Just had Orientation, Feeling Discouraged

[GeorgieDean 52]

I have to say I feel very discouraged. I’m not sure why but I went into this fully optimistic and learning about the pre op diet and the things you can and cannot have after the procedure makes me very nervous. For example: I love blending spinach Water ect, but I can’t because they say no liquid calories. Not even yogurt:(. I just feel this heavy weight in my chest. I don’t eat a lot of meat in general and I asked the nutritionist after if there were some vegetarian options and she said “yes, it’s just going to be much harder” . I can eat chicken, and turkey but I have never really cooked it cause it kinda grosses me out handling raw meat ( I’m weird I know. . I know all this will be worth it. Another thing is the straw thing you can’t drink from a straw... like I know that it is silly but it’s almost like they are taking away everything from you. I know I need this but I am so overwhelmed.

[sleevedin2018 41]

I have to say I feel very discouraged. I’m not sure why but I went into this fully optimistic and learning about the pre op diet and the things you can and cannot have after the procedure makes me very nervous. For example: I love blending spinach Water ect, but I can’t because they say no liquid calories. Not even yogurt:(. I just feel this heavy weight in my chest. I don’t eat a lot of meat in general and I asked the nutritionist after if there were some vegetarian options and she said “yes, it’s just going to be much harder” . I can eat chicken, and turkey but I have never really cooked it cause it kinda grosses me out handling raw meat ( I’m weird I know. . I know all this will be worth it. Another thing is the straw thing you can’t drink from a straw... like I know that it is silly but it’s almost like they are taking away everything from you. I know I need this but I am so overwhelmed.

I can understand your feelings given what sounds like a stern orientation. Honestly, they make it all sound like doom and gloom, but it’s not. Is there any reason they said you can’t have your spinach blends? I would imagine that’s an amazing source of Protein. Generally when they say no liquid calories, they mean things that have 0 nutritional value (Soda, sugary drinks, milkshakes etc).
It’s really not all that bad; but ultimately it’s your decision to weigh up pros and cons. Wishing you all the best with this deciding process!
Oh and I have drunk from straws and I’m 2.5 weeks post op. They only say not to because it can create unnecessary gassiness (I haven’t had an issue with it)

[GeorgieDean 52]

Thank you for your kind words. They do make it seem like doom and gloom! They said because when you have VSG the liquid will not make you feel full for long term, so that’s why you shouldn’t have smoothies. You’ve given me some hope. They said, no Soups, no smoothies, etc. I’m glad you’re enjoying your straw- because that is what I would almost miss the most lol. Do you think I would be able to buy frozen chicken breast that are already cooked to assist me in the prepping process?

[GeorgieDean 52]

I can understand your feelings given what sounds like a stern orientation. Honestly, they make it all sound like doom and gloom, but it’s not. Is there any reason they said you can’t have your spinach blends? I would imagine that’s an amazing source of Protein. Generally when they say no liquid calories, they mean things that have 0 nutritional value (Soda, sugary drinks, milkshakes etc).
It’s really not all that bad; but ultimately it’s your decision to weigh up pros and cons. Wishing you all the best with this deciding process!
Oh and I have drunk from straws and I’m 2.5 weeks post op. They only say not to because it can create unnecessary gassiness (I haven’t had an issue with it)

Sorry I’m new to this app, I replied without quoting

[Allie589 171]

Thank you for your kind words. They do make it seem like doom and gloom! They said because when you have VSG the liquid will not make you feel full for long term, so that’s why you shouldn’t have smoothies. You’ve given me some hope. They said, no Soups, no smoothies, etc. I’m glad you’re enjoying your straw- because that is what I would almost miss the most lol. Do you think I would be able to buy frozen chicken breast that are already cooked to assist me in the prepping process?

Are they talking just for the pre op or healing stage? I lived on soups and Protein Drinks. You cannot gulp an intense smoothie bc it’ll hurt if you get too full but you can have some. Your stomach is so small and swollen at the beginning that you have to choose to put the most nutrient dense foods into your new tummy-u don’t want to get full on stuff that doesn’t give you Protein. And yes, frozen precooked chicken is great! The pre op and healing stages can be hard but you will be a pro before you know it!!


Sleeved 8/7/17 HW: 256 SW: 248
CW: 197 on 1/3/18 5'7" GW: 150

[sleevedin2018 41]

Thank you for your kind words. They do make it seem like doom and gloom! They said because when you have VSG the liquid will not make you feel full for long term, so that’s why you shouldn’t have smoothies. You’ve given me some hope. They said, no Soups, no smoothies, etc. I’m glad you’re enjoying your straw- because that is what I would almost miss the most lol. Do you think I would be able to buy frozen chicken breast that are already cooked to assist me in the prepping process?

Glad to be of help! I’ve been living off soups and purees and blended chicken/meat/etc so I have no idea what these people expect you to survive on post-op lol. Obviously a little later down the track when you’re back on regular foods, it’s important to pick Protein rich foods over liquid stuff because it does move through you quicker, meaning you’ll take in more calories. But with careful intake you should be fine.

Absolutely you can use precooked chicken. It’ll blend better in frozen form anyway! As long as it’s not full of unnecessary additives it’s fine.

[Seahawks Fan 771]

6 hours ago, sleevedin2018 said:

I can understand your feelings given what sounds like a stern orientation. Honestly, they make it all sound like doom and gloom, but it’s not. Is there any reason they said you can’t have your spinach blends? I would imagine that’s an amazing source of Protein. Generally when they say no liquid calories, they mean things that have 0 nutritional value (Soda, sugary drinks, milkshakes etc).
It’s really not all that bad; but ultimately it’s your decision to weigh up pros and cons. Wishing you all the best with this deciding process!
Oh and I have drunk from straws and I’m 2.5 weeks post op. They only say not to because it can create unnecessary gassiness (I haven’t had an issue with it)

Yes liquid calories are as in fruit juices, whole milk, soda. By all means have your spinach Water. Some healthier liquid calories are good during puréed since your calories are deficient. I drink a large glass of spicy V8 every other day. I blend fruit into my Protein Shakes to.

[beckyagain 26]

For chicken/turkey/etc. - there are lots of pre-cooked options to buy once you're eating real meat. Trader Joe's has some excellent things in their frozen section. When you're in the "mush" stage, I couldn't cope w/ putting meat in a blender. I just carefully chewed tuna (in pouches) and canned chicken until it was mush. eggs are another great Protein source once you're past your restriction weeks.

I thought I would miss straws, but I really don't. Maybe I'll try them in a few months?

[orionburn 1,024]

There is some fear mongering to an extent, and it's justified. It's easy to get a lot of empty calories from liquids. Slider foods (things like mashed potatoes or ice cream) you'll find you could still eat quite a decent amount of only a few months after surgery. The risk/concern is that because it's easy to have more of those foods people will transfer a food addiction to those. For instance my NUT told stories of somebody that nibbled on pizza all day long. They couldn't eat more than a piece in a single sitting, but the constant grazing led to weight gain. Same with somebody snaking on the mini Snickers all day long. Yogurts are a staple in my diet. No, they don't fill you up but it's a healthy snack and easy way to get Protein in.

I don't like offices that make this giant banned list of foods. You can eat nearly anything a few months after surgery. It's just a dangerous path to go down for a lot of folks. Some things are gone and have stayed gone (foods that I struggled with). Other things I allow myself to have maybe once a month and I'm fine with that. Pasta used to be dinner at least 2 nights a week. Now I have a little bit maybe once a month and that's all I care about having. I don't have cravings for it like I used to. If I never had it again I really don't care, and I was a massive pasta lover prior to surgery. I get why they do it but I think there are better approaches to take.

The straw thing is mainly in the beginning to avoid the risk of drinking too much too quickly. I use straws now but have to remember that I can't pound a drink down like before.

[Engelyn 42]

17 hours ago, GeorgieDean said:

Thank you for your kind words. They do make it seem like doom and gloom! They said because when you have VSG the liquid will not make you feel full for long term, so that’s why you shouldn’t have smoothies. You’ve given me some hope. They said, no Soups, no smoothies, etc.

Hey I think you might get some useful information on green smoothies from this surgeon called Dr V. on youtube. He actually recommends green smoothies for bariatric patients. He has a few videos about just that, including a video where he makes one to demonstrate what he puts in. Look up Dr. Vuong!