1 week out

HI my name is Erin and I am 1 week post-op. I am still feeling hungry because all I can have is liquids so it goes in and goes out and I really want some food with texture. Overall my energy level is way up and I am feeling pretty good considering I just had my insides rearranged I am having trouble getting in all my protien from shakes because it taste so funny to me- any suggestions on making them taste better?

Hi Erin, my name is Linda. I had my surgery on Jan 3rd. Prior to surgery, I chose to replace my breakfast with a protein shake. Some are powdery and some are instantized. I ordered my protein online as I did not want to walk into one of those places where the buff people hang out. Oh, and I wanted to read about the kinds of protein that would be healthy for me. I say replace breakfast because I often would leave with nothing in my stomach and five or more hours later seize something. Or my darling husband would get me what he thought I might enjoy. From a jelly stick cake donut to yummy yet high calorie fruit squares. I told him in May that my doctor said I was pre-diabetic and I needed to cut out those foods. He did not seem to hear well, cause one day when he went up for groceries, he went off the list (a verbal list ) and he bought two pies. Go figure! He is a darling but sometimes I wonder if men just do not listen. I did not have any trouble making the switch to low calorie protein shakes even though the one I ordered was so powdery, and gaggy with 1% milk. I could mix it in food before it simmered but have not. I chose the next day to mix it with diet juice and add water to the juice to further cut the low sugars. I mixed full juices with this portion one quarter juice, three quarters water. I could drink these down fast and race out to the waiting car. Then, I began to experiment with adding frozen fruits, and yogurt. I love yogurt! So, what I am telling you is to experiment add stuff, blend it well! I have to tell you that the frozen raspberries that did not bother me pre-op scared me post op when I realized how many seeds were in the 1/4 cup of raspberries. Oh, and if you have a little sieve use it. My friend talked to me last year about her need to lose weight. Only five pounds! She put bananas in the freezer and would chose to use them as a freeze pop at night when she was hungry. That gave me an idea. I froze three bananas that I had not managed to eat pre-op. You have to wait until they are ripe. I hope you do well. I was not on a liquid diet but pureed or blended since leaving the hospital. I like the Pacific Foods Carrot Cashew and Ginger soup. It has a terrific taste. I was told not to worry about protein for the first four weeks. I think that every surgeon and nutritionist have their own take on how to proceed post op for a good recovery. I have seen many that require a pre-op liquid diet of two weeks. Imagine that...my surgery was right after New Year's.

Hi Erin - I'm Rhonda and I too am a little over 1 week post-op. I don't know about you, but I'm just really tired of everything being sweet. My liquid diet goes until three weeks post-op and I have to drink 2 ounces of protein at the top of every waking hour followed by 2 ounces of other "stuff" every fifteen minutes. I've been drinking tomato soup for part of my liquid and it tastes wonderful. I bought some butternut squash soup to drink as well, but I haven't started it yet. I think I may buy some of the tasteless protein by Any Whey and mix it with broth. I'm also using sugar free popsicles - at least that is a little bit that you could chew on. Good luck and hang in there. I have a feeling we'll look back on this time and think how quickly it passed!

Hi - My name is Kim and I am 2 weeks before surgery and scared and excited. I started my pre-op diet yesterday and I am already hungry. I feel like I need some substance soon! I keep thinking that this is the first day of the rest of my life - but it's hard. I explained to my kids that food is a drug to me and I am an addict so it's hard and I am going through withdrawal. UGH! Right now I don't think I can add anything to my shakes.....I don't know. I worry that I won't make it for the 2 weeks though and today I feel like doing absolutely nothing! How do I get over this? ANy suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Thanks guys- I appreciate all the suggestions. I have been experimenting and found that a bit of SF chocolate sauce goes a long way in making the protien shakes better. To Kim I completely understand. I had to be on all liquids pre-op and it was torture. It is one thing to fill a 2 oz pouch with broth, it is quite another to fill an oversized stomach. All I can say is hang in there. It really will be worth it. You are right food is a drug for us but with the tool of GB we can overcome that addiction- or atl east learn how to live with it in a healthy way. Just remember it is all worth it- I weighed in yesterday and have lost 18.8 lbs in 2 weeks. You'll get there!

HI ! I'm still pre-op, but I thought I should start trying some of the protein drinks, so they were not an icky surprise once I have my surgery. I just finished off the first Unflavored Unjury mixed with Crystal Light Raspberry. Honestly, I'm shocked !! It looked a little milkey, but tasted pretty good. Some of those protien drinks are flat out nasty and clumpy. Can I tell you how many times I have mixed up some of the other brands of protien powder and just barely gagged them down..?? The Unjury mixed up well and I actually liked it. You can go onto their website www.unjury.com and actually order sample packets of the different flavors. Did I mention I feel full??!!?? Overall, it was a very nice surprise. Now I'm not so worried about the Chocolate Flavored...But I have to admit, the chicken soup is still scarin' me..Keeping my fingers crossed... Best of Luck to You !! Sheila

Hi there, Erin~ I am close to 2 weeks post op and I have been creative with the shakes. I am not a milk drinker so I substituted with soy milk. Here are the ones I have tried thus far: Chocolate/Banana - 1/2 banana 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 1 8oz of Chocolate Soy Milk 1 cup of ice Yum Strawberry Sorbet Fat Free strawberry yogurt Vanilla Soy Milk Ice - 1 cup Unjury Strawberry Sorbet Protein powder These are both tasty and you cannot taste the protein powder. I have 1 a day and they are quite filling too. Best of luck.

I am 3wks post-op During my first week, my surgeon told me that it was ok to have cream of wheat cereal made with milk, 1/4pat butter, sugar to taste. (sometimes I did mix protein shake in it as well) It was soothing to the tummy and was a lifesaver...be sure to make it kinda runny though, otherwise yogurt, soups without chunks, try mixing protein drink mix into some van. pudding MAX MUSCLE has a delicious protein shake- no kidding!!!! tastes JUST like choc milk. 130 cal 1g fat 26g protein 6 carbs. you can only get it at Max Muscle stores. mixed with 2% milk 1c, 260 cal, and 34g of protein... Carolyn