Andrea72

This is a great idea!!

I'm not fond of cooking so my surgeon suggested I purchase some of the baby foods. I did buy meats, and some of the cereals. When that phase came, I was having a tough time, mentally, with trying it so.....several dollars wasted. That phase was a week out for me, so the thoughts of food was still nauseating. Shoot I'm 4 weeks out and not sure I could handle it, but since you are 6 weeks out it might not be as difficult.

Can you believe it's been one month? Congrats on your weight loss @suzyquzy. I too am still in the dreaded stall, but I'm trying not to panic. I also tucked my scale away. I was tempted to pull it out today, but I'm trying my hardest to wait until my 8 week post op appt. Fingers crossed!! Other than that...I'm feeling pretty good.

Ok. I've just started getting dehydration headaches these last couple of days so I was just curious. Thanks for the replies.

Hi all. I'm curious. I know the general rule of thumb is 64 oz of Water, which is the least amount my dr said to get in, but several things I have read says it should be calculated by your size. If that's the case I should be drinking 140ish ounces a day. At 4 weeks post op, I can barely get in the 64, but I'm concerned because my entire life I've been prone to dehydrate at the slightest bit of exertion so with all the changes, that's the last thing I want to deal with right now. So I come to you. How much water do you drink on an average?

This past Wednesday made 4 weeks for me, and I too had the "OMG WHAT IF" .....post. I really hate you are feeling so disappointed, but yet I'm a smidge relieved in knowing I'm not the only one. Still seeing no change, Im still in a constant battle with the "it's not working" thoughts, so your post couldn't have come at a better time for me. In all reality, I was hoping for the Cher impersonating WLS fairy godmother, so I'm glad there are all the fabulous folks on here to "guide" us all back to reality. Granted, it would be nice to wake up and be whatever we see as a perfect size, but I'm trusting we both will get through this for however long it takes.

Happy Monday to all of you. I could use a little advice and maybe some suggestions. I will be 4 weeks post op on Tuesday. I've done so well with healing including no problems with food, so I'm allowed to SLOWLY start incorporating "my new normal" foods into my diet. Actually, I was allowed to start last week. Wow my taste has changed so much. That's not what I consider to be the biggest issues. My thing is is it takes me forever to figure out what I want then when I do figure it out, the smell makes me nauseas. On top of that, one day I could absolutely love something, so I'll go to eat it again and it's gross. Seriously?!?!? I am to go no lower than 600 calories, but they'd like for me to get 800. Sadly, I'm lucky if I break the 500 mark and I know that's part of the reason I feel so drained. Anyway, I spoke to my nutritionist. Her advice.....sometimes you have to go for ice cream, milkshakes, or basically anything filled with sugar, just to get those calories up. I understand why she said it, but I just can't seem to force myself to do it. One thing I'm extremely pleased with is I have yet to crave all my normal "go to" foods, and I just really don't want to do anything that might trigger anything that could sabotage me early on. So....did any of you have this problem, or know anyone that did, in order to offer a little advice?

I'm 4 weeks post op today. Yesterday was the first day I was able to get in the recommended intake of 600 to 800 calories. I was pretty excited. That was until I got on the scale this morning. I've gained 4 pounds. . Since starting this whole process, all I've heard from acquaintances is that I either won't loose, or I'll gain it all back. I WANT TO CRY!!!!Please tell me I'm freaking out for no reason.

I agree totally!! I knew I'd be one to compare my loss to those of others, so I chose to stay off the scale in the beginning. The only time since surgery I was weighed was at my 2 week post op on April 7th. I wouldn't have done it yesterday, but I had a rough couple of days, mentally, so I'm trying to remind myself why I did this, I figured I'd step on to boost my spirits. It did anything but, so I took the batteries out of the scale and packed it deep, DEEP, inside my closet. Lol. Hopefully my next appt, at the end of May, will include the loss I so desperately long to hear.

I do drink the Isopure clear. Started those on my pre op diet. I have to mix it with water because that after taste is a little harsh to me, but it is definitely a great change from normal protein shakes. And I even found Fairlife yesterday and bought two bottles. Thanks for all the suggestions and replies.

Thanks. I keep seeing people using Fairlife. I'm going to take a few minutes out of work and run over to Publix and see if I can find it.

I do drink at least one Premier Protein shake a day. I just can't handle too many more of them.

Thanks guys. I normally don't get on the scale but in hoping to boost my spirits after a rough couple of days, I did this morning. Bad decision. To answer your questions, I went to the bathroom prior to getting on the scale and thankfully(for me) I had a hysterectomy in 2010 so I don't deal with a cycle. I have only been worrying with calories, because I've barely gotten in 400 to 500 and was told by two medical professionals that I will not continue to loose unless I get in at least 600 calories. Thank you again. Those negative thoughts are just burning in my brain. Ugh!!

Well, I will be 4 weeks out tomorrow, I dealt with everything you mentioned and I can tell you it will get better. Where to start.....the diarrhea. I know everyone is different, but I too had it and like you I wouldn't eat while out because you just never know. It started easing up in my 3rd week, but I still won't eat while out. Everyone says follow your Drs orders, which is great advice, but when you are going through whatever, it's pretty scary and your thoughts and emotions are going crazy. You've made this huge decision and you not only want to survive, but you want to be successful. Now onto the bad taste. I actually just posted yesterday asking for food choices because for whatever reason everything I tried, if the smell didn't get to me, the taste did. One bite and I would throw it out. It's very frustrating. I was given a ton of great food choices, but one poster suggested I clean my tongue prior to eating. Today I did and actually, what little I have tried I was able to eat. I was thrilled. In my opinion, you did a good thing by posting. I'm still new in this journey myself, so there are others that can offer better advice. However I can assure you you are not alone. Good Luck!!!!

Actually I hadn't until today. I was making my sons lunch and I spotted the mustard. I don't care for it, but for whatever reason I couldn't get it off my mind. Well I knew I couldn't just turn the bottle up, so I grabbed a piece of turkey with romaine lettuce, squirted a little mustard on there and for once in over a week, i found something that tasted fantastic. Not sure if it was because I cleaned my tongue, or if it was because it really didn't have a smell...but who cares. I was thrilled!!

When the hospitals NUT came into the room after surgery(first time I met her) I was still pretty much out of it, but later that evening the friend that came and stayed kept saying "I think there is something wrong with that woman". Im not sure what caused her to come to that conclusion, but Im thinking it was legitimate. Lol. What kills me is she's even had RNY!!! I am no nutritionist by far, but....as so many of you expressed, there are WAY better choices than what she suggested. Like I mentioned before, I don't like to cook, or shop, so it's hard for me to think outside of the box. With that said, if a food is not mentioned as one of 5 suggestions on the list, I don't think of it. And that gets old fast. I know I'm missing out on a ton of good choices, that's why I sought advice from all of you. Thanks again to all.

Thank you for your response. I do have an appt with the NUT that I used during the 6 month physician assisted weight loss phase. Unfortunately, I couldn't get in with him until May 3rd. My surgeon and the "questionable" NUT are 3 hours away, so I wanted to have someone closer to deal with as far as nutrition goes. I never met, or dealt, with the hospitals NUT until the day of surgery, and again when she called to follow up. Thank you again for your response. I do appreciate any and all advice.

Not offended at all. I'm willing to give anything a go. Thank you so much for your suggestion!!

Congratulations!!! It can be both exciting and frustrating at the same time. I only had a little over 2 weeks to wait once approved and I can remember the whirlwind of emotions I went through. I was a mess. Lol. Just use this time to make sure you have things you think you will need, or will need to do, prior to the big day. I had list upon list and I still felt I missed some things, and over prepared for others. Good luck and keep us posted!!

I agree, @SassyNanny. My dr is definitely concerned with Protein and Water as well, but since going back to work, ive had a few lightheaded moments so they are not wanting me to get below 600 for sure. Still not there but I try. My entire life I've had issues with severe dehydration due to medical complications. They are concerned if I don't get in enough calories for my size, 264 now, to keep up with the daily grind at work, I could end up with major problems later on. I also consider myself very lucky cause I've read the weeks and months of food restrictions some had. By week 3, I was allowed to slowly start the new normal diet. Too bad I don't want any of it. Lol.

Thanks @BarryW. Smelling certain things that I originally thought I wanted, do make me nauseas. I seriously feel my sense of smell is has heightened after the fact. I'm driving my son nuts cause I swear I'm smelling something bad in the house. He claims he's not smelling anything. And although the smell, texture or taste make me nauseas, I'm not vomiting nor have I. I just get turned off. What you are saying makes sense. Years ago I had gotten the flu. Although I was fully recovered, it was weeks before I could eat again for the same reason. The smell turned me off. I will try the various recipes and suggestions. Like I said, one minute I would like something and the very next day I'd go to eat it again and I just couldn't. I've never been one that liked to cook, so it makes it even harder now that I'm having an issue with smells so the suggestions of quick and easy foods are greatly appreciated. Thank you again for all the great responses. I seriously don't know how I'd get through this without all of you.

Mascarpone!!!!! Holy crap why didn't I think of that?!?!? I seriously just let down my heritage. I've pretty much ricottad myself to death, so I'll pick some up today. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the advice and the much needed laugh!! "Shiv a NUT" ....that cracked me up!!

I agree with all of you. My NUT is crazy. I knew that from the beginning, but in doing her job, she calls to check on things and that was her advice. In all honesty my surgeon feels she is too, but she works for the hospital, not him so he can't do anything about it. My most favorite things in the world prior was milk, cottage cheese, yogurt and tuna. Now....I just can't stand the taste. I've even tried humus. Seems like the only thing I liked prior, that I still find tasty is the laughing cow cheese. I'm still drinking the Premier Protein choc shakes, but I can't handle the sweetness of the other flavors. I've also been drinking the Isopure Protein drinks that are in glass bottles. 160 calories, 40g of protein, and very little carbs. It's just frustrating because yesterday I made a black bean Soup. LOVED IT. Went for it today, and it was just so yucky. <----I might be 44, but I resort to my inner child when it comes to food. Lol I never thought of just trying one new food at a time. Once it tried it, if I couldn't eat it I threw it out and found myself not wanting to eat the rest of the day. Then I'd go for something totally different the next day. There is that inner child again. . But...maybe I'm just not giving it a fair go. I just can't see how all the healthy things I once loved, I now find either the taste or texture leave much to be desired. I'll keep chugging along and instead of all the low fat stuff, I'll go for the normal(good foods) and see if that makes a difference. Heck if I made it past the severe depression I suffered 2 weeks post op, I know this too shall pass. I just hope it's quick. lol. Thank you for all of your advice.

AND if I might add you said your hair is coming out in clumps. I'm sorry, but at 2 weeks out it is NOT caused by the surgery, not this soon. My guess is it's the undue stress you are causing yourself. Google stress. You will find it will do a number on your body, as well as causing death.

That study was from 1994 to 2004. The medical field has come a long way since then. Some of us older folks can tell you but they have found crap wrong with meat. There is crap wrong with vegetables. There is crap wrong with plastic and deodorant. One minute they tell you to take vitamins, then a month later they tell you you get enough from what you eat and if you add to it you'll kill yourself. Unfortunately tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone. Being at 320, I personally feel you are giving yourself a better chance at living since having the surgery. You will eat again. Trust me. I am and I just had my surgery on March 23rd. So . What do I think? I think you need to get off the internet. I don't mean to sound so rude, but if you read all the findings on everything in life.....your surgery would be the least of your worries.