Heading Back Into the World

[JessterNC 92]

I am 17 days Post-Op and have lost 28 pounds. I feel good about how things are going. I have had some learning experiences along the way, what it means to be "full", what happens when I push those limits, and how to monitor, not just how much I eat, but also what I eat.

But on Wednesday I go back to my high school. Due to other health issues I haven't been there since the end of April. I haven't seen any of my co-workers since then either so I am not sure what their reaction may be. I am nervous as to what they may say and do. I have worked there for 9 years so this is going to be a new experience for me. I am working hard trying to discover how to live as the "new me". I feel like at times I don't know this person I am now. I am wearing clothes I haven't worn in quite a few years.

I am also struggling with how I will maintain my eating schedule. I will eat Breakfast around 6-630. School starts at 830 and my classes are 90 minutes long. I wont have lunch until 130 and school ends at 330. I have been eating about every 2 1/2 hours and I know I cant continue to do that so I am really having a hard time figuring out how to do this. I talked to my dr and he said to do what I need to but just to make sure I keep my Protein up.

I am also kind of worried with my energy level. I still get tired in the afternoon and I definitely wont be able to take a break in the middle of the afternoon. So I am really hoping that I can push through the day without running completely out of steam.

I am excited about getting back to work, but I am also nervous about how it will all go. The students come in next Tuesday. I have 4 days to get things ready in my classroom. I know I will be able to, it is just kind of scary to go back into the world after being at home for this long.

Good luck to everyone as we all continue down our journey of re-discovery and learning to live our new lives.

[jane13 2,256]

@@JessterNC - what about keeping a Protein drink on hand for that long stretch between Breakfast and lunch? powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury has non-flavored Protein you can add to your Water or flavored water. It will head off the hunger pains. I was told to not eat a bunch of small meals. I was told to only eat when hungry. Thirst sometimes presents itself as hunger. Sip Water (protein in it) and have a smoothie available around 10...that my suggestion, until you go to lunch. dehydration and lack of protein will make you feel tired. Are you on BP meds? I had to break mine in half after losing about 25lbs or my BP went too low.

[JamieLogical 8,708]

I definitely think you should try to figure out some way to bring a snack that you can sneak in between classes between breakfast and lunch or add some flavored Protein to your Water. And definitely make sure you have water with you at ALL times. You need to be drinking all day long.

[JessterNC 92]

Thank you both for your suggestions. I was on 2 different BP meds before surgery and I started on just one afterwards. That lasted abut 3 days before we realized it was dropping it to low. This morning it was 107/73 without any meds. I am very pleased about that.

My wife is a teacher in the same school and we have been discussing some of the suggestions you have made about the Protein shakes. We are going o make one for me to have each day and different ways to make sure I keep my Water intake up.

At this point, I am still not really getting hungry yet so I called my dr to ask him about it. He told me that I should probably still try to eat on a schedule until I start feeling hungry again.

I think we are thinking of having some unsweetened applesauce or something like that around 815 then at 10 start the Protein shake and sip it during the first part of that class. Have my lunch and after school have another low sugar snack.< /p>

Just found out that 2 of the first 3 days will be tied up with meetings so everyone will be very busy. I hate the meetings, but I am glad that it will keep everyone busy so I wont get asked 100s of questions.

Thanks again for the suggestions

[JamieLogical 8,708]

I'm 11 months out and I still have to eat on a schedule. I will get hungry if I go too long without eating, but by the time I feel hunger, it's almost too late. I am what my family calls "hangry" and I'm impossible to be around. I don't even notice it, but it's gotten to the point that when I show the first signs of hangriness, people around me are handing me food and insisting I eat!

As early out as you are, you should DEFINITELY be eating on a timer and not relying on hunger as an indicator of when to eat.

[sleevenv 483]

I use this Protein Drink (comes in six flavors) in a sports drink container. Two pouches in 24 oz of Water is 36 grams of Protein. Lasts a couple of hours. If you feel weak, throw in a G2 for 30 calories of carbs.

Edited August 11, 2015 by sleevenv

[jane13 2,256]

Its funny how different our "directions" are for each of us here. We get on the forum we wonder why one can eat this and the other cant. My doctor & NUT both said to eat ONLY when I get hungry. Sip some Water first and make sure its hunger (about 20min) and then if I still feel hungry, eat.

go figure ;P

[JamieLogical 8,708]

Its funny how different our "directions" are for each of us here. We get on the forum we wonder why one can eat this and the other cant. My doctor & NUT both said to eat ONLY when I get hungry. Sip some Water first and make sure its hunger (about 20min) and then if I still feel hungry, eat.

go figure ;P

Meanwhile, the other day someone on here was saying that her surgeon insisted she wouldn't feel any hunger for at least 12 months post-op, so in her case I guess she would just starve to death! I told her her surgeon was a "big fat liar" and she was pretty offended.