phoeebs

I had my surgery 2 weeks ago through Tricare @ Evans Army a Hospital ( Ft. Carson, CO). I took me 6 months to work through the list they require you to complete first. Best decision I made was to continue seeing the therapist that did my psych Eval. It really does help to stay on track, especially during the liver shrinking 2 week diet when the only thing keeping you from overeating is willpower. I lost 30 lbs pre- surgery and 15 lbs so far post. (I'm also 5'4" and was 340 when I began the lengthy process). Good luck!

I ordered a variety pack of the ENS vitamin protein mixes from the celebrate bariatric vitamin website. I got 3 flavors - chocolate, strawberry & vanilla cake batter. I am not partial to the cake batter because it's just soooo sweet but it does smell & taste just like cake batter would. Maybe having something like that around would help the cake cravings? I am still in the protein liquid stage (2 weeks post surgery) and I am sick to death of sweet. I hope I never crave cake again. I have been craving mushrooms, spinach, asparagus and I watched my daughter eat an Olive Garden salad and almost drooled from the urge to chew it with her. I can't wait for solids!

I am 46 yrs old and exactly 1 week out from the sleeve surgery as of today. I'm just so confused by the people that say they are doing great. Everything seemed to be on track until this past Sunday - then I just lost all energy and have been dragging ever since. First of all - I am not sure how slow I should be "eating". I seem to get a lot of bloating & pain and i have no trouble whatsoever with constipation - just the opposite. I read about dumping, so I started setting a timer to sip drink 1 oz of my shake every 15 min during my 2 hour mealtimes instead of just sipping without smaller goals because frankly I could stop at 2 oz easily. I am doing this but still feel bloated & sore in my upper abdominal area when I'm drinking I eating. Also I just know once I take my nightly Nexium dose I'll once again have to rush to the bathroom. Any suggestions on how to feel better and not have dumping issues? I set a bunch of re-occurring timers today to make sure I get my water, protein & meds in but I am behind on all because I woke up late this AM (actually after 12) Anyone else have trouble catching up when they get behind? The only way I can see to stay on track is get up at 7 AM every day and go to bed @ 10 PM but I am so so sooo not a morning person. I also started my menses cycle today - anyone else have to deal with that 1 week out? I don't know how much I'm feeling can be blamed on that or the surgery. PS: I am so sick of sweet protein shakes already, suggestions?

Thanks so much for the helpful info. I just had 4 oz of puréed, strained & watered down lentil soup. That was pretty good. I have to remember to add the plain protein to everything though. Forgot this time. I will try the Greek yogurt for my 4 PM snack.

Thanks - I got up @ 7 this AM, even though I didn't get to sleep until after 3. I am 1 swallow away from finishing my first 8 oz of protein and and feeling better than yesterday. I drank a lot more water last night.

Me too! The only thing I can think to do is set timers from the minute I wake up until I go to sleep based on the suggested eating & drinking schedule I got from my dietitian clinic. Tomorrow will be my first full day of actually following it ( fingers crossed). I can let you know how it goes.