Flu Season

Probably a strange question....but with what I do every year I get the flu pretty bad....I am a little worried...with this being my first year after surgery....If and when it happens any one have any great ideas to how much more difficult is on our tummies and bodies??? And I am one that use to drink 7-up when sick, I won't drink pop at all and don't want to start with this what is something to keep in the house??? Pretty bad to look at something before it starts...but it worries me.Thought I would get a head start before it happens.....thanks!

I am so glad you posted this! Unfortunately, I don't have any answers, but this is also my first winter post-op, and I usually get one good flu or horrible cold too. I hope we get some good replies. I keep hoping my new healthy eating and vitamin routine will help prevent sickness, but with 3 kids in the house, I am bound to get something.

I would recommend getting a flu shot., especially if you have kids around, since they bring home everything.  It doesn't always catch the current strain, but it does lessen the overall severity of the illness. Make sure you are getting enough fluids, rest, and stay away from crowds.

Flu shot doesn't work for me, they won't give it to me anymore since I have had bad responses to it the last 3 yrs. Woke up this am w/the oddest feeling ever...it's what has me thinking. I thought I was having gas pains but if I am the meds are working. I feel like I have small pins in my stomach poking at me. And I have been light headed off and on so far today. I am getting fluids in but the feeling won't go away food makes the pains stronger so that route is done for now...

Are you running a temperature? Have you eaten and have enough fluids in you? Are you using an acid reducer or PPI? Call your doctor, if you're not sure. There might be a bug floating around your area. Probably, with WLS people, one of the greatest problems might be dehydration, if one can't get enough fluids in, so make sure that you are always drinking something. If you can't keep fluids down, get an ant-nausea medication from you doctor.

I forgot the most important thing:  WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY OR USE HAND SANITIZER.

I can't help you there.  In the 2+ years since my WLS I haven't gotten sick (probably just damned myself!!).  I attributed it to my daily vit regimen - and my Dry D3 I take... or maybe I just got lucky....

but - I think its a good idea you're being proactive BEFORE rather than wait UNTIL it hits.  You may want to stock up on the Tylenol cold/flu products - those will be ok.  Also when your tummy isn't feeling good, drink some water with lemon wedges or lime.  You may also want to get some SF peppermint syrup - that always helps my tummy when its upset.

ETA:  Mint flavored TUMS and chewable papaya tables for nausea and upset tummies.

 I get the flu shot !  it works  !  

I would get a flu shot too. In fact, I do now.

You can drink Gatorade (they have a version with lower sugar) or Pedialyte (not sure about the sugar content of that). You could also let the soda sit out and get flat. (Though it still tastes chemically to me even when the bubbles are gone. Blech.)

If you just want fluid there are lots of enhanced waters with no sugar in them.

 I do in fact get the flu shot because my immune system isn't the best.  I haven't had the flu in years, but I do have a favorite product that I use all the time when it's flu season.  I keep a bottle on my home desk and on my work desk.

It's a homeopathic product called FluPlus by Heel, Inc.  100 sublingual tablets for around $11.  I get mine at the homeopathic type pharmacy but I think it's also at Whole Foods etc.  The main ingredient is Zinc which is also in Zicam and all those cold remedies.  If you feel something coming on, take one every hour the first morning, then several times a day.  I haven't had a cold since I started this a few years ago.  It really helps me fight them off.