I need help post op

Ok I'm a month out. I had my first post op appt with Dr Deveney yesterday. I waited 2 hours for 2 minutes of his time. I left feeling very confused. I had to stop him at the door to get my questions asked. I know he is a fantastic surgeon and I can tell he is a really nice guy but he is so busy! I didn't see either of the NP's so here I sit about to cry not knowing whats going on. I told him that I have been getting in about 300 calories a day and not getting in much of my water because according to the "Rules" I can't drink for about 7 hours a day (Rules are no drinking 15 min before a meal, 30 during and 30 after) and since my instructions are to eat 6 times a day and no more then 8oz per hour arg. Ok so he said "oh no you should be eating about 1000 calories a day, and you don't need to eat 6 times a day and in 3 weeks we will do blood work and see if you need to start protein supplements" I said "oh so I don't need to do protein drinks now? " and he said "no I'll tell you if you need to do them" Now how in the sam hell am I supposed to get in 1000 calories and 64oz of water in when I'm only eating 2 oz a food at a time? I'm so frustrated. All the people around me are saying "you need to eat more, forget the rules and just start eating and listen to your body" I just want to cry. If don't know if anyone can help me but I hope so! Rebecca

Rebecca

Why don't you call Shannon the nutritionist and talk to her about your intake.  She has been there for a while and should be able to answer your questions.

Good Luck!

Randy

Rebecca - I agree with Randy.  Call and talk to Shannon or Susan Fee, the NP.  The surgeon is concerned with your healing and whether you have any leaks or strictures.  The NP or the nutritionist can give you better feedback on what you need to eat, etc.  While they are also very busy, they are lots less busy than the surgeons and they WILL call you back.  When Freddie was living here, he talked to them a bunch of times. Linda

Hi Rebecca, First I didn't have the same surgeon so I do not have any advice from that aspect however my advice is first.... DO NOT "FORGET THE RULES".  they are there for a reason but DO get in contact with the nutritionist like randy and linda suggested!  I agree that 1000 calories is a lot for you right now so do contact them and see what they say.  I have heard great things about the help up there so use them as resources thats what they are for! Keep us posted!

Rebecca, I am right there behind you a week or two.  I have my appointment with Deveney on Monday, but I have also scheduled an appointment with the nutritionist.  Since you live up there, it might be easier for you to get ahold of her than it is for me. I'm getting my water in, but not my protien.  When I left the hospital, one of the other doctors, who worked on me with Dr. Deveney, told me they aren't so worried about the protien right now, as they are "hydration, hydration, hydration".  That is exactly how he said it.   Mostly, I am trying to remember what someone said to me on Sunday at our support group.  She told me that we are all different, and we all are able to handle food and water differently.  It was good advice from her.  Our pouches are all a little different in size, shape etc.  We were specifically talking abou****er intake along with food.  I wait 15 min before I eat, and I wait 15 min after I eat.  I don't always get all 6 meals in the day.  I struggle getting those am meals in - because I sleep late in the morning and go to bed early in the evening. The other thing that I was told is that the "rules" are actually "goals" that we should be working toward between now and 6 weeks.  So, I hope that you will contact Shannon, and I also hope that you will relax and not think these guidelines as "rules" and more as "goals"....we started out only taking in liquids, moving to full liquids - some of those liquids you are taking in are part of the "water", so you might be taking in more liquids than you think (ie, soup, broth, jello, pop cicles).The other thing is we started off with 1 oz graduated to 2 oz and our goal is eventually 4 oz.  A month isn't that long....your still working on your goal. By the way, I'm not counting calories at all...I am counting protiens.  Am I suppose to count calories also?

Thank you all for your replies. I did call Shannon and I haven't heard back yet. As for counting calories, no you don't have to count calories but I started using fitday to watch my protein and it shows calories and that is when I realized there might be a problem that I'm not eating enough also my weight loss has almost stopped. I have had a little bit of chicken & fish and I have done fine so I am adding those into my diet. Thank you for your insight on the "Rules", I think you have a good point by saying think of them as goals. I'm going to do that.  I'm going to work harder on getting in my water I have never been really good with that if I'm being totally honest lol. Last night I was laying in bed thinking am I going to be the one to fail at this? Is this all the weight I'm going to lose? I'm sure this goes through the minds of lots of people post op so I don't think I'm different in thinking this. Ok I have been random enough. Rebecca

Rebecca - you WILL NOT FAIL! Everyone gets stuck from time to time.  Your body is used to being well-fed.  When you can't eat much anymore, your stomach (which is sitting there unused) and your brain need a little time to figure out what the heck is going on.  Your body's mechanism needs to be reset.  Your metabolism will slow when your brain figures out you're not getting much to eat.  But, eventually, when it realizes you ARE eating, just smaller amounts, you will begin losing again.  After you drop 40 or so pounds, the same thing will happen again.  It's just adjustment.  Talk to Shannon.  Make sure you're eating the right stuff, and the right amounts, and you'll do great!  I have faith that you will do very well. Linda

Hi Rebecca, I am 3 and 1/2 months out and I know how you feel.  I struggled with fluids and calories and some days I still do.  I did do protein drinks in the beginning up until a month or so ago when I was sure that I was able to get in the protein needed.  It is important for your skin and hair and so that you dont lose so much muscle.  For sure call Shannon and talk to her ....I called her several times after surgery and these are the things that she told me.  It probably was not until about 1 and 1/2 months out that I was not struggling with getting the calories and protein and the water in ..... it just takes time and timing....You can do this!!! The  hard part is over and now just sip and sit back, exercise a little and watch your dream come true...

Hi Rebecca, I imagine how you must be feeling.  When I had my 3-wk follow up I was really worried about not getting in enough protein and/or fluids.  I scheduled an appointment with Shannon and it did wonders in terms of making me feel better about how I was doing.  So I definitely recommend it.  By the way, it's been 2 months for me, and getting in my protein and fluids has been a LOT easier.  Hang in there! Sally

Rebecca, Like everyone else said, Shannon is a must :)  I am five months out (wow time flies!) and I had the same problems you... basically I stopped worrying about trying to force in food and used more protein drinks, protein pudding, protein fortified soup and milk, you get the picture. Just drink drink drink... it does get easier as you can tolerate slightly larger amounts of liquids and the pouch swelling finally goes down.  Stick with soft foods as long as you need is another thing I found... and don't feel forced to try solids if they aren't sitting well.  Puking, well, sucks lol.  And the frothies... don't get me started. It's hard, ne, impossible, but just try to relax about each and every 2 hours you must eat, and just get in what you can.   Do, I would recommend, stick with the rules as hard and fast regarding not drinking during or after... those do seem to be key. Good luck and if you start beating on yourself about it again, remember all our gentle chiding and support and stop.  You are doing great! This is an awesome thing you have done for yourself, and you can and will succeed with it :) Michele