Question:
How do I survive six weeks liquids when at 4 days post-op I'm hungry?
My doctor requires that I stay on liquids for 6 weeks, but I'm only 4 days post op and already I feel hungry. I do know that some of this is head hunger, but about every two hours I feel physical hunger. I'm using Optimum Nutrition protein shakes and other liquid foods like low-fat cream soups. I'm just needing advise on how to follow my doctor's orders and not cheat. I've read and read on this site and honestly, I have noticed everyone else eats by three weeks post-op. What to do??? — Malinda M. (posted on May 10, 2001)
May 10, 2001
Oh no, not everyone. We are CLEAR for 4 weeks. No milk, no sugar, no
creamed soups. The most exciting thing we get is protein shakes. Since
they encourage us to get several in per day, that helped a lot. I had my
surgery near Thanksgiving. If I was a TV watcher, I doubt if I would've
survived it. But since I'm not, I just kept myself busy AWAY from the
kitchen. Of course, we are human and designed to need food. It's not like
you're naughty for "wanting" it. It's just normal. After all,
you've been having food daily since you were born, right? You just have to
figure out the head game that works best for you, or that's what I did. I
imagined every bite NOT taken as a pound lost.
— vitalady
May 10, 2001
I was only on liquids for 3 days after surgery. I got mashed pot.,
oatmeal and grits while I was still in the hospital. Why liquids for so
long?
— DeeDubbs
May 10, 2001
who's everyone? I wan on clear liquids for 4 weeks , and then I moved on to
full liquids for 2 more. Just do what the doctor tells you. Don't watch any
food commercials on tv, turn the chanel immediatly. Don't read any recepie
books or look at pictures of food they will only stimulate your desire for
food. Think of this surgery as your last chance at a normal life. Quit
hurting yourself. I used the time on liquids to rest (i slept a lot) and to
allow that new pouch to heal. 1 year later and at goal weight of 155 I will
never go back . Nothing will ever taste as good as I feel now.Good luck.
Nothing is easy but this is easier than any diet I have ever been on,
because it works! And if you play your cards right You will never have to
diet it again!
— Rose A.
May 10, 2001
I am a pre-op but I was in the Optifast program about 12 years ago. On that
program you are required to go on a 5 shake a day ONLY diet for 12 weeks,
(or 3 months). I thought I was going to die the first week, but found if I
exercised more and drank a lot of water, that I didn't have any problems.
This was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life and even now I am
amazed I did it! You can do this because that is what you have to do to
succeed. You didn't go through all of this to this point just to mess up
did you? No, of course not. You can overcome the head hunger by finding
things to distract you that have nothing to do with eating or food. Once
you make a habit of it, it gets easier and easier. Good luck.
— Diana M.
June 15, 2001
I feel your pain. I'm 2 weeks post-op. I am hungry all the time. I have to
do 3 weeks of clear liquids and then I will move to soft solids. But I'm to
afraid not to follow doctor's orders. This is serious business.I don't
think cheating is worth the risk.
— Belinda J.
June 15, 2001
Who's everyone? I was on clear liquids 4 weeks and full liquids for another
1 before moving on to the pureed mess.I never watched food commercials or
read anything that had to do with food, it helped. How do you do it , you
ask? you do it because you have to and because it is six weeks out of the
rest of your life. You do it one day at a time. Every day you tell yourself
I just have to do this today. You will get through it , you will lose
weight , you will look and feel better. Your new stomach and intestines
will heal better and you will grow stronger and realize that you can get
through this and that you CAN do anything. There are people out there who
cannot have this surgery and would do anything if they could. You have been
given a wonderful gift , use it well.
— Rose A.
July 17, 2001
Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about this. I was also very hungry
after my first week. I was miserable. I would drink my supplement, sip
water and still feel hungry. I let my nurse coordinator know what was
going on and after she discussed it with the nutritionist, I was allowed to
start eating sugar-free yogurt, sugar-free pudding and mashed potatoes with
protein boost. I too was originally told clear liquids 4-6 weeks, but they
were prepared for exceptions. The addition of variety and substance has
made 100% difference. I feel full and I feel better.
— dbmbrown
August 7, 2001
Malinda, This soon after your surgery, your hunger might be in your brain,
rather than in your stomach. Very few obese people have a realistic
concept of hunger, so it'll take some time to adjust. You could always use
the old trick of waiting 20 minutes, and if you're still hungry, it's
"real" hunger, as opposed to emotional hunger.
— MaryM.
October 10, 2004
I suppose every doctor is different. I am 3 days post-op and my doctor
wants me to try mushy protiens like fat free sugar free yogurt and mashed
potatoes. I thought this was a little odd because I've read that people
are on clears for weeks but then again my doctor booted me out of the
hopsital the day afyer my surgery. Perhaps he's just a fast mover.
— soulz821
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