tough week

I feel like I'm being tortured by expecting myself to continue with normal daily activites while not giving my body any food.   The drinks just aren't cutting it for me during this liquid diet week.  I thought last week would be hard, but being able to at least look forward to that little lunch meal made a big difference, especially since it was a break during work that let me get some energy back.  I don't have that this week and it's driving me insane!  My stomach hurts so bad from being hungry, and my head is starting to hurt on top of that.  When I talk out loud too much I feel nauseous , and darn it all I have today and Friday that I have to answer the phones at work!

I keep reminding myself that this is all for a good cause and that there is an end in sight, but that only helps a little.  I know most all of us have been through this, so did anyone find a special secret that helped get through?  Praise God that I only have 5 days left, but I need some extra help to survive those.  My coworkers need the help too, lol, as I'm extremely crabby on top of it.  

On a brighter note, Nashville Athletic Club gave my company a good deal on memberships so for the first time ever I joined a gym.  I figure that this is the best time...might as well make all the good changes at once to start new habits.  If anyone thinks they might like to join me at the club, let me know.  I have a few guest passes and have been assured that my friends will get a good deal 

I feel better getting that all off my chest...

karen,
it sounds like you are not getting enough protein. this is always going to be extremely important, so might as well get in the habit now.  if you are on full liquids, drink a protein shake of some type every 2 hours.  if you are on clear liquids, try the protein bullets.  they will fill you, stop the headachey, queasy feeling, and in general make you feel better.  keep it up, you are on the way to a new you!
marilyn

Are you coming off of sugar and caffeine at the same time?  I bet the headache could be a result of withdrawal from that...  and like Marilyn said, the hunger could mean that you need more protein.  I can't remember what the solution is to a caffeine withdraw headache is. Does anyone else know or remember?

I saw one website (Living After WLS) where they talk about being on the 5 day pouch test...  and if you have a headache, that you can take EmergenC, a tablet for kids.

I have found that the protein bullets work best for me.  Orange is the only favor I can tolerate.  I mix half the contents of a bullet with 10 oz of some flavor of Crystal Lite.  If you drink two containers of those a day you will get 84 grams of protein and 40 oz of fluid.  Then you can throw in a few protein shakes and you will have more then enough protein and fluid with very little effort.  I lived on nothing but  the bullets and Crystal Lite for over two weeks.  I wouldn't recommend that, but due to something I was going through I just couldn't eat.  I never did get hungry and don't think I was crabby (at least no one told me so)!

Hang there.  I promise you it will be worth it.  I had my surgery 7-12-08 and I have gone from a 28 to a 20 in jeans.  Some people have lost weight much more quickly then I, but I thrilled with my weight loss.  Remember that we are all different so never compare yourshelf to anyone else.

Baboo

Karen, congratulations on your accomplishments so far!!  It is tough now im sure, but its just the beginning of your new life.  Its all steps toward the new healthy you.  As others posted, sounds like you arent getting enough protein.  are you drinking protein shakes?  did you used to drink alot of caffeine ??  eat alot of carbs in the past?  eat alot of sugar?  the sudden lack of these things can cause your body to withdraw and the symptoms you described can be withdrawal symptoms.  hang in there, remember the pot of gold at the end of this rainbow.  good luck.

Hang in there, it will be worth it all.  I think everyone is on the right track.  Get some protein shakes to help you out.  My doc suggested the EAS low carb shakes and they were wonderful!

Don't forget...BREATHE!!!!!

Scott

The doctor's full liquid diet calls for 4 protein shakes a day, and that's what I'm drinking.  I've been using the Matrix chocolate powder because I've found it to be my favorite when I was trying different ones out, and that has 25 grams of protein per serving (100 grams a day).  Along with my 4 shakes I'm also drinking at least 32 oz of water/crystal light.  I haven't had a carbonated beverage since July, and that's where the majority of my sugar intake always came from.  As for caffeine, the doctor says I don't have to completely cut it out and he was happy with the way that I've cut back to just a drink every few days.  He told me that I could even still have sweet tea, if I make the tea with Splenda which is what I've been doing.

I've decided that the big pain that I was having yesterday and this morning was my stomach getting used to not getting any food.  As the day went on today it started to get easier, and if the rest of the week can let me feel the way I'm feeling now I'll be in good shape.  I know that the prayers of my friends are making a huge difference too.

Thank you for the encouragement!  Failure is not an option for me!