Good morning, lovelies! I have a question for the veterans. I was sleeved on May 16, just over a week out, and am still on liquid phase. I am not having any problem sipping (with the exception of forgetting that swallowing a mouthful is not longer an option causing a little back up in the works) and I like my Premier or EAS shakes just fine, especially for Breakfast. I pour the entire thing over a cup of ice, it takes me about 2 hours to finish it, including the excess Fluid from the melting ice.

For lunch, I am having a Dannon Fit and Light Greek 2x the Protein and 1/2 cup of milked down cream Soup. (I am going to start adding Protein powder to the soup to help there.)

For dinner, I might have a little broth and MAYBE a pudding cup or a popsicle.

My calorie intake is about 350-400, my protein is at about 45 and I am drinking about 36 ounces of fluid over the day.

I know I am supposed to get in 60 grams of protein and my diet calls for three Protein Shakes a day but I just CAN'T do it. Again, it's not the taste, it's simply the thought of putting a straw in my face as another meal. (Yes, I got permission for a straw. I have far less air intake with a straw, no more pain and a lot less gas. My NUT wasn't happy, but the discomfort overrules the "rule".)

I will call the NUT on Tuesday about my unwillingness to drink more than one shake a day right now. It's not inability, I just dread the thought of holding that much more fluid. I feel heavy, bloated and it honestly makes me so tired even contemplating walking to the fridge to open one.

My energy is ok (I wont' say great), I don't feel deprived, I am not having any stress or depression over cooking my family yummy foods, and while the thought of a little taste/lick/chew is there, I know it's in my head only.

Do I force the shake or just try adding in unflavored protein into my soup or yogurt? I just can't imagine more volume of food in my day.

OH MY GAWD, did this chubbette just say that???

You can add Protein to chobani yogurt, this will make it 30 grams of protein. I would also add protein to the soup and get an extra 8-10 grams.

I use Isopure non flavored Protein Powder. If you use an abundance of it, it will add a weird taste. I am able to add a half scoop in my yogurt and quarter scoop on a cup of cream of chicken soup.

You can also make your own smoothie. Add a whole scoop for 30 grams of protien.

I have a vitamixer, so I am able to add veggies.

Ice

Yogurt

Small carrot

Piece of fruit

Quarter cup of juice, I use orange juice

I found them easy to drink, you can always change the flavor based off the yogurt and juice

Just wanted to step in and say I actually found PB2 at our local Walmart last week!

Liggle liggle - where at inside walmart did u find the PB2?

It took me several months to work up to the point where I could reach my calorie, Protein and Water goals consistently.

I hated eating and I hated food and I hated that it took me all day to consume 500 piddly calories and 50-60 grams of protein.

The only thing to do is just keep on top of things and gradually increase your intake each day. Or, try doubling up the scoops of protein in the shakes you do have - or do a combo of a higher calorie Protein shake mixed with a scoop of a powder with more protein. There have been discussions (both for and against) that say you may or may not absorb more than "X" amount of protein at once so that choice is up to you. Google it and you'll find articles that say it's true and articles that say it isn't.

When I couldn't eat I boosted my intake two ways. One, I'd mix my shakes with half Syntha-6 and half Syntrax nectar. That way I got a big protein and plenty of calories in that shake, even if it took me forever to drink it all. I also made sludge. I learned about it from a bodybuilder friend. Basically, you mix a Tbs. or two of Peanut Butter (I used almond butter, hate peanuts) with a scoop of protein powder and just enough water to make, well, sludge. Then you can add a couple chocolate chips or eat it as is. I preferred to chill it and eat it cold. It sounds bizarre but it packs a punch and can boost those numbers for you.

In any case, your sleeve is still new and this is a common issue early on. You'll settle into this eventually.

Good luck!

~Cheri