LilaNicole20

I’m just 11 days post op and i can drink more than just a few sips. I seem to be able to drink about 3-4 swallows at once, equalling around 4-6 Fluid ounces. I just keep drinking it when I’m not in the window immediately after I ‘eat’. Still technically on full liquid, but advancing slowly to puréed. I have been making Soups using Bone Broth (Swanson or the like) instead of Water. It provides Protein and Fluid intake (along with sodium, so be careful). I’ve also been mixing one spoon scoop of nonfat plain Greek yogurt, one spoon scoop of nonfat cottage cheese and mixing that with tbls sugar free Syrup. That’s what I have been having between my shakes. I also only mix 4oz unsweetened almond milk for 1 scoop Protein. Make it concentrated so that you get the Protein and don’t overwhelm yourself on the drink. V8 is a good option for liquids. Today I am making ricotta bake. I hope you turn the corner soon! Best

I am slowly advancing myself to the puree stage a day or so early. Yesterday, I had a sweet and spicy tuna packet - tolerated well. Then I got carried away and ate small bits of watermelon, apparently too fast. Because restriction hit and I was so uncomfortable. I couldn't eat another bite of anything for the rest of the night. I couldn't even handle water. I am going to love this! I was so uncomfortable but I never want my pouch to expand beyond what it is now. So I won't be doing that again. But I did go buy some real crab meat (I am craving crab legs like no other), imitation crab meat, salmon, perch, all stuff for ricotta bake, tuna packets, chicken salad packets (these packets are perfect for on the go). I'm so excited to eat today. I've also ordered Unjury pre-made protein shakes. They're tasty and convenient. 8oz serving size has 110 calories and 20g protein. How are you guys doing on your vitamins? Have you started? I found a huge uptick in my overall energy and feeling when I started taking iron again. I use a liquid supplement called Floradix, 10ml in the AM and 10ml before bed - taken with vitamin C. Then taking my calcium chews throughout the bulk of the day - at least 2 hours apart from the iron. They've also sent me a powerful multi-vitamin and sublingual 500mg tabs of B12.

Don’t do it! Just wait. It might not happen for you.

Let the food funerals commence! Without ruining your progress thus far, of course.

My guess is that it’s less likely the above explanation and more likely based off failed experiences of previous patients. Either way, hang in there.

I am experiencing the same thing and worried that I have already over done it and ruined my restriction. But alot of people in other threads have said that is normal in the liquid phase, once we get to purée and soft it will be more obvious. Hope that is true!!

My brother had a similar response to yours, he said “that’s drastic”, my dad attempted to have a ‘talk’ with me about it - right before I cut him off and told him that I will not be shamed or made to feel bad. I kindly let him know that it’s none of his business and that I did not have to tell him anything about it. These people love you but they only see through their perspective. They don’t realize that the support you need is encouragement and we’ll wishes and positive expectations. I watched a lot of 600lb life leading up to surgery but have no interest in it after. It helped me to prepare by providing multiple scenarios - and my biggest take away from the show was the emotional aspect of what is causing us to eat the way we have been. This is for you. You can do it and you will thrive!

Same to you! I’ll be watching for you after your surgery!! Cheers

Thanks. I'm not sharing for anyone to feel bad.. I just want to share to maybe spur others to go down the rabbit hole bravely - if needed.

Oh yeah, stress is what kicked this whole debacle off. And grief. I was 170lbs. in 2019. I had 5 major life events in a short span of time (3 months) and then I lost my baby 25weeks later . Devastation. always will be. But I don't have to stop living anymore. I maintained 165-175lb average from with fitness and healthy foods. 11 years in the USAF. I started spiraling after being seated directly across from abuser at a family wedding. The wedding coincided with the high stress life events. and it set off my eating.

The gas is the worst part of it all. I still feel it in my chest. You need to take long swift deep breaths to open your lungs and push out your lungs. Practice it. It hurts through it but you will benefit and so will your lungs. The air takes time. Walk and wiggle it out. gently.

I read your post as singing and not signing, so I was imagining you like a Disney princess singing so beautifully - your arms out stretched twirling as birds chirp near by. lol as your signing in. I was so excited, too. But then I was very surprised that I started having the internal questioning (am I doing the right thing, what will happen if I die, can something go wrong, etc.) and a high level of emotion as I was trying to fall asleep -the night before wake up for surgery. I did sleep though, I know I need to see a therapist after I get healed to deal with the primary issues that drive me to use food as an absolute coping mechanism. I need to deal with childhood sexual trauma, establish boundaries and even build some walls. Nice vision of you as your own Disney princess. ❤️

I think I will try the tincture after reading these. I really like the honey so far the best.

Congrats!!! this is my ultimate goal, so I love reading the stories. I wish you the best and a healthy pregnancy with healthy babe to follow!

Oh that is very helpful. Thank you!

Have any of you been given a calorie goal for after surgery?

I just took half an edible yesterday, 4 days post-op. It helped me to get some good sleep and gave me crazy lucid dreams. I got the buzz but I don't think it's fair to say whether or not they are more or less effective, yet. I'm curious though, your stats bar shows you had surgery in 2015... so you should have figured this out by now.

Oh, no! I'm so sorry to hear that. Have you tried mixing protein with your water so that at least you're getting both at the same time? It might help you to get two birds with one stone. I hope you start feeling better soon!

Thank you! Sounds like yours went pretty well, too. I wonder if maybe it is the trapped air on your right side causing pain - I'd bet it is because I am having pain at my collarbone when I take deep breaths (from the air). Keep taking long slow deep breaths to really expand those lungs (through the pain). It will help clear all the junk. I had a hernia repair, too. When I'm hurting its in the lower left quadrant - I really wish I had been shown photos from the procedure so that I can have a visualization of where the organs are situated in the abdominal cavity. So glad to hear that you are feeling really good!

If you highlight the portion of my text (or anyone's) that you want to respond to - just hold the mouse to highlight and then when you let off it will give you the option to "quote selection". I had to ask how to do it myself, because it isn't intuitive. I hope you have a bm soon. Make sure you're getting up and walking - but as I say that, I have not had one yet today, either. The clear film sounds interesting. I have steri strips over mine and everything is itchy!

I'm drinking things too fast. sip sip sip and then stop a bit then sip sip sip. I skipped the cream of wheat today and just had a small amount of yogurt mixed with a spoon of non-fat cottage cheese and s/f maple syrup instead. I'm feeling pretty good. I've been using my fitness pal to truly track my calories and macros - yesterday I only consumed 528 calories, 71g protein, 41g carb, 8g fat. Today so far, I have 461 calories, 74g protein, 27g carb, 4g fat. I'm shocked by these low calorie numbers and my satiety. I would have never been able to sustain this low of a caloric intake prior to surgery. My shoulder pain is hugely improved today - I still feel it when I take deep breaths but it's manageable. I made an intention to add fresh pineapple to my smoothies 3 days prior to surgery in an effort to minimize swelling and bruising due to the bromelain it contains … I wonder if it actually had an effect on anything (clearly not the air). My husband is stressing my out today (he's too hyper and bored with me being down and out and therefore driving me crazy like a little kid) - I could feel my inner organs tense up as I was getting frustrated with him. I need to just chill out and ignore him! We're usually on the go on the weekends. Have any of you experienced an aversion to foods that you liked before? I can't really say that I have, I mean everything is limited anyways. I did have a dream that I was eating melon. lol I woke up nervous about that. I just made a yummy soup that gave me a nice umami flavor, I used Swanson bone broth instead of water with a can of Campbell's golden mushroom soup, strained. It was surprisingly very good.

We’re surgery twins! Uncomfortable best describes the feeling, for sure. I weighed in on the day of surgery at 267 and today I’m 260. Yesterday I was able to get all my protein in before 2pm. Hoping to do the same today. It definitely takes focus and intention to reach the prescribed numbers. This isn’t exactly a walk in the park, is it?! Do you have trapped air like I do - around the collarbone/shoulders/neck? It’s a little better today but not gone. I’m so excited to get to the 2 week mark - I think most discomfort will subside by then. I’m content right now with the full liquid diet. Have you been taking pain meds? I can’t sleep without them yet. I was doing fine on the IV Tylenol in the hospital but being home I’m taking the 5mg Oxy and 500mg oral Tylenol every 6 hours. What did they give you for pain? Have you had a bm yet? My incisions have been itchy, which is a good sign of healing but annoying at the same time.

That is exactly what it is. Just wish it would go away! each day is better than the last so I feel good about that. Today I think I ate my cream of wheat too fast, I was miserable for about 2-3 hours after eating it. I had the same thing in the hospital and did not experience the same thing but I mixed protein with the milk to make it and I think that was just too much. Anyways, lesson learned. go slow!

I am having pretty significant pain at my collar bone that is preventing me from taking normal deep breaths. Has anyone else experienced this? I also have pain when walking in my left lower quadrant but there is no incision there so I'm confused by what could be causing that pain.

Surgery was yesterday! These past 20 hours so far haven’t been the easiest but I’m surprised that aside from pain and discomfort, my energy level is still high. I feel like myself - just with new (and temporary) limitations. I just got my first clear liquid tray. It’s satisfying bc I’m not hungry but my mouth needed something. The air is the worst part. If you’re surgical team doesn’t immediately give you an incentive spirometer then you should ask for one. I don’t have one but I have been doing the long slow deep breaths in an effort to expand my lungs clear this air. It hurts and it isn’t comfortable but the air is mostly gone for me. So far today I’ve walked a mile and half just walking a single lap of the unit each hour. I’m terrified of blood clots or setbacks. So I’m really disciplining myself. Best of luck to all of you who are on deck!!