Question:
I am having a difficult time eating and drinking what should I do

I had stomach stapling 21 years ago. I had revision surgery where they undid the old surgery and redid it into the RNY. I have had A LOT of pain. I feel very, very weak. Like I can hardly lift my arms or do anything for myself. I am not trying to be a baby but I am having a very difficult time. I have a lot of gas pains in my shoulder and chest. I am having a lot of surgical pain to the point of not being able to take a deep breath. This is making it terribly hard to eat or drink. My revision surgery was an emergency. I never got to see a nutritionist or go to a class. I am completely lost as to what I'm supposed to eat and when I am to eat it. I know I'm not drinking anywhere the amount of water that I should be. I don't want to get dehydrated. I just can't drink. What should I do. I call the nut and they never called me back. Surgery was 5/5/09 and today is 5/9/09. I feel so alone. I am in so much pain and I can't even keep the pain medicine down. Is this at all normal? Please help me. Do I need to buy a protein powder and add it to things I eat? Where do I get it from? Susan    — SusanSp (posted on May 9, 2009)

May 9, 2009
You need to contact your surgeon right away, even today, on a weekend, and let him or her know what's happening. If not, you'll end up back in the hospital dehydrated and on IV's. You should be drinking lots of clear liquids, at least an ounce every 15 minutes, and if you can make those liquids something like IsoPure ready to drink protein (it is a 20 ounce bottle and tastes like grown-up koolaid), you'll feel a lot better. It has 40 grams of protein in it. Or, see if you can pick up some New Whey 42 gram protein bullets - both can be gotten at a Vitamin Shoppe or GNC near you, and add it to crystal light to drink. Also, move around as much as you can, it will help dissipate the gas and lessen your pain. Walk circles in your house if you have to. Get up and move at least 6 times per day, for as long as you can stand it. Warm broth goes down well, as does fat-free-sugar-free pudding, low-fat-low-carb SMOOTH yogurt, and sugar-free jello. I hope you feel well again soon!
   — Erica Alikchihoo

May 9, 2009
I agree with everything Erica states above. Good hydration and protein intake and moving around a lot are your first priorities. Then as pain settles down I would suggest getting to see the nutritionist so they can go over what your surgeon wants as far as advancing your diet. There should be someone on call for your surgeon 24/7 (That wouldn't neccesarily be the case for the nutritionist) so I would call the hospital or physicians answering service and keep trying til you get a call back. As a physician myself and having 12 years of every-other day call I know how much docs love their beepers :( But it is part of our life and duty to our patients.(A big part of my change of career 8 years ago to emergency medicine was so that I could work shifts instead of being tied to my beeper all the time) You are not alone, you can get through this, contact your surgeon to see if there is anything else they want you to do this weekend but walk, drink, protein as much as you can. Small sips and small steps add up. Hang in there. Kevin
   — hapkidodoc

May 9, 2009
I agree with the above posts. The gas lingers for a week or so. I mean, they did fill our tummies up with air then sew us back up. I lay on my left side and raise my legs to fetal position which helps eliminate some of the gas. I realize you abdomen in very soar right now, and yes, this will keep you from being able to take deep breaths. Did you keep the aspirator from the hospital? You should puff on that a few times. You certainly don't want to face pneumonia by not using all of the air sacks in your lungs. Lie in your bed and take a few breaths..in thru your nose and out thru your mouth. Do this every so often. I've learned major surgery is a B on our bodies and we have to whip it back into "normal" mode. Don't feel alone. We're all here to help you. Are you breaking the medicine up or is it liquid? Crush it if you have to. My Dr. recommends me to injest 65 oz. of fluids daily and also 65 g. of protein daily. Allow this to be your goal until you speak with you NUT. Hang in there and write any of us when you feel scared. We've all been there and it's not easy.
   — Bootsee01

May 9, 2009
Hi Susan, I agree with everything the others have said. Contact your doctor ASAP. In the mean time take small sips of liquids, water, broths, popcycles, jello etc. whenever possible. Hydration is the key, that and movement. I only had the Lap, but I was directed by my doctor to us my aspirator 4 times daily for 5-7 days, taking as deap breaths as possible. Fluids and movement are the key to proper healing around your surgical site. Don't worry about protien until you can do clear liquids. I will keep you in my prayers. As long as you are with this site you will always have friends, you are not alone. Good luck and keep us posted. Carolyn James
   — Cjames3259

May 10, 2009
You need to run...not walk..to an ER...and the doctor who did the RNY! I can't imagine a doctor releasing you to go home after such a short time if your surgery was emergency surgery! That's downright irresponsible! Whether it's a RNY or aDS, we WLS patients have to stand up for ourselves and demand the care we need! In my program (St. Vincent's), you are up walking 2 hours after surgery, pain is controlled adequately, and your food intake is monitored to make sur you can eat and drink before you leave the hospital! DO NOT use protein powdr at this point! Wait until you are evaluated medically. Generally, you should not use protein supplements until after you have your first BM, or are at least passing gas. Get back to the hospital...PRONTO!
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 10, 2009
You may already know this, but check with your doc or pharmicist before crushing your pain meds if you have tablets. Some meds are layered for time release and if you crush them you can overdose as your system is taking it all in at one time.
   — Libby R.