I'm 17days out now, and while liquids are certainly easier than Protein, they are still a challenge to get down... Add in some Protein powder to the mix, and near impossible! And forget about full liquids/soft foods- I have tried multiple times to get down a serving of cottage cheese (it's only a half cup) and feel like I'm going to explode after a few bites (and you can hear my stomach growl for hours in complaint), takes more than 2 hours to get less than half down...

Is anyone else experiencing this too?

I don't regret anything, as I don't live that way, but it certainly scares me that this is going to be the rest of my life, struggling for nutrition...

Please tell me it will get better!!!

My daily goals are so difficult to meet, doing ok on liquids (right around 2L per day, still not great) but always under on protein... I'm fearful when I advance my diet I still won't tolerate anything! When does this get better?!?

Your stomach is healing from MAJOR surgery. This will take time and it WILL get better, slowly but surely. The liquid intake is critical so GOOD JOB. Just keep working on the protein... Don't push it, you've got time!

Try making your protein drinks super watery, like if the instructions say add 8oz of water to one scoop, try 16 or 24 oz with it. It'll dilute it and possible make it easier to take down over a longer period of time.

Also I've found Syntrax brand Fuzzy Navel to be a super thin protein mix even with the regular amount of water. It don't taste too bad either once I put a drop or two of ezsweetz in. It's liquid splenda without any of the carbs that the powdered packets have from the filler they use.

Also I've found Syntrax brand Fuzzy Navel to be a super thin Protein mix even with the regular amount of Water. It don't taste too bad either once I put a drop or two of ezsweetz in. It's liquid splenda without any of the carbs that the powdered packets have from the filler they use.

I'm actually drinking that right now as I type! I don't add anything to make it more sweet though' date=' I'm so sick of sweet drinks already! I do dilute it down quite a bit, it says 8oz-16oz per scoop, I did 20oz...

Yeah, add some unflavored protein powder into chicken broth and that gives me my savory fix when I'm sick of all the sweets. Unjury chicken soup protein powder is pretty good too!

Half a cup? I am three years out and a meal for me is half a cup of cottage cheese!

Back off and listen more to your stomach than your nutritional guidelines. Do away with the idea that we have to eat three large meals and maybe some Snacks. Eat every few hours until you're able to eat more in a sitting.

It's a chore for some of us. I couldn't hit my nutritional and hydration goals for several months post op. And I had to eat around the clock just to consume those once I could do it! It takes time but it does get easy. Fast forward a few years and eating is altogether too easy for some of us!

Push liquids as hydration is your biggest focus right now. Beyond that increase your Protein as you can. If you can find a shake that you enjoy mixed with Water (I do chocolate nectar as with water it resembles a Yoo-Hoo and is easy to drink) it will be thinner and go down more easily, helping you boost both the hydration and protein numbers at the same time.

Good luck, congrats on that new sleeve. Don't sweat it. I see some people getting goals from their surgeons that would have been plain impossible for me to meet.

~Cheri

im 5 weeks out and i can do 1/3 cup egg beaters. 1/2 cup seems like a lot for 17 days out. id cut that in half so you dont stretch out your new stomach. Especially if you feel like you are going to burst, thats not good this early.

im 5 weeks out and i can do 1/3 cup egg beaters. 1/2 cup seems like a lot for 17 days out. id cut that in half so you dont stretch out your new stomach. Especially if you feel like you are going to burst' date=' thats not good this early.[/quote']

Thank you- I spoke to the nurse today who said that it's all normal, and to just take it easy... Some people have more swelling than others and I may be one of those people... She reassured me it will get easier in time!

Half a cup? I am three years out and a meal for me is half a cup of cottage cheese! Back off and listen more to your stomach than your nutritional guidelines. Do away with the idea that we have to eat three large meals and maybe some Snacks. Eat every few hours until you're able to eat more in a sitting. It's a chore for some of us. I couldn't hit my nutritional and hydration goals for several months post op. And I had to eat around the clock just to consume those once I could do it! It takes time but it does get easy. Fast forward a few years and eating is altogether too easy for some of us! Push liquids as hydration is your biggest focus right now. Beyond that increase your Protein as you can. If you can find a shake that you enjoy mixed with Water (I do chocolate nectar as with water it resembles a Yoo-Hoo and is easy to drink) it will be thinner and go down more easily' date=' helping you boost both the hydration and protein numbers at the same time. Good luck, congrats on that new sleeve. Don't sweat it. I see some people getting goals from their surgeons that would have been plain impossible for me to meet. ~Cheri[/quote']

Cheri-

Thanks so much for your comments, really made me feel a lot better! I'll try the chocolate nectar- going to order it right now!

Thanks again

Meg