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[LowCHO]

I am almost three weeks out and having difficulty getting in my fluids and protein. Last week, I had my 2 week postop visit on Thursday and my doc wasn't thrilled with my progression (averaging 40-50 oz fluid and 40-50 grams protein daily). I have been exhausted since surgery and he tells me that this will continue until I reach goal (64 oz fluid and 90 grams protein daily). He asked me what was keeping me from meeting the goals and I said that I wasn't certain of what "fullness" felt like so I didn't want to stretch my sleeve out. I've had lots of gas and bloating and it feels kind of like fullness but I wasn't certain. He told me that fluids go through pretty fast so I could increase my liquids unless I started to feel pressure, pain or nausea. He told me that I would not feel the traditional "fullness" until I started on puree and he gave me the go ahead to try thin puree. He offered several suggestions for how to rid myself of the gas. I did all the things he suggested and my gas is gone ... thank God.

I went home and I ate regular pureed foods to see if I could feel what fullness feels like and I think I've got it. After food, I feel bloated but with a lot of heaviness, like a brick in my sleeve. The feeling hangs around for hours and it really hinders my fluids (waiting for 30/30 time) so I went back to liquids. Since my appointment, I have really been forcing fluids and I'm still nowhere near reaching my goals. When I first get up in the morning, I feel good. After my first 4-6 oz of fluid I start moving toward the feeling of fullness. Througout the day, as I drink, the fullness just increases. Since I was told I could force fluids, I have been trying but I'm just getting miserable.

Today, I started drinking about 6am. From then until about 2:30pm, I had 42 oz of fluid and 48 grams of protein. At 2:30pm, I stopped drinking because I'm full and nauseous. I've been taking zofran and scopolamine so I stopped drinking thinking that in an hour or so I could start again.  It's been four hours and I'm still full and nauseous ... How can that be? I thought fluids were supposed to go through pretty quickly?

Any ideas of how I can reach my intake goals or ideas as to why I'm full all the time?

[kodiaksheri]

Hey my dear, I cannot help with the type of surgery you had or anything...I just wanted to let you know that I am having the same problems. I cannot get in all my protein or fluids and I am exhausted also. I don't know if this is just part of the process or if I am strange. I just wanted to let you know I feel ya sister and just like you I try a little more everyday. Hugs

[LowCHO]

Thank you, Sheri ... Are you full all the time, too?

[AmberJean]

I can tell you from my experience...
It took me a good month to get the protein in (in fact it wasn't until I went to solid food that I stuck to a REEEEAAAAL food plan...)

And the water...I knew I had to up it...but it is uncomfortable...it took me about 3 months to get that right!!!!

You may want to explore different fluids.... (if your surgeon/nut gives the ok)
-herbal tea (naturally caffeine free) hot or cold
-Decaff coffee/tea (with SF/calorie free flavorings...like the syrups/Splenda for coffee..mmmm mocha...uh sorry).
-room temp or warm water (I know that may sound weird, but my pouch loves some warm water...NOT cold water.)
-find a flavoring (SF and calorie free of course) that you really enjoy (I go through Crystal light like CRAZY now...AmberJean do like her flavas).

Dont give up!!!! 

Ultimately, I would say you are normal!

I was NEVER HUNGRY...I alwasy felt some kind of full...(and I still have some days like that).  Right now, my hunger is still not the same as before my surgery.  It is an overwhelming sense of "empty"..not really hungry. (and a shame, it is still easy to ignore if I get busy).

[LowCHO]

I've had all the different temps and haven't noticed any difference but I'll start paying more attention to see if a pattern emerges. Thank you for your reply.

[kodiaksheri]

I start out with that empty feeling and like you, after the first little bit of liquids, I feel uncomfortable all day long. I will say that yesterday was the best day I have had as far as liquids and protein go...but it was soooo forced. I have a problem with sweets now (I know crazy right) so protein is a real chore and feeling full or uncomfortable all the time doesn't help. I just keep the happy vibe trying to go and know that it gets a teeny tiny bit better everyday. I do get the nausea when drinking my protein also. My nutritionist is just telling me to keep trying and do my best. So that is what I try to do. There are alot of really icky emotional things that have been going on with this but I think it is because I am so tired all the time. My pcp is suggesting I get the B12 shots also to help my energy levels...we'll see. Hugs and hang in there. We can do this and learn from it sister!

[LowCHO]

I know you're right and I know we can do this .... some days are just harder than others 

Thanks, Sheri !

[AmberJean]

That's right!!! The trick to surviving (and I need this too!!!)
FORGIVENESS!!!

SHAME ISN'T A PART OF THIS JOURNEY!!!

[GoingBack2Me]

Hello LowCHO - I am 1 month post op VSG and new to this site.  I just read your post and thought "Boy I could have written that".  I feel exactly the same as you and I'm curious to see if other "sleeves" feel the same way and when that all changed.  I came home from the hospital hungry and have either felt continuous hunger or sick to my stomach b/c I don't know when I'm full.  And I can't consume the full amount of fluids.  I just don't know what to do ....

[LowCHO]

Since surgery, I've been trying to follow the diet plan from my surgeon to the letter (three meals, two snacks, clear beverages in-between); unfortunately, it's just not working for me. I've got to figure out a way to get in all my fluids and protein.

Today, I'm trying something different. I started sipping on protein fluids first thing this morning. Since my stomach can only hold so much, I'm not taking one sip of anything unless it has protein in it. If I reach my daily goal then I can start sipping clear fluids or eating purees.

Now, I'm on a mission to find the thinnest protein supplement possible so I can get it down easily. Gotta pack in the protein somewhere :-)

Any ideas?

[baka]

Now, I'm on a mission to find the thinnest protein supplement possible so I can get it down easily. Gotta pack in the protein somewhere :-)

Any ideas?

Dymatize Elite Liquid Protein available in Tropical Splash and Fruit Punch flavors
http://www.bariatrictv.com/forum/index.php?topic=5264.0
Packs 55g of protein in 4oz of fluid - I use them pretty much every day

Try using a snow cone machine with SF syrups and some SF popsicles to help with the fluid.

If you have a 7/11 near you go and get their crystal light slurpee's yummo

Ian

[LowCHO]

Thanks, Ian ... I'm on it 

[rokjen]

I'm four months out, and just now starting to get close to my fluid and protein goals. For the first month or two, I felt amazed if I got in a third of either, and that was in the heat of the summer. I literally could not drink more than four sips at a time. I had to count, because the fifth one would leave me in pain for a couple of minutes. It's only been in the past few weeks that I've been able to roughly double that. I'm not dead, and have roughly the same amount of hair I started with, and a TON more energy, so I don't think I'm doing myself too much damage. I would probably be losing faster if I were more compliant, but I'm trying not to get in that diet mindset that always has me rebelling.

Jen

[Indykitty]

EAS Advantedge low carb is very thin ready to drink available at Walmart and most drug stores.  Also, Isopure, which is available ready to drink at GNC, the Vitamin Shoppe, and a lot of health food stores is very thin and packs a big protein punch.   

[LowCHO]

Thanks for your support guys!

[koolkatva]

I start out with that empty feeling and like you, after the first little bit of liquids, I feel uncomfortable all day long. I will say that yesterday was the best day I have had as far as liquids and protein go...but it was soooo forced. I have a problem with sweets now (I know crazy right) so protein is a real chore and feeling full or uncomfortable all the time doesn't help. I just keep the happy vibe trying to go and know that it gets a teeny tiny bit better everyday. I do get the nausea when drinking my protein also. My nutritionist is just telling me to keep trying and do my best. So that is what I try to do. There are alot of really icky emotional things that have been going on with this but I think it is because I am so tired all the time. My pcp is suggesting I get the B12 shots also to help my energy levels...we'll see. Hugs and hang in there. We can do this and learn from it sister!

Before you do B-12 shots talk to the surgeon as he will write you a prescription for the B-12 nasal spray.  This is one spray in one nostril once a week!!  I too am tired but really think a lot of mine has to do with low iron levels during my cycle.  I am sure there are days when I don't get enough protein and that contributes to it as well.  You will have blood work for your 3 month follow up with Dr. Halmi and he will look at all of your vit. and min levels as well as other blood levels.  Hang in there!!!

[kodiaksheri]

Thanks Kat! I was curious about the nasal spray..I will talk to Dr. Naame (spelling...he also sees me) about it on Dec. 23rd. I, thankfully, do not have the monthly issues so right now I think it is just a matter of healing, learning and protein! LOL I will get there and so will LowCho! We are tough cookies right LowChow?? Just keeping in touch with everyone here and our Nuts and Docs will get us through!

[LowCHO]

... I will get there and so will LowCho! We are tough cookies right LowChow?? Just keeping in touch with everyone here and our Nuts and Docs will get us through!

You know it ... perseverence is the key!

[kodiaksheri]

I so typed LowChow instead of LowCho! So sorry sister! LOL

[LowCHO]

No Worries 

[BariatricBitch]

Hi there! Haven't had my surgery yet, I'm about 30 days pre op. I've heard others talk about this and a friend of mine who is 6 mnths post op said that it helped her to drink warm water. Hang in there! 

[LowCHO]

Thank you for the courtesy of a reply. I appreciate your tip; however, I am doing much better now. Best wishes on your upcoming sleeve.