Question:
I feel so bloated all the time any suggestions?

My doctor required 1000 - 1200 calories the first 10 days post-op and of course it's all liquids. I am just so bloated I can't drink another thing! He requires two meal replacment drinks @ 200 calories each and the rest from soups, milk products and fruit juices. He says you need this many calories to heal. I just can't get it all in. Any suggestions?    — Gail L. (posted on August 30, 2003)

August 30, 2003
With all due respect to your surgeon, you do not need that kind of calories to heal. I had a totally different eating plan so we cannot even compare - but I was eating like 200 calories max at the beginning and I healed just great. My plan uses food only. <p>If I was you I would focus on getting the meal replacement drinks in as that's where your protein and other nutrients come from. I also would skip the milk products for now as you might be experiencing lactose intolerance. Many post-ops have problems with milk and other milk products. The fruit juices are really high in sugar also, so I would be leary of them. See how you do without the milk products and if doing better just drink plain water or crystal light. Basically the doc has you using the soups, milk, fruit juices to get in your liquids, which is fine if you can handle it. Plain ole water will work just as well for hydration. Good Luck!
   — zoedogcbr

August 30, 2003
As a layperson, although strident in my opinions, I tend to defer to specific surgeons on their plans for post-op recovery. Perhaps he's done some research as to the need for so many calories post-op-- however, it is a demand that I haven't heard any other doctors make. Also, sticking to liquids for the first two weeks post-op helped me heal-- but, I sipped constantly. Whether it was water, gatorade (which I haven't touched since the end of my third week), Isopure Zero Carb drinks or the Boost drinks, I strove to stay hydrated and get my protein when and if I could. Of course, that all changed as I moved to soft foods. However, when I was on my liquid stage, I found that by committing to sipping constantly (and trying to concentrate on clearer liquids), I was able to not feel constatly bloated. Maybe that will work for you. Good luck. It really will all be worthwhile in the long run.
   — SteveColarossi

August 30, 2003
My surgeon had me on a 600 calorie per day liquid diet for 8 weeks after surgery, which seems very extreme to some people but in my estimation was probably the best thing for me. I've been able to tolerate all foods, have never vomited, never experienced dumping and never gotten food stuck or had to have my stoma enlarged. From what he told me, it isn't CALORIES that you need to heal ... it's protein. I had protein shakes, yogurt with protein powder in it, broth with protein powder in it, and fruit juice with protein powder! You also need to take your multivitamins and drink lots of fluids. I never had trouble getting in everything I supposed to take and even though 600 calories a day seems like starvation, I felt pretty darned good! My surgeon has been doing these surgeries for over 30 years and even pioneered some of the earliest techniques, so I trusted his advice completely and everything he told me has proven to be sound. But in any event, if you have concerns or if you are unable to follow your food plan, please ask your doc for advice. He may be able to help you modify your plan to something that you can manage more effectively. Good luck!
   — MomBear2Cubs

August 30, 2003
With milk & sugar, I'd guess you WOULD feel bloated. You didn't ay which type of MRP you are using, but you might try a less caloric protein mix that you can mix with water. You're getting so very much sugar in a day, I'm wondering how much you are functioning. I would be asleep (but bloated) on that load of sugar.
   — vitalady