Question:
is this normal
I had surgery one week ago and feel horrible. Drinking water makes me feel sick and I have been on the toilet 6 times a day. I am regretting even having the surgery. Any advise would be appreciated — jengriggs01 (posted on October 25, 2005)
October 25, 2005
Refridgerated water made me sick to even cold tap I had to drink bottled
room temp water to survive. I stopped the jello and broth at about a week
out also could stand the smell of it any longer. I went on to stuff like
gravy and peanut butter (which I could stomach the peanut butter either)
and chicken noodle soup chunky soups also just chewed chewed chewed. Didn't
much matter though I could only eat a bite or two and that was that push
any further and I started frothing but there are choices out there. Best
wishes Shell
— Shell G
October 25, 2005
I am over 2years out, so it's hard to remember everything, but I wanted you
to know it would get better! From the time I got home until about 3 weeks
out, everything I ate was pureed in the blender. Mashed potatoes &
gravy, green beans w/ gravy, chunky soups, sweet potatoes, chicken &
dumplings. I added protein powder to everything. It was better than baby
food ... although the textures started to gross me out by the end and I was
VERY glad to get on solid foods. By blending, you can have pretty much
anything you want. The key is not to have chunks. You should not be having
your tummy try to digest anything right now. You will only be able to eat a
few bites at a time, but that's very normal. Just keep your water at room
temp and take small sips. You will feel like you are constantly eating or
drinking .. and you will be. I made a schedule. No drinking 30 min before
or after a meal, and meals every 3 hours. So you really have to time when
you sip your water to get everything in. My best advice .. experiment and
don't give up. What hurts you now will not hurt you in a few weeks. Keep
things bland -- no salt, no rich sauces, no garlic .. and don't write
things off because you can't tolerate them now. Your stomach is raw and you
have to give it time. Feel free to email me if you need anything!
[email protected]
— traci914
October 25, 2005
Jennifer,
I offer you encouragement. I felt like I was going to die the first five
weeks. I came home to home health nursing and a wound vac. You can do it.
Even with everything I went thru I would do it again in a minute now that
I know the benefits. Get your strength from God and you will make it.
Don't give up just keep trying.
Bobbie
— bjglisson
October 25, 2005
It really does get better. I am a little over 3 months out and could not
dring water right after surgery either. I used to drink it all day long.
I drank sugar free koolaide & crystal light to help get my fluids in.
My nutritionist said that was ok to count. I just had to sip all day
except for the 30 min. before & after eating. In the beginnng, you
can't get it all in. Also like the previous poster, I pured everything,
but I also measured. I used a lot of the little 2oz containers the
hospital sent home with me to know how much food I was getting down. That
two oz's has now increased to a max of 4 oz at ea. meal. I don't measure
anymore, but have learned about what I can tolerate. I just try to be sure
to eat my protein 1st. I also supplement with protein supplements. Food
tastes change so much with this surgery and it's different with everyone.
After about a month, I could drink water again. I prefer mine ice cold
however. Also, when I couldn't drink water, I could munch on ice & it
didn't hurt my stomach, even though drinking it did. Check out my profile
if you have time. I detailed a lot of the foods I was trying back then. I
hope it helps. Diana C. (234/178/-56 lbs)
— Diana C.
October 25, 2005
Jennifer-
I am 10 weeks post op and I could eat just about anything as long as I put
it in the belnder or chewed it extremely well. I ate everything from roast
beef & gravy, mashed potatoes, chili (this is a great one and a great
source of protein) to chicken, soups, asparagus & cottage cheese.
— singingcoyote
October 25, 2005
Like the others said - take heart - it DOES get BETTER! I thought I could
never drink again. Hurt like crazy - and I mean REAL PAIN just drinking
water. Give yourself time. One week is nothing. I am out 6 months - I
haven't felt this good in longer than you can imagine. I can walk MILES
now. I wasn't even able to hardly walk one block. And I am 60 years old!
I don't regret doing this at all except for wishing I had done it sooner.
Just be patient. Allow your body to heal.
— patgels
October 25, 2005
I used the diet guide as they wanted and I was sick with most of what they
said I should be able to eat and drink. I then started using it as a
guide. I found that decaf/herbal tea, tepid water are what work for me. I
also drink milk if I don't feel like eating. I get the benefit of fat and
protein and it fills me up without upsetting my stomach at times. It will
get easier. I work every day to get in the things that I need water,
protein, exercise but I work at it everyday and it gets easier. As you can
see by the responses everyone recovers differently and you too will find
what you can tolerate just try lots of things. Once you find something
that you can tolerate you will start to feel better. It can't be that bad
or we all wouldn't be here responding to your question. I am 12 weeks out
and still am finding things I can and can't tolerate, just hang in there.
— 1968 Loser
October 25, 2005
Hiya. I am 1 month post-op.
First of all, YES it does get better. Lots better. =) I know I'm not all
the way healed yet, and I am still weak/tired sometimes... also the weight
is not all off yet (of course not!)... so those things are probably
leading me to feeling just 'okay'
The first 2 weeks after my surgery I had a horrible time. I used to love
water, and for those 2 weeks it tasted horrible! (I now love it again!
YAY!)
And yes, for the first while you will be going to the restroom A LOT. LOL
Have some really soft baby wipes handy... they help a lot.
Just make sure that you are taking a walk everyday (maybe 2 a day?)
Also, make sure that you are eating. This is so important. I know it's
hard to remember to eat, and I know that it doesn't feel good to eat yet...
but you HAVE TO!
Protein is very important...it helps you heal. But, if for now all you can
get in is juices, broths, very soft things, then fine. Get it in. Get
something in.
For the first couple months, the weight will come off regardless. So don't
worry about carbs and all that. (Sugar, be wary of if you had RnY..you
will dump) But it's very important to be getting in some calories now, so
your body can heal.
Baby yourself. You just had a major surgery. Remind yourself (and others
if need be!) of that fact every time you feel like too much is asked of
you.
The time will come very soon when you'll feel 8 million times better, I
promise!
Good luck you,
Amanda
PS) Sorry for the spelling errors, I am in a hurry, but wanted to get this
note in to you!
— AmandaLeigh =)
October 25, 2005
Hang in there, Jennifer! It gets better with time. Don't regret it,
PLEASE!! This "brief period of inconvenience" is sooo much better
than suffering with the crippling, embarrassing and panful co-morbidities
we once had. It gets easier too! Just imagine, for a moment how much better
you feel and..goodness, the appearance changes DRASTICALLY!! You will be
the envy of somebody's eye!!!;-) PROXIMAL LAP RNY 9/3/032 5'2"
265/185/115-126 ~~Hadiyah, a.k.a.~~
— yourdivaness
October 25, 2005
Just try to keep reminding yourself that it gets better. This yucky stuff
is on temporary. And before long you will feel better than ever. Good luck.
— catleth
October 25, 2005
Just remember that these first few weeks will soon only be a distant
memory. I am 3 1/2 years out and most of the time I forget I even had the
surgery. The only reminder I have left is when I look at old pictures and
am amazed that I ever looked like that. In the first few weeks I found
drinking difficult too, especially water. What was easier for fluids was
sugar free popsicles, chewing on ice and hot herbal tea with splenda. As
far as the bathroom goes consider it as a good thing. Remember all of the
fat has to leave your body some way and that is where a great deal of it
goes. That too will change with time. In the mean time just look at is
like you are flushing away your old life and looking foward to the new life
ahead of you. If you read my profile I tried to keep a pretty good diary
of the first year. Good Luck :)
— Linda A.
October 25, 2005
Oh it will get better I promise. I thought I was going to die my first
week out. I thought "oh my god, what have I done to myself?" I
couldn't tolerate anything either my first week. It does get better, I am
almost 3 months out and I can tolerate almost everything, just in
moderation of course. It will get better I promise. Keep your head up and
just think in a few months you will be able to see the difference and it
will make it worth it ....
Kelly Dame
— Kdame
October 25, 2005
Jennifer,
I agree with most of these posts ahead of me, It will get better, but,
you have to let your doctor know you are having
this much trouble eating & drinking. It could be dehydration &
you don't want that to continue this early. Call & let them know what
is going on. What you have tried to eat & how much. Than take a deep
breath & know that it does get better, & keep walking that will
help relieve some of that pressure. Try something warm to drink (not
coffee) at this point some kind of decaf tea might work. You need to
soothe that new pouch so you can start getting better. Good luck &
keep us posted on how you are doing.
Marilyn, the Bearlady
— Marilyn C.
October 25, 2005
I had the same problem. Try drinking your water at room temperature. Make
sure you drink slowly, not too much at a time, and do not eat for an hour
or so after you drink. I know they say half an hour , but I am ten months
out, and still cannot eat and drink any closer together.
My nutritionist had me on liquids for six weeks! Even now, I get sick if I
try to eat chicken, beef, or egg.
This, too, shall pass. You have undergone a major operation, and it takes
time to feel well again.
— Novashannon
October 26, 2005
I know how you feel Jen, it is normal I think, it is amazing how pain
affects your mood and thoughts and not to mention th epain meds. Please
give yourself some time and try eating some broth, or some milk, pudding to
give the foods a mix. Read the Q & A's too, they help you to see that
othere people go thru some of this as well, it will pass. I am 2 1/2 yrs
out and I can tell you this is the best thing i could have done for
myself, it saved my life. I am off all my meds now and will not go back, I
just need to start exercising because this was only a tool to give me a
step up but I have to keep it maintained an be careful not to fall into
myold patterns of eating. Good Luck and you can email me if you have more
questions.
— Jane C.
October 26, 2005
I am 3 wks out and I have lost 20 pounds--14 in the first week. I am just
now starting to think this was not the worst mistake of my life. I have
been through every emotion possible, especially the first 2 weeks. I can
drink water a little now, but until a few days ago, it tasted horrible.
Also, I could not leave the house for fear of not getting to the
bathroom--that really improved after 2 weeks, although I am hoping for even
more improvement. I kept telling my very sweet, supportive husband that as
soon as I could, I wanted a reversal. However, all of it is getting
better. I am starting to feel better, and I can now eat extremely small
amounts of food. When I was a week out, I wanted to be "normal"
so bad--I did not want to give myself healing time. Everything is getting
so much better, and time will pass and get better for you as well.
Luckily, I have a good friend that is 9 months out and doing wonderful. I
could call him and vent, ask questions, get reassurances that he went
through all the yucky stuff I was dealing with, and promises that all of it
would get better. Right now, I am feeling much better, not totally unhappy
that I've had the surgery, and feel like the future is looking brighter.
The fact that my clothes are starting to get too big and people are
noticing that I have lost weight is helping tremendously. Hang in there--I
really think it will get better and we will be as happy as everyone else is
that we had the procedure! God bless and best of luck!
— tmathis
October 26, 2005
I FEEL FOR YOU. I'M ALMOST 10 MONTHS OUT AND I REMEMBER HOW I COULDN'T EAT
ANYTHING MUSHED OR OTHERWISE. I DECIDED THAT APPLE JUICE WAS IT UNTIL I
COULD EAT. IT TOOK TWO WEEKS AND GRADUALLY I STARTED WITH APPLESAUCE. MY
VITAMINS KEPT ME FULL BEFORE BUT WHEN I STARTED WITH THE APPLESAUCE IT
WORKED OUT FINE. YOU ONLY GONNA GET A TEASPOON OR TWO AT A TIMEBUT ITS OK.
YOUR BODY AND YOU WILL ADJUST IN A FEW DAYS. THE RESULTS WILL MAKE THIS SO
WORTH THE SUFFERING.DON'T GIVE IN AND DON'T GIVE UP.ITS WORTH THE
FIGHT.BLESSINGS.
— SHARON21
October 26, 2005
Teresa- I feel that way exactly. I wish this was reversable. I want to
be normal and just be able to eat. Everytime my husband and kids eat and it
makes it even worse. We used to go out to eat all the time. Right now I
just want a cracker or something. Right now I feel like I would rather be
fat then be feeling this way.
— jengriggs01
November 4, 2005
I'm 11 months post op and regular water still makes me sick. I talked to
my surgeon about it and he said a lot of patients complained of the same
problem. He suggested that I add lemon or (Crystal light) to my water or
drink flavored bottled water. I drink Propel flavored waters or add lemon
when possible and I have never had a problem with water since. Try that!
The only think I can guess about the multiple stools is it's similarity in
having diarrhea, when there are too many fluids not being properly absorbed
in the bowels (large intestine, I think) then you end up with loose, watery
stools. Hope you eventually feel better.
— CHARLOTTELVN
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