judysbabies

Some days I am Shamu and some days I am Flipper. Today is a definite Shamu day. How do you buy groceries without losing your mind? I have a big family so grocery shopping is not a quick in and out trip. I don't buy a bunch of junk food anymore but the sights and smells.... This morning I entered the door of Brookshire's to the aroma of fresh baked bread. I tried to ignore it, but the smell wrapped around me like a python snake and would not let go. It followed me throughout the store, taunting me. The pasta isle caused me to drool on my clean shirt. I didn't even go down the flour/sugar/cake mix isle. When I glanced down that isle, I swear I saw a woman holding a pan full of home made biscuits in one hand and a pound of butter in the other, so I ran. I sent the teenager to the chip isle and the bread isle. I bought eggs and more eggs - they are my friend right now. I spotted the slice and bake cookies. The kids love those and I should buy them. In the basket. They don't need fresh cookies. Back on the shelf. I can have just one. Back in the basket. No, I can't. Back on the shelf. Run, Forrest, run. (In my case, waddle) The last isle is the frozen fat stuff....you know....TGIFriday's frozen stuff, frozen bread dough, ice cream, pies, cool whip, waffles..... I grab a box of sugar free Popsicles and waddle to the front. By the time I am checked out, I am starving to the point of a headache. Which, I guess is only fitting since it is all in my head. When I got in the van, I grabbed a Popsicle and slurped it on the way home. Whew! I have to do this every week.

Ok....so it has been weeks since I posted. I am now 3 months and a few days out. I have lost a total of 40 pounds....that includes pre-op weight loss as well. I feel like I should have lost more. Most everyone I talk to, looses more in the first three months than I have. I do not weigh everyday. I am exercising. I am eating my protein and drinking my water. My carbs are very few. I use a big piece of lettuce instead of bread for sandwiches of any kind. No sweets. I do eat peanuts (less than 1 ounce) for a crunchy snack 2 - 3 times a week. My caloric intake is under 1000 per day. Make no mistake about it, I love that I have lost what I have. I have some new hand me down clothes that fit. I feel good. A few people have noticed that I am losing. I just expected that I would have dropped at least 15 more pounds by now. That is all the whining I will do today. Enjoy today! Still looking like Shamu

I feel so much better that I am in good company. Thanks for all the encouragement.

Fantastic! I am a little jealous as I am 3 months out and have only lost 40 pounds total...pre-op plus post -op. I have even avoided this site because I was frustrated. Here I am today and I am so excited for you.

I struggles with starving the first few weeks out and then it subsided. However, I am not 3 1/2 months out and I am hungry all the time. I think it must be a phase some of us go through....that mental hunger. We are now comfortable with eating without worrying about eating too much or too little. I eat too fast. I have to work hard to slow myself down. I keep a mini container of peanut butter and a plastic spoon in the car with me. I can eat a spoonful when I am hungry and seem satisfied. You might try two or three crackers for crunch or a slice of sandwich meat for chewing and a little flavor. If you are getting plenty of protein, try a little fruit. You may have to experiment with what works for you. In a couple of weeks, you and I may be back to no hunger issues.

After surgery diets vary from one extreme to another. I was able to begin eating soft foods...soft scrambled eggs were my friend and still are. I am 6 weeks out. I can eat any meat as long as I chop it up and chew it plenty. Some people cannot tolerate meat for a long time. Some people eat refried beans and cheese after a couple of weeks. I tried but failed. My stomach hurt for an hour. Each of us is different. Take one step at a time.

No one could have been more afraid of not losing an ounce than me. Take a deep breath. Eat enough calories and make sure you get your Protein. The weight will definitely come off. I am 6 weeks out and have lost about 30 pounds. I have lost inches more than pounds. It really will happen. We are in this together and we will get thinner. Try to concentrate on eating what you need and not the scale. The scale will drive you crazy. Judy

I loved the shake I was using before surgery but after, it made me sick. My stomach cramped and hurt and I hated it. At one month, I began eating soft scrambled eggs for some of my protein. I also found a non-shake protein drink at the health food store. It has no sugar but is very sweet. I drank it in small quantities throughout the day. You might also try freezing your shake and eating it with a spoon. For some reason, this seemed to help me.

I am 5 weeks out and am able to drink more at a time as each day passes. Those first few days were hard. I think it was as much my fear of pain and vomiting as it was anything. You are doing great. Trial and error for many things along this road we travel. I can eat meat with no problem. Someone else here is much further out than me but cannot tolerate meat. She can eat bread with no problem but I can't. Go figure. Trial and error will get you there.

Think about what you can do now that you couldn't 50 pounds ago. When I am standing, I can look down and I no longer see my belly sticking our further than my boobs. I can cross my legs. I can walk 3/4 mile without feeling like I am having a heart attack. I have not hit the 50 pounds yet but I can tell I am loosing by things other than my clothes. As far as others go, at about 50 pounds, people start saying things like, "I like your new haircut." Your make up looks really nice today." "Is that outfit new?" They don't get it just yet. They will. Very soon. Hang in there. We are all together.

I'm thinking eating it by the spoon full and forget the veggies.

I am in Kaufman....southeast of Dallas. I am about 5 weeks out.

Glad your experience with surgery was easy. Mine was as well. The smell thing tortured me the first two weeks. My brain was starving all the time. I am happy to say that at 5 weeks out, I am able to smell even bacon cooking and I'm okay. The grocery store experience is still hard. I have a large family and must shop accordingly. About half way through the store, I begin to get hungry. By the time I leave, I am ready to pass out. I pick something that I can have as soon as I get in the van. Today was a cheese stick. In the beginning, it was sugar free Popsicles. May each day bring you closer yo your goal. Judy

I can cross my legs while sitting. I stood up at church to pray, bowed my head and realized that all I could see was my boobs....no belly sticking out further than my boobs! The steering wheel can be lowered while I drive. I walked 3/4 of a mile today without panting and thinking I was having a heart attack. I make still look like Shamu but I am feeling like Flipper!

Oh my gosh. I didn't think about my shoes. I have velcro right now. I'll have to get out the tie shoes and see. Lol

Wow! Awesome. Congratulations!

I was starving from the second day after surgery. I am two weeks out and am adjusting but I still get very hungry. I do not have nausea after drinking or eating. I am just ready for real food....at least a taste.

memk - I asked the same question but then I bought a few different ones and tried them myself. I highly recommend that route. Unjury is off the Internet and I liked some of them but not all. I am a chocolate person so I settled on a Isolate chocolate that I got at Vitamin World. I add about 2 teaspoons of my favorite coffee creamer for a change of flavor. Everyone's taste buds vary so check them out for yourself before sinking a lot of money into one kind. I also found a fruit drink at Vitamin World that tastes like a Pina Colada without the rum. It is by CyroSport and is Whey Isolate. No milk base. It seems to be easier on my stomach post-surgery than the shakes.,..,.even the lactose free shakes.

I feel great physically. Emotionally, still struggling. I am definitely a food addict. I had no idea. In my mind, I catch myself thinking about food....like all the time. I miss cheese crackers, popcorn at the movies, toast and bacon. I miss sharing a cookie with the grand baby. I miss trips with the kids to Braums ice cream. I long for a Dairy Queen chocolate malt. Furthermore, i crave McDonald's french fries and homemade brownies. I cannot wait to eat a ribeye and baked potato (just a bite). You get the picture. I am in detox with a full, unlocked liquor cabinet in front of me. (Actually the food pantry...) I took the kids to see Monster's University and knew it would be hard, but had no idea how hard. The smell of hot buttered popcorn assaulted me before I even entered the door. It threw me to the floor like a rag doll. I fought it, yelling and screaming. We drew quite a large crowd, that deadly aroma and me. The mouth watering scent drug me across the floor to the concession stand. I fought so hard I left claw marks in the tile. I gathered myself, stood up, smiled at the young woman with her mouth gaping and ordered a LARGE popcorn and 2 large cokes. As she placed the humongous container of butter dripping popcorn on the counter, I grabbed it and slung it at my children before I changed me mind. Whew! My stomach growled the entire movie like I hadn't eaten in weeks. Oh, maybe because I HAVEN'T! I quietly drank my water and watched the movie. I survived! I did it! Last night, I found myself in the emergency room with a friend. I brought my water and some baby food but didn't plan on camping out for hours. I knew I had to have something. I sniffed out the vending machines hoping to find something edible for me. I dreaded the sight of Reese's peanut butter cups, snickers, cinnamon rolls and chips. My mind kept screaming that peanut butter is high in protein and soft, hence the peanut butter cups would be the best choice. It sounded reasonable to me. Once I located the vending machines, I stood frozen in shock. EVERYTHING in the machine was healthy or relatively healthy. Not even a hint of chocolate was to be found. I opted for a 100 calorie breakfast thin thing. I chewed it like it was leather so not to disturb my stomach. I survived. I am still refusing to allow bacon to be cooked in my house. I think I would go into convulsions. There is a no baking anything sweet ban till further notice as well. My 12 year old asked me today, "How much longer are you on this diet?" I just smiled and hugged him. Signing off till next time! Judy

My friend, I am with you. I did great on my pre-op Protein shake diet. Once I was post op - I thought I would starve to death. The same Protein shakes that were fine before surgery, were making me sick after surgery. I, too, have eaten outside of my official boundaries. I did so due to my protein need. I have eaten soft scrambled eggs and some moist fish. I mash both up with a fork and eat tiny bites and eat them slowly. Take a deep breath and do not panic. You can get back on track. You must stay away from carbs....bread in any form is very hard on your stomach. Get you some baby food fruit or deserts. This has very few calories and will help you craving for something to eat. Today (2 weeks out today), I ate an avocado....just salted it. It was very satisfying. Above all, you must get your protein. Let me know how you are doing. We can get through this.

Advil was on my "yes" list when I left the hospital. Go figure!

I am two weeks out and have not had burping. The stomach gurgling is a definite yes. I take prilosec as well. I think it is just your body adjusting. My biggest problem has been the protein shakes causing major stomach cramping. I guess each of our bodies react differently.

Wow! Great job! You look awesome. I am 2 weeks out today and have only lost 8 pounds.

Good morning.... Day six found me feeling fine physically. I drove. I grocery shopped. I took the kids to McDonald's. Being in the kitchen is hard for me. I have children that must be fed. While preparing plates of burgers and chips for my two youngest kids, I dropped a chip on the counter. I reflectively reached down and popped it in my mouth. Of course I immediately spit it out. However, the incident left me wondering..... This morning I woke with an epiphany! What I am going through each day post-surgery is the major reason that patients must go through "training" for surgery. All of the nutrition training was to help with the actual - in your face - reality that I cannot, under any condition, pop chips or anything else in my mouth without thinking. Nutrition training was to help train my mind to tune out the billions of food commercials as I watch TV during my recovery. Nutrition training was giving me a foundation or a home base to turn to when I feel that I must have something to eat or I will die. Nutrition training was to give me something to think about and cling to when my mind is going crazy and I panic because today's stress cannot be fixed by food. Had I not had the time before surgery hearing about and thinking about what I must do after surgery, I would be a big fat failure. I would have been one of the people who cheats themselves by eating what shouldn't be eaten and stretched my stomach right back out to hold my dear and faithful friend, Food. I am not one of those and refuse to succumb to the overwhelming temptation to do so. I will hold on to my goal and let my goal be my friend. (My goal is to be healthy and active.) I will survive. I am woman. Hear me roar! (You have to be over 50 to get this.)

I really intended to get on line everyday and post.....I didn't. Day 1 - surgery day - went well. Nausea was my enemy but not pain. I slept most of the time. When the came to take my vitals, I would get out of bed, with no problem, and walk down the hall and back. I also tried to pee every time but it was the next morning before that worked. Day 2 - Up early for barium swallow....yuck! No vomiting or pain with that and I passed. Later during the morning, I did throw up the bile stuff I had to drink. I was sore but still not in serious pain. I had no problem swallowing. I slept all I could. Day 3 - IV out and ready to go home. Nice warm shower was wonderful. Nausea gone. We drove 8 long hours home. It is a 5 hour trip but we took the not-so-scenic route.....and not on purpose. My sister got on I35 going south to the border instead of north to home. It took an hour and a half before she realized it. I was mostly snoozing. We made it home at 9:30 p.m. to my own bed. Ahhhh Day 4 - Pretty sore after riding so far but no pain meds needed. Seriously, I was not even in the pain of a bee sting. I got in the floor with my grandson and helped build a tower with blocks. The protein drink I have been drinking for a couple of weeks now makes my stomach cramp. I am using another one I had here that I do not like. Oh well. I had trouble with diarrhea all day. Not fun. Day 5 - Today - I am really battling cramping and diarrhea today. Still have soreness but no pain from surgery. My body says I can do whatever I want but my brain says I better not. I have been outside on the deck watching the kittens play and I've watched way more TV than I want. I am bordering stir crazy. I am now literately sipping protein drink followed by a swallow of water every few minutes in hopes of winning the battle of diarrhea. The one thing I am shocked about: I am starving! My stomach is growling, even in the night. It didn't do that last week when I was on just protein drinks. Oh my gosh! I will prevail but geeze Louise! I will report in tomorrow.