Myonlybattle

I have gone off course many times from the rules. The only regret I have is that I was unable to follow the pre-op diet which I considered a personal failure -but that was my pre-surgery self and it just reinforces that I made the right decision to have the surgery and take some control back. Post surgery I have no regrets because I feel as though I'm in control and if I every stop losing or start gaining I am ready and willing to change my eating habits until my weight it back where I want it. But that hasn't happened yet. The consequences of not following the rules are probably that I am a slower loser but I don't care - I am enjoying life and eating and drinking whatever I want (the sleeve controls my portions). So no regrets whatsoever. If you decide to go your own path, my advice is to weigh yourself frequently and keep tabs - I have found that certain things I eat (cake) slow my weight loss more than other things (pizza). So I adjust my choices accordingly. I believe everyone is different in this regard but if you keep track you will find what works for you.

One thing I can say for sure after reading these boards for over a year, is that everyone is different. So my advice is to choose the alcoholic beverage that appeals to you and drink it slowly -- the first time I had a drink was about 6 weeks after surgery. I ordered a skinny cosmo - a drink I had many times before surgery and considered it to be a fruity light thing - and it burned like I was drinking grain alcohol! I had to give it to my friend to drink, I could barely get down 2 sips. I found that I was able to handle wine soon after that, but if that doesn't appeal to you then you will find something that works for you. I am able to drink every kind of alcohol at this point and have been able to since 6 months out. I don't like beer and I stay away from carbonation because I don't love it, but I enjoy all kinds of cocktails, sangria and wine. You are on your own journey and it can be fun figuring out what works for you and what doesn't. It is a new world, enjoy it!

This was a big question for me pre-surgery as well. Not a big drinker but like to have a glass of wine when out with friends. I am 6 months out and can now drink anything easily, just not as much as I used to without feeling the effects (probably because I have less food in me!). I tried to have a "skinny cosmo" a few weeks out and one sip did me in - it tasted like raw alcohol and burned going down. 4 weeks out I tried a light white wine and was able to drink half a glass. Since then I have found that white or rose wine is the easiest thing to drink - and I can have a glass every night if I want to. I can also have margaritas and cosmos again but only one drink - two is too many. I don't feel deprived at all and really look forward to my glass of wine at night. Many on the site choose not to drink because it's not the best choice for calories - and I get that. For me, I am finding that it works in moderation and allows me to continue my social life just like before surgery - eating and drinking less of course - just like my skinny friends were doing all along!

When I was in the liquid phase I did a lot of the crystal light shakes -- to get rid of the gritty consistency if you stir and all the foam if you blend it, I would put it in my nutribullet in the morning, and then leave it in the fridge for a few hours. After sitting in the fridge for that long, the foam is gone and the drink is a good smooth consistency. Good Luck!

I can relate to OP's dilemma! I can't eat more than a few bites of meat protein then feel stuffed. But an hour later I'm hungry again. And keeping it real I will fill up on the snack food because it feels good to eat something and not feel stuffed after a few bites. I'm 6 months out. I have been trying to deal with this recently so that I don't end up in trouble eating carbs and junk food all day. What has been helping me is having a Premier Protein shake in the morning after my coffee -- 30 g of protein in me and I feel full for a long time - I need to sip it over an hour or so because it will give me a stomach ache if I just drink it down. According to my NUT, I should not be having shakes this late in the game, but I'm doing what works. Dannon Light and Fit Greek Yogurt (80 calls/12 g protein) is also a good snack and has good flavor choices. And I love the Cabot 50% cheddar cheese in the individual servings (50 calories, 5 or 6 g protein I think). Just offering what works for me because I think at this stage in the process we all need variety -- I know the above things work for me but I get sick of having them all the time and that's why I've been reaching for the Doritoes/cookies/other horrible choices. Good Luck!

Thanks so much, I will make an appt. with my surgeon -- and you're all right, I should be just eating the mushy stage food to get my Protein in. I have a Premier Protein shake most mornings and between that and greek yogurt I could get by - so part of this is my own fault because I am making the wrong choices - out of frustration. Thanks for your feedback, in a strange way it feels good to know this isn't typical - hopefully my surgeon can get to the bottom of it.

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone else is having a hard time eating Protein several months after surgery. I can still eat only a few small bites of chicken, steak, ground meat, or fish. And after those few bites, I feel uncomfortable, bloated and full - almost sick. And sometimes I do get sick. I dread dinner time. I'm so sick of feeling sick! I am fine drinking a Protein shake, eating greek yogurt, cheese, nuts, etc. But meats and fish are just so hard to get down. Vegetables too. If I didn't eat the stuff that's bad for me (cookies, chips, etc) I would barely be able to eat 500 calories a day. And this makes me very worried - because I know when I don't have as tight a restriction, eating the bad stuff will become a real problem. I have NO problems eating Cookies - just ate an entire sleeve of Girl Scout cookies - and it feels so good to be able to eat something without feeling sick. Same with popcorn and most Snacks. So I gravitate towards them to get calories in and just to be able to eat something without being in pain 5 minutes later. Has anyone experienced this? I'm just so frustrated - I want to eat good, real food but am so done with the way it makes me feel! TIA . . .

Definitely try them! They are the ONLY shake I can drink -- I am four months out and have one pretty much every morning - have a cup of coffee (my treat) and sip a chocolate Protein shake over ice. I tried so many different shakes both pre-op and post-of and this is the only one that I can drink. Agree it takes like chocolate milk. You're lucky to belong to a costco - I order mine from Amazon . . .

I know exactly what you are all going through - I made myself crazy in the weeks before surgery thinking about how my life was going to change (for the worse). I also need to prepare myself for the worst case scenario, it helps me cope to know that I can handle the worst, so anything better than that is easy! And the good news is the experience was MUCH MUCH easier than the worst case scenario, and the odds are it will be for each of you. For me, the most difficult thing by far was the pre-op diet (and I had one where I could eat a low carb meal every day!). When you still have your whole stomach and your eating habits, it is incredibly difficult to do the pre-op. I cheated every day (not recommending this, but full disclosure). Also, as the surgery date got closer and closer, I started second guessing, etc. and worrying - as the OP is - constantly about what I was doing to myself, how would I handle this new life, etc. My post-op was a million times better than expected, and keep in mind that even though preparing for the worst is what I did too, most of us have no complications. My surgeon requires a 2-night hospital stay which helped a lot because by the time I was discharged I was in pretty good shape physically. I had no trouble sipping or getting down Protein shakes. I did crush my meds for the first 2 weeks because it was required - I crushed them in a medicine cup with a piece of sugar free popsicle, and waited a few minutes until the popsicle was mushy then stirred it around and at it with a spoon. The wonderful feeling of knowing the surgery is behind you will make this time so much better - not to mention the fact that you start seeing the scale go down. In terms of all the things I worried about before surgery - When can I have wine? Do I really need to give up pizza? What about my social life? How will I eat in front of people who don't know? --- NONE of those things are issues, and I'm only 5 weeks out. The timing of everything may vary from person to person, but I have been able to eat and drink everything in small doses, and there is no feeling of deprivation when I can't finish - because I am stuffed, like after a huge meal STUFFED. Good Luck to all of you -- It's a leap of faith for sure but one that is well worth it!

I am having a relatively easy recovery and eating pretty much everything (including, unfortunately, all the bad things I ate before surgery, but in smaller quantities). I have had some days where food appealed to me less, and where it has been almost impossible to get 60g of Protein in on food alone, and other days where it has been easier. So it's possible you are just having a bad day or two? If it persists, I would definitely call your surgeon's office. I will say my Vitamin almost makes me gag every day. Good Luck, hope it's just a short phase!

@@Kathy812 I also didn't use or need a heating pad. Agree completely, keep visitors to a minimum and rest and walk!

I had a 2 night stay as well and as annoyed as I was pre-surgery that I had to give up 3 days of my life (instead of those lucky ones who had day surgery) it ended up being great and I feel like I had a good start to recovery. The IV stayed in until after the leak check (day 2) and after I could show that I could drink Water. You can still walk around with the IV in, it's attached to the wheeled pole. I brought a pair of pajamas and wore those instead of the hospital gown, it's much more comfortable to be walking around in PJs than that open gown! Other than that all I needed/wanted was my phone and laptop (phone would have been enough) and a charger. The hospital gave me chapstick as soon as I got to my room, but I would pack one to be safe. My surgeon won't discharge until you can drink an 8 ounce Protein shake, which is the goal for day 3. I had no problems with recovery but I was still in pain, especially when I coughed, for the first couple days. Good Luck to all of you!

@@Unhappysleever Congratulations on your amazing weight loss! I know the road is long and bumpy - it sounds like in your case it has been very bumpy - but 100 pound weight loss is an amazing accomplishment, one that most of us here strive for. Thanks for your honesty, I have read your posts and always appreciated your candor. It sounds like things might start getting easier for you, I hope so, you deserve it!

@@maggiemayuk, very excited for you! The worst for me were the few days before surgery because I was nervous - keep busy and stay positive! You will do great! We'll be here for any post op questions along the way!

19 pounds - wow! Congrats!! @@tiffdmill, LOL . . . fun times, huh? Not sure when you can have yogurt, but having a greek yogurt yesterday seemed to help settle my stomach quite a bit. As of yesterday I can have yogurt, cottage cheese and sugar free pudding in addition to the shakes. Hope you can do that soon too!