Stuggling!

[fabtina 1]

Well I had surgery on the 27th of March. Everything went really well, my pain was minimal and my spirits were up. As of today I am not dealing well. I am sick of Soup and shakes, but i get to move up to pureed food on Thursday, but what difference is that? I am tired of not being able to eat dinner with my family (this is a big deal in my home, family time) and I am tired. I am walking and moving and I am already back to work. The past couple of days though I have felt dizziness. I am just at a blah stage and need something... I finally had to give in a buy some mashed potatoes from KFC just to have real food. I am struggling, and at the point I really don't want to eat, or drink anything except the water.. what can I do? Blah!!!

[aquitenonnymouse 206]

You can still sit down with your family for meals, but have a sugar free popsicle instead, or watered down applesauce or yogurt! You're going to be tired for a while, in my experience. It stinks, but it's your body responding to so many fewer calories. Make sure you're getting enough calories in. Are you drinking 3 glasses of milk each day? Does each one have Protein Powder added? I found that when I wasn't getting enough Protein at the beginning that I was more tired than usual. Hang in there!

[smithpy 117]

What you are feeling is perfectly normal. I went through that too.

When you switch foods Thursday it will make a huge difference because you are adding variety back a little at a time.

If you are feeling dizzy you may not be getting enough Protein. Call your doctor or dietician.

Hang in there. Soon you'll be too busy shopping for small clothes to care about missing the junk food.

Pamela

[fabtina 1]

You can still sit down with your family for meals, but have a sugar free popsicle instead, or watered down applesauce or yogurt! You're going to be tired for a while, in my experience. It stinks, but it's your body responding to so many fewer calories. Make sure you're getting enough calories in. Are you drinking 3 glasses of milk each day? Does each one have Protein powder added? I found that when I wasn't getting enough Protein at the beginning that I was more tired than usual. Hang in there!

I am having trouble drinking/eating anything. I don't want it. I am only getting in 30g of protein a day and that is a complete struggle and the Water ... I am lucky if I get 32oz in. My goal protein is 60g a day.

[gmanbat 5,889]

I went through all of those things.

It was miserable. What got me me through it was hope that things were going to get better.

And boy, did it ever!

I have a slim body like when I was in my 20's and I am as strong as I was then. I do not in any way feel deprived. I eat what I want to eat, (I just want to eat good). I buy clothes without trying them on. My wife looks at me like I'm a juicy steak.

Prepare for some good times. Sometimes you have to drive though the desert to get to the luxury resort.

[fabtina 1]

What you are feeling is perfectly normal. I went through that too.

When you switch foods Thursday it will make a huge difference because you are adding variety back a little at a time.

If you are feeling dizzy you may not be getting enough Protein. Call your doctor or dietician.

Hang in there. Soon you'll be too busy shopping for small clothes to care about missing the junk food.

Pamela

so what is the difference between what I am doing now to pureed? I was looking on the internet and to me there doesn't seem to be anything really. I don't regret my surgery but I am having issues with the whole different doctors do differnt things part .....

[JerseyGirl68 1,172]

You can do this. It is only a few more days. I agree with the above, not getting in your Water or Protein will definitely effect your energy.

Have you tried unjury chicken Soup? It was a great source of Protein when I was in the early stages.

pureed should be easier for you. I pureed chicken salad and had that with a tiny bit of cranberry sauce for variety. You can have refried Beans & cheese. Puree some chili. Do a recipe search on theworldaccordingtoeggface.com or Emilybites.com You'll get some great ideas for meals. There is a great Ricotta bake that was fantastic during puree's and your family will probably like it too.

Add some Protein Powder to some sugar free pudding if you need to bulk up to feel better.

Good luck, you can do this!

[TES 858]

You are probably in ketosis (a side effect of fat burning mode), which could be giving you that blah and maybe even an anxious feeling. You could have 4 oz of juice diluted with 4 oz of Water and if you are in ketosis it will probably knock you out of it and could help you feel better. Or try some kefir (liquid yogurt). Ketosis is actually good bc it means you are burning fat, but at this point, if you feel really badly, it might help. Or try a TBSP of Peanut Butter in a Protein shake.

You also may be dehydrated. I know it sounds like a broken record, but you must must must get in your Fluid. Even if it feels like a chore. I would just do the best you can.

Hope you feel better soon. Once you are in mushies, you can pretty much eat a regular meal with your fam. I know that this phase really sucks. It will get better and you will be really happy you suffered through these days.

[TES 858]

pureed food depends on your doctor's plan, but you should be able to have yogurt with PB2 (dehydrated peanut butter), pureed oatmeal and SF peaches, greek yogurt with pumpkin, pureed veggies, all kinds of pureed Soups and pureed chili, refried Beans with cheese and pureed salsa and a spoonful of greek yogurt (like sour cream). Google world according to Eggface--lots of great recipes, like one with ricotta cheese and eggs that I've heard tastes like the inside of lasagna. I microwave ricotta cheese with parm cheese and Tomato sauce plus veggie m-balls (you won't be able to do meatballs yet but could do the rest)...tasty. You can add unflavored Protein to soups. Imagine has a line of cream soups in a box that are sooo good--like cream of brocc and cream of potato. Good for puree--add protein powder.

[johnlatte 1,232]

so what is the difference between what I am doing now to pureed? I was looking on the internet and to me there doesn't seem to be anything really. I don't regret my surgery but I am having issues with the whole different doctors do differnt things part .....

Part of the process of slowly reintroducing foods back into your stomach, is allowing your insides to heal. This has little to do with the change of lifestyle that is going to naturally come with this type of surgery. It won't be forever, and while it might be a little uncomfortable right now, in the long run, it is what is going to help you best with your recovery. This is not a sprint, it is a marathon. You have to readjust your thinking a little bit. I eat dinner every night with my kids, just because I don't have a full plate, doesn't make a difference. Giving in is giving up, and if that's what you want to do, then by all means. But if you committed to having the surgery, then I would tend to believe that you want more. That means committing to doing what it takes to get healed up and getting down the path. Yes, every Dr. does it differently, but every outcome is different as well. I went 6 weeks before I had solid food, I am glad that I went through it as it helped me start to reconcile my relationship with food and the bad eating habits that got to the point where my only hope was to have my stomach cut out. Right now your biggest concern should be getting in your Protein to help keep your muscle mass in place and to promote the healing process and to stay hydrated, because dehydration is about the worst thing you could have happen. Sorry that you are feeling lousy, but if you follow what your Dr and nutritionist has laid out for you, you WILL feel better. - Good Luck and hang in there.

[sharonintx 1,275]

Fabtina I felt blah too. In fact, I still feel partially blah right now. I'm one month out. It get a little better as the days go by. You should really try to find some foods you can eat. I know you don't want them but you need to eat. You'll feel better. I hate trying to get in the liquids too. It's such a hassle. But once again I feel better the more I drink. Hang in there:) I know it sounds like a broken record to say it gets better all the time...but it does. Maybe some of us have a harder time just adapting to this new life than others. I just dunno. But if you'll hang in there I will hang in there with you:) I'm hoping to turn back into my usual self any day now. Hopefully you will too and we can just be normal together. Keep your chin up and have faith. That way if I forget to keep mine up you can remind me.

[fabtina 1]

Fabtina I felt blah too. In fact, I still feel partially blah right now. I'm one month out. It get a little better as the days go by. You should really try to find some foods you can eat. I know you don't want them but you need to eat. You'll feel better. I hate trying to get in the liquids too. It's such a hassle. But once again I feel better the more I drink. Hang in there:) I know it sounds like a broken record to say it gets better all the time...but it does. Maybe some of us have a harder time just adapting to this new life than others. I just dunno. But if you'll hang in there I will hang in there with you:) I'm hoping to turn back into my usual self any day now. Hopefully you will too and we can just be normal together. Keep your chin up and have faith. That way if I forget to keep mine up you can remind me.

Thank you thank you thank you!!!