Hi all! I had my sleeve surgery on 5/4 and I was really sick the first 2 days in the hospital, until they switched me from Dilauid to Morphine. I was having a hard time keeping anything down for the first couple of days in hospital (I was there 2.5 days) and the first few days home. I was so focused on the pain (I had never had any surgery before, so I was not prepared for the pain) that eating wasn't a concern. As I've started to feel better, I feel like my appetite has sort of come back. Obviously I can't overeat, because I will def feel sick/full, but I just feel like I am eating non-stop. Granted, it is SO much less than I would've eating previously (pre-sleeve) and I'm only allowed full liquids.

Basically I'm eating every 2 hours or so, I feel like. I'm keeping a food journal. Pretty much, I'm just eating 1/4-1/2 cup of egg beaters (add a tbsp of shredded cheese sometimes), or 1/4-1/2 cup of mushy Rice Krispies with Skim Milk, or 1/4- 1/2 cup of Cream of chicken Soup with unflavored Protein mixed in. I've been trying to get my protein in, so I'll try to do a 12 oz. Muscle Milk LIGHT Protein shake, with about half it Skim Milk. I find it hard to get in all my liquids- I've been drinking Light Apple juice and Water. Anyway, I know there are some other options (my nutritionist gave us a sample menu Full Liquids and it's only averaging about 400 cal...I know I'm taking in more than that). I'm also on a whacked out schedule (I wake up late morning sometimes, go to bed at 4 am sometimes...I'm not working at the moment, so my schedule is basically whatever I want).

I realize I may be dealing with some head hunger/boredom. I tended to eat when bored before, and right now I am not working, so I have a lot of free time. I know I need to redirect my energy, and I try to. I see my Dr. for my 2 week checkup this week on 5/19, and if I get cleared I can start using the treadmill at the gym and get out a lil more.

I also made the mistake of weighing myself 1 week post-op and I had only lost 3 lbs. I was reminded that I could still be retaining fluids from the 2.5 days on IV fluids at the hospital, and that my insides are still very swollen and my whole body is freaking out. I just feel like I self-sabotaged by weighing myself, and I also feel like I'm pigging out and won't lose any weight. I was 223 lbs going in to surgery, so I know I may lose weight slower than some people. I think I am just afraid of failing at this, which I think is a normal feeling (I hope). I lost 13 lbs on my Pre-Op liquid diet, and I feel like I'm already going to fail post-op.

I know a lot of people say that they have no appetite, but has anyone encountered what I'm feeling? How did you deal with "hunger", or with being OK that you may actually be hungry- I realize full liquids aren't exactly filling. How long did it take for the IV Fluid retention to go away for you? I know everyone is different, but any insight is welcome/appreciated.

I'm only 1.5 weeks Post Op, so everything is still new/scary...not to mention I'm still in pain.

Thanks so much if you read this, or give advice. I'm not usually one to reach out to strangers, but no one I know is going through this.

-Erin

@nicki72 - one more thing...my nutritionist visited me in hospital and she gave me this handout as well, had a few more ideas for thwe liquids stages.

I found this one had a lot of good ideas, too.

As always, whatever your DR said should be followed, but I hope these can give you some helpful ideas if you didn't really get great guidelines. Hope you don't mind me sharing

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-Erin

Those recommended menus are seriously low in Protein. Wow.

Looks like the plan is based on low fat low calorie than high protein low carb.

@@nicki72 Your Program may be different - you might not be doing it wrong.

It's so confusing, I'm just back on clear Fluid now til I see the dr next week. My head is battered

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@Inner Surfer Girl- For the first few weeks, according to my dr and nutritionist, we are supposed to be drinking Protein shakes to get the recommended protein (that's prob why it looks like a protein-light diet). The shakes I use are Muscle Milk Light, I get 25g protein per shake (trying to do at least 2 shakes a day). Plus I mix unflavored protein into my Soup. This is just for the first two weeks on full liquids. They stressed that you will be getting most of your protein via the shakes at first.

I know each doctor are different, so it's def important to go by what your dr says, this was just what I was given (it was a pretty large handout, with sample menus for each 2 week stage).

@@nicki72, @@KristenLe is right, you may not be be doing anything wrong according to your dr's program. This was just the plan my dr and nutritionist go by. I've seen so many different ones, and the length of time you're on each stage varies, too, depending on your dr/program. I'm feeling a little better- less like I'm eating non-stop, I've been trying to keep busy and focusing on getting in my Protein Shakes, because as people have mentioned, and my nutritionist stressed- that's most important. I hope you're feeling a little better!! I think each day is going to be a challenge for me- my moods and feelings are all over the place right now...but I'm still learning...tomo will be 2 weeks post op for me, and I see my dr in 2 days.

Edited May 17, 201610 yr by erinkath

@@CelesteMarie "Not physically demanding job" ...a GM of a restaurant!!!!

Returned only Four Days after surgery!

As a F&B person I can say that your job is loots of walking & demanding.

WOW, Respect. You must work like a dang BOSS!!

@Inner Surfer Girl- For the first few weeks, according to my dr and nutritionist, we are supposed to be drinking Protein shakes to get the recommended protein (that's prob why it looks like a protein-light diet). The shakes I use are Muscle Milk Light, I get 25g protein per shake (trying to do at least 2 shakes a day). Plus I mix unflavored protein into my soup. This is just for the first two weeks on full liquids. They stressed that you will be getting most of your protein via the shakes at first.

I know each doctor are different, so it's def important to go by what your dr says, this was just what I was given (it was a pretty large handout, with sample menus for each 2 week stage).

@@nicki72, @@KristenLe is right, you may not be be doing anything wrong according to your dr's program. This was just the plan my dr and nutritionist go by. I've seen so many different ones, and the length of time you're on each stage varies, too, depending on your dr/program. I'm feeling a little better- less like I'm eating non-stop, I've been trying to keep busy and focusing on getting in my protein shakes, because as people have mentioned, and my nutritionist stressed- that's most important. I hope you're feeling a little better!! I think each day is going to be a challenge for me- my moods and feelings are all over the place right now...but I'm still learning...tomo will be 2 weeks post op for me, and I see my dr in 2 days.

Glad to hear that you are adding protein supplements.

@@CelesteMarie "Not physically demanding job" ...a GM of a restaurant!!!!

Returned only Four Days after surgery!

As a F&B person I can say that your job is loots of walking & demanding.

WOW, Respect. You must work like a dang BOSS!!