NewJamie

I had surgery in May, I've been trying to be careful to get my protein in, supplementing with protein shakes. My hair has been coming out like crazy! How do I know whether my protein powder is even working? I've read online that some of the types of proteins in the powders can't even be broken down & utilized by the body!

As of yesterday I'm 2 months out from surgery. I had been told by other people who have had the surgery that the weight would just 'fall off.' Well, I can't say it's just 'falling off' for me; I'm down 36 pounds in two months but had been reading about people who had far greater losses in similar time frames. I had those moments of regret remembering that I've lost this amount with conventional diets in the past. The thing to remember, though, is how many times in my life have I lost this 36 pounds? Over and over and over! It might be coming off a little slower than I expected but I have hope now that this will be the last time I lose this weight!

I'm getting tired of my protein shakes but if I can get one down (50g of protein) first thing in the morning I don't feel so much pressure to have nothing but protein for the remainder of the day. For me, food just doesn't taste the same now. I'm a month out from surgery and allowed to eat anything I can tolerate. Some days nothing tastes right, some days everything, including water, upsets my stomach. I've been able to have a few of my formerly favorite foods but they've been disappointing. I don't think this will be permanent, but even if it is, I'm ok with food playing a different role in my life.

My surgery was on May 9, I tried to go back to work on May 30, three weeks post-surgery. A few days before returning to work I pulled something and had really intense pain in my abdomen and back, worse than anything I experienced post-surgery. I had to take an extra week off, my doctor sent me for a CT this week to be sure I didn't do any damage that needed to be repaired. The CT didn't show anything, good news, except that there's no explanation for the pain. Ever so gradually, the pain is decreasing, and I plan to return to work on 6/9, one month out from surgery.

Almost 4 weeks post-op, last week I started having a terrible, burning pain in my abdomen left of my belly button that radiates to my back below my ribs on the left side. I saw the surgeon today, he sent me for a CT to rule out a hernia and other possible problems. The CT didn't indicate anything wrong, no explanation for this pain, but they did say there's air in my 'old' stomach but said 'it could be something, it might not be.' Not very reassuring...anyone else experience air in their old stomach??

Today is day 19 post-surgery. This has been much more difficult than I expected, one step up, two steps back. It's a struggle to get enough Fluid in, some days Water upsets my stomach so I use water enhancers. Constipation has been a big problem but I suppose that's related to my fluid intake. I know I shouldn't compare myself to others as far as weight loss but I'm not losing as fast as I thought I would; I suppose I have some unrealistic expectations; I'm down 22 pounds, this week I only lost 2 pounds. I don't know how that's possible taking in fewer than 500 calories a day. I know this is a marathon and not a sprint, I didn't put on all this weight overnight and it's not going to come off overnight but I'm feeling a little discouraged, need some help adjusting my expectations!

I'm following my doctor's food plan. I'm fortunate to be going through a long established bariatric center with very detailed & specific instructions. My first day & a half out of the hospital I followed their clear liquid diet, that consisted of a clear, fruit flavored protein drink & water. I then moved to their 'full liquid' diet that I'll be on for seven days. This requires 60g of protein per day. I can have protein shakes, skim milk (although I haven't tried that), broth, low fat Greek yogurt, flavored water....My primary goal is to get in my protein since. I want to give my muscles the best chance of healing & save my hair! It's certainly a process of learning how to do this. Without experiencing hunger at all, it's just a chore to keep drinking. As the rumbling & gas decrease it's becoming easier. I pushed myself a bit more yesterday and managed to do better with my total fluid intake. Tonight I have to attend a show we already had tickets for, I'm hoping if I can bind up my abdomen and rely on some pillows for support, I'll tolerate the drive! It's amazing how rough the roads are! I never noticed before this!

My surgery was 5/9, I'm getting my protein in but only about 32 oz of fluid total per day. I feel like I'm drinking constantly but I'm no where near the quantities I see some of you posting. Yesterday I had one 12 oz protein shake, 50 g protein, managed to squeeze in 5 oz of Greek yogurt through the day, 12 g protein, and a second 3 oz of protein shake, 12 g protein, and 17 oz plain water. My stomach doesn't feel like it can take more! Any suggestions on getting in more fluid? I realized prior to surgery that I don't drink as much normally as I see most peoole drink. I'm not taking in any empty calories, everything has to count!

I never comprehended how we are suppose to get protein in when it's a clear liquid diet for 7 days(for me anyways) Nolagirl I agree, even on full liquid at this stage it is not easy. I had my surgery on May 9, was discharged from the hospital yesterday. This is surely harder than I expected, I think I have a rather high tolerance to pain but this is rough. I'm experiencing pretty much the same thing as joleneB...feeling over full & bloated just trying to get my liquid down. I'm supposed to have 1 oz every thirty minutes for the remainder of today, then start the full liquid diet tomorrow. I bought Nature's Best protein powder; it has 50g of protein per 12 oz, I tried it pre-surgery and it actually tastes ok! I can't drink it yet post-surgery, I have a fruit flavored clear protein powder from the weight loss center that, unfortunately, only has 15g of protein per 8 oz, but that's all I'm allowed to have right now. Just trying today to get close to my protein requirement. I'm holding on to the hope that every day, every hour this gets easier.

WOW! I wish I had those instructions. I have to find and organize myself. I don't have my vitamins or anything for the pre and post op meal plans. I haven't gotten my post-op vitamins or anything yet, either. I better get on that. I'm concerned that some surgeons require a pre-op liquid diet and mine doesn't. From what I'm reading, it looks like there are some real benefits to a liquid diet prior to surgery. It's too late for me to do two weeks but maybe I can do the liquid thing for several days prior to my surgery.

My surgery date is May 2! Eight days and counting! My surgeon doesn't require a pre-op diet...hmm...they told me to just 'eat light' for two days prior to surgery. Well, this is just scary.