I am on Day 7 - Physically, I am doing so well, I don't even feel the need to nap!

However, emotionally I am struggling.

I am on my liquid diet, I am not enjoying anything I can have so have no appetite but I am seriously hungry albeit maybe head hungry! What makes matters worse is that I absolutely HATE Protein shakes. I have now tried 6 different flavors and hate them all. I just spend the day DREADING having to drink them. Right now I can't see myself ever liking them

Anyone find any interesting alternatives?

I guess the liquid and puree diet is going to be hard but it also has me worrying about the future. How hard is it going to be to stick to all of this? I am cravings all the old junk food and feeling like I just can't wait to eat it again - is this normal?

I received a post op diet guide but don't have ongoing NUT support (although I am trying to find someone with bariatric specific experience which isnt easy). I just still feel so unprepared for the future - anyone willing to share their post-op diet guidelines?

So many mixed emotions, it is very tough

I am a fan of the Syntrax Nectars. They taste more like Kool-aid than a Protein drink.

I am a fan of the Syntrax Nectars. They taste more like Kool-aid than a Protein drink.

Are they thick like most protein shakes? Or chalky?

@careya123 Not thick or chalky at all. The fruity flavors are great mixed with Water. The Nectars flavors are like Jolly Ranchers or Starburst. They have 24g Protein with 100 calories and 0 sugar or carbs per serving... worth trying.

Just throwing this out there ...

Have you tried the Lean shake 25 ones at GNC? The Swiss chocolate version (pre-mixed) has been my choice for over a year and a half now.

Hubby (who is not a WLS patient) and I both like these so much we usually have them for Breakfast.

But everyone's right -- you just have to find the shake(s) that work best for you.

Good luck.

Someone needs to start a side business re-packaging protein powders into sample sizes, so new patients can have a less expensive way to test a bunch of options at once. I know some companies have sample packs, but I'd like to try several brands.

If you have a GNC or a Vitamin Shoppe in your area, they often have single-serve packs of their various protein powders.

If you have a GNC or a Vitamin Shoppe in your area, they often have single-serve packs of their various protein powders.

That's how I've tried a bunch! Quest also sent their samples in a order that my mom did for protein bars.

I viewed the phase where I hated everything, shakes tasted bad,food tasted bad,I couldn't even stand Water without a flavoring, as that window of opportunity to change my relationship with food. I ate food/had shakes like a prescription medication intended to make me healthier. I hated it, I wished I didnt have to eat at all, but we all know th a that isn't good. I found the transition to solid food difficult, and everthing still tasted awful.

But, that was temporary. 4 years out, I have no real food restrictions except what I impose on myself for good health (only exception is ice cream can give cramps). When I go out to eat, I eat like a trim middle aged woman,petite portions of good quality food. I have a skinny minnie girlfriend and we eat very similarly.

The freakish feeling of those early weeks does pass.

If you have a GNC or a Vitamin Shoppe in your area, they often have single-serve packs of their various Protein powders.

That's how I've tried a bunch! Quest also sent their samples in a order that my mom did for protein bars.

This site sells Quest as does GNC. Both sell individual sizes and also variety packs. I picked up some Quest Protein powder today and on top of the tub was a sleeve of recipes. I tried the "Lava Muffins" and was pleasantly surprised. They have 60 cal./ 8gr protein and <1gr sugar. It was a nice treat.--especially when the "lava" gooped out when I cut it in half.

@@Jenkins,

You’re at the same point most patients are when they feel at their lowest. You just had surgery, you’re stuck eating nothing but Protein shakes, you haven’t had time to lose a ton of weight yet, and you’re still craving the old foods.

It looks bleak!

But this is about as bad as it gets. Yes, forever is a long time, but you don’t have to attack forever all at once. Just think about getting through the liquid phase now, and it sounds like you’re doing great on it. Think about purees when you’re there, and then soft foods. Don’t worry about further down the line.

You haven’t even had a chance yet for the cravings for old foods to go away because you haven’t been able to use new, healthy foods to replace them. By the time you get to a month or two post-op and you’re eating a ton of delicious healthy foods, you may find your cravings go down.

My surgeon classified the liquid stage as anything smooth that was thin enough to pass through the tines of a fork, so soup with a scoop of unflavoured protein powder sounds like it would be a better option for you.

@@careya123 Nashuanutrition and vitalady both sell sample sizes of many different brands of protein powder.

@@careya123 Nashuanutrition.com and vitalady.com both sell sample sizes of many different brands of protein powder.

Oooh, good to know. Thank you

@@careya123 Nashuanutrition.com and vitalady.com both sell sample sizes of many different brands of Protein powder.

The BariatricPal Store also carries sample protein variety packs - http://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/variety-packs