ChaosUnlimited

I really don't find eating out very enjoyable anymore. I'm always being asked by the waiter/waitress if there was something wrong with my food, or if I want something different. There are one or two places I like if we are returning home after eating, because then I can bring the rest home and make a couple meals out of it. My parents took us out to a very fancy ($$$) restaurant for Christmas and the waiter was horrified that I only ate about 1/4 of my meal, he sent the manager over because he was sure that I didn't find it satisfactory. I have not found a place that serves appetizers that are not fried or full of carbs and sugar or I would just order from that menu instead. I don't usually have the option to share a meal because others like to eat things that I don't wish to indulge in.

Hello and welcome! The time will go by fast, and the dietician visits were so helpful.

Just an EKG for cardiac, it's quick and easy.

MyFitnessPal

Yes, it gets better with time.

Here is the link to them on Amazon, but I've also found them at a big Walmart by the protein bars. They have BBQ, Cheddar, Salt and Vinegar, and Sour Cream and Onion. https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Nutrition-Protein-Cheddar-Gluten/dp/B00XQF3EG8/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1518059382&sr=8-5&keywords=quest%2Bchips%2Bprotein&dpID=51VMoLmK2vL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

It's possible you really don't have the room right now to get it all in. That gets better with time, you will eventually be able to drink/eat more volume and it will get easier to meet your numbers.

Look up Quest Protein Chips also. They are ok when you need a crunch, and they are very filling.

You can do this. You've given up a lot in a short time, but the rewards will be worth it. Find a hobby, preferably something to do with your hands, to keep you busy. I found a knitting loom at Micheals craft store, I can't knit or crochet with needles, but with the loom I can make things like hats, scarves, or socks with yarn. It's something to do, and I give the things I make as gifts .

I've tried the monk fruit granulated powder. I can't say it's my favorite, to me it does have an aftertaste, but it's tolerable. FYI, the agave sweetners are still high in fructose and carbs.

Have you tried the flavored waters? Nestle Splash or Fruit2O in grape are both good. In the beginning stages you just have to constantly sip in-between meals.

Yes, socially it is hard! Friends ALWAYS want to go out to eat, or drink, or go to who-evers house for brunch. I'm trying to change the mindset to getting together for a walk or going to a gym class, but so far no buyers for those things. I've done a few pedicures with friends, but you can only go for so many pedis in a month before you break the bank! Going out to eat isn't the same anymore either. I can usually find something on the menu, but it seems like a big waste of money since I won't eat all of it. And then the wait staff are always questioning if something is wrong with my meal because I haven't devoured it, lol.

Here ya go Fluffy https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/405869-january-bypass-buddies/?page=33&tab=comments#comment-4590870

I had surgery with the DaVinci, and can compare it to the healing process of having an incision from a c-section many years ago. Hands down the robotic method was better for recovery, managing the incision site(s), and the pain. I do agree that for any surgery technique, you want to make sure that your doctor is experienced in the procedure.

I can relate to this because I have had those same feelings. It's sort of like losing a good friend. Sometimes I miss being able to gorge on a big cheeseburger or burrito while watching my favorite tv show. I may not be hungry, but the thought, almost like a craving for the feeling, is still there. I haven't discovered yet what to replace it with. I recognize it for what it is, but that doesn't always make it easier. That said, I am so much happier at my current level of health than I was when gorging on delicious foods, so I try to focus on the positives when those feelings threaten.

I wish I could just bring in a picture of my choosing, but they have a "special system". Why do pictures have to be so hard! I remember doing my liquid diet, it was hard smelling food, and seeing people eat it. It gets a little better after the first few days in terms of hunger but the cravings for chewing something were a struggle. Find something to help keep your hands and mind busy, it helps.

Well, we took a couple pics for the new work badge, and I didn't like them. Big surprise! But it was in the afternoon, after sitting in my dry office all day I looked like the crypt keeper, and one of my eyebrows was half rubbed off. I have a few days off now between jobs, and she said I can come back Monday morning when I'm fresh and ready to take a good picture, lol. BTW, hope you are doing well on your liquid diet fluffy!

@FluffyChix It's so crazy how you can think you look one way, and then be horrified at the reality of a photo, happens to me all the time. I keep hoping it's the photo that is all jacked up, lol. In my defense, I'm not photogenic at all, I have never taken good photos even at my smallest size. I am so thankful for the digital age and editing capabilities on phone cameras! I've had a lot of anxiety lately because I have to take a new drivers license photo, and those folks are worse than me at taking decent pictures. On the plus side, the new one can't possibly be worse than the one I have now where my fat face fills just about the whole picture area. And I'm changing jobs at work, which means a new badge ID, which people look at all the time. I have to wear it above waist level for Pete's sake! I drove the HR lady crazy several years ago when we last took my picture, I kept making her do it over, and it wasn't helping me look any better. I've been procrastinating on getting the new badge, but tomorrow is the day I have to do it by, so please send me good photo vibes! And send the HR lady mega-patience vibes, I'm sure she'll need it!

It's normal to have low energy the first few weeks after surgery because your body is healing and you are only getting a small amount of carbs and calories. I remember having to rest frequently for the first few weeks. Listen to your body, you will start to have more energy when you get to a point that you can take in more for hydration and fuel. You will feel a little better every day. However, if you have other symptoms with it, like running a fever, or getting sweaty and shaky, call your doc asap.

Yes, in the beginning after surgery I did, and especially when exercising. Make sure to drink your fluids to stay hydrated, that helps. Also, if you are taking blood pressure medicine let your doc know because you may need to decrease your dose or stop altogether.

I'm so excited for you Fluffy! You've got this! Your pre-op diet sounds much like mine was, but mine was only for a week. The first few days was hard, but after that I really didn't have hunger so much as cravings for something to chew and crunch. The ice pops helped with that. Are you able to make your protein shakes with unsweetened soy milk? I was allowed either a cup of milk/soy milk, or a 1/2 serving of fruit, to blend into the protein shakes. I found that mixing my shakes with some ice to make them like a milk shake made me feel nice and full, and the soy milk helped because it was thicker than regular milk. Even if you can't add the soy, thickening the shakes with some ice is a nice treat on it's own.

For my surgeons office, clear meant clear for the broth, and I imagine the tomato provides additional carbs to the diet that may not be allowed. They did allow for some soy milk in a protein shake though, which helped it be more filling. Since surgeons all seem to have different requirements you should probably ask your docs office for clarification.

I saw that also and once I clicked the x they stopped, thankfully, because I like this forum. I hate those types of pop ups, I don't care what anyone else is buying. When I shop, if the site has what people are buying popping up constantly, I'm done. I don't know who thought that kind of advertising is a good idea.

I don't feel like I'm fully qualified to give advice on this since I'm not even a year out yet, but I will say that even at 8 months it's easy to slide out of good habits and start allowing some of the old habits to creep back in. I just had a visit with my nutritionist about 2 weeks ago and she set me straight. We went over my food log and exercise habits, and made some new goals. I had been losing pretty slowly through December and the beginning of January, but since my appointment, I have re-committed to following my plan without the "treats" I was allowing for good behavior, and my weight loss has picked up again. I really think that seeing a nutritionist/dietician individually has been the most helpful on my journey. I also track everything I eat, my water intake, and exercise. If you don't already do those things, maybe they would be helpful for you as well. Good luck getting back on plan. You know you can do this, because you have done it before!

What type are you using? If you haven't tried a pre-mixed drink like Premier protein shakes, give that a try. Or maybe use an unflavored protein in some unsweetened applesauce or yogurt if you have progressed to puree. Usually the nausea will get better over time.