Question:
4 DAYS POST OP AND NO PROTEIN - WHAT NOW

I AM FEELING BLOATED AND FULL - NO DESIRE FOR LIQUIDS OR ANYTHING - IS THEPROTEIN ESSENTIAL -    — LKINLACEY (posted on May 14, 2006)


May 13, 2006
You MUST at least get some protein in and lots of water! Without protein your body cant heal!
   — bob-haller

May 13, 2006
You have to forget about what you feel or want and nourish your body. Protein will help in the healing process and liquids are absolutely necessary. You do not want to become dehydrated and have to be hospitalized. Your internal organs depend on hydration........without it you are taking unnecessary risks. Good luck. Think of yourself as your patient and do what you must, despite the taste, feel or thought of it.
   — LauraA

May 13, 2006
Of course it's essential--- both for your health and for your weight loss.
   — SteveColarossi

May 13, 2006
I had surgery on Tuesday and released on Thursday. I got the pleasure of taking the drain home with me. That hurts (just had to get in my complaining). I would call the Dr and ask what you HAVE to get in. Have you tried the protein shakes? Did you Dr want you to start on vitamins, calcium, etc? I'm having trouble getting all that in. Have you tried Gas-Ex? It has helped me with the gas. Good luck and feel better soon! Linda K
   — lkirshstein

May 14, 2006

   — Rick Bedard

May 14, 2006
You should be drinking regardless of desire. I had surgery 2 days before you as well. I'm not wanting to drink, but I realize it's important so I just suck it up and do it. I've been drinking Zero Carb Isopure, so killing 2 birds with one stone. There are 40 grams of protein in one 20 oz bottle. I bought them at GNC for $3.50 each. I know it's not cheap, but right now I need to get down anything I can, and I actually like these pretty well. Best of luck to you.
   — Ginger V.

May 14, 2006
I, for one, was instructed on a balanced diet (although pureed) with the importance of protein emphasized but not to exclusivity! I seriously doubt I was ever below 800 calories from the start. I had to have so many ounces of pureed fruits, vegetables and meats every day, with the addition of an 8 ounce can of Choice DM (like Ensure for diabetics) every day (as 2 - four ounce servings.) I felt like I was eating all the time. And I didn't feel like it, but it was my job to eat and take in the nutrients to heal. I didn't use any protein supplements until I was a couple of months out - I had to get mine in the hard way - by eating! LOL! My hair never fell out, I had plenty of energy from the start. I never had a single problem. I was out walking the neighborhood the day after I got home from the hospital.And I was 47 years old when I had surgery. You need to seriously get with the program, now! I came home carrying an extra 15 lbs of fluid and felt like a walking blimp, so I understand the discomfort. When you decided to have weight loss surgery, you committed yourself to making some lifelong changes - you need to keep that in mind and start doing what you need to do to take care of your self. Aside from dehydration from not drinking, not eating will put you into starvation mode, which will slow your weight loss eventually, as you body tries to "horde" weight to maintain itself.
   — koogy

May 14, 2006
For the first two weeks my Dr's orders were liquids only-protein was not the focus. Just take little sips of liquids and try to find something you like. Don't get yourself dehydrated!! That's number one for you at this point.
   — Kayla

May 14, 2006
When I had surgery the first several weeks were liquids only. I was able to eat things like sf jello and sf pudding and count it towards fluid intake. (they are primarily liquid/water, altho in a more solid form.) I had NO appetite at all at first. Water tasted foul. I was not going to force something that tasted fouls down my throat. I was told just do my best. Some ideas I used - watered down juice (50% water - 50% juice) either liquid or frozen. freeze in dixie cups and scrape it with a spoon to eat it. sf popcicles, jello, sf carnation instant breakfast tastes good & has some protein. I found I tolerated warm liquids far better than cold. I was an ice drink person all my life, then after surgery I preferrred warm. Warm decaf or herbal tea with a little splenda, sf carnation instant breakfast in warm milk, I found a sf warm cider mix by the hot chocolate aisle that I still drink. I did use a few designer whey protein shakes, mixed w/ milk. when I was allowed I added some fruit and pureed it in the blender. I was told that I should not expect to get in all my protein the first 6 weeks on the liquid and pureed diet, and I didn't. I just did my best. I had no hair loss. I lost all I need to, I am maintaining well, (same weight for over 2 years now) as you can eat other foods, focus on health and eating healthy, low fat, high protein, complex carb foods. You will do well if you do. For the first few weeks just do what you need to as far as surviving. It helps to get a really small medicine cup or 3 oz dixie cups and use those to sip slowly. seems less intimidating than a big cup when you are feeling poorly. Good luck and feel free to email me if you just want to chat. I wish you good health!!!
   — **willow**

May 15, 2006
While it is important to "get in protein," I am here to tell you that you'll live without it for a few days. Try to get in as much as you can, drink some water, and take it easy. People do not become deficient in protein in a few days.
   — peacefuldaizy

May 15, 2006
LAURA,HELLO I HAD SURGERY ON MAY/4/06 RNY LAP, FOR THE FIRST WEEK TILL YOU GET TO THE FULL LIQUIDS I WOULD WORRIE ABOUT GETTING ENOUGH TO DRINK!!!!!! THEN WORRIE ABOUT THE PROTIEN,YOU NEED THE PROTEIN,BUT YOU NEED TO DRINK,DRINK,DRINK,I KNOW YOU DONT WANT IT ,BUT TRY,WHEN YOU GET TO FULL LIQUIDS GET A GOOD PROTIEN DRINK OR MIX I HAVE ONE WITH 50gr of protein dutch chocolate REALLY GOOD, LOW CARB ISOPURE 2 SCOOPS PER SERVING DO HALF AND HALF,OR 3 A DAY(3 SCOOPS) DONT WORRIE IT DOES GET BETTER, MY WEIGHT HAS CAME OFF A LITTLE SLOW PRE-OP 233lbs/POS-OP TODAY 220lbs GOOD LUCK, THINK POSITIVE..........
   — katrina

May 15, 2006
Hi Laura! YES, protein is essential, but at this point, staying hydrated is more so. You'll become dehydrated much faster than you'll become protein-low. For me, saying just do it cuz you have to does not work. After all, if it did, we would have JUST dieted and not had to have surgery. :) I am 7 weeks post-op. Life is better, but at the beginning, I too could not get ANYthing in! I was continuously nauseated and vomited almost with every sip. ANd I hurt. Not a good combination, I asure you. I was hospitalized 3 times, once over night, for dehydration. I found the best thing, till I could keep things down with meds. and time, was to suck on NO sugar popsicles, and chew on ice chips. It helped me finally stay hydrated and didn't hurt or make me feel bloated. The thought of the shakes, which I loved before surgery, made me sick. When I was told by the nutritionist to, 'just do it', I simply cired and told her she could do it and I bet she was skinny too. :) Not one of my better moments. The desire will return. Best of luck. Take Care and I hope the pops and ice help you.
   — Denyse

May 16, 2006
Is your bloat left over surgery gas? I'm wondering if you're using milk, which can bloat many ppl. What kind of protein are you using and how do you make it up? That said, we don't start protein supplements until day 7 in these parts. Gives a little time to get some anesthesia out of the system.
   — vitalady




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