Psychsnob

My appetite didn't return for about 10 days. But the amount I eat has been significantly reduced. For example one egg for breakfast and I'm stuffed. I do have to eat more frequently. When I track how much I eat for the whole day it's maybe 20% of what I used to.

It's been 3.5 weeks since I have had a diet coke, and I am frequently day dreaming about having an ice cold can of DC! I was drinking a super big gulp everyday before my VS. I plan to give them up for good, because it is so bad for your health and because research has shown it leads to weight gain. But truly, giving up diet coke is harder than all the other foods I am giving up. Yesterday I went into a 7-11 for my kids, and I felt like an alcoholic walking into a liquor store. And believe me, I am by no means making light of the struggle addicts go through on a daily basis. This is so hard for me!!

The first 10 days I didn't have anything but clear liquids - 1/2 cup broth per day was all I could handle as far as calories go. It will feel much better as the days go on.

I have not been able to keep down any vitamins - this is a problem I have had all my life. This includes gummies, chewables, powders, etc. Can anyone recommend a vitamin pill that I can just SWALLOW whole? I am three weeks out from surgery.

Here's what I've learned from my doctor, nutritionists, nurses, and all of your doctors, nutritionists, and nurses: Weight loss is a life long process. You need to lose most of the weight in the first few months, or you won't be successful. If you don't lose a lot of weight pre-op, surgery won't be successful. No pre-op diet needed. Only Protein shakes the week before surgery. Low fat diet before surgery. No prescription pain meds after discharge from the hospital. Prescription meds for about a month. Only Motrin is allowed for pain from no on. Never ever take Motrin ever again. You can only drink Clear liquids the first week. You need to be on clear liquids for as least two weeks. You can eat very soft foods while in the hospital. Protein Shakes only for two weeks. Protein shakes only for four weeks. Don't graze all day. Make sure you eat every two hours. Take only small sips of Water. You must get 64oz water every day. Don't drink water half hour before eating. Make sure you drink 64oz water. Don't drink water half hour after eating. You can return to work after a week. You'll be off work 4-6 weeks. No carbonated beverages ever again. No carbonated beverages for the first six months. You will probably start to be lactose intolerant. Eat Greek yogurt, it's high in protein. meat is better for you than fresh fruits and vegetables. You'll stretch your sleeve very easily and gain all your weight back. It's really hard to stretch your sleeve. After 6 weeks, you can eat the same as everyone else. You'll never eat the same again. No alcohol for 6 months. No alcohol for 1 year. No alcohol ever again. Over the counter Vitamins are fine. You can only take bariatric vitamins. And my personal favorite, just for me: "oh you're passing out due to being malnourished? Ok, for the next three days, only drink water, don't eat anything." Okey Dokey, then... ????

An update: today I "caved" and got a small diet coke, planning to just sip it. IT WAS DISGUSTING!!!!!! After three tiny sips I threw it away. I can't describe it but I guess it was just bizarrely sweet. I guess this is a good thing - like finally breaking up with a boyfriend that is really bad for you!

This brings up an interesting question... Since we are encouraged not to eat rice/carbs (protein and veggies first!), the sensible thing to do is to eat the fish and leave the rice. However, our favorite sushi place - a buffet- will charge $1 per piece if they see you only eat the fish and leave the rice! I understand why they implemented the policy- clearly they had a problem with people taking too much expensive sushi and only eating the best part. But I still think it would be weird to see it enforced.

I know this sounds warped, but I would love it if I drank a diet coke and it was painful! Operant conditioning is the only thing that seems to work for me!

@kindle: ???????????????????????????????????????????????? sending positive thoughts your way that your train wreck will get better! I think you have won half the battle, knowing that food and alcohol will only make things worse! Love your attitude!

I took off one week. Surgery was Monday and I went to work the next Tuesday. I would have gone back on Monday, but I didn't have any appointments scheduled so I didn't have to go in.

I was working 12-14 hour days before my surgery at one of my jobs. I did not feel up to it after surgery, even though I went back to my other 8hr job that was alllllll sitting. I've been struggling with the protein shakes (I could only drink 1/2 per day instead of the the required 3), and I've noticed a slight decline in my mental acuity (I feel a little fuzzy and slower) due to the poor nutrition, so I haven't gone back to the one job yet. (I screw up, someone could die.)

Diet coke has always been the only thing that would quench my thirst. I love water and that's all I drink now (just not interested in flavored waters), but it seems I have cotton mouth all the time, no matter how much water I drink! I just crave the coldness, the carbonation, and the neutral flavor!! (This is just me venting instead of going to get a coke!)

No, it's the taste that makes me vomit. My doctor just says "you have to take the (powder mixed with water) because you signed a contract last year to follow my orders." When I tell him /NUT that I vomit the vitamins up, she said only clear liquids for three days. .... Um ... NO.

Mine was just basically a conversation about why I wanted the surgery, what my goals are, and what steps have I taken to ensure my success. It was very easy and they just want to make sure you don't have a serious mental illness that can interfere with your understanding of the surgery and the change in lifestyle that is needed. The only thing awkward for me about it is that I'm usually the one in the chair, not the couch!

I was told I'm ONLY allowed Advil for pain. Bizarre how wildly doctors vary on almost every part of WLS.

I am 13 days out from surgery. No complications. 10 days clear liquids. Now into protein shake stage until 7/15. I am trying to follow the program (4 shakes per day), but for the past two days I have been vomiting the shakes up almost all the time. If I can keep it down, it is only 1/2 a scoop worth of protein powder. I have tried different flavors, brands, etc. I drink water all day (except 1/2 hour before the protein shake, per dr order). I know I am not getting nearly enough nutrition and because of this, I can barely make it through the day, much less do any exercise. Today, I packed my protein shakes for our outing on a sailboat. 15 min into our drive, up and out the shake came. I was so desperate for nutrition, I ate 3/4 a hard boiled egg. It stayed down just fine. On the boat, the heat and waves made me so seasick (1st time ever) I couldn't bear the thought of a shake. During the day I ate a thin slice of deli ham, and a half cup (over 5 hours) watermelon. It stayed down. This evening for dinner I ate 1/2 cup restaurant egg drop soup. I really feel I am ready for soft food. I have no interest in overeating or back to unhealthy foods. When I talk to my NUT, the nurse navigator, or my doctor, they all say the same thing. "You have to drink 4 eight oz shakes per day. There is no other option. You signed a contract agreeing to follow our orders". And out the door I go, $50 poorer. Does anyone have any ideas? I literally feel as if I am wasting away. I have stopped losing any weight, probably because my metabolism has slowed to a crawl. HELP!!

Daisee, that dip you described sounds very good! Can you give more specifics so I could try it (much later, when I'm allowed to eat!)? Thanks!!

I had the sleeve because that's the only option given by my surgeon. I have 140 lbs to lose.

My menu today is: 8:00am: Protein shake 12:00pm: protein shake 4:00pm: protein shake 8:00pm: protein shake ???????????????????????? I was sleeved 6/22. The first 10 days was Clear Liquids only. The next 16 days are Protein shakes only. It's absolute torture drinking these. I'd rather not eat anything at all. ????

Actually I just use Market Pantry (Target brand). I was driving two days after surgery with no problem. But I was off of dilauded (because I'm allergic) after first dose. (As soon as I woke up and realized the doctor ignored my directions not to give me narcotics). Don't drive until the narcotics are well out of your system.

I was off two days for one of my jobs (I'm a therapist, lots of sitting.) My other job I took off ten days because that's a very fast paced, 14 hour day. The eating part is easy - clear liquids the first 10 days. Now I'm in the protein shakes phase. I just pack the powder in little baggies and add them to water at work. I plan to buy ready made shakes for emergencies.

I had my surgery on 6/22, so it's been 7 days of only clear liquids. I feel good and I'm surprised how little I am craving food. My question is, once protein shakes (possibly Tuesday) are started, is it typical to gain a bit of weight, since the calories are increasing so dramatically? I'd like to be prepared so I don't get discouraged. Thanks!!

I'm in the exact same boat! I could never take any vitamins, even prenatal ones. I'd like to know if there are any vitamin pills I could just swallow. My doctor is very closed minded (that's a whole other story) and refuses to allow any other option other than the powder that is mixed in 4oz of water. I can't bear to even smell it, much less taste it, without gagging.

I gained 9lbs during my 2 day hospital stay! I thought "well damned if I'm the only one who can have WLS and GAIN weight!" -- but I lost it a few days after coming home.