Counting and spacing sips and spoons, and going nuts

[MPL 9]

I need advice, please. I am 1 week post op and on my third week of high-Protein liquids. Fortunately, I have no complications (knock on wood.) Unfortunately, I now have an insatiable appetite (I have almost never in my life felt "full" but right now I am hungry 24/7.) During the two weeks pre-op, under a general admonition to "try to lose some weight" I lost 11 lbs by eating lowfat and high Protein. Never was especially hungry, even if not full either.

My doctor wants 64 oz. of liquid with a minute between sips and no more than an ounce every five minutes. I find if i am not paying close attention, I will have consumed a 3,75 oz. cup of SF Jello in no time,Five minutes between small spoonfuls of a solid liquid like low carb FF yogurt or SG jello or Soup and half an hour to consume 4 oz. (It probably takes about an hour and a half to eat 4 oz.) I try to combine both with Isopure low carb RTD. I am getting about 45 grams of my protein this way. I have tried Coco Libre high Protein Drink which is very concentrated protein: 20 grams in 140 calories. I estimate I am eating about 70 to 80 grams of protein and about 500 to 600 calories. (I can tell by the looks I get from DH that he thinks I am eating way too much.)

I will also need a half an hour spacing between liquids and solids, starting with phase 2. This will be VERY hard because I have always been a major Water drinker, probably about 64-80 ounces a day. Trying not to be negative, but worried about this part.

I tried writing it all down but it takes a LOT of time and distracts me from my actual work (writing, speaking in coherent sentences, computer research etc.) If it turns out I haven't lost weight at my 2-week check. I will plotz. Help, please? Tough love?TIA.

[mrs kaje 347]

There is an app called Eat Slower (I think) that times your bites and counts down to your next one. Something like this may help you get in the habit?

[SLo 3]

I was so hungry the first month. It was so hard to tell the difference between hunger, digesting, and gas pain. It all hurt for me. I finally started Fiber gummies and it helped a lot. Ask if you can have those. It helped with not feeling hungry all the time. I could not tell if I was full until I had chest pain, then I would throw up. I still struggle with eating slow enough but thankfully I rarely have vomiting issues any more. You may find that certain foods will no longer work for you. Potatoes are a sure fire vomit food for me, even when just in something. Good news is that I no longer crave french fries. I got over that really fast! Again, fiber gummies saved my sanity. Good luck.

[katkinsmu 27]

Have you tried the app myfitnesspal. It allows you to scan the barcode or manually input what you are eating. Today marks my 4th day post op and I started using it on the 2nd day of my preop diet I like it because it is simple to monitor what you eat. Plus you can add the cups off Water. In addition you can track your exercise.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Not sure what surgery you had, but if you had the gastric sleeve or DS, you may be having excess stomach acid rather than true hunger.* Excess acid, which happens to many people after being sleeved, often presents as hunger. If you are not on a PPI, you may want to talk this over with your surgeon. If you are on a PPI, you may need a higher or more frequent dose, or a stronger PPI.

I second the recommendation for the Eat Slower app -- it was a great help to me in the initial months after surgery.

*this may also be true for bypass or lapband patients, I just don't know anything about those situations so I can't really say.

Edited February 17, 2015 by Bufflehead

[bruni 38]

omg...that sounds like a lot of rules!

honestly, i would just work on getting in the overall daily requirements...slowly. my NUT had said I should sip Water for 30 mins...then nothing for 30 mins...then Protein drink for 30 mins. I start with that premise but honestly, it doesn't always work. sometimes i am THIRSTY in that down 30 mins, so I drink. sometimes I am at the bottom half of a Protein drink and run out before the 30 mins is up...I dont stress about it...I just try overall to take small, slow sips and work on overall requirements.

and agree about the acid!

Edited February 17, 2015 by bruni

[MPL 9]

Not sure what surgery you had, but if you had the gastric sleeve or DS, you may be having excess stomach acid rather than true hunger.* Excess acid, which happens to many people after being sleeved, often presents as hunger. If you are not on a PPI, you may want to talk this over with your surgeon. If you are on a PPI, you may need a higher or more frequent dose, or a stronger PPI.

[MPL 9]

No one ever mentioned the use of a PPI; thanks. I will follow up. I have been using eat slower this morning and it seems to help. The "ding" in the background is almost subliminal and means I don't have to watch the clock constantly. This is a major improvement. No meds this morning (probably because I am eating slower) so maybe I can drive later today! A much better day, so far. Thanks much.

[samuelsmom 670]

If I had to count and time stuff I would have gone nuts too! The best advice I can give is to sip slowly throughout the day. Try not to stress and enjoy your success and recovery!