Will I be able to eat "Normal" again?

[dianegoe 0]

I had my lapband surgery on 1/15 and I'm on my 5th day of liquids. I feel so shaky and lightheaded. I am drinking the Protein Drinks and Water, but I have not had more than 200 calories since Tuesday. I am just wondering if I did the right thing. Will I be able to sit down and have a salad or piece of chicken some day. Will I eat normally? I have lost about 9 # in the last few days. But, I am not trying to loose 20# in one month. I belive slow weight loss is more healthy. And I feel starving. I thought this was suppose to take the hunger away. I drink Unjury chicken Soup or Muscle Milk and they have 20 gms of protien and I'm drinking water too. But my stomach lining feels like it's being eaten by stomach acid. I did this to be healthy and now I'm windering if I will be "normal". I am not trying to become anorectic. Please tell me that when I get past this liquid stage and go to mushies that my stomach will stop hurting. I don't want to feel light headed and shaky all the time. I just want to eat 3 normal meals, feel full, loose 1-2# a week and not have my skin hanging because I lost weight too fast. Will it be better when mushie stage starts? Does anyone else think "what have I done"? Sorry for the downer post. I'm just worried.:ohmy:Diane

[greeneyez 3]

Oh Diane,

Sorry to hear you are finding it like this. I had one of those moments on Day1 and 2. Perhaps you could have other things to drink. Why don't you call your Dr and ask? I'm also a little light-headed, but I am not drinking enough Water. I made a banana smoothie, it was delicious! Perhaps you can have other liquids too.

Hope you can have something else, you can't live on 200 calories. Once you go to real food, you will notice a big difference.

Hugs,

Jen

[Fanny Adams 7]

*BIG HUGS* Now relax, hon! What you are feeling is absolutely normal. You WILL be able to eat normal food again, you just have to get through the healing process first. I don't know what your post-op diet is, but they all follow the same pattern (although the time frames differ wildly from doctor to doctor) and soon you will be able to take thicker liquids, nourishing Soups, then mushies and back to solid foods. As this happens, you will feel better and better.

WARNING: Don't be surprised if, in a couple of days time as you transition into thick fluids and mushies, you stop losing and even regain a pound or two over the next few weeks. This happens to most of us and it can be very discouraging but again, it is NORMAL and seems to happen regardless of how much you are eating. That plateau should end as you start to get back onto solid food and it will start to go down again. You may even feel very hungry until you get your first fill, but you should find that you are satisfied on much less than previously and it will get easier and easier as you get closer to the "sweet spot" with your fills.

Good luck on your journey!

[Wheetsin 714]

Will I be able to sit down and have a salad or piece of chicken some day. Will I eat normally?

This thread should answer that, and give you an idea of what you might expect, keeping in mind we're all different.

Share ideas, what did you eat today?

[dianegoe 0]

Thank you! I have calmed down knowing there is a light at the end of this tunnel. I see the Dr. on Wednesday and I am praying he will let me eat oatmeal or Malto-Meal. I am not craving sweets, but my body wants real food that is warm. This is NOT easy, it is very HARD. If anyone says it's the easy way out they don't know what they are talking about. I will drink my Muscle Milk and know it's almost Sunday. Then I only have 4 days left! Thanks for your support. I could not do this without all of you. Diane:redface:

[greeneyez 3]

You're welcome! And yes, I couldn't do any of this without everyone here!

[Chrisann 0]

Hang in there really. It does get better. Sometimes you feel too good after a while. Cause I did something horrendous tonite and I am paying for it now.

Approaching the start of my second week of mushies. So, what did I do? Like a jerk?

Ate fried rice, chewed it well though, and a small chili from Wendys over a two hour period. Now I am gassy, and my whole abdomen hurts. But painful gas, like I had right after the surgery.

So the moral here, well, don't go out hungry and use your head. I am going to do liquids all day tomorrow.

[alfofohio 0]

Diane,

I also was banded on Jan. 15. I was only restricted to Clear Liquids for one day. I am able to eat pureed oatmeal, thin cream of wheat, pureed meat, baby food vegies & fruits, pureed cottage cheese, carnation instant Breakfast, yogurt. Today is 6th day after my surgery date. I do have some stomach pain after eating, so don't eat too much. I can only eat about 2 tablespoons every 2 hours. I also keep sipping constantly on water/unsweetened fruit juice diluted, crystal light, hot tea. Hang in there. It will get better. I don't think you are getting enough Protein. I found the oatmeal delicious and hot & satisfying. Just don't eat too much. Good luck to you.

[dianegoe 0]

Thanks. Today I had a couple of spoonfuls of yogurt. It felt really good to coat my stomach. I did not have pain so I think I'll be ok. I see the Dr. on Wednesday. I will tell him, and if he gets mad at me, Oh well. I have lost weight so he should not be too mad. Thanks. Diane I might just try the oatmeal:)