I am extremely picky about after tastes and fake sweeteners. I am not tolerating protein shakes that are milky or clear. Both premier protein which everyone seems to rave about. I am told that making your own is much more palatable. Haven't tried it yet. My surgeon is not forcing protein because it takes a few weeks to absolutely deplete and by then I will be on soft foods. I am really down and regretting the surgery. For right now. I feel like I am just too lazy to lose with diet and exercise, so I made myself miserable instead. I am only 3 days post op and I need to give myself time. My bigger fear is losing my hair, hence the protein worries. Ugh. Not a question or a statement. Just needed to vent for a sec. Thank you

It's totally normal to have these feelings at the beginning. You're in some pain, you're anxious about having to change your eating habits to match your new digestive system, and you can't turn to food for comfort like most of us are used to! Plus your hormones are a mess after surgery which affects your mood too, so it's no wonder that you're having these thoughts. Give yourself some grace and give it some time. You're not lazy; taking this step was super brave and harder than traditional diet and exercise in some ways.

For what it's worth, I hate Premier Protein too; the aftertaste is like plastic to me and was gross even pre-op, so I get it. I've been loving the Fairlife Nutrition Plan shakes because the chocolate one tastes just like chocolate milk to me and it's not as thick as the Premier. Just an idea!

@cellbell thank you so much! I am on the hunt for Fairlife. My brain knows all of the facts you shared, but my little soul hasn't comprehended yet. [emoji53] I will get there.

I love Fair life skim milk

Vent away. Better to release your frustrations than hang on to them ❤️

One day at a time. One hour at a time if need be. This time next week you will likely feel incrementally better. This time next year, today likely will feel like a lifetime ago.

Good Luck! ❤️

Hang in there. It gets better. My nutritionist and surgeon said from the get go that in the very beginning I may not get all the protein in that I'm supposed to and that that was normal. Gradually I was able to get more in and by the time I hit soft food stage, I was no longer relying on protein powders or shakes for my protein because I was getting enough in with food!

I think in short time you will be fine and not need those things either. The first month or two may be iffy but I doubt that will be the norm for you forever. You're still early in the game and things change. Hang in there and see what new ways you can get your protein in come your next phase. You are still way early in the game.

As for the hair, I was feeling so confidant I wasn't gonna be one to lose mine because I made it to about the beginning of month 4 and no hair loss really. A lil, not much. HOWEVER, here I am month 5 and it's falling out like crazy. But, not enough to create baldness or anything. I've read that this is normal and that your other organs start demanding more of the nutrients and vitamins and so your hair temporarily goes into a dormant stage but that it doesn't last too long and it will start growing again. So, while it does suck I will just wait and see how things play out. I go to my surgeon in Nov and at that time he will be testing all sorts of vitamin and mineral levels. So, if things are too crazy I'm sure he will see it and we will adjust accordingly. But yeah, you may experience this too like many of us but it gets better and things do improve.

"buyers remorse" is very common the first month or so after surgery. I had it as well. But for almost all of us, it goes away and we're really happy with our choice to have surgery. So just hang in there.

I'm a Premier Protein hater, too. I used mostly Syntrax and Unjury products (Syntrax only comes in powder - Unjury now has ready-to-drink, but they didn't back when I had surgery). People's tastes are all really different - just experiment and see if you can find a couple you like.

I was a presenter for my clinic's pre-op classes for about three years (until COVID struck). EVERY class someone would ask about hair loss. I could count on it. That and loose skin seem to be people's major concerns. And they were mine as well when I was a pre-op and early post-op. But I think I can speak on behalf of most vets here that we would take either or both of those any day of the week over being morbidly obese again. The hair loss is a minor inconvenience that may or may not happen to you. Not everyone loses hair. I lost hair between months 5-9, but the only reason I knew about it was I noticed about twice the normal number of hair strands in my comb after coming out my just-shampooed hair. Looking in the mirror, I couldn't tell. Even if your loss is more significant than mine, for most people (not all - but most), they're the only ones who notice it.

Your emotions are all up & down at the moment so it’s ok to be confused, angry, lost, miserable, etc. Take each day as it comes. Some will be great others challenging but it does get easier & better over time.

Try some bone broth if you struggle with the shakes (they’re disgusting if you ask me) & some high protein drinking yoghurt (just watch the sugar & sweeteners as some have a lot).

And the hair loss? Rather I temporarily lost some hair than still be obese.

Good luck.

Remember being a teenager when feelings were on a roller coaster? It’s a little like that and most important to remind ourselves that “this too shall pass.” I’m 6 years out. I had early complications. In and out of hospital multiple times. Would do it all again in a heartbeat for the years of good health and freedom from fat and shame. Hang in there! It’s worth it.

It's totally normal to have these feelings at the beginning. You're in some pain, you're anxious about having to change your eating habits to match your new digestive system, and you can't turn to food for comfort like most of us are used to! Plus your hormones are a mess after surgery which affects your mood too, so it's no wonder that you're having these thoughts. Give yourself some grace and give it some time. You're not lazy; taking this step was super brave and harder than traditional diet and exercise in some ways.
For what it's worth, I hate Premier Protein too; the aftertaste is like plastic to me and was gross even pre-op, so I get it. I've been loving the Fairlife Nutrition Plan shakes because the chocolate one tastes just like chocolate milk to me and it's not as thick as the Premier. Just an idea!

My goodness did you save me! The Fairlife is unbelievable! So much better. I don't feel like the sky is falling anymore. I am very relieved. Thank@cellbell.