is it normal??

hi all...
i have a question.... i am 3 weeks out, and i am having a very hard time with fluids, vitamins, protien, etc.....

i am going back next week, and i forsee a hospital stay for a couple hours atleast. i know i am dehydrated and i am getting frustrated.
since i am an emt, i am almost tempted to start a line myself...(ok, maybe have a friend do it)

i saw the nutritionist, and she tried giving me a schedule....not working for me..

i tried the eating thing, and that doesnt seem to help me any, everything i have, i vomit almost all of  it....

this is so frustrating to me, because i nailed the pre op and surgery just fine, and now this.

so after all of this info, here is my question....

why am i only 1 pound less than i was last week.....  one would think after not much consumption, i would lose more weight???
i need some reassurance...and i need some help!!!!!

i am looking for any ideas in how to get my protien in before i start losing my hair....(i'm sure it's too soon but i am worried about that)

i also switched over to viactive multivitamin instead of the flinstones...does anyone else take these, and if so do you take 1 or 2?

sorry for the overload of questions...but i need your help...

thanks in advance

take care

linda

Hello Linda, Your problems with the fluids and protein seem to be a problem with most of us so don't worry it is normal, it is hard finding the right protein drink I am more than 3 months out and still haven't found one that I really like, on the fluids try making flavored waters Ifind that helps me get my amount in. Remember to eat your food slow I would try to make it last atleast 20 minutes. I can't help you on the vitamins cause i take the Flintstones 3 times a day. But keep sip, sip sipping get tha****er in we don't want you to get  dehydrated we want you healthy. I am not the most knowledgeable here and I am sure others will give you advice they are awesome here.

Be well and good luck

Romeo

The problem id when you are not taking much of anything in your body wants to hold on to what it has got.  So without drinking and eating enought your body does not want to give up its resources.

Just keep abottle with you all the time and sip whenever you look at it.  I had to sleep with one under my pillow for awhile.

I am 8 weeks out and still do not drink enough fluids.  It is hard!

Hi linda!   sorry you are having so much trouble.  I totally understand.  it IS hard to get everything in.  Here are some suggestions, you may have already tried these . . .  Do you write everything down?  You should write down  -  food (amt, grams of protein and time), water (any fluid you drink -no calorie, amt at the time, and the time you drink).  Then at the end of the day you can calculate what you have done.  You may want to try to use the alarm on your phone.  Set it when you finish eating for 1 hour later ( to tell you when to drink).  Then when you know when you are going to eat again, set the alarm for 30 minutes before you eat ( to tell you to STOP drinking).  What you have to do is set your mind to become OBSESSED with your food/fluid intake.  Become very focused on it, until you get the hang of it all.  I use a steno pad to write down my meds/vitamins, food, fluids, and times.  Also, any notes about the food or my feelings about the day.  Hope this helps.  Good luck.  Eldy

Wow! great advice Eldy! Thanks I'm gonna use it too!  Im just over a week away from my RNy and am starting to feel that anxiety twinge!  Still havent found the protein shakes I like other than the low carb slim fast, and will buy some of the powder you suggested as soon as I can get my butt to walmart.    My other friend said the carnation instant b-fast is a good one too.  I have to find other ...different things so I dont get bored with the shakes...
But I loved the advice about the cell phone alarm and the steno pad!  Cathy

Hey Linda!

If you are vomiting several times a day and really not keeping anything down, call Dr. P's office!

Otherwise, maybe you're eating too fast? Try a tiny baby spoon. And like Eldy said, become very aware of your food! Don't rush yourself into eating foods that are more solid either. Stay on pureed and water it down if you have to!

Try different shakes until you find one you like! Yes, it can get a little costly but think of how much you're saving on eating the stuff you used to eat anyway!

I will bring some Nectar protein drinks with me to next week's meeting for you to try too.

What does Dory (Finding Nemo) sing???  

See you Wednesday!

Jules