Dave in NY needs our help! - ThinnerTimes

CeeCee · 02-22-2007, 03:05 PM

Copied from my thread on post-op :Has anyone heard from Dave in NY?"

Reply there- it's his wife Suzanne writing, don't know how familiar she is with the forum format. I just wanted to make sure no one misssed this- I'm worried!

Dave not feeling well...

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Hi Everyone,
I'm Suzanne, the wife of Dave in NY. He came home from the hospital for the second time yesterday. He really is not feeling well. He had the bleed into a muscle surrounding his right kidney after the gastric bypass surgery. The pain is horrible and not very well controlled with the pain med. He is very pale and weak. Hard to get him to walk. He has only been sitting in his chair once today. He is very very nauseous, the Zofran helps a little. He wanted me to ask...he is also burping a lot today...anything he can take for this gas? The doctor said that it would take up to a few months for the blood to be absorbed in his body. Hopefully the pain eases before then. I am concerned about dehydration too. Got him to have a couple tsp. of cream of rice cereal this morning and maybe 8 oz of water since then. But nothing else. He is supposed to be on the pureed diet now. Oh, another question, what is a good protein powder to get? We've tried some liquid protein, but does not taste very good. He really wanted to post, but not feeling good enough to sit at the computer. I'm staying home from work, don't want to leave him as weak as he is. Will try to write more tomorrow. Thank you for all of your prayers. It means a lot! Suzanne
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BethBaugh · 02-22-2007, 03:14 PM

Dave....HUGGS> Oh do try to keep hydrated and your body does need that protein to heal. I'm so sorry your having complications. Protein is a very personal thing, I couldn't do atkins shakes and my BIL loved them. Oh I wish I were close I could bring you some to try. I know GNCs return policy is great.

Please be better SOON!

Beth B. in TN

momto4 · 02-22-2007, 03:35 PM

Suzanne ~ where in NY are you? I am in NJ ~ maybe I am not too far and could help??

Dave in NY · 02-22-2007, 04:09 PM

Hi,
We live in Marion, NY...20 miles east of Rochester. Our daughter-in-law is from NJ, Kearny. We're probably 6-1/2 hrs from Kearny. Thanks for the thought! Dave is still sleeping right now. Only been out of bed for 15 min. today. The visiting nurse will stop tomorrow. Hopefully will get through the night ok.

Thanks! Suzanne

momto4 · 02-22-2007, 04:13 PM

when the nurse gets there ~ run out and pick up several types of protein drinks ~ powders ~ etc... hopefully he will be able to get some protein down and start healing ~ ... sorry I am so far or I would go out and pick it all up for you~ I remember how hard that first week was... also ~ see if he will suck on a sugar free popsicle ~ they saved me!!! sending positive thoughts and prayers ~

Cath ~

cnvh · 02-22-2007, 05:18 PM

Suzanne,

Try to find some Profect or New Whey liquid protein vials-- Vitamin Shoppe carries them, and I've heard that GNC does as well-- about 3 oz. of fluid and each contains 25g protein; if he can get 3 vials down per day, he will have met his protein requirement for the day (or at least close to it, depending on his doc's advice).

Ounce for ounce, Profect/New Whey packs more protein than he's going to get from most powder-based protein mixes, which is a huge advantage when you can't take very much of ANYTHING in, you know? They don't taste wonderful (no supplement does, in my opinion), but if he can swallow it and keep it down, that's what counts. Those vials were a lifesaver for me immediately post-op!

Also water water water-- tiny sips, ALL the time. Can you set a timer or wrist watch to go off every 5-10 minutes to remind him to take a sip?

Immediately after surgery, water and protein are CRITICALLY important for healing-- one way or another, he MUST get them in.

I'm a firm believer in the "protein promotes healing" philosophy-- I wasn't given any protein while in the hospital, and one of my incisions had begun to drain and kept weeping profusely, even upon discharge from the hospital... The day I came home, I managed to get in 2 Profect vials before bed, and within 24 hours, the incision completely stopped draining. It may be coincidence, but I'm attributing it to the protein.

Tim · 02-22-2007, 05:49 PM

Suzanne Not unlike Dave I had bad gas build up. Get Gas-x chewable even has a good taste. Also I found out I swallow air all the time with every sip and drop of food. So now I try to burp with every swallow. It does really help. It does keep the gas from building up and causing even more pain. Tim

MILA · 02-22-2007, 05:51 PM

You HAVE to get Dave up and walking some... and drink and drink and drink. Protein is a must too. Keep after him - its crucial to his recovery.

LyndasRoom · 02-22-2007, 05:53 PM

Thinking of you Dave and Suzanne! Sending healing prayers your way. As others have pointed out, it is soooooooo important to stay hydrated. Get the sugar free popsicles...they are easy on the tummy, and will help a lot. Dave will feel so much better when he's a little hydrated. Get some GasX strips for the burping and other gas...it really does help!

Duckie · 02-22-2007, 06:08 PM

Okay. What I want you to do is write down everything Dave HAS and HAS NOT done today.
example: took *** ozs of fluids (and list what); only out of bed for** minutes/hours; took ** of protein, etc.
Keep a log of what he is doing. He NEEDS to get his protein (at least SOME of it) and HAS to have is hydration. Show the visitng nurse all of your information. It is a possibility that the visiting nurse could call and get an order to give him IV fluids if he is dehydrated and hasn't taken enough in orally. It's a pain but it's fluids!!
GET HIS BUTT OUT OF BED! I know. It hurts. BUT, he has to get up and moving or he is going to end up with further complications: clots, pneumonia, etc. Trust me, he doesn't want either of these!
You are going to be his eyes, ears and probably voice also right now. You are a sweetheart hon. He is a lucky guy. Keep an eye on him and post ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS you have sweetie. We'll help.
p.s.: tell him Nurse Duckie will be checking up on him.