8 days out

[Stephanie2]

I am amazed that I am doing as well as I am considering what I have been through. During my surgery I began bleeding internally and ended up losing 1/3 of my blood. I have had little to no pain. I am eating soups, oatmeal, sugar free popsicles, sugar free pudding and drinking fluids. My worry is that I can only manage to get down one protein drink a day and I also know I'm not getting enough fluids. I am also obsessed with thinking about meat. I can't wait to eat meat but until then I don't know what to do about getting my protein in. Anyone else have this issue?

[Belle2]

Not had my sleeve yet so I can't give advice. I'm glad you are now recovering from your complications. Why did you have internal bleeding? That sounds really scary. Did you have to get blood transfusions?

[Stephanie2]

They think that when they cut into muscle there was a vein that got cut. It is a complication that can happen to 1-5%, I was one of the lucky (not). I did not have to have a transfusion but they did talk about doing one and I had an extended stay in the hospital to be supervised to make sure my blood count did not keep going down. The blood loss was scary and the entire left side of my stomach has been a huge purple bruise. I survived though!

[StephO]

Oh my gosh, how scary! I'm glad to hear you're doing better now, and well post-op!
Use a timer to remind yourself to drink water. Use those small medicine cups (an ounce), one every 15 minutes at first, and then increase amount. It sounds silly to set a timer, but it helps.

[Beth Pets]

My brother stocked my freezer with super protein stocks. Simmer several lbs of organic meat and bones, carrots, celery etc in a big pot of spring water. Strain through cheese cloth, chill to remove the fat and reduce by half and freeze in one cup servings. 20 -30 grams of real food protein per cup.