5 days post op and need help - ThinnerTimes

CHRISTY · 08-04-2006, 02:54 PM

OK guys, yesterday was OK, but today stinks. The protein supplement that (up until now) hasn't given me any trouble just won't go down. (EXtreme smoothie) It's definately mental and not physical. It just grosses me out. I think it's the texture mostly. My doc wants me on full liquids for two weeks and that gives me a good variety but I am not getting much protein in at all. The bariatric coordinator (nurse) for my doc. says that they don't recommend eating anything like a scrambled egg or cheese until at least two weeks post op. Does anyone have any helpful advice? ie- what kinds of protein worked for you during this period and any creative ways of getting them down?
I have to admit that I am shocked at how much of a hold food has on me. I mean you don't get to 340 pounds from not liking food, but Man O Man, I feel almost obsessed with when I'll be able to have that taco Bell Pintos & Cheese. Do you all think that this is a warning sign for failure. Someone told me about a book called "Intelligent Body" to adress the issues of emotional and over-eating. Are any of you fimiliar with it?
Thanks for any help you could give!

fitbefore40 · 08-04-2006, 03:07 PM

Christy, sometimes it takes a while for the brain to not "want" foods . . . I looked forward to foods also. While I was on full liquids I tolerated dairy well, so I had yogurt and SF Carnation Instant breakfast with skim mild to help my protein intake. My Doc didn't suggest any protein drinks, but he didn't forbid it. I would also add powered egg whites or powered milk to everything - (even to cream of potato soup) It added protein to the lower protein soup and didn't taste bad! But remember - the first week is just plain hard . .. and follow the doc's orders - it won't be forever!!

Good luck.

Dave T in SD · 08-04-2006, 03:28 PM

Hey Christy,
It took me almost 2 months until I found a protien mix I could tollerate...

Don't fret...You still have plenty of time to find a good one!!

LisaBoston · 08-04-2006, 03:52 PM

What you are going through is normal. I could not handle protein drinks until about 3 months and a lot of foods made me want to gag post op. The smell and texture of foods were the worst. I found the first 2 weeks I lived on propel, yogurt drinks, cream of muchroom soup, popsicles, jello. I know protein is important, but so early out, if you can't get it in, don't worry too much. Keeping hydrated is the MOST important thing. You will find that you go through stages of wanting certain foods (like we did pre-op). Some days food is just food for me, fuel for my body...other days I want everything. I just have to channel my efforts in another direction. Try some herbal tea it helped me quite a bit. As many say, the surgery was on our stomach, now the hard part comes with US having to change our brain. Best to you.

chellchatting · 08-04-2006, 04:01 PM

Hey Christy - hang in there you will get thru it. Hell week... Anyhow when I came home from hospital the first 2 weeks were clear liquids for us. I think some didnt adhere to that and ventured out but I didnt. I had lots of ice chips with crystal lite , sugar free jellos but that didnt taste good to me - actually they tasted too sweettttt...haha and lots of sf popsycles..than on week 3 we had a training group and were shown lots of products for protein shakes and etc...i did go to GNC and got mine but didnt like it at all...than I tried the walmart brand for only 13.00 vs the $50 variety pack from GNC haha and it doesnt have alot of flavor but it is good to put with the Crystal lite orange drink for am ...and add variety of fruits to it.

Hope you find what you will work...--- oh there is website taht they say have good tasting products...
www.bariatriceating.com or vitalady.com

Bypassingme619 · 08-04-2006, 04:07 PM

Christy I am still fight the head hunger demon but it takes time. I am shocked at how I can be in a room full of people eating until they pass out but I am pleased with the 4 bites of food I have already eatin. Don't have the urge of wanting to eat because others are eating too. It is a great feeling. Give it some time. Have you thought of picking up a case of the profect protein? Great stuff. If you type in the search button here on this site their is a link I added. Christy take it one day at a time. I haven't heard of that book but if that books comes recommended what do you have to lose but only to gain power in the understanding of battling food.

coptergirl · 08-04-2006, 07:26 PM

Hng in there Christy - you have already received great advice here, and what you are experiencing is normal...welcome to hell week. It does pass, and you eventually forget about it...promise

LyndasRoom · 08-04-2006, 07:46 PM

Hang in there Christy~ part of this journey is discovering new likes and dislikes post op. I find most of the protein supplements just 'gross' and wind up tossing them after a few sips (the premixed ones). there is a clear liquid protein drink, like the protica, that is tolerable when added to water. Meantime, just be sure to get in your fluids, you DON'T want to get dehydrated.

Dyann · 08-04-2006, 08:16 PM

I guess you get the idea that it will get a bit easier every day. In terms of protein, in the begining I used unflavored unjury and put it in cottage cheese, yogurt etc. I can't stand the drinks so that is how I supplemented. When you are allowed something in the soft stage there is a protein bar unlike all others called power crunch. They are like the wafer sugar cookies with protein cream between the layers. They dissolve like a puffy cheese doodle in your mouth so I was able to tollerate them early on and they are SOOOOO GOOD!!!! They are not chewy and sticky in texture like most other protein bars. Hang in there

Blueyz · 08-04-2006, 08:27 PM

I could never drink protein drinks and still can't. Don't worry Christy...thinking about the pinto beans and cheese is normal. I still think of food. I just learned to eat to live and not live to eat. Everything will be ok. Just give things time and try not to worry. When you can have cream soups and then soft foods, things will eventually progress and you will feel a bit better about wanting/thinking about food.