SpaceDust

First of all, what is your post-op diet? Your surgeon probably gave you one. It can vary quite a bit depending on the surgeon, so there's no one set recommendation, but if we know what you're supposed to be eating we can probably offer some ideas of where to start. I do know that there are lots of posts regarding diet all through the site, some of them within the last few days. Additionally, there's a whole sub forum for Pre-op & Post-op diets that you might find helpful - you'll find it at http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/8-pre-op-post-op-diets/ Good luck!

That seems a bit odd. Are you using ready-to-drink or powders? You might want to look at the carbohydrates per serving in your protein drink - some of them can be unexpectedly carb-heavy. I usually use protein powders. The ones I use regularly have less than 6 grams of carbs per serving. If I add milk instead of water, it adds another 12 grams per serving.

Congratulations on getting there, and good luck tomorrow! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

I only offer advice based on observation, not some sort of diagnosis, and I'm always perfectly fine with it being taken or not, as applicable. As others here will tell you, I certainly don't believe that everyone needs therapy. Had you simply said you didn't think it applied in this case and moved on, I would have thought nothing of it. I don't always have to be right, and the only winning I see is someone being successful. I agree that in the case of your line, we will agree to disagree. Some form of counseling is a common suggestion here because so many here have addiction and other issues that impact behaviors. It is only meant as a suggestion of one form of helpful support, but if you find that to be troublesome (and fair enough of you do - we all have our lines about something), I wanted to give you a heads up. Oh, and on a lighter note, I have almost never failed at dieting. I'm a pro at that. It is the maintaining has me stymied Good luck! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Hehe, when I mix in my frozen cherries or a half a frozen banana, I feel like it should be a guilty pleasure!

I'm sure hoping that I won't have issues with protein drinks post-surgery - I am just fine with them as it stands now (some are better than others, of course!) The nose clip is an interesting idea, though. I know that a lot of people do say it's the smell that bugs them the worst.

It seems odd that you would get a headache because of sipping thinned out Protein drink. Did it still feel heavy or did it help with that? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Are you also just sipping your protein, or are you taking bigger drinks? You might try thinning it out more and sipping more like you do water. It may take longer, but be easier on the tummy. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Doomed? Of course not! However, I don't think you're truly ready for this, and you may continue to struggle after the surgery if you don't fully commit to what it's going to mean in the short term and long term. What I would be concerned about is the inability to stick to the diet at all. I know it's tough. I struggle with the modified version of the pre op diet that I've put myself on right now. But seriously, it does sound as if you haven't fully committed to the surgery if you can't find it in you to get through even one day. I urge you to consider postponing and think this through. It would probably be helpful to work with a counselor to focus your commitment. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Don't be discouraged! The process is tough, this changing of major elements of your life. No one expects you to be perfect right off the bat. There will be struggles, and you may backslide sometimes. Just get back on the path and keep moving forward. You'll get there if you truly want to succeed. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

You're right; no one wants to hear about complications, of course! It's scary, plus we all hate hearing that one of our peers is having a rough time of it because we care about our fellow humans. But I'm really glad you did tell us about it. Those of us who haven't been sleeved yet or are newly sleeved need to know every bit as much about the risks and failures as we know about the successes. It helps us to assess risk and make informed decisions. Thank you for helping us along our way! It sounds as if things are starting to look up for you. I wish you the absolute best outcome going forward. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

I'm with you - I'm not the type to think of exercise as anything but work. But, like any job, if we want to get paid, we have to put in the time. I bit the bullet and got back into the gym now, pre surgery, because I want to be as fit as I can going into the surgery. Is it fun? Heck, no! But toned muscles mean higher testing metabolic rate, which will improve my initial weight loss, plus I'll have the habit built already so it will be easier to get back in the gym as soon as allowed after surgery, I hope! I know that there are some people who say they lost all their weight post surgery without exercising, but I want to not only slim down but have a nice trim, toned look. Heck, I crave decent abs. That, I'm afraid, means a regular date with strength training with weights, as well as regular cardio. Oh, and it's not uncomfortable at my gym. There are plenty of people there who are not gym rats and who are, like me, trying to get the weight off. No staring or feeling like I don't belong. I haven't tried a class yet, as I'd like to build up a little endurance first, but they take all levels of expertise and it all seems very friendly. Come on in, the water's fine! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Interestingly, Jawbone just bought BodyMedia today. I wonder what that will end up meaning for their respective devices? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Have you tried putting yourself on an eating schedule? Ignore whether you feel hunger - you may not feel hungry. Just plan to have something every few hours and hold to that. Same thing with Water - do things like plan to drink a few sips every 10 minutes whether you're thirsty or not. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Have you tried soy Protein or egg protein? They are acceptable solutions. Did you try a sample of one of the unflavored protein powders mixed in a broth? You might find it more palatable in something savory like that. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Tink, I'm sure it is a part of it for some people. For others, it's the hormone changes, the stress of figuring out how to work with the sleeve, the desire to feel "normal" because it's too soon to know what the new "normal" really is, being tired, dealing with healing, perhaps feeling a bit isolated... the list goes on. Some people go on mild anti-depressants, some see a therapist to work through it, and some just cope with it, knowing that this, too, will pass. Hang in there. We'll be here if you need to talk.

Did you call and talk to them? If it's still going on it might need to be seen by someone local to you. That much pain doesn't sound normal. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

That partly depends on where you're going, what kind of activities are planned and how far you'd be from medical assistance, I'd think. Have you talked to your surgeon's office to find out what they recommend? I would start there before making any decisions. My personal thought is I'd wait a minimum of two weeks, as you'll likely be quite tired and still getting used to what your sleeve needs. I'll likely try to wait on any major travel till I'm on regular foods again, just to make things a bit simpler. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

At this point in the game, it seems to me that you shouldn't necessarily be waiting for hunger to get in your protein. Get yourself on an eating schedule to regularly provide fuel to your body, even if you aren't hungry. Not being hungry is useful to prevent unwanted snacking, but your body does need a reasonable amount of fuel to keep your metabolism churning along at a good rate to keep weight loss moving. Good luck! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Good luck, wynk11!

I should add that my dietician was 100% on board with me continuing to use shakes for breakfast, both now and after I get back to solid foods after surgery. Her take is that while normal foods are encouraged, it's really more of a question of what works for me in the long run. I'm much more consistent getting breakfast in a timely manner by using a shake, and it's decent nutrition, not a doughnut or a stack of pancakes or something.