Please tell me I’m not the only one!

[Emergence 8]

Hi all and BrookeR,

I'm new to this forum :-)

I had my surgery in June 11th and I'm in my 6 day post op today. I was already on full liquid diet on my day 3, as instructed by my dietitian. She didn't want me to continue with clear liquid diet once discharged from hospital. I have been given sample meal plans and that makes it a little easier on my side.

Day 3, I had low fat sugar free yoghurt, sugar free vanilla ice cream, home made chicken Soup (strained) and Protein Shakes.

Day 4, my aunt cooked chicken and mushroom soup for me and added some cream in it (strained it of course).

Day 5, she made me potato and beef soup. She pureed it until it turned into a delicious thick soup ( like applesauce texture).

I'm sticking to my yoghurt, Protein shakes and ice cream still but adding new item to my diet each day. This really helps me not to feel frustrated with my liquid diet. Plus, I'm a savoury person, I do not enjoy sweet things.

My aunt has been a tremendous help in preparing my meals and my greatest support. Today, she is cooking chicken and egg soup and almond milk Jello for me.

My 1st post op appointment with my surgeon and dietitian is on June 26. By then, my dietitian is hoping that I have started with scrambled eggs.

Lastly, I'm not on any pain meds since discharged. I was borderline diabetic pre-op (no medication) and my glucose reading has been great since post op. I weighed 244 on surgery day and today, I weigh 224. :-)

[BajanSleeve 244]

1 hour ago, pleasedontjudgeme said:

I’m feeling the same way. Hungry and disappointed. I just had my sleeve on Wednesday and never expected to feel a bit of hunger. I am drinking propel, having beef broth, sugar free popsicles, etc. and all I can think of is eating “real food” instead. Is this just a “head hunger” I’m feeling?

Like you, I was so shocked at how starving I felt immediately after surgery. I thought hunger was supposed to be sort of non existent for months. In the liquid only stage I was very hungry. When you are able to add dairy and Proteins to your liquid after 10 days it takes a little bit of edge off the hunger. When you can eat pureed foods you start to feel more satiated.

But honestly, I do feel hungry all the time and I am 16 days post surgery. I made the big mistake last night of trying to eat some sweet potato, carrot and pumpkin with a tiny big of chicken (in a stew) and after about 4 bites it was serious discomfort and pain. I had to wait 1.4 hours for the pain and discomfort to go away. So even though I was craving savory flavour I have learned to wait till the prescribed time to tackle solid foods.

From my very brief experience it seems as though when you move to more solid foods that is when you 1) start to feel the restriction of your stomach size 2) your hunger will start to get more satisfied

[annie93 23]

On 06/11/2018 at 04:01, SydneySleever said:

You’re definitely not the only one. My nutritionist had me make smoothies during the liquid phase and allowed me to had a bit of PB which really helped. My fav was banana, milk and some sugar and salt reduced Peanut Butter.

I adore Peanut Butter. I’ve been using powered peanut butter. What exactly are you putting in your smoothies, especially the peanut butter one?

[lionsofmercy 7]

My son's homemade beef stew broth has been my salvation, here at a week out. (My plan doesn't allow me to switch stages for at least a week, so no cottage cheese for moi!) Just the basics, like another poster said. (Have to get that little thing you use to pour under the fat, though! Other than that, my savory saviour is V8, although it can rile my heartburn a little.

For six months pre-op I swilled down one and then two shakes a day made with Six Stars, but now I can barely choke it down. Of course.

[Spatulachick 16]

On 6/10/2018 at 10:03 PM, Little Green said:

Instead of broth, try straining Soups. The flavor of the meat and seasonings stays behind and they are usually thicker than broth. Days 4-14 post-op I LIVED for strained beef stew/soups.

I’m so glad to read this - I was about to ask if anyone did this. I’m okay with just the broth of Soups just for the different flavors. I think I’ll get some Soup tomorrow and strain the heck out of it. I’m 8 days post op and I’m getting so tired of Protein Shakes, too.

[Born in Missouri 1,266]

@BrookeR

Ask your dietitian if you can add Peanut Butter powder to your Protein replacement shakes. I don't have a sweet tooth, so all the sweet-mimicking drinks that we are allowed to have, are beyond cloying for me. Wouldn't a chocolate-flavored Protein Shake with peanut butter powder taste like a Reese's Peanut Butter cup in liquid form?

https://tinyurl.com/yc66esop

(I picked this brand at random, just to show you the product.)

[Born in Missouri 1,266]

Oops. I see that Annie93 already suggested the Peanut Butter powder. So many posts to read. I missed that one.

[Travelher 915]

On 6/10/2018 at 1:14 PM, BrookeR said:

I am 5 days post op and these Protein Shakes are not cutting it!!!! I want something of some substance even if it is Peanut Butter or cottage cheese! I am so tired of drinking sweet things and am actually hungry. Surely I am not the only one, right?!

there is no requirement to drink sweet things. I had a lot of Soup with unflavoured Protein Powder added in. that is how I made it through to the puree stage.

[Spatulachick 16]

I’m 12 days post op and my follow up appointment isn’t until Thursday - my surgery was moved up two days from the original date so we kept the post op appts - and now I’m wishing they’d moved those up. I’m struggling - I don’t think it’s hunger necessarily but I’m tired of Protein Shakes. I’m having a hard time getting them down. My list says broth only so I’m not even sure I can do Soups like the butternut squash one. I’ve gotten a few Campbell’s soups, vegetarian vegetable and chicken wonton, and have been straining the broth to drink - it’s been a nice change. But I can’t wait to chew something. Or at least have a different flavor.

[churchgirl 48]

Dear Bajan Sleeve - How is everything going? I’m back to work (2 weeks now) and that’s going well but after losing 22 lbs post op (3 weeks) I’ve stopped losing. A little scared because it’s getting easier to start grazing again. Want to start exercising again but I’m having a problem with a bulging disc. Kind of downhearted this week.😦