Needing to EAT

Hello all, As I read many of your stories, I realize that different doctors have very different processes. My doctor has his people do a 2 week clear liquid diet before surgery. Then continue that clear liquid diet for another 2 weeks after surgery. That is a total of 4 FOUR, yes I said four weeks on clear broth, water, and jello. Now, I am really getting the NEED TO EAT. I can't say whether I am really physically hungry or that I just am mentally hungry. I have until June 16th to be on the clear liquids, I really don't know if I can do it without becoming a real b*&%#. My poor family feels so gulity everytime they eat something, especially if it is a snack, or junk food. Did any of you go this long and how did you do it? Please offer some advise. Also, when you started eating, what things went well and how much? How often? What thing should I stay away from? I knew this would be the hard part! Please help! TTFN Jackie G.

Jackie, Try chewing some gum -- just make sure you don't swallow it!! My 1st meal was scrambled eggs w/cheese. The head hunger is the worst thing to deal with, but that's where it all starts. I'm 8 wks out and my mouth and head are always bigger than my pouch! I've been lucky and can basically eat anything. There are only a couple of things I've tried that didn't set well. The only time I've actually thrown up was from accidentally gulping some very cold water -- and I made myself do that just to relieve the pressure. My beginning foods were cottage cheese, yogurt, scrambled eggs w/cheese and mashed potatoes. I used my pampered chef chopper and put chicken in it and then mixed it with potatoes and maybe cheese. That was very good -- I could eat about 1/4 cup (or less). You just have to experiment and the moister the better. It seems to go down easier. E-mail if you want to chat. Good luck!!! Janie

Hi Janie! I just wanted to say "Hi!" to a neighbor...I live in Fairbank. & Sherry Open RNY 02/04/04 (Proximal-75 cm) 294.5/223/150/140? -71.5#

Sherry I live in Fairbank also so hey neighbor!

***Ding!*** You've got mail!! Sherry

Have you tried SF popcicles? It might give your mouth something to chew on and help with the head/mouth hunger. I was clear liquids for the first week post op and full liquids the second. The third week I started on soft/pureed foods - Wells Blue Bunny Lite 85 yogurt (without chunks of fruit), scrambled eggs, tuna salad.

Jackie Hang in there girl!!! You have come to the right spot for help! Keep reading & talking to people on line! They are going to be sooooo much help to you! They were for me! I thought I could not hang in there very long eather! I had to go through the 2 weeks of liquids, just to have my surgery canceled! Then I went through it the second time (that was much harder) I am 6 weeks out and am down 41# and 25" gone! The best part is my blood sugar was 289 & is now 110!!!!! It depends on how bad you want this! I hope you have a supportive family, because that will help too! You can always e-mail me I would be glad to talk to you! Just think not to much longer!!!! Take it one day, hour, minute at a time! We where all there too! You can do this, It will save your life and you will feel so much better! Keep us updated! Prayers & hugs to you! Cheri

HI Jackie, There are a bunch of us who are Dr G's patients & we all went through it. You can do it & he really has a good reason for requiring us to wait another 2 weeks. That little pouch needs lots of time to heal so we don't have the problems we read so often about. In addition, you may not realize that Dr G makes his pouches smaller than most surgeons do. It needs to heal. June 16 is just around the corner. Be sure to follow the directions given to you by the dietician when you do start your solids. I know they have added a few things since my surgery. My first meal was cottage cheese. It was heaven & it is still probably the easiest thing for me to eat. Yogurt comes in a close second. I am not eating as well as Janie, she just lives right I think, but I am doing OK. I am now 6 months post-op & down 115lbs. I still have a long way to go but, thanks to this surgery & changes in my lifestyle, I can accompli**** Dixie from Tripoli

Thanks to all who have responded, I appreciate the help. I knew it was more of a head thing than a physical thing, but my head is how I got to where I was and ended up needing surgery. I really have great motivation to do this and to do it right. I do look forward to the day when things have normalized and it doesn't take so much work or thinking. I want to get away from food controling my life and to me controling my food. I know this will take some time and I will have good days and bad days. I am just very glad I found you all to help me through the bad ones. I am really enjoying getting to know you all! TTFN Jackie G.