Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Mental Starvation?



Recommended Posts

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?!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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 by FluffyChix

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!).😉😊

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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 !!!


Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Sent from my moto g(6) play using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×