CdnExpat

I'm afraid I have bad news. I have done everything I'm supposed to do in order to keep up the protein requirements. Isopure, eating Proteins first, measuring and weighing in order to ensure I'm getting enough, and 90 days post-op, my hair is falling out like crazy. I've had to have it cut short in order not to look like a fuzzball when the new growth comes in. The doctor keeps assuring me this is "temporary" but I have to say I'm pretty disappointed that in spite of forcing myself to do the Protein shakes (gross) and sitting at the table for an hour after everyone else is gone in order to finish that @#@#$ chicken breast, my hair is still falling out. CE

Nope. This is exactly how I feel, and sometimes I struggle mentally with the loss of enjoyment. My husband and I are long-time foodies, and now, going out isn't very much fun. We've managed to revisit a few of our favorite places - he orders what he wants and I "nibble" off his plate. (He says he loves the cheap dates!) But I certainly don't think about food like I used to. I'm usually not hungry and I find I have to force myself to try to eat the minimum calories I'm told I require. In my head, I miss the comfort that food brought, but I'm learning to do other, more positive things with that emotional space. As I do, I've found that my relationship to food is becoming more balanced. And that's a good thing. CE

The shot glass with water has worked perfectly for me. I see the doctor tomorrow night, and I'll double-check with him, but it seems like a workable solution. (Thanks to Bigdockc )

I will check with my doctor. He's been great, but he's also been insistent that I could learn to eat without liquid. Not. (The shot glass idea is great!)

There's all sorts of quality research indicating value judgments based on externals, including weight, looks, body adornments, clothing, etc are actually the norm, not the exception. There's also research that indicates that lack of self-confidence is not necessarily correlated to body image - some of the most unhappy people I've worked with were "beautiful" or "perfect" in conventional ways, but absolute wrecks on the inside. Conversely, there are people who are rock solid psychologically who are overweight, scarred, missing limbs, or otherwise body challenged. Johnathan's irritation with the generalization was warranted. That kind of "broad-spectrum armchair psychology" makes me mad, too.

I've had almost zero trouble since being sleeved, and I'm thrilled with the result. My biggest problem is that I am not supposed to drink while I'm eating. This has caused me a LOT of trouble. In the beginning, post-surgery (April 4, 2012) nearly everything was liquid anyway, so it wasn't an issue. Now, three months later, I find myself gagging and having great difficulty swallowing more than 1 or 2 bites of "real" food because I can't even take a sip of Water. This means that I'm not actually getting anywhere near the minimum number of calories the doctor says I need, but I can apparently choose to eat OR drink. I've tried all sorts of different things, but I'm currently reduced to a lot of Soup, or taking small sips of water and waiting for my stomach to settle down. I'm really afraid of stretching my stomach (part of the dire warnings I've read and the doctor's warnings) but I can't seem to manage this issue. Anyone else experience this who might have some suggestions for me? P.S. This is not new - I have been unable to eat all my life without having water to sip. CE