JCP

It is a roller coaster and all I could think about when I was at your point! I am now one month out and learning to adjust. It is a huge change. It's good that you are spending a lot of time thinking and learning about it so you can be as prepared as possible. Just know that the anxiety is normal. If would think only the uninformed would be free of concerns. Just hang on to the handlebars and strap on your seatbelt. It's quite a ride.

You might want to go back to liquids for a few days to let your system recover a bit ... Bouillon was my best friend. Warm and soothing. It sounds like your body wants you to slow it down.

I was alone the whole time... Took a taxi to the hospital, had a private room, a friend drove me home 3 days later and I recovered alone. I just had to have my pantry stocked with the right things. The nurses were so attentive, I needed no help in the hospital. Friends came to see me but I was on morphine and really don't remember it! I think it would be comforting to have a loved one there but not necessary.

Me too! I loved ice water now I can barely gag it down! Basically, almost all liquids taste horrible! What gives!!! I am struggling and have been since surgery! (One month)

You sound like you understand what is going on with the addiction transfer, and that your mind and habits are messing with you. You had the strength to quit cold turkey. Please don't undo that, I'm begging you!

I wore mine for about two weeks. I felt like my abdomen was going to split open so felt like I needed it. It did provide some support.

It really is hard to get used to all this. And I also realized that if I eat very slowly and chew very well, I basically do not reach the "full" point. So yes, the key is still to be mindful about our habits and limit our meal times. I don't want to go through this grueling surgery for nothing!

The first time I tried to eat a bite of anything it was jello (sprinkled my meds on it) at about 10 days. Gagged so hard I had a huge anxiety attack and thought I was gonna die. I was scared to eat after that. But ate poached egg at 16 days and did fine. It's ok now. The head hunger has been defeated by knowing the consequences of eating too much or too fast. Learned the hard way.

Wed will be 4 weeks. Will weigh at doctor's. Don't have a scale. Pants I wore today were looser. Caught a tiny glimpse of collar bone! Been eating eggs, ground turkey, tuna, shakes, no issues. Was told to start experimenting. My plan is to eat very healthy; however, as a Texan, I was obligated to choose as my first "real" food today: a very tiny beef fajita taco. Chewed it to death. Took forever to eat. Don't want another one any time soon. But it was such a relief to know I could eat one of my favorite "normal" food items, just a few bites of it, enjoy it, and tolerate it well. I think I am going to make it through this after all.

Congratulations!! Your Nut will likely give you a list of recommendations but for me, 2 weeks pre-op was protein shakes, decaf tea, bouillon mostly but that was my choice to keep it simple. I also had tomato soup a couple of times. Post-op was clear liquids (water, decaf tea, bouillon/broth) plus shakes for two weeks. Also sf jello and popsicles were allowed but I didn't want those. It is hard but very necessary and worth it. The hunger for me ended pre-op at about day 4. There was no hunger post-op. Just be sure you don't go too long without getting protein in pre-op or you will get too hungry and be tempted to cheat.

Me too!! Gag!!!

I work out of town so only see my husband on weekends. When am I came home this past Friday, he kept telling me how good I look and how much weight I've lost. And he gave me bunches of kisses. Lol! It's only been a month since surgery but he says he sees a big difference. He is so sweet.

Wow! That is great!

I know. I am shrinking from my extremities inward... My fingers, hands, lower arms... My face... I know my tummy will hang on for dear life!

I think you need to make sure you are getting some kind of protein every couple of hours. I have to at one month out or I also get weak and feel bad. You may just be that way and it may be how you eat from now on. I know chocolate is a quick fix but please don't eat sugar. That lift is very short lived and so bad for you. Can you substitute a small protein bar instead?

Timetakeitoff and other newbies, you will not get the full sensation on liquids. You will know you consumed too much when you cramp or have diarrhea. The full sensation will come when you get on soft foods.

You know, there were a few times in my first couple of weeks when I just had crazy head hunger. I was in bed a lot watching tv and it is constant food ads! I wanted fried chicken so bad it was ridiculous. But it was short-lived and I'm not having those thoughts now a month out. I think your head messes with you (that's a highly technical term) and your body is really changing. I think these thoughts will pass soon for you. As for the feelings if hunger and pain and rumbling, I had some of that. But I knew I could not eat. It got better after about a week. Your stomach does crazy things the first week.

You are at a rough stage. The good news is you will soon be on solid food and able to experiment. So don't stress over it. Try to eat nutritious foods to keep your energy up and look forward to the next step. I made scrambled eggs with cottage cheese melted in and a little bit of very mild salsa. Kept it on hand to eat a few bites every couple of hours. Sick of eggs but it's easy and good for you.

Five days out my stomach was doing all kinds of crazy things. I had no idea what the heck was going on in there. I never felt hungry but it would sometimes rumble, I had lower abdominal cramps, just all sorts of weird feelings and discomfort. And of course the wonderful pain from the main incision. I felt pretty bad. But at just under 2 weeks, it started straightening out. I think the swelling goes down, and your body starts adjusting. Do not worry about it. Just drink fluids, take pain meds, and REST. Oh, by the way, thick foods killed me at first. Try bouillon.

I am one month out. I eat about every 2 hours... Just a few bites of something nutritious is all I need but I have to have it or feel weak. Normally eggs, tuna salad, turkey and cheese, etc.

I should add that I am 56 so periods do not factor in and I have no underlying conditions. Have just been anemic most of my life.

I have chronic anemia and had to have my surgery delayed due to it. My Nut put me on Celebrate iron, 60mg per day. She said it absorbs more effectively. I buy it online. My iron level doubled in 30 days on it, my bruising decreased, and my energy increased. She said it will be a life long thing.

My protein shakes taste like crap to me too. Tasted great before surgery. You are only a few days out. Let your doctor know you are struggling. I could only get 15-20 oz down per day. They said that would be ok in the beginning for me but your doctor knows your health and needs. It DOES get better. It is VERY hard the first week. Do not beat yourself up. Do your best, drink very slowly, and rest all the time. You will make it.

Rest and take pain meds!

Secrets, please try not to worry. I also had terrible problems with fluids after surgery, and still do, a month out. I am doing the best I can with it but am nowhere near my fluid target. However, I am losing weight, the pain is near gone, my energy is increasing, and my bathroom issues are far fewer. The first two weeks I felt like stomped dog crap. It's so much better now. I am now on solid food. Please be patient with yourself and do the best you can but don't stress out. You are going to feel more normal soon and much better. This surgery is very hard. You are going through the very worst part. But it's going to be fine. Better than fine. Keep your faith.