have to heal, so it's really all about following the measurements required by your nutritionist, so that you dont get too much!! And YES bruising is normal..you just got put through the ringer and it is normal to be a little black and blue :)
It sounds like you are doing fantastic...KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

Kim, First off... Congratulations!!!  I see we now have a new looser!!!!!  I remember feeling like my Doctor hadn't done the surgery and that they were just telling me they had to phsyc me out...  Start believing she did it and you just need to wrap your brain around it.  Liquids didn't make me full either but once I started eating "real" food I got full in an instant.  It is weird I know, but just follow what the doc says and you'll do great!!!!   Bruises around your incision are normal, they didn't just cut little incisions for nothing, they had instruments in there - it's amazing when you think of how little those incisions are and the size of the instruments, stretch that skin... lol!   Anyway, Congratulations again and best of luck to ya!!!

Hey Kim..you are doing just fine.   I drank out of the bottled water for Propel and Crystal light and just kept a journal of liquids, calories and protein.   I had one incision right above my belly button and had a bruise on my belly that was about as big as my hand or bigger.   My doc wanted me up and walking as soon as i could so i tried to get up at least once an hour to walk around the house or backyard for 10 minutes.   That also helps NOT to form bloodclots which I was paranoid about.    I have a bad habit of gulping my water and when i forget and do it, i get pain in my chest and need a big burp to get rid of it.   Some family members have suggested I use a straw and maybe that will work.    I also questioned if this was gonna work and it has.  I lost a lb a day for 17 days after surgery and then the scale didn't move for an entire week and then i really questioned if this was going to work.   Of course it did and the scale eventually started to move again.    You are doing wonderful!   Remember, no question is stupid....we have all been there and are more than happy to help you! Take care and keep asking......Pam 

((((Kim)))),

As everyone else has said, this is all normal and there is no such thing as a stupid question. Just ask away. The bruising is normal. Ask Alice ... She took photos for posterity ... LOL.

Remember that they have cut nerves among other things, so it's normal not feel full right away. Also remember that fluids are going to go 'through' you pretty quickly and won't really 'collect' in the pouch the way semi solids and solids will later. As Sheryl said, you'll definitely feel it when you start eating in a few weeks.

Feeling great is GREAT! While some folks have a very rough recovery, honestly there are quite a few who are like you and feel just great afterwards. Just count your blessings and enjoy it. It's working! I promise!

Re: drinking. I used the cups when drinking my protien stuff, but just a large bottle with measurements on it like Jamie suggested for my fluids; it was easy to lug around and I was able to keep track of my fluid intake easier that way.

Keep up the good work ... just remember to sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk.

Barb