EvRev

Hey all- I am 5 weeks post op, and most of the time I drink 8 oz of skim with 1 scoop of Jay Robb strawberry Protein powder. The thing is, that gets old after a while (even though it is quite good), and sometimes I don't want to use almost 200 calories for a Protein shake. I still want to get all of my protein in (my nut says 60-70 grams) but I would like to have an option where I have unflavored protein I can add to SF pink lemonade or something along those lines. I purchased unjury (which everyone says is the best, flavorless etc), and I can sometimes taste it and ALWAYS smell it. The smell is so weird/bad that I can't bring myself to drink it really. Sometimes in desperation I just pinch my nose and chug it, but gross. Can anyone suggest an unflavored whey protein isolate (it has to be whey protein isolate, nut says) that isn't disgusting or smelly?! Thanks!

I thought that the protein powder wasn't supposed to be heated? On the unjury it says 'Don't heat over 100 degrees' or something along those lines. You've been cooking with it and eating it and it's okay?

I am a week (and one day now) post-op, and I have felt concerned from the beginning, because I am not feeling limitation. I talked to my nutritionist and she said that it was probably just because I was on liquids and things would be different when I went to normal food. Well, I'm on mushies now, and I had things like cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, and hummus yesterday, and I could eat all of them with no issue. I can eat a cup at a time with no issue. I am taking my time and eating slowly, but I don't feel like I am getting that 'full' feeling, and I am definitely experiencing hunger. I am so scared that I went through all of this for no reason and that I am going to still end up overweight. Has anyone else had an experience like this? Did you start feeling fuller when you were eating 'real solids'? I am just concerned that since I am supposed to chew everything so much, it will be just as mushy when it gets to my stomach as cottage cheese or scrambled eggs...

[/quoteEvRev - I'm glad I'm wrong about the size and it sounds like you have a very good relationship with your NUT nad surgeon. I'm sure it takes time to get to "know the feelings". Who was your surgeon and what area of the country are you in? I ask because my surgeon is a female as well and she puts us on regular food after the first week.] Yes, I actually work for the university hospital system that did my sleeve. I am a researcher there, and these people are my colleagues, and so we have very good communication. I was sleeved by Dr. Srinivasan at Emory University Hospital at Midtown, and yes, she is female. They are very good at Emory, and are considered a center of excellence by many insurance companies. They give us a comprehensive spiral-bound book itemizing exactly what we are and are not to eat as we progress through the days after surgery. I am following it exactly, and have not had any problems, outside of the fact that I am not feeling restriction. I know that my pouch (being 250cc) is larger than the amount I am eating, but I guess I am still surprised that I am not feeling any restriction! I appreciate everything you all have shared, particularly the people who explained that certain foods affect you differently even though you are eating the same quantity. I am just going to take it day by day right now, and frantically email my nutritionist like a crazy person when I get worried something is not right (which is what I've been doing so far... LOL) She generally tells me I am doing exactly what I am supposed to and not to stress out LOL.

It is totally normal!!! I was just sleeved on February 21, and the amount of fear and anxiety I felt before is insane. I was so sure I was going to die on the table and not make it through! I did make it though, and you will too! Also, don't worry about taking things like toothpaste or pajamas. They'll give you everything you need for washing/brushing teeth, etc. but most people don't take a shower while they are in the hospital. I did brush my teeth a few times with their toothbrush and toothpaste and then I threw it away! You don't want to bring those hospital germs home with you. Also, don't feel like you need pajamas, because you have IV's on your arm and drains and all sorts of other stuff, and it is just way too complicated to be in anything other than a gown that is able to fasten over your shoulders. Good luck to all of you!

I am just going to try to be really careful right now and measure everything. I got these great ramekins with lids at target that only hold 3 oz/6 tablespoons, which is the max I am allowed to eat in one sitting right now, so I am just going to eat out of them for a while. I am still totally freaked out because I FEEL hungry, and I never feel full, but I am definitely not hungry like I was before, or like I 'should' be when I am eating so little food. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this all works out. I really need this to work, and it is so distressing to think of having gone through all this and then potentially not losing the weight that I need to!

My surgeon doesn't use a bougie, she uses the endoscope as the bougie so that they can view the inside of the stomach while they are doing the surgery. My stomach is very small, she told me only about 250cc. I saw my barium swallow and it is small and tight. I know she removed a lot. She was actually very concerned I wasn't going to be able to even keep fluids down, so I am feeling very confused about all this. I am following all the rules they have given me, my surgeon gives out a spiral bound book with the diet progression, allowed foods on each day, and all the other information that I need, and I refer to it like a bible. I definitely am not feeling hunger the same way I used to, but I'm also not feeling full either. It's very odd. I am super stressed out about it. I just don't feel like I should be able to get 800 calories down a week past surgery. I am super freaked out. I have emailed my nutritionist, and she says to eat when I'm hungry but it is just all so confusing right now...

Hi Everyone- I am four days post op after being sleeved. I am still on full liquids at this point, and today I am realizing I am actually quite hungry. I've only had probably 500 calories today (a protein shake, a little cream of wheat, and various broths) but I am so worried that I am feeling quite hungry this evening. I feel like everything I have read and everyone who I have talked to told me they weren't hungry for months after the surgery. I am so scared this is not going to work for me, and that I shouldn't be feeling hunger. I have gotten all my fluids in, and I have had almost 60 grams of protein, so I know I am not feeling hungry as a result of lack of fluids or protein. I am also not having any problems with acid, so I don't think it is reflux masquerading as hunger. Can you tell me what it was like for you post-op and if anyone experienced hunger this soon after surgery? I am totally freaked out!

So my surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 10:30 AM, and I am so sick nervous. I am very seriously considering backing out, not because I don't think this is the right decision, but because I am so afraid of dying or having complications (but mostly dying). I know that I shouldn't be that worried because death rates are low, but I have never had surgery before, and I am just so scared. I have realized how great everything I have in this life is leading up to this, and I am so scared of losing it all. I am wondering if it is stupid to take this risk. I know that I want to be thinner and healthier, and I know that long term it will probably prolong my life, but I can't get past the thought that 'that only makes sense if I make it through the surgery...' Was everyone else scared like this? How did you get past it? How did you get yourself to the hospital and what was it like when you got there? Were you scared all the way until the second they put you to sleep? Any help you can offer is appreciated, guys. I am going to print this thread and take it with me to bolster my resolve. I hope I can do this and I hope it will all be okay.

So my surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 10:30 AM, and I am so sick nervous. I am very seriously considering backing out, not because I don't think this is the right decision, but because I am so afraid of dying or having complications (but mostly dying). I know that I shouldn't be that worried because death rates are low, but I have never had surgery before, and I am just so scared. I have realized how great everything I have in this life is leading up to this, and I am so scared of losing it all. I am wondering if it is stupid to take this risk. I know that I want to be thinner and healthier, and I know that long term it will probably prolong my life, but I can't get past the thought that 'that only makes sense if I make it through the surgery...' Was everyone else scared like this? How did you get past it? How did you get yourself to the hospital and what was it like when you got there? Were you scared all the way until the second they put you to sleep? Any help you can offer is appreciated, guys. I am going to print this thread and take it with me to bolster my resolve. I hope I can do this and I hope it will all be okay.

Thanks everyone! This morning blew up, basically my surgeon's office screwed up and told me the wrong time to get there, so they have now moved me back to 1 PM instead of 10:30 AM, and I got very upset and called my doctor, who wasn't particularly nice about it... So right now my stress is at an all-time high. But I'm going to try to go in there and just do it. Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement. Sunshine, you in particular. I am a medical researcher, and I am basically terrorizing myself with all the 'what if' potentials of general anesthesia involving a paralytic agent and the surgery. It is SO good to hear what you just said (even though, statistically, I already knew it).

Thank you all so much. I am still very nervous, but I have printed all of these comments to take with me. I really appreciate all of your support, and I look forward to sending the love back out to someone who is scared in the future. I will update you guys when I am through it. If you have any further positive words, I am accepting all encouragement!!! LOL

Well, I just had my appointment, and my VSG is scheduled for Monday, February 21. I am reading all of these other happy/excited posts and wishing so much that I could allow myself to feel happy or excited instead of feeling like I am marching towards my executioner. I am incredibly afraid of having surgery. The concept of it scares me so much. I am so positive something terrible will happen and I will die. There is no solution to it either. Waiting until later will not make it better, and nothing I can do makes me feel better about the chance that I may die during surgery. I know that this is the right decision for my health, but I can't help but follow that up with 'as long as I make it.' Is anyone else having feelings like this? It would be great if we could all encourage each other. At this point I am worried I won't be able to get myself to the hospital to have the surgery.

Hello All- This is my first post on the board. I have been poking around reading it for a while, but have decided to finally post. Basically, I am getting pretty close to getting a surgery date (which where I'm having surgery requires me to clear all of my pre-surgical testing, endoscopy, stress test, pulmonary function tests) and I am sickeningly nervous. I am sure it will still be at least a few weeks until my surgery from when I complete the tests this Wednesday, and I have no idea how I am going to make it to my surgery date this worried/nervous. I am so incredibly scared of having surgery. I know this is the right decision. I have always struggled with my weight but been very active and been able to keep it somewhat in check (like 250 lbs on a nearly 6 foot tall frame) but unfortunately, 2 years ago I sustained a hip injury from many years of playing lacrosse, and I have never been able to get back to running/refereeing lacrosse/doing the things I did to keep my weight in check, so my weight has gone up over 50 lbs. I know I was always struggling before to keep the weight off, and I know I won't be able to manage it long term even if I lose here and there. Everyone has type II diabetes in my family and I know I am at a high risk. I don't want to confront those things, and that is why I decided to have surgery. I know it is the right decision, but I am just so incredibly petrified that I will die during the procedure. I work in the medical field and am super nervous about general anesthesia, as well as complications like leaking, or just anything going wrong during surgery. I know that statistically the risk of these things is low, but it still exists, and anytime you undergo general anesthesia you are taking a risk. Was anyone else this scared before surgery? How did you get through it and get yourself to go through with it? How did you manage to not lose your mind worrying in the time leading up to the surgery? I know I need the support of other people who have been through this right now, and that is why I have finally signed up. I welcome any input you guys have to offer. Thanks!

Ha, I guess where my mind goes is 'I'd rather live to see the complications than potentially die on the table...' So... I mean I agree with you, as long as I make it through it's definitely the right decision. It's just undertaking the risk that I'm having an issue with. I have read a lot of people's stories, and I know this can be a super awesome thing. I would say my number one fear is having the surgery, and number two is failure, meaning not losing or regaining weight after the initial losses related to the procedure. I have read a range of surgery failure rates in the clinical literature, everything from like 13% to 40% for VSG, so it is hard to know what I am really getting into. I'm just hoping I'm not jumping the gun by still going with a reasonably new procedure. I know that this is all just crazy anxiety, but I wish I didn't have to contend with it right now. It's a hard enough decision to make without having to worry ALL the time. It's definitely a situation where I feel like I'd be better off if I weren't in medical research so that I didn't have access to and time to pour over statistics and articles about the procedure. I'm trying to stop that, but I feel like I want to know everything before I get into this! LOL