10 Days Out: Questions & thoughts

[AnnieG]

I had my sleeve 10/5/17 and had a second surgery the same day to stop a bleed. So a 3-day hospital stay, but only gas pains and those in my shoulders. I did get two units of blood.
At home, I find I cannot tolerate the sweet taste of protein whey, even the "unflavored". So working on being creative to be sure I get my protein or close every day. So grateful to have thin soups flavored with bone broth, (Something now one said hardly ever)

My main issue seems to be tiredness; I did see my doctor last week, and he said the complication may have increased it. I had a few muscle cramps, so have added my prescription of potassium back, and hopeing that relieves the weariness. Not complaining, just hoping for some suggestions.

I also have some "bathroom" issues, although not the typical one: I previously had colon cancer, so only about 5 inches of Lg intestine (TMI)
left). I found that during the pre op liquids, same issue, so I'm thinking once more "normal" things are added back to my diet, this will clear up.

Thanks!
Annie

[sraebaer]

I think it's normal to be tired. I know I slept almost the entire first week after surgery, and I didn't have the complications you did.

Have you tried Isopure? It's not a shake, more like Gatorade. Comes in I think a 20 ounce bottle. The flavors are a little odd, but I liked the orange one diluted with a lot of ice. Counts toward your liquid and protein!

Sounds like you are doing great despite your complications. Feel better soon!

[AnnieG]

I have the Isopure, but really struggling with FLAVORS setting off nausea. I'll try ice dilution!

[sraebaer]

I have the Isopure, but really struggling with FLAVORS setting off nausea. I'll try ice dilution!

That helped me. They are way too strong flavor wise!

[Jen43]

I had to do a liquid diet for a week to see if I could handle it. I found anything with whey made me sick after a few days just the smell would set my gag reflects off. I had to use the vegan protein powered it’s gritter but didn’t make me feel ill. It’s not overly common but some people have whey allergies or there is somthing in those mixes that can’t be tolerated I also can’t drink the isoprene cause it has whey.

[tracey111]

I am using a soy isolate protein powder with soy milk and some PB2. Although I can't drink a whole one, I am managing to keep some of it down. As a vegetarian, I am only drinking vegetable broth and got sick of it n the hospital.

[Ann2]

We all have our favorite shakes (and un-favorites).

Personally, I couldn't stand the Isopure ones.

I settled on the GNC Lean Shake 25 ones -- especially the Swiss Chocolate.

All depends on your protein shake palate.

[Christie13]

I could not tolerate sweet protein shakes post op either. I had to get my protein in the best I could with creamed soups made with nonfat milk or nonfat lattes with a little Splenda. (The Fa!rlife milk has higher protein than regular milk.) It got easier on soft foods because I could eat the Oikos Triple Zero Greek Yogurt. It gets easier after a little while. I found warm liquids easier to get down for the first few weeks post op. But I also could tolerate sugar free popsicles. It was just regular cold liquids that were rough. And also the super sweet protein shakes.

[Gvn71]

I mixed Isopure with 1/2 water and ice. It made the sticky / funny aftertaste so much less noticeable. Plus I was getting water and protein at the same time.

Hope this helps. It does get better! Really better!

[ghost_ryder]

I was super tired until I got to soft foods. I could not get enough protein and I just started withering away. Once I got closer to my protein goals I began to get energy back. If you have a Harris Teeter near you, they have a yogurt, that is not a Greek yogurt, called Carb Master. The vanilla flavor has 9 g of protein and only 1 sugar, and it really tastes good. You can do other things like mix unjury protein mix with mashed potatoes or jello. You can also try to make your own shakes with protein powder and unsweetened vanilla almond milk. You control how much powder goes in so you control the sweetness.