Mental Starvation?

[Mary0403 1]

I am currently 3wks post op and I can begin eating soft solids in 2 days. The last two weeks of Protein Shakes have really done damage to me mentally. I feel like I am starving. I cannot tolerate drinking all of my shakes so I am not exactly getting in enough Protein. Anyway, all I do is think about food and it is killing me. I was not prepared for this at all. So far most of the people I talk to say they weren't hungry. Does this mean I'm crazy? Maybe I didn't really have anything removed! This has really taken a toll on me emotionally. Am I the only one?!

[MargoCL 677]

Are you surviving on Protein Shakes alone? There is so much variety; including Protein Water, unflavored Proteins to mix into Soups, Bone Broth soups, etc.
The shakes are tiresome, but that’s why you have to give yourself variety. It will help you in the long run.

[mousecat88 2,279]

I had bypass, and I am only 6 days out and have been on liquids since the day before surgery and I am already going nuts, so I sympathize. I feel hungry, too, but I think it's moreso an extreme urge to just want something solid. I feel a hunger deep inside that isnt satiated with liquids. I think it's normal and will get much better once we can actually chew something!

[Letsgetgoing2018 448]

Hang in there guys.....it gets better. The first weeks are so trying mentally as well as physically!

[Kay07 734]

It definitely does get better. No one enjoys the liquid part post op, but some of the things that helped me was mixing it up a bit with the textures. Premier Protein mixed with decaff coffee felt decadent after the sweeter Protein Shakes. That midday Jello was fabulous!

I also used to get the Protein waters, freeze them into ice cubes then throw them into the blender (with some extra Protein Powder because I am clearly crazy) grind it all up and had myself a slush.

[Jazzy1125 1,008]

Really awespme ideas. I am still pre op for 2 more days and I already do the Protein caramel shake in my Decaf. I also try to have broth for.lunch and dinner to make ir more normal..along with flavored water and protein water

SW 306.6 CW 283.6 GW 135

[FluffyChix 17,409]

Also as @Kay07 vary the viscosity of your protein! Try Protein puddings (mix instant ff sugar free pudding with fairlife ff milk + a scoop of protein powder or Peanut Butter powder and make into pudding. You can even mix it with some ff whipped cream (I use Land o' Lakes) and then plop it by spoons onto plastic wrap and freeze them into little pillows of protein heaven.

Make slushies, make protein teas (hot and cold), protein coffees/lattes/iced coffee/frappacinos.

Make Wendy's protein Frosties.

Add some fruit and blend the hell out of it. If you're worried about too much Fiber in there, push it through a strainer.

Sometimes just making it thick like a milk shake helps. You can do that by adding a bit of avocado or a small piece or 2 of frozen banana.

Eat sf fudgsicles, and make protein popsicles and protein ice cream if you have an ice cream freezer.

Edited November 7, 2018 by FluffyChix

[domi 237]

So much of what you feel in the beginning is head hunger. We are so used to eating that it's kind of like a mourning period. I went through counseling which really helped me learn food is fuel, not entertainment. That being said, I ate many sugar free popsicles. I also changed up my liquids. I used Soups and added plain Protein powder. I pureed my favorite soups to the liquid stage. This way I still had the flavors I enjoyed. I also added chipotle tabasco to chicken broth. It wasn't easy in the beginning, but now I am no longer obsessed by food and enjoying life. Good luck to you. Don't be afraid to try new things.

[looly 361]

I didn't particularly enjoy two weeks of liquids only, followed by two weeks of sloppy solids...but I kept reminding myself that it was just a month out of the rest of my life. It would pass soon enough!

I chose to "Keep Calm and Carry On" (how horribly British of me!).😉😊

[Mary0403 1]

Thank you all so much for the great tips! So happy to hear I am not the only one! 😉

[Holly Fuhrman 1]

I am currently 3wks post op and I can begin eating soft solids in 2 days. The last two weeks of Protein Shakes have really done damage to me mentally. I feel like I am starving. I cannot tolerate drinking all of my shakes so I am not exactly getting in enough Protein. Anyway, all I do is think about food and it is killing me. I was not prepared for this at all. So far most of the people I talk to say they weren't hungry. Does this mean I'm crazy? Maybe I didn't really have anything removed! This has really taken a toll on me emotionally. Am I the only one?!

Your not getting enough Protein that what they told me !!!


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[Butterflydreams 3]

On 11/6/2018 at 10:46 PM, Mary0403 said:

I am currently 3wks post op and I can begin eating soft solids in 2 days. The last two weeks of Protein Shakes have really done damage to me mentally. I feel like I am starving. I cannot tolerate drinking all of my shakes so I am not exactly getting in enough Protein. Anyway, all I do is think about food and it is killing me. I was not prepared for this at all. So far most of the people I talk to say they weren't hungry. Does this mean I'm crazy? Maybe I didn't really have anything removed! This has really taken a toll on me emotionally. Am I the only one?!

oh my I have felt exactly the same today , I thought maybe the surgeon wiggled inside me and then glued me back up

[sideeye 1,440]

Make sure you're drinking a lot of Water. flavored water, Crystal Lite, whatever works - I'm not even talking about hydration here, just constantly sipping so that your mind and mouth register that you're "eating". That helped a lot with me. If I let my stomach get empty, it somehow got EXPONENTIALLY emptier instantly and made me ravenous. As long as I had some liquid sloshing around in there, it kept the edge off.

[Hrsnjs 267]

Make sure you're drinking a lot of Water. flavored water, Crystal Lite, whatever works - I'm not even talking about hydration here, just constantly sipping so that your mind and mouth register that you're "eating". That helped a lot with me. If I let my stomach get empty, it somehow got EXPONENTIALLY emptier instantly and made me ravenous. As long as I had some liquid sloshing around in there, it kept the edge off.

I am exactly the same. I drink a lot through the day before dinner. Once my dinner is digested, I become like ravenous before bed. I need to continue to drink at night too. I hate all the liquid so I stop at my 64oz. I need to just keep going to make sure something is in my tummy.

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