Need some encouragement/reassurance

Sorry you are having such a hard time.  I never had the nausea so I can't really relate to that, but I have read a lot of people that can't tolerate milk after surgery.  Do you mix your shakes with milk?  If you do, you might want to change to the water based ones or try the lactose free milk substitutes.  You can order samples of a lot of different proteins at Vitalady.com, that way you can try different ones without purchasing the large amounts.  Do you have any problems with the little bit of protein that you are eating?   If nothing is going down, you might have a stricture that needs to be stretched.

Have you checked with your surgeon?  You might want to let them know what is happening.  They could probably give you something for that and you probably also need to have some labs done just to check your levels and make sure you are not low on something.

Are you taking a B12?  How much and how often? 

Keep us updated on your progress and I hope you feel better soon!!

Linda

 Hi everyone, thanks for all the notes.  My protein intake is crap, I only take a few bites of chicken/fish/meat a day.  I'm sure that is a big part of the problem.  My fluid intake is good, about 72 ounces of water, crystal light, V8 etc a day.  I haven't been taking my vitamins because it makes me even more sick since I'm not able to take them with food.  I have been taking my b12 once a week (2500mcg dose), but that's it for any kind of vitamins.  I have been drinking alot of V8 splash so I get some vit A, C and E out of that.

I have my 3 month check up on Tuesday, my surgeon doesn't do labs until 6 months out so I am going to ask to get them done anyways and try to figure out how to solve this.

For the nausea, I have tried ginger tea, Zofran and the patch, none have worked.  But I will keep trying.

I was hoping I would have everything figured out by now since I go back to school in 2 weeks and I start clinicals right away.  I can't be in surgery all day feeling lightheaded (for those who don't know, I am a surgical technology student)

Wish there was a Staples "easy button" for real life!

If you can do V8, try adding some unflavored protein to that.  V8 has a pretty strong flavor and will mask whatever flavore the unflavored has.  Also, try it out of a sippy cup or with a straw so you don't smell it as you drink it.  Maybe that would help.  Glad you see the Dr this week.  Maybe they can help too.

Hope you do better soon.  Like before you have to go back to work/school.

At almost 3 years out, I still have trouble with chicken, pork, and steak.  I eat very little real meat that's why I drink over 100 grams of protein a day.  Grilled shrimp goes down really easy and never gets stuck or gives me an uncomfortable feeling.  I also can't eat scrambled eggs.  I even had to make the last egg beaters I ate come back up because it was making me so miserable.

Your vitamins are a must!!  They probably make liquid vitamins or smash them up and put them in your V8 or crystal lite.  Insist on getting your labs done.  I gave my PCP the list that VitaLady has and he never questioned it and orders it for me twice a year.

I used the unflavored that I mentioned above in my crystal lite every time I drank it.  I would also put twisted cherry in cherry crystal lite, fuzzy navel in orange etc. 

If you can drink that many ounces of water then I'd say that you just need to find a protein drink that you can tolerate.  Mix it with water and make it very thin and work your way up to a full scoop.  Buy a Shaker cup at GNC that has a SS ball in it.  It also has a lid which helps with the protein smell.

A friend of mine who has never made protein her priority has been very sick and her Dr. told her she is burning her body up from the inside out from her lack of getting her protein in and not taking her supplements. 

Hang in there! So sorry you are going through this.

Sounds like you got some good advice already, just wanted to send you out a little support!

I would take my vitamins with sugarfree cinnamon applesauce. I still do on those days when they dont want to go down,

 Maria, do you smash yours up?  Does that do anything to how we absorb them?

THANKS!!!!

At 3 mos, I was also still struggling. But, I just kept trying different things. I now like most of the protein drinks and can eat most of anything. My stomach does not like Tuna, bacon and is picky about eggs. Otherwise I am pretty fortunate.
Keep trying everything and anything to get the protein in. And your vitamins. Have you tried Chewables? Me i about gagged on them, but you have to try whatever works.
Do you like Cottage cheese? Put protein powder in it, some sf coolwhip and sf dry jello mix. Most yummy. Good way to hide the protein.

Good luck. You have had lots of good ideas.
Debbie

I would talk to your doctor. Not being able to tolerate food isn't really normal at 3 months out. Please don't "suck it up" but work with the surgeon to find out what is wrong.

Hey Rebecca,

I had no idea you were so miserable. I am so sorry! This is definitely not normal. You, Karin, and I are all surgery sisters. I know I'm feeling much more energetic than pre-op. You need to find some answers with your doc. Like everyone else, I think the protein and vitamins are part of the problem. The nausea is definitely a problem too. I had my 3 month bloodwork done already ... course it was at like 2 1/2 months. But it's great to know where you stand.

I still have issues getting protein in. I drink Atkins shakes cuz they are the only ones I can stomach. But I'm gonna try some of the other ideas I read here. 

I'm here if you need to vent. I don't post all the time, but I read almost every day.

Hugs friend.