Definitely not a piece of cake- 1 month post-op

[ms.k 20]

Hi All! Before I start, I would just like to advise readers that this post is being written just to get some things off my chest. Please do not criticize or judge... because this past month has been stressful to say the least. A little background, I had my surgery on June 26, starting weight on first visit was 207, surgery day I weighed 195, and 1 1/2 weeks ago I weighed 181. I do not have a scale in my house because I don't want to get into the habit of stressing about loosing pounds, so I weigh myself at my grandmother's house every 1-2weeks. The day after surgery I was released from the hospital, no complications or problems, and I did not take any pain meds from that point on, which I am very proud of. I really wasn't in much pain at all, and I'd rather have the little bit of pain then have my stomach get upset from the pain pill, so I opted not to take them. I am very happy with the weight I have lost so far, as my old clothes are fitting me very nicely, and when I shop not I don't have to shop in the plus size section!!! I am, on the other hand very upset at myself for not working hard enough to get the required fluids and Protein in. (as I am literally wiping tears from my face because this is how upset it makes me) I really don't know what my problem is, maybe depressed cause whenever I think about it the tears just start flowing. But anyway, I know I can do better, the motivation just isn't there.... and this really bothers me because I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY HAIR!!!! So mad cause I know by not getting the required nutrition I am not putting myself in a good position to be healthy. On a good day I will get 20 or so oz of liquids and Proteins, ha! maybe 10-20 a day.... I know, I'm not doing this right!! Again, PLEASE don't bash!!! I've been going to sonic daily to get slushees, cause I am able get those down with no problem, but that's like 20 oz... and I also try flavored water, and sometimes can drink a bottle, but that's about it.... I also eat greek yogurt with 2x's the protein, chicken, cheese, and anything else I can with protein in it cause, though I love the taste of the Protein Shake I have... I struggle getting 1 20g bottle down. BTW, Core Power, strawberry banana is delish!! So, these are my stresses. Just venting, and don't mean any harm, just wanted to get it out. Oh, before I end this, just want to add that I am on regular food. I eat maybe 3 times a day, love string cheese, tried pizza 1 time and it went fine, now no problems with any food I have eaten so far... Good luck to all of you!!!

[missyjoy2078 381]

I feel the exact same way! I hate hate the Protein shakes. Trying to get the Water in and not coming close. I feel like I'm almost 4 weeks out and I'm failing already. This is a big big adjustment and I think it's going to take is time to get used to out new bodies.

Just know you are not alone. Promise.

[jaycobsmom 9]

I would suggest going to smoothie king (not sure if you have one where your at) ask for a gladiator smoothie and pick 2 flavors like strawberries and mango. The gladiator will have 30 grams of Protein in it. If you can drink a 20oz you can get most of ur protein in almost one cup..its an alternative

[NoneYa 380]

Are you tracking what you eat and drink with my fitness pal? It seems to me that you might be getting in more than you think. If you aren't i would recommend downloading the free app and doing it. Its the best thing i have done to really know where i stand. Guessing or going on memory will not work. Could be that you're better off than you think. Best of luck.

[jjh 3]

I am the same way. I was very sick in the beginning and at this point I just concentrate on eating and drinking to keep the nausea away. I cannot stomach Protein Drinks and tend to get fluids in through fruit and Popsicles. I figure that this I at he beginning and that as I get used to this new life I will get there. Try not to stress too much. This is a big change and we will all get there in our own time!

[kimbernada 190]

I promise that it will get easier. Well, maybe not getting the fluids in, but at least the Protein part will get easier. I still struggle with getting all of my fluids in. At least the GOOD news is that you can count the fluids that you add to food as part of your daily intake. So if you are having Soup, that counts... popsicles? That counts.

I did find a beverage that I really like... I think the brand is Vitamin Water Zero (or some form of those three words) and the flavor is called Rise. It tastes to me just like Tang. I only found this particular flavor on Friday as we were driving home on vacation, so I sure hope I can find this around here.

For Protein, have you tried the Quest Protein Bars? The cookie dough and chocolate brownie flavors are sinfully good, especially if you microwave them for about 10 seconds. I sure wish I had found this Protein Bar shortly after my surgery.

The sad news, however, is that you WILL lose hair. It's just something that happens. I started out with fine, thin hair. I even started taking Biotin in March 2012, with my surgery not even being scheduled, and still take it. (Surgery has now been a year ago.) I also have been getting in 80-100+ grams of protein. I think I have had maybe 2-3 short periods of time where my hair was falling out. I do keep my hair short AND I have been good about keeping up my blond highlights. To ME, if my hair is close to my scalp color, then I feel like it isn't quite as noticeable that it's gotten way thinner. (Compared to dark hair against a pale scalp.) I also found a cute pixie hair do that I've switched to. http://www.lyndsayjohnsonblog.com/2010/12/long-post-about-short-hair.html

[liteNsun 58]

I couldn't take shakes anymore, but moved on to "muscletech" Protein Bars at 20 grams a bar. They are soft and go down easy. I can get them at Sam's or costco. 18 bars for about 17 dollars. I keep them for on the go and it helps so much. I am finding that the markets are coming out with many new products to get fit, so I find it interesting now to study products at the store and see what I can now have and make it fun to try new things.

[teacher 36]

I am 6 weeks post-op and I despise Protein Shakes and bars and I know I don't get 60 grams of Protein a day but you are eating the same things that I am. I too eat Greek yogurt daily. I eat string cheese and some lunch meat for lunch and then my husband is a big griller so I eat hamburger patties, pork chops and steak for supper. I only eat the protein instead baked potato, salad, etc. along with the protein. That way I don't get too full before I get the protein down. I too have fine, thin hair and I worry about my hair falling out too but then I think of all of the starvation diets that I been on through the years and I was never bald. So we are in this together but I think you are doing better than you think you are. Stay positive and know that you are supported!

[Bea Amaya 859]

Sleeve Guru...what an amazing post in response to the original, and one I was not expecting at all. Because of my large size (very round face and thick neck) I have been avoiding the one thing I've never had in my 53 years...a pixie cut. After reviewing your post and the cool link, I'm seriously thinking that this may be on my list for my 100 lbs. lost milestone or my surgiversary. Thanks for posting!

Ms.K...I don't think there are many here who will judge you harshly. It actually sounds like you're struggling with issues a LOT of people deal with. And believe it or not, because I am still Pre-Op (I leave tomorrow morning for surgery on Tuesday), reading posts like yours that are not all over-the-rainbow and never-a-single-problem is so very helpful to others of us in keeping a really good perspective about the whole process. I truly think you have a wonderful chance at success and am so sorry you're struggling right now. Just know there are a lot of us that have you in our thoughts. Hang in there, sweetie!

[abbygirl 39]

Don't worry about the emotions - we women get e added bonus of extra hormones during the weight loss,so you are dealing with that too!

[Bredred 45]

:hugs. I'm sorry it's been rough. I'm not a fan of shakes either. I've only had 2 since my surgery on July 1. Now that I'm on puree, I get most in with foods by relying on baby bel light cheese 6 grams) and WW low fat cheese sticks (7 grams of protein). My Breakfast this morning was 2 egg whites and a baby bel omelet for 16 G Protein. Yesterday I had a very high protein lunch by having .3 cups chicken taco meat with WW cheese stick melted on it and a dollop of fat free Greek yogurt.

[Nikki B 4]

Hi All! Before I start' date=' I would just like to advise readers that this post is being written just to get some things off my chest. Please do not criticize or judge... because this past month has been stressful to say the least. A little background, I had my surgery on June 26, starting weight on first visit was 207, surgery day I weighed 195, and 1 1/2 weeks ago I weighed 181. I do not have a scale in my house because I don't want to get into the habit of stressing about loosing pounds, so I weigh myself at my grandmother's house every 1-2weeks. The day after surgery I was released from the hospital, no complications or problems, and I did not take any pain meds from that point on, which I am very proud of. I really wasn't in much pain at all, and I'd rather have the little bit of pain then have my stomach get upset from the pain pill, so I opted not to take them. I am very happy with the weight I have lost so far, as my old clothes are fitting me very nicely, and when I shop not I don't have to shop in the plus size section!!! I am, on the other hand very upset at myself for not working hard enough to get the required fluids and Protein in. (as I am literally wiping tears from my face because this is how upset it makes me) I really don't know what my problem is, maybe depressed cause whenever I think about it the tears just start flowing. But anyway, I know I can do better, the motivation just isn't there.... and this really bothers me because I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY HAIR!!!! So mad cause I know by not getting the required nutrition I am not putting myself in a good position to be healthy. On a good day I will get 20 or so oz of liquids and Proteins, ha! maybe 10-20 a day.... I know, I'm not doing this right!! Again, PLEASE don't bash!!! I've been going to sonic daily to get slushees, cause I am able get those down with no problem, but that's like 20 oz... and I also try flavored Water, and sometimes can drink a bottle, but that's about it.... I also eat greek yogurt with 2x's the Protein, chicken, cheese, and anything else I can with protein in it cause, though I love the taste of the Protein shake I have... I struggle getting 1 20g bottle down. BTW, Core Power, strawberry banana is delish!! So, these are my stresses. Just venting, and don't mean any harm, just wanted to get it out. Oh, before I end this, just want to add that I am on regular food. I eat maybe 3 times a day, love string cheese, tried pizza 1 time and it went fine, now no problems with any food I have eaten so far... Good luck to all of you!!![/quote']

I definitely understand what you are going through. As I reevaluate the things I ate yesterday I realized that this isn't as easy as I thought it would be. I too have to revamp my ear habits and I struggle getting in my liquids and protein. Stay positive and keep working at it, you will surpass this.

[Shellbell333 10]

Feel free to vent. We are going though some major changes here. I'm 5 weeks post my reborn day, June 24, 2013. At two weeks out it felt like I was never gonna eat(chew and swallow) ever again. I hated the taste of the Protein Meal Replacements drinks, to sweet. I started feeling like, why did I do this? I felt like I was never gonna enjoy a dinner out with my husband ever again. I was sick of drinking, trying to get in my numbers. Lord help me!! And He did. I eat Low sodium 97% fat free, thin sliced lunch meats. Black olives(I love them) for the right kinda fat. Cook meats in my crock pot. Just keep trying. You'll get it. I have faith in you.

[notime 340]

You can do this. Don't be discouraged. As someone posted above, keeping close track of your actual Protein and Fluid intake is essential at this point. It does sound as though you are taking in more than you think. Also, you can get plenty of protein without the protein drinks. Try an egg in any form. That's seven grams of protein. Add a bit of cheese to it to up the count. Vegetarian (because some of the non vegetarian ones use lard) refried Beans are an option. Add some cheese to that, too. The yogurt is great, eat it throughout the day. Make Jello, adding some fruit flavored protein mix in with it. Good luck. Let us know how you do.

[maybaby 17]

I am so sorry to hear of your sincere stress...I can really feel into it!! But I tell myself all the time ...the sooner I just accept what I need to do to lose the weight and stay healthy the better off I will be, mentally and physically. I know it sounds maybe a little tough thinking, but it what I tell my self!!

I like to eat Nonfat Cottage cheese...1/2 cup @ 80 Cal and 16 grams of Protein!!!! I usually eat 1 cup ....so I get in 32 grams of Protein!! And, nonfat Greek lite yogurt, strawberry or blueberry flavors @ 90 Cal and 16 grams of protein!!

Hope it gets better for you!