sillykitty

I'm 3 weeks post op, and really liking that I'm not feeling much, if any physical hunger. Now that I'm eating real food, making smart decisions is so much easier. Head hunger, I get for sure, but as long as I'm not "triggered" by a commercial or something, I'm fine. How long does this last?

How far out are you? I never felt any real restrictions with liquid-y foods, like yogurt or soup. I could keep eating, I just had to make myself stop when I felt satisfied. Solid foods like chicken though, yep, definitely feel the restriction after 1-2 oz, or even less sometimes.

I'm on soft foods, but honestly I've been eating all types of protein, even steak. I can only eat 1-2 oz at a time, so there is still no way I can get up to 1000 cals, if I'm making healthy choices. I also am choosing not to snack (mostly) and have 3 meals a day, plus a protein shakes, so that restricts the calories I can consume. I totally understand about empty calories. I don't consume alcohol when I'm on my own. But at events like I'm at this week, it would be very conspicuous if I only had a glass of water in my hand. I'm trying to hide the fact I've had this surgery. My calorie consumption from food is so low, honestly a few hundred calories from a cocktail isn't going to hurt. I'm also confident that I can handle an ounce or two of liquor with no consequences. I'm not taking a shot, but sipping on a single cocktail over 4 hrs.

It was probably just an internal stitch. They're dissolvable, so it probably just gave way

I'm really looking forward to making this pizza crust. I can make totally guiltless pizza! https://www.ketoconnect.net/recipe/no-carb-pizza/

I'm confused by this too. My mom picked me up, but I seriously considered calling a Lyft. I don't think my hospital would have had an issue with that. We were going through the discharge process before my mom picked me up, and never asked how I was getting home. I've basically done this alone. I have friends and family nearby, but I just never needed anything. I got my meds a week before my surgery. I stocked the house with water, protein shakes, yogurt etc. If I had needed anything there are plenty of delivery services available. I've been fine and not once have I wished I had some help.

Thanks for everyone's replies! I felt hunger especially the first week. But I'm now certain it was head hunger. I've learned if I don't have a trigger, smells, seeing food, someone talking about food, I'm not hungry. But head hunger feels real! Ugh, yeah, makes sense. I wished I craved healthy choices like I do unhealthy ones! I felt way more satisfied on real food, it'll come soon! Yeah, I had a hard time distinguishing at first. But I live alone, so it's easier for me to control outside factors, there is no temping food around for a spouse or kids. I can avoid live TV with food commercials etc. Once I realized things like that were the only time I felt hungry, I realized, "oh, that must be head hunger!". But it doesn't actually feel different than real hunger. Yeah, this week I'm at a business event, so all restaurant food. I'm amazed that like 1-2 oz of food gets me so full. I'm LOVING that. I don't see how I would be getting 1000 cals in at this point. Likes @AshAsh1 I'm trying to only eat at normal times, 3 meals, plus maybe a protein shake in the late afternoon. I'm usually getting 300-400. Yesterday was by far my highest at 915, and that was with rich restaurant food, and a cocktail that was nearly half the total cals.

Well good news is, I've felt much better the last two days, almost normal. I'm out in the real world for an out of state work event this week. I was super anxious about going, I wasn't sure how I would hold up. I'm LOVING my sleeve. These past two days I've had all this amazing food available to me. I'm not hungry, so that has helped making smart choices easier (egg white omelette vs. hash browns at the breakfast buffet). Last night I was at a set dinner, 8 course meal. I had a couple of bites out of about 1/2 of the courses, and I was FULL. I've also apparently lost my taste for alcohol, at least for now. I've let a beer and 2 cocktails go warm and half finished after nursing them. And nothing seems to bother my sleeve. I've had lots of different proteins the last couple of days, and everything has gone fine. I've stayed away from any straight carbs or veggies/salad. Fibrous or raw veggies are the only thing that scare me. The only bad thing is my small portions and lack of alcohol consumption are super obvious to my boss, whom I'm with all week, I've had to invent a story about digestive issues. He's mostly just upset he's lost his drinking buddy.

I'm at 3 weeks post op and my incisions are completely closed and healed. I used my hot tub at 2 weeks post op.

Hope these are low cook enough to qualify for this thread Trader Joe's Chili Lime Chicken Burger - 4 oz, 150 cal, 19g protein Trader Joe's Mahi Mahi Burger - 3.2 oz, 110 cal, 15g protein

Winco is a store, so you it's not a brand you will find in HEB. Go to the service deli or seafood section of HEB, and see if they have it available. If HEB doesn't have it, then your local Mexican market will (Do you have Fiestas in your area?) @jenn1 thanks for the ceviche idea. Easy to find lots of different varieties around here to keep it interesting.

I work from home, so I technically took no time off. If I had needed to go into the office, I could have done that starting post op day 4. The only thing I have struggled with is exhaustion from the low calorie intake, so that would prevent me from working, if my job was physical.

No, totally agree! I am still drinking Protein drinks. But there is only one brand/flavor a like, and a few I can tolerate. I know I'm going to burn out of them sooner or later! On another thread this was recommended - Bariatric Fusion Meal Replacement - Unflavored. Said it is flavorless mixed in most things. I'm going to order it and hope it really is undetectable!

I struggle taking my vitamins as well. I need to take them on a full stomach or else they make me nauseous.

To add to what jesss9395 has said, if you read through this site you find far far more cases of success or people still struggling to get to their goal. So ask your self, why are you focused on the very uncommon case? I'm not trying to be harsh, but a positive mindset is the most important part of this process. We have to believe this will work, this is the tool we need. So often it's the people looking for obstacles, that find them. Google "Catastrophic thinking", and see if it fits. If it does find a way to break that thought pattern, because it keeps you from moving forward.

Just be aware that Herbalife is a multilevel marketing corp, i.e. pyramid scheme, so make an informed decision if you choose to buy their products https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbalife

Thanks! One of the reasons why I'm struggling with getting protein without protein drinks is I'm trying to avoid snacks. Part of the reason I am overweight is eating when I'm not hungry, out of boredomor habit. So I'm trying to use this time when I'm not hungry to retrain myself and eat 3 meals only.

How do you do it? I choke down protein drinks for the most part. I'd love to get all my protein with real food!

Thanks!

It is hard if you're not drinking protein drinks. Solids just aren't as protein dense 1/3 c canned chicken - 12g, Greek yougurt 16g - 1/2c bean 6g Takes a lot of food (at least for our small stomachs) and more calories to get there

Do you have a goal in mind you can focus on when you feel tempted? Like a vacation you're going on and want to look great in pics? Or old clothes you want to fit in to? For me I want plastics, so I can have a body I'm happy with. So I focus on getting to my goal weigh ASAP, so I can get my tummy tuck! Also, don't have the goal be perfection. You are guaranteed to feel like you failed if you allow yourself no slip ups or indulgences. Just make sure they are few and far between.

Has anyone added it to protein powder in a shaker bottle? Will it blend, or will it clump?

With protein shakes, not hard at all. For example yesterday I had- Premier Protein Shakes, Pure Protein Shake, chili beans, canned chicken = 415 calories, 63 g protein

What brand of protein powder do you use?

I slept in bed, on my back, somewhat propped up on pillows. Not the best sleep I've ever gotten, but not terrible.