Fork-in-the-Road

tomorrow morning will be 48 hrs post lap band surgery and I feel like I'm going to starve to death. I'm doing broth, jello, water and juice, but my stomach feel so empty and all I think about is food.

For those of you nice enough to respond to my post, and for anyone that it might help in the future, I wanted to update my post. It's day 10 post op for me, and about day 6 I did 2 things that either on their own or together (along with the protein) made the difference and ended the sick feelings: 1) I stopped taking the heavy duty pain meds, I started talking anti-nausia meds. Within about a day I felt worlds better.

For those of you nice enough to respond to my post, and for anyone that it might help in the future, I wanted to update my post. It's day 10 post op for me, and about day 6 I did 2 things that either on their own or together (along with the protein) made the difference and ended the sick feelings: 1) I stopped taking the heavy duty pain meds, I started talking anti-nausia meds. Within about a day I felt worlds better.

Thanks Brendap - I will retrace my steps a bit and slow down. Maybe going back to broth will help. I'm worried about nutrition, but I guess at this point I just need to focus on liquids of any kind. ??

I hate to be back here like I’m whining, but since moving to the next phase of liquids, which has been skim milk and protein shakes, I’ve gone from feelings of starvation to almost non-stop nausea. Is this normal at this point out from surgery day? I couldn’t even finish half of a 6 oz protein shake today and had to stop because I thought I was going to throw up. I’m sipping, not gulping so I don't think it's the rate I'm drinking.

Had my firt post-op protein this morning. Much better. My stomach does not feel like it's eating itself from the inside out anymore. Thanks everyone for walking me through.

Try to relax. Don't let other people scar you. I have some negative people around me that did not think the band was the way to go, but it is the right thing for me - I did not want parts of my body re-arranged and/or removed, or the longer recovery that comes with the other options. I'm now 2 days out from my LB surgery and there has been pain, but not extreme pain. The gas they pump in and trying to get up from a bed or chair has been the worst part - go for walks, they have made me feel better. Good luck! It's normal to be nervouse. Think about how you will feel at 180, how much easier it will be to get around and get through life - there is a price to pay to get there.

Ok - I see I am not alone. I'm setting my mind on tomorrow morning, Christmas. My present to myself will be some protein! Hopefully that will start to settle my stomach and set my mind still. I really appreciate this site! Oliversmamma, we are having similar struggles - my wife asked ME to make the family cheesecake I always make (and eat half of) for Thanksgiving and Christmas! I did it. Just to prove to myself I could. It was difficult, but I know not nearly as difficult as it will be to watch the whole family eat it..

I'm getting about 64 oz of water, plus the broth and jello on top of that, so I think I'm good with the amount of fluid. It's just that my stomach still feels very hollow and empty.

Corrigan – I know what you mean. I have read a lot of posts from people that don’t seem to have received any post-op guidance. I did go through what I think is a pretty good pre-op program, not a center of excellence place, but they openly say that is what they are striving for. I had about 12 weeks of weekly classes, individual psychologist sessions and nutritional one-on-one. However, I don’t think there is anything that could have prepared me for the psychology of removing food from the center of my life, except it actually being forced on me and having to live through it day by day and figure it out. I appreciate your tip on filling that “space” with something else. I think I need to change up my daily routines, somehow, for starters.

Pink - thanks for your reply. I'm supposed to be on clear liquids thru today, then I can go to milk, protein shakes. Maybe things will be better when I can do that. Food was like the center of my life, especially around the holidays. I think this may be more mental than anything.

I'm new here, going through pre-op procedures. I'm pretty nervouse about everything, including whether or not to go band or sleeve, and also about removing food as just about the center of everything I do and think about..

Corrigan - Thanks for the comments and encouragement