Post Op Changes.... Meal Time Is No Longer A Delight

[Itsanewdaycassandra 45]

I would like to offer some suggestions, what helped me is to find savory foods like Curries, spicy sauces or laughing cow wedges as a spread for veggie sticks, I also enjoyed pickles at that stage. I think because the satisfaction of eating a large amount was no longer an option I preferred to eat something flavorful. I also ran into an issue with the Protein Shakes and Vitamins and bottom-line is you have to get them in so experiment with ways to do this. Put Protein into low fat or sugar free puddings; make frozen yogurt pops with the Protein Powder. Your body is still getting acclimated to this drastic change so you will have to try a lot of new things to find out what will work for you. I recently started on the wellness liquid vitamins and I like them, the taste is doable for me and it doesn’t upset my stomach. Good luck, don’t give up, you have to use this tool to help you get to a healthier lifestyle.

[mnbsleeve 87]

In the begining I struggled with this kind of "disgust" also. Eating was a chore. I called it "a feeding." shakes made me sick. Smells often made me sick. But things got a lot better. I still have the restriction and I get full - which is great and why I did this! -- however, eating has become more normal again. Some foods still seem to "shut my stomach off" in one bite -- like eggs -- but for the most part I don't have so much of that disgust and repulsion I had in the begining. So overall I would have to say: hang in there! It's a process and it does get better!

[VJSlim 156]

Dont give up on the Protein -- we dont have a choice - its really necessary.

Though I dont crave the foods that I used to love pre-op, I dont really dislike anything. I'm loving Veggies, all kinds of lentils, fish and chicken. I bet you'll find more food that your sleeve loves as you reach 3 months. That was when I was cleared for solid food, and I found that I loved fish. Pre-op, I was not too keen on non-vegetarian food. I just used to have eggs. Now, I eat fish atleast thrice a week.

Hang in there, and take care of your body!!

[megannadine 29]

Honestly im 4 months in and I had to MOURN the loss of my food addiction. It was hard. I enjoy sitting and eating large amounts with my friends and family. Now food means something different, It was frustrating at first but you get over it. My new addicition is dresses and shoes..lol

[Wheetsin 714]

You're still recovering from your surgery. Your capacity will increase over time. In the meantime, you must find something to keep you healthy, and that includes calories, hydration and Protein. They are not optional. Have you tried masking your Protein? You don't have to drink it as-is. The only people I know who can really stomach protein drinks "as is" are hardcore body builders who just chug their way through it. Try... accessorizing. I went through the great protein search about 6 years ago when I had lapband surgery. Here are some of my favorites. Maybe there's something here that appeals to you?:

• Peanut Butter cup: chocolate protein, Peanut Butter or PB2 or SF PB Syrup or any combination) in half FF milk, half light soymilk.
  
• Orange julius: vanilla protein, reduced acid OJ, half packet splenda, tsp SF vanilla pudding, FF milk
  
• Mudslide: vanilla protein, SF Khalua syrup, FF milk, ice.
  
• PBJ: vanilla protein, PB or PB2, SF strawberry syrup, FF milk
  

Lot more recipes here that you can experiment with.

What foods have you tried? What did you like pre-op? Just about any flavor can be brought into a post-op friendly diet. We can help you figure out how, but not until we know what you like. Even if you're not craving something, you still need to get it down.

[hadouni 301]

I get it too. Sometimes I feel like "why bother" if I can't have something "good". The slightly twisted up-side to that is something

"good" will probably make me feel like crap or make me throw up.

I've never been a big Protein eater and that was one of my concerns for post-surgery life. If it wasn't for yogurt and cheese I'd probably have to live on muscle milk light and eeewwwww, what a sad thought!

The first few weeks on regular food were hard- maybe even the first month. All that trying to figure out what you can eat, what tastes good and doesn't make you sick... it did get better for me. Nibble on things and chew a lot. I do often take little tiny sips of liquid when I'm chewing meats to make them go down a little easier. My surgeon is not a fan of Protein shakes/powders and I just decided to heck with it. If I want to have a Meal Replacement shake for Breakfast because that's what I have time for, I'm doing it.

Good luck to you! Experiment a little and try not to get too discouraged. I just pulled out a top to wear this morning and it looked ridiculous it was so big and I almost cried because it hadn't fit for so long and I'd been dying to wear it again... now it's in the donation pile.

[andkel30 57]

You need to find some Protein sources you can tolerate. You don't have to love them or enjoy them, but you need to be able to get them down.

I can't imagine that long-term you can continue to eat 300 calories a day with almost no Protein and not become very, very sick.

Ii know and I think Im starting to feel sick now I will keep trying thou thanks

[andkel30 57]

I felt like this about 2-8 weeks out as well... I had a lot of anxiety about eating the wrong thing and messing my sleeve up... I had to take a step back and relax... I worked on staying hydrated and tried to find a good Protein drink/soft food that I could tolerate...

Also, I don't think you should wait until you're hungry to eat or drink.. That can cause you to be malnourished and dehydrated... I had to put myself on a schedule... When I eat/drink on schedule, I get 64+ oz of Water in and eat between 65-80 grams of Protein. Have you experiment w/ many foods?? I think I ate eggs, Tomato bisque Soup and chicken sausage for a month!! These were the only foods that I could eat w/o feeling grossed out..

I couldn't have Protein shakes for 3 weeks or so post-surgery.. once I did, I felt better... Now, I enjoy my meal time.. I actually can savor each bite,... all 6-8 of them.. I look at it as, I don't have space to waste on horrible tasting, non-nutritious junk!!... No, that doesn't work all the time for me.. b/c I still love Cheetos!! LOL...

But it's a start.. I hope this helps a bit..And I do believe things will get better!!!

I felt like this about 2-8 weeks out as well... I had a lot of anxiety about eating the wrong thing and messing my sleeve up... I had to take a step back and relax... I worked on staying hydrated and tried to find a good protein drink/soft food that I could tolerate...

Also, I don't think you should wait until you're hungry to eat or drink.. That can cause you to be malnourished and dehydrated... I had to put myself on a schedule... When I eat/drink on schedule, I get 64+ oz of Water in and eat between 65-80 grams of protein. Have you experiment w/ many foods?? I think I ate eggs, tomato bisque Soup and chicken sausage for a month!! These were the only foods that I could eat w/o feeling grossed out..

I couldn't have Protein Shakes for 3 weeks or so post-surgery.. once I did, I felt better... Now, I enjoy my meal time.. I actually can savor each bite,... all 6-8 of them.. I look at it as, I don't have space to waste on horrible tasting, non-nutritious junk!!... No, that doesn't work all the time for me.. b/c I still love Cheetos!! LOL...

But it's a start.. I hope this helps a bit..And I do believe things will get better!!!

I believe to it will get better thanks for your help....

[andkel30 57]

You're still recovering from your surgery. Your capacity will increase over time. In the meantime, you must find something to keep you healthy, and that includes calories, hydration and Protein. They are not optional. Have you tried masking your Protein? You don't have to drink it as-is. The only people I know who can really stomach Protein drinks "as is" are hardcore body builders who just chug their way through it. Try... accessorizing. I went through the great protein search about 6 years ago when I had lapband surgery. Here are some of my favorites. Maybe there's something here that appeals to you?:

• Peanut Butter cup: chocolate protein, Peanut Butter or PB2 or SF PB Syrup or any combination) in half FF milk, half light soymilk.
  
• Orange julius: vanilla protein, reduced acid OJ, half packet splenda, tsp SF vanilla pudding, FF milk
  
• Mudslide: vanilla protein, SF Khalua syrup, FF milk, ice.
  
• PBJ: vanilla protein, PB or PB2, SF strawberry syrup, FF milk
  

Lot more recipes here that you can experiment with.

What foods have you tried? What did you like pre-op? Just about any flavor can be brought into a post-op friendly diet. We can help you figure out how, but not until we know what you like. Even if you're not craving something, you still need to get it down.

I havent tried masking my protien but i will start I like chicken and which when I eat its always chicken....never make it to veggies although I dont like many of those even pre op...its funny because be surgery I use to enjoy the protien shakes now they make me gag or sick to my stomach...I will try you recipes thanks for the help

[Wheetsin 714]

If you're eating chicken breast or tenderloins, try a chicken thigh. You might find the dark meat easier to get down - dark meat is moister, and with a higher oil content. Chicken meatballs or sausage might work too. Do you have a Trader Joe's near you? They have some really good chicken and chile patties you can throw on the cooktop. Cream of chicken Soup. Egg drop soup made with chicken stock. Oven fried chicken, you can use parmesan cheese and Pork rinds for the crust. Stovetop chicken satay - a dash of peanut sauce may help. Exposing chicken to any acid will help break down the Proteins and make it a little easier to eat. Mustard works really well. One of my favorites is to buy the cheapest Italian dressing I can find, strain out all the pieces so I just have the oily stuff left. Add a dash of vinegar and a small squirt of mustard. Marinate chicken thighs in that mixture for about 2 days.

powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury makes a chicken stock flavored Protein powder. I've never tried it, but it seems to get decent reviews.

[andkel30 57]

If you're eating chicken breast or tenderloins, try a chicken thigh. You might find the dark meat easier to get down - dark meat is moister, and with a higher oil content. Chicken meatballs or sausage might work too. Do you have a Trader Joe's near you? They have some really good chicken and chile patties you can throw on the cooktop. Cream of chicken Soup. Egg drop soup made with chicken stock. Oven fried chicken, you can use parmesan cheese and Pork rinds for the crust. Stovetop chicken satay - a dash of peanut sauce may help. Exposing chicken to any acid will help break down the Proteins and make it a little easier to eat. Mustard works really well. One of my favorites is to buy the cheapest Italian dressing I can find, strain out all the pieces so I just have the oily stuff left. Add a dash of vinegar and a small squirt of mustard. Marinate chicken thighs in that mixture for about 2 days.

unjury makes a chicken stock flavored Protein powder. I've never tried it, but it seems to get decent reviews.

you listed some interesting ideas......I have been eating the chicken all kinds of ways.... I will see if we have a traders joes havent seen one thou......thanks for your help.