5 days post op stuggles

Ok five days now, and boy am I struggling. I mean I really am struggling. First my water intake. I was told 32-64 oz a day. I made sip sip my mantra. However drinking is so uncomfortable that I am falling well short of my fluid intake. Probably only around 20oz. I know this pain from drinking will go away but still I am well aware that I dont want to get dehydrated. I am able to eat SF Pops much easier but I am only doing like two single pops a day. I guess I could just up them to help with the fluid count and that is probably what I will do. Second though is much bigger issue. I knew going into my surgery that I was going to need 63g of protien a day and I prepared for it. My drinking issue is killing me in this area though because even though I could drink somethings just fine prior to surgery the taste is killing me now. I have Isopure 40g per 20oz bottles that tasted fine presurgery that now I can barely choke down at all. The protien seems to sit heavy in my stomach as well. I also bought the 3oz bullets thinking even if they are not great I could break them up into 3 1oz servings a day. But lordy are they bad. I mean I gag on them bad, and gaging right now my friends is tops on my list of things I dont want to do. I am going to hope that this protien situation will get a bit better when my liquids stop hurting me so much. My pain meds, I take them, then I nap for two hours, even on a half dosage. I know part of this is just being rundown from the surgery. I am anxious to get off them altogether but not sure how long that is going to take. Not that I am in great pain without, but my over all feeling of discomfort is significantly more without them. Question do chewables go in your no liquid time and liquids meds go in your no food time? That is the way I have been handling it, but I sure want a drink after some of those chewables. Walking has actually been the easiest part so far. 4/10 of a mile the first day home 6/10 day two and 8/10 today. I feel like I could walk and walk for the most part but my wife doesnt want me to over do it. No hunger or thirst is killing me, nothign and I mean absolutely nothing sounds good to me. I am forcing down food that I have no desire for and the same with liquids really. I actully like the no hunger but the practical side of me knows I have to eat and drink. I hope this too will get better. Sleep has been the most bizarre thing of all. I cannot sleep more than two hours. My arms and hands are falling asleep like crazy. I wake with a start,  and right away I think I almost just died or that my BP has fallen critically low or that maybe I feel a blood clot, that last just a second or so then I drift back off. However it is the dreams that are on the super side of bizarre. Trying to eat chicken fried steak only to have it keep falling on the floor of walmat and then getting kicked by people like a soccer ball. Dreams of cookies and ice creams and lemon bars that I am dying to have but even in my dream I wont. A trip to china where I was going to sale blackmarket  clothes I had out grown and getting mixed up with a jamacan DJ who helped me get in a bejing olympics promo hitting a golf shot. See what I mean? Some crazy head games going on here.  Anyway, just rambling, thanks for listening, Troy

Troy, it will get better. The first week can be pretty tough, but it will get better soon. I assume that you have spoken with your Doc about liquids hurting to drink. If not, then I suggest that you do. It is a strange feeling to not be hungry at all, I still get that occasionally, but not so much anymore.  You may want to keep a journal about your dreams and thoughts - it could be an interesting read in 6 to 12 months. I expect you will start feeling better every day. Joe Bear

I agree with Joe, it will get better. I went through most of the same things as you, except maybe the wild dreams. (yeah keep a journal of your dreams it may make a great book haha). Your body is still in shock from everything and it will take time for it to catch up. I remember how wonderful it felt not to be hungry. If the water thing doesn’t get any better soon you should give your doctor a call. Just hang in there you are just starting down the road of a wonderful journey. Good luck, and enjoy the ride…… Alan

The dreams could very well be related to your pain meds!!  Vicodin or others similar will give your really bad dreams (and never a restfull sleep).  You may want to drop down to Tylenol if you can handle it.  The number one problem we hear on these boards after RNY..."I can't get in all my protein and water".  We know, your doctor knows.  Just do your best and you'll be fine.  Each day you should be able to get more and more protein and water in.  One tip I give new WLS people, have some protein on your nightstand.  If you wake up in the middle of the night to pee, have some then.  IT DOES GET BETTER!!  Try a different protein product...Our taste change after WLS.  Maybe try some protein powder with milk...Protein and liquid togeather!!  Hang in there...Brian

I would suggest you relax.  Drink what you can, take the protein you can, and take the pain medicine you need to not have pain.  I have found the "True Lime" makes water easier to drink and is tasty. http://www.truelemon.com/purchaselime.html

Troy, Keep the Doc on Speed Dial if the “Pain from Drinking Water” Keeps being a problem through tomorrow. Try smaller sips, and a few more SF Popsicles. First few weeks?  Focus on Hydration First, Then worry about “food” after you are sure you’ve gotten your liquid. If you cut the Isopure with more water, It’s more tolerable. Also, try different temperatures with your water. Some claim to only be able to tolerate it Ice-Cold. I had better luck with warm. The gagging reflex issue can be kept under control With an anti-nausea med. If still feeling like you’re going to gag, Have the doc call n a prescription for you. As for sleep? When you’re talking to the doc’s office on Monday, (notice a theme here?) Ask if it’s ok for you to have a little Benadryl Liquid. That was a godsend for me while in the hospital. The only way I could sleep for more than 2 to 3 hours. The walking? Listen to your wife’s intuition. Don’t overdo it.  More frequent walks, for shorter distances Until you are feeling better. Hope you are feeling better each day! Best Wishes- Dx

It looks as if you have received a lot of good advice already from the posts above.   I liked crushed ice with the water in the first few days.  I let the ice melt in my mouth or chewed it fine and swallowed.  That helped me get really small amounts constantly.  It will add up.  After several days of water and popsicles in my first few days I drank some hot broth (mine was Miso soup many others suggest the broth from chicken noddle soup) the warm felt so good to my stomach and the not sweet or plain of the salty broth was terrific.  The pain meds are definitely causing your dreams to be wild.  Opium, its derivatives and analogs are famous for this side effect.  My wife is so sensitive she almost has halucinations on full doses.  Try a smaller dose slightly more often (check with doc) if the sleeping is a problem.  I did not sleep through the night until my second week.  Good luck it will get better every day.