Hello all, first post here…

I had the sleeve done on 2/23 and I’m really struggling physically and emotionally. I’m not getting the protein or water intake like I should be because nothing is appealing to me. I’m sick of protein shakes, and nothing else tastes good to me. I’m on the puréed diet which I think can be moved to soft food but even that it just doesn’t appeal to me. As for water I am getting roughly 20-30oz a day by sipping which is really hard for me because I’m used to chugging 16 oz bottles at a time. Pre-surgery I was getting about a gallon a day. I feel thirsty all the time and I’m tired because of the lack of protein. I’m just at a loss and really regretting all of this and just want to cry all the time, on top of all this I just found out that my other half is leaving (military) for several months.

Well the wheelbarrow of poop has found you and dropped its entire load onto your head in one go. I wish I could hug you right now. You sound like you need it. Chin up as we Brits say, Enjoy your husband whilst he is home, make some memories to live on whilst he is away. You have got this, take it a hour at a time if needed and we are here if you need extra support.

I have read a few posts on here about buyers regret, mine included. Its a tough time, we are learning a new way to fuel our bodies and its not a simple fix. It took me nearly 9 weeks to be able to drink enough. I survived. I didn't do protein drinks but I did and still drink skimmed milk. I am allowed coffee so 2 large latte every day helps no end. Any liquid adds to your tally, ice pops, coconut water, soup, broth, tea, coffee. I found unsweetened tomato juice did wonders for me [ with a little hot sauce] I was told by my dietician to just get in what I could and things will improve. Just dont fret or worry, stressing gets us nowhere fast .

I’m so sorry you are going through so much all at once. Your hormones are all our of whack right now too which isn’t helping I’m sure. You probably won’t be able to chug a whole bottle but you will be able to swallow a couple or a few sips at a time eventually. I am actually back to being able to drink the same as pre op. Have you tried the clear protein drinks or sneaking unflavored protein into your food? There are also some protein soups and stuff by Unjury that people have said are pretty good on here. As the previous poster said buyers remorse is not at all uncommon immediately post op. I was tired and had to take naps everyday for a couple of weeks.

yes - buyer's remorse is common the first month or so. Many of us have been there.

also - yep - many women mention their hormones being out of whack the first few weeks or months. In addition to weird moods, many often experience weird menstrual cycles. All that eventually stabilizes

taste & appeal of food - many of us lose that for awhile. It's common to lose your sense of hunger for up to a year after surgery (a small minority never get it back it all - honestly, I wish I would have been one of them - it would be so much easier to lose & maintain my loss!). It's very weird at first, but you get used to it. My hunger came back at five months out, and things got much harder then. It is SO easy to lose weight when you're never hungry and couldn't give a flip about food. Take FULL advantage of that!! It'll never in your life be easier to lose weight than it is right now when you're not hungry and don't care about food!! Just make sure you're eating and drinking enough to maintain your health. So I know this sounds weird, so enjoy that "feature" while it lasts and milk it for all it's worth - because it your hunger and "food appeal" will almost certainly return at some point this year.

drinking - you'll be able to drink a lot more as time goes on. I can drink normally again. But for now, just do whatever it takes to get the required amount of fluids in, even if that means sipping all day. Dehydration can land a lot of people back in the hospital...so keep at it!

I’m just 11 days post op and i can drink more than just a few sips. I seem to be able to drink about 3-4 swallows at once, equalling around 4-6 Fluid ounces. I just keep drinking it when I’m not in the window immediately after I ‘eat’. Still technically on full liquid, but advancing slowly to puréed.
I have been making Soups using Bone Broth (Swanson or the like) instead of Water. It provides Protein and Fluid intake (along with sodium, so be careful). I’ve also been mixing one spoon scoop of nonfat plain Greek yogurt, one spoon scoop of nonfat cottage cheese and mixing that with tbls sugar free Syrup. That’s what I have been having between my shakes. I also only mix 4oz unsweetened almond milk for 1 scoop Protein. Make it concentrated so that you get the Protein and don’t overwhelm yourself on the drink.
V8 is a good option for liquids. Today I am making ricotta bake.

I hope you turn the corner soon! Best

Sorry things are not feeling so well right now! I concur with previous posters.

When I was 6 weeks out and still vomiting several times a day, I wondered if things would ever feel good again. I had to spend all day sipping fluids, and didn’t get my fluids, protein, or full supplements for probably 2 months post-op. But my body eventually got back to “normal” and I am healthy. I can drink 8 oz. water in about a minute now.

Maybe try a bit of Crystal Light with some unflavored protein powder? Or fruity protein powder? Bone broth with soft chicken? (Try the packets for ease). Soft chicken with beans and shredded cheese? Soft baked fish like Tilapia?

GL, this will get better!

PS - Sorry to hear about your other half leaving for a few months…. ? It will be special when they return and see the new you.

7 hours ago, WorriedPanda said:

Hello all, first post here…

I had the sleeve done on 2/23 and I’m really struggling physically and emotionally. I’m not getting the Protein or Water intake like I should be because nothing is appealing to me. I’m sick of Protein Shakes, and nothing else tastes good to me. I’m on the puréed diet which I think can be moved to soft food but even that it just doesn’t appeal to me. As for water I am getting roughly 20-30oz a day by sipping which is really hard for me because I’m used to chugging 16 oz bottles at a time. Pre-surgery I was getting about a gallon a day. I feel thirsty all the time and I’m tired because of the lack of protein. I’m just at a loss and really regretting all of this and just want to cry all the time, on top of all this I just found out that my other half is leaving (military) for several months.

Hi,

I can relate to this! Sleeved 11/29/22 and I had the same feelings. I really leaned heavily on popsicles and jello. Finding what works for you is important and not get overwhelmed by everything. Get out your meal plan and really read it. There are tons of puréed recipes out there online just read. I really hope you have some positive support at home. Things are not going to happen overnight but if you take it one thing at a time one day at a time it does get easier. They aren’t kidding when they say it’s a lifestyle change. You will get through this and will see the fruits of your labor in how you feel and your confidence will grow leaps and bounds. This is for your health!! Just get down to basics and keep in good communication with your nutritionist and doctor.

Hello,

I'm in a very similar boat right now. I can't seem to get enough protein or water in a day. I'm dehydrated and exhausted. I'm also noticing that I'm beginning to feel depressed and discouraged. As a result, I'm a little snippy with my loved ones. Honestly, I wish I could turn back the hands of time and never get surgery. It doesn't seem worth it anymore.

I've also developed this sharp pain in my right side by my incision, and it hurts so bad I can barely bend over.

3 hours ago, carpeediem said:

Hello,

I'm in a very similar boat right now. I can't seem to get enough Protein or Water in a day. I'm dehydrated and exhausted. I'm also noticing that I'm beginning to feel depressed and discouraged. As a result, I'm a little snippy with my loved ones. Honestly, I wish I could turn back the hands of time and never get surgery. It doesn't seem worth it anymore.

I've also developed this sharp pain in my right side by my incision, and it hurts so bad I can barely bend over.

I had this very same thing, my surgeon said that it’s all the internal sutures used to close your gut cavity and then the incision they made through your abdominal muscle and then the main incision. They said it will go away with time once those sutures dissolve. Mine has gotten a bit better over a few days thankfully but I still can’t get food down with being gaggy.

Thank you all so much for the kind replies… I really appreciate it. ?

I’m going to try and take it day by day because that’s all I can do at this point, right? I tried to have some eggs this morning but only got a few bites it and felt like the food is stuck in my stomach… just been drinking water to try and push it through if it is really not moving through my stomach.

2 hours ago, WorriedPanda said:

Thank you all so much for the kind replies… I really appreciate it. ?

I’m going to try and take it day by day because that’s all I can do at this point, right? I tried to have some eggs this morning but only got a few bites it and felt like the food is stuck in my stomach… just been drinking Water to try and push it through if it is really not moving through my stomach.

a lot of people seem to have trouble with eggs the first few weeks. If they're not "working" for you, wait and try them again later.

I haven't had surgery yet but something I have seen on a lot of forums is freezing your protein water and making Popsicles with it. There is also something called liquicel its a 1 oz pouch of pure protein gel and you can take it straight or mix it with water. There are larger packages too. They are on Amazon.

11 hours ago, sugarbee24 said:

I haven't had surgery yet but something I have seen on a lot of forums is freezing your Protein Water and making Popsicles with it. There is also something called liquicel its a 1 oz pouch of pure protein gel and you can take it straight or mix it with water. There are larger packages too. They are on Amazon.

Oh what a great idea! I will try making protein popsicles, I can't believe that I prefer to eat a bowl of cooked vegetables that one of those protein shakes.

hello,

I understand you because I had the surgery 4 years ago but I don't regret anything because, in the end, it's worth it. Yes, it is hard and even after 4 years of surgery I feel weak, very thirsty and there are foods that I can no longer eat, but you know it is a matter of learning what is good for your body. Ever since I had surgery I have been taking a protein called Chocorite which is very nutritious and keeps you going, there are many flavors and I have to use it for life. Many times I vary the shake in different ways so I don't get bored with the same thing. Learn to look for foods that you like and that are nutritious. Drink water during the day but you can take Pedialyte (serum) that hydrates and sustains you just like water. Do not give up or feel bad, it is a process, and like you, I have a half-brother-Uncle who is right now in the war in Ukraine. Everything step by step and you will see how you are going to feel better just find what you like and can eat and vary your food. I was almost 300 pounds and now 130 pounds.

Girl I feel literally the exact same. I was sleeved on 3/11/22 and I have been feeling a lot of regret. I barely get any protein in, if any. I also have found that I am nauseated by basically everything. The thought of eating makes me nauseous. I too have been told to take it day by day… I found that “Chicken and Stars” soup sits pretty well with me… good luck to you - I’m sure it all gets better

5 hours ago, courtlindahl said:

Girl I feel literally the exact same. I was sleeved on 3/11/22 and I have been feeling a lot of regret. I barely get any Protein in, if any. I also have found that I am nauseated by basically everything. The thought of eating makes me nauseous. I too have been told to take it day by day… I found that “Chicken and Stars” Soup sits pretty well with me… good luck to you - I’m sure it all gets better

Hugs! It’s the worst feeling ever… I will have to try that soup! I have been living on egg drop soup and decaf ice tea. I’m going to try to eat some Turkey or chicken deli lunch meat to see how that sits in my stomach.

I hope it gets easier for you too!