This is sooo tough!

Well, I'm 6 days out and down 8 pounds!  But this is tough!  I have NO energy, pains in my stomach, and I'm hungry.  I keep telling myself this is temporary, and the outcome will pay off.  I can not eat any more broth, popsicles or jello.  I feel like I will throw up if I have any more broth!!  Any suggestions??? Laurie

hungry...i would sip on stuff but literally use a little medicine cup and only take about 1cc at a time, the fluid will make you feel full, energy part(well i felt the same way) I have tried something recently, you can buy them at the GNC store, they are called protein bullets, well "New Whey protein 42 gms) i have had the fruit punch, and the grape, both good but most favorite fruit punch, they run about $3 each but at that point i would try anything. Also can you get your hands on a syringe, try taking smaller amounts, after several months of the nausea feeling, i was trying to drink to much at a time (do what!!!! but mt stomach was super sensitive, too bad it could have not been that way before the surgery)

Laurie, You are at the toughest part right now.  Try strained Veg. Soup.  That really helped me.  Have you tried different flavors of Crystal Light?  I absoulutely love the Ruby Red Grapefruit.  It is still sweet, not like real Grapefruit juice, but tastey. You will be moving on to full liquids soon, whi*****ludes pudding and soups, that helped me a bunch.  To keep my mind busy I read ahead to look forward to the next phase, and make sure I was stocked up.  The hunger really does get better. It helps to keep telling yourself this is temporary, and you can do it for a short time!  The liquids are not forever! Stay Strong... Lori

Laurie
First of all CONGRATULATIONS on your 8lb weight loss!! it used to take me a entire month to lose that amount!! Do you like Crystal lite? it tastes really good and they have a bunch of different flavors Remember that this is all going to be worth it for the end result to a beautiful new you. I wish you the best! and I will see you on the losers bench tommorro

Darcie

GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!!  REST, REST, REST, AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU ARE DOING WHEN YOU ARE FEELING BETTER. LAURIE

I would postulate that at this point the hunger you are experiencing is "head hunger."  That will dissipate in a few days/weeks as your head realizes that it doesn't need to eat more.  Your stomach isn't telling you it's hungry, your head is.  Doesn't make it any easier to endure other than it helps to know where it's coming from. The energy will return, but that will take time.  After a couple of weeks, I had energy again, then around a month and a half, it went away again for a week or so.  By about 3 months, I had more energy than I've had in years.  The first couple of months are very hard and you need to keep telling yourself why you did this.  I found it helped to remind myself that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. How much longer are you on clear liquids?  I didn't have to do that, but each doctor is different.  I don't know if I have any suggestions other than what has already been said.  You must stay hydrated right now.  That is of utmost importance.  I can relate to the nauseated feeling though, I think if I ever see another bottle of Boost, it'll be too soon! Sorry I can't be of more help, but this too shall pass.  Work on walking and sipping, the rest will come with time. Take care. Ellen

I just looked at it this way... I am healing from major surgery and this is what I have to do. Kind of kept me of thinking it was some sort of strange torture... plus it reminded me I didnt really have a choice... I had to do it so I could heal *shrug*. Keep trying to walk as much as possible.. its GORGEOUS out so get outside... or go walk at the mall. Keep eating what you can when you can... eating a little every so often will help and sip sip sip!!! As for being sick of what you can have... thats a toughie because we are so limited early out... make some of your own popscicles... use crystal light, SF kool aid. I made myself a few 'slushies' with the crystal light or Kool Aid... made me felt like I was eating something since it was a different texture.  As for being hungry... are you *really* hungry or just missing being able to eat something? I found I just missed my fork and chewing :-) try and distract yourself when you feel you are hungry or getting sick of the limited foods... walk, read, make a phone call. Thankfully I went back to work a few days after surgery which I think helped distract me... dont know how I would have felt if I was sitting home with a bunch of free time!  Focus on the future... think of how better things will be once you are 2 wekks post-op... 1 month post-op... 6 months post-op. I found focusing/fantasizing about how the future would be got me thru the tough times.

I totally agree with Jennifer about fantasizing about the future.  I found it helpful to look through a victoria's secret catalog because that was one of my items on my wish list.  Whatever catalog for clothes that you like, imagine being able to do the things you can't do now.  The future is bright it will get better! Take care. Ellen

Laurie -

I know that this is tough. I had the same issues ... it may have been "head hunger", but it "felt" like tummy hunger. You really are in the hardest part of the ride and it will get better. Jennifer's advise was good. Distraction is a great thing and walking is even better.

Please give me a call ... I PM'd you my phone numbers.

Take care and hang in there ... it's gonna be okay. I promise!

Barb

Laurie, I am soooo sorry you are feeling horrible. As I told you before, the first week was pure ***X%^?! for me too. I would try to go ahead and start incorporating some protein, liquid form of course. There are 2 that I recommend, ISOPURE- I think I gave you a bottle and one that is in a bottle that looks like a test tube. Not sure of the name. I think protein will help with your energy and also help with satiety. I'll call you later...