Hey JCERNEK, sorry no one got back to you before now. For some reason we’ve all gone pretty quiet and we used to be chattering non-stop. Anyway, I’ll try to be helpful where I can.
First of all, my surgery was about 9 ½ years ago and it was textbook perfect, so I didn’t experience the kinds of problems you are having. In fact, I left Texas (where I live) and traveled by RV to Florida only two weeks after surgery (with my surgeons’ permission and some special requirements to meet). Anyway, in those days this group was very chatty, and I got most of my concerns addressed by this group since I was so far from my doc. I really hope someone can speak to these particular issues you’re having.
As far as the soup goes (and other foods as well), it really is touch-and-go and taking baby steps to find out what you can tolerate and what you can’t. As far as my experience goes, amounts are going to be very small in the beginning and you’ll probably wonder how you can stay alive on such tiny amounts of nourishment, but you will survive! It’s a bit worrisome in the beginning because you are so inexperienced, and you’ll need to go through lots of trial-and-error to discover what works for you. To this day I do much better with foods that are room temperature; hot foods just don’t sit well in my stomach. Lots of people have the exact opposite experience and find they do better with hot food as opposed to cold. Those things you will just have to discover for yourself. Also, for some reason that makes no sense to me, some foods and tastes that have been your life-long favorites may just turn you off now and/or even be rejected by your system or make you feel sick if you eat them.
You are right about the restrictions on drinking, but you are still expected to get adequate amounts of food in you and/or take medications. Be patient with the medication issues, they will get better with time. I can now pop an entire fistful of meds with a swallow of water and never split or crush anything. In the beginning, however, I had to be careful and when I got my morning meds down, I would literally be full until about 3 in the afternoon. All I can say is try to relax. I fretted and worried so much in the beginning about not meeting protein, fiber and water goals that I made myself miserable. You do need to do your best and it’s very important to stay hydrated, but don’t hesitate to call your surgeon and/or your NUT (nutritionist) with questions or concerns.
Final words: If your surgeon isn’t giving you the listening ear you need, perhaps your NUT will. It is very hard in the beginning and very important that you follow the surgeon’s orders. You will also discover that different surgeons follow different protocols. Most folks are able to have confidence in their medical team and work with them. I hope you can resolve your pain issues and get to a good place with your team. Don’t give up on us; we may be a bit slow to respond, but we’re here with lots of various experience to help where we can. I DO NOT REGRET A MOMENT OF MY JOURNEY! Best of luck!
Blessings,
Linda
Edited by: SHESPEAKS at: 11/8/2018 (14:11)
Linda
Jesus knows me, this I love!