zh3n

Hey everyone! I was sleeved July 14th and 3 weeks post op, I'm doing great. No nausea, no pain also started feeling hungry a week ago. I was upgraded at my follow appt Friday. I am eating soft deli meats and mushy foods as well as still sticking with Protein Drinks and what not. I went back to work about 10 days after mainly because, as a nurse, I lift more than 20lbs so, I was unsure if I should wait the full 2 weeks my doctor originally told me to take off. I helped lift a patient last night and I felt a little pull around my biggest incision and that told me, I'm still healing. My biggest thing is: the struggle to stay awake. I know we can't have caffeine and I wasn't a caffeine heavy person prior.

When I was off, I was in bed by 10 so, basically I'm trying to readjust to the night shift hours and staying up past 10. Any other nurses or night shifters looking for other ways besides caffeine or have started drinking coffee? How has it been? Good luck to everyone!!

I started driving 3 days post op but like roxbaby, the only stipulation I got from my doctor for NOT driving was if I taking my pain meds. Luckily for me, I only took it the night I got home and I haven't taken any since. I made a point to get out and walk up and down the aisles at grocery stores and I went to the mall.

1 hour ago, Diana_in_Philly said:

Have you tried throwing the Protein Powder, some fruit and ice in a blender? I have rarely drunk the shakes straight up. One of my faves is taking a cup of cold coffee, a caramel shake packet, Sugar Free Chocolate Syrup (like from a coffee shop - I use the Torani brand) and some ice. Into the blender and I've got a 24 gram of Protein Shake. I still drink this to this day.

Another version I like is Fairlife Skim Milk (13 grams of Protein in one cup), a scoop of chocolate Protein powder, one tablespoon of PB2 powder and a few pumps of sugar free caramel syrup. Say hello to your snickers Protein Shake with about 35 grams of protein. (Oh yeah - ice and blender.)

You need to get the shakes in at this point otherwise you aren't going to get your protein you need to heal your body. Keep experimenting.

I haven't tried adding fruit to the Protein Shakes, yet. I have cooked oatmeal in vanilla protein shake. I also put some unflavored Unjury Protein Powder in sugar free Jello pudding powder and use a protein shake to make my own Sugar Free Chocolate pudding. I've been wondering if I could have smoothies. If I go to a juice bar or smoothie place and get one made with protein in it? I don't meet with my doctor until Thursday and, I have a lot to ask. I have heard about Fairlife Skim Milk and been wanting to try it. I work nights so, I've been looking for a lot of products that in individual packets or single bottles to take to work and keep in the refrigerator. I will be calling or emailing the NUT or go by her office. I'm a RN and got the surgery done at my hospital & I sometimes see her walking the halls but I will probably email her first.

Thanks for the tips guys! I am really trying but the struggle is 1,000% REAL!!

Hey everyone,

I just had my sleeve almost 2 weeks ago. My doctor had me do a 10 day pre op diet that consisted of Protein Shake or Protein Bar for Breakfast and lunch then, dinner 3oz of meat and some veggies for dinner. I ended up drinking a ton of Protein Shakes and Soups. Post op, I am struggling to get through with my full liquids diet. I tried different brands but the smell makes me gag, I am so over it. I am eating soups, fat free yogurts, Water, Powerade zeros and I find that i'm getting tired of that. I am getting frustrated with the process because now, I find myself feeling hungry when I wasn't feeling hungry right after surgery until about this past Monday or Tuesday. Yesterday, I didn't eat just drank fluids all day. Being frustrated, I've thought about buying foods I'm not suppose JUST to satisfy that hunger and, get the Protein and minerals that I need. My question is: How do I ignore my cravings while at the same time, satisfying my food intake?

Zh3n, it sounds like you're coping very well, so keep up with that. My first couple of months (really much longer than that, and even now at 6 months) it's a daily struggle to take in sufficient amounts of Protein and liquids. The options that provide both were very helpful for me. Premier Protein ready-made shakes from costco, Bone Broth (more protein than normal broth), chicken broth with pureed chicken in it (bought an immersion blender for that), and Greek yogurt have all become staples for me.
The biggest challenge for me early on was that most of the options are sweet and I was craving something savory / salty. The pureed chicken in broth did it for me. Also, some mushroom Soup provided almost no protein on its own, but the flavor was pretty wonderful after so many sweet protein drinks.< br> Be well. Good luck. Hang in there!

Hi Stephen2

Thank you so much! My only struggle was that, my doctor had me do the pre shrunk liver diet 10 days pre op. When the time came post op and, really needed to drinks strictly liquids, I was already burnt out and didn't really care for the sight of broths or the protein drinks. I pushed through for the remaining days and, now I'm in the puréed phase. Honestly, the only puréed things I've have is: I let oatmeal overboil, to get extremely the, put vanilla Protein Shake in it. I did the same with cereal(let it sit). Mostly I've just been trying to get my protein in through liquids.
I'm still trying to understand what that "full feeling" is. Is it the pressure I feel? If so, I usually don't take anymore than two bites just in case bc I'm unsure. My first 2 wk follow up isn't until week after next so, I plan on asking.
Stay strong Stephen! We're all in this together. It can only get better! Thanks for the advice

I had my surgery done by Dr. Cameron Askew. She is fantastic! I'm an RN at the same hospital so, I knew about her before hand. Minimal pain and what pain I do have, is manageable. She's funny and sociable. Anyone looking to have either Gastric sleeve or Bypass and is looking for a surgeon, either out of your state or within the state she's it.

I will ask her tomorrow if I can add blended fruits. I just made chicken broth using the Unjury packets. Honestly, I haven't had an appetite but I've been drinking Protein Drinks and Water to not get dehydrated or lose anymore Protein. I lucked out and the unjury powder is sold in my hospitals' gift shop, where I work so, that's a HUGE help. I'm not a fan of Soups so, I'm struggling to eat them, but doing well with my intake and keeping ti down.

Hi all!

I am new here and I didn't' see a newbie section hopefully I didn't overlook it. I just had surgery Friday morning so, I'm 3 days post op. When I woke up, I wasn't in any pain but I was extremely nauseous. I was given phenegran but that also knocked me out, for the rest of the day. They got me up and walking 4 hours after the surgery which was fine because even though I was sore, there was no real strong pain. Using the incentive spirometer hurt more than me walking to and from the nurses station. I've been eating frozen sugar free popsicles and drinking Water. I haven't used any pain meds since leaving the hospital and haven't had to use the nausea meds either. Turns out its going better than I thought, for now. Still sore but its bearable. I was extremely nervous before the surgery so, much so that my BP was high and they needed to give me something to calm me down but, it all went well. When I get to the pureed phase, can I make smoothies and add blended or real pureed fruits to my Protein Shakes? Has anyone tried this, just to make things not seem so bland?