The mental aspect???????

I am 10 days out from my surgery.  I am already tired of eating just liquids and taking the protein shakes.  I am following the diet but man it's hard.  How did you all overcome the urges to want texture in your food?  I am forcing 3 protein shakes a day, trying to eat as much protein infused food as possible and walking everyday.  I have truly been blessed with a successful surgery and quick recovery.  I see the surgeon on the 15th for my first follow up.  I am sure I will be able to goto soft foods then.  I have asked myself several times "What did I do?"  But we all know the answer to that.  I made a choice to have a healthier life.  I expected the worse and hoped for the best.  I am trying to figure this out so I am not driving  myself nuts all the time.  I guess I just need time to pass and get back to being able to eat a small normal meal.  I have never been a comfort eater so I don't know why this is bothering me so bad????   Hell, I would have to make myself eat at times in the past.  Giving it my all Thanks for reading.

Rowland Carper 

Hang in there. I hate to tell you but I was eating very small amounts of soft foods about a week out.

It is hard in the beginning.  It is hard.  You can do it.  This is the time for you to exert your discipline because as you move forward it just gets better and better and eventually you will wonder how it is you can eat so much and not gain.   You will wonder how it is that you have been so lucky to have had this surgery and this chance to eat like a normal person.  You will wonder how it is the scale is not going up.

You are in the most difficult time but it is just a few weeks/months and after that, it will likely be golden.

Persevere now and the rewards will be beyond your imagination.

Good luck!

 This is the most difficult time, healing from major surgery!!!
Follow your surgeons diet progression, liquids can be best  feeling good in your new tummy. At a year out solid food makes me feel too full, liquids are still my prefered method for getting in all the protein. Try soups,with added unflavored protein powder,  fruit protein drinks, shakes blended with a bit of smooth fruits. Get creative with protein recipies. Distract yourself with walking in the park, or mall, gardening is good exercise. join a gym, get a trainer to help fine tune a program suited for surgery recovery. Some of them are are trained in this. I became more addicted to getting back into shape than eating. It is a new lifestyle change that will follow me from now on. My son and husband have joined me eating healthier Atkins type meals, and exercising at the gym. My gym has weight loss exercise groups, more fun doing it with a group.

The weight machines are the best for toning and muscle definition. My posture changed by the time I reached goal at one year. Now I'm working on developing muscles and  stretching tight ligaments to correct body,back, shoulder and neck posture. My bones dont have as much support without all the fat, they need more muscle to hold them in the correct place. My physical therapist is located in my gym, no excuses about working out, she has an eye on me. Twice a week physical therapy a month at a time is covered by my insurance. The pains I have are from bony hips pressing on the siatic nerve when I drive. My neck also has nerve pain from not being in the correct posture position. My shoulder blades are not close enough to my spine causing rolled shoulders, and nerve pain down my upper arm. My whole body is readjusting to a new thin shape.

This new lifestyle change of WLS comes with many unforseen acountability issues. None of these things can be ignored. All require taking action to progress to the new healthier you, and trust me its all worth it !!!!!  ;-)

Rowland, it just a stage.  You'll get through it.  Soft stuff is really best for your stomach right now.  You're surgeon did his work, now you must do yours.  In a few days you can mix and egg with a little bit of mashed potatoes and fry it up in a pan in butter.  It'll be yummy!

Follow your surgeons rules. This will pass and you will be eating steak and bacon in no time. Soft phase is not bad. You have this guy!

 Thanks for all the replies.  I switched myself to soft foods three days prior to seeing the surgeon.  I am glad I did this.  It not only helped fill me up, it also helped me mentally.  The first night I ate a small piece of baked fish and a small baked potatoe.  Just to have more than one thing on my plate helped so much.  It's funny how this is a mental aspect thing too.  I knew it would be mostly mentally but I didn't think it would be that bad because I am not a comfort food eater.  I am so glad I got this surgery and wish I would have been able to have gotten it done earlier but I must be thankful for what I have now.  My step son is getting married August 31st and I will be able to attend with a weight under 300lbs.   That makes me feel so good.  My wife says she can tell a big difference in my face and upper chest.  It's amazing how fast all this weight came off.  Thanks so much for the encouragement.  I can't tell you how much it helped.  Have a good day and God Bless.

Oh, I remember how much that sucked.  The first weeks are hard, but you really have to look at it as a means to an end.  It WILL improve.  The mental struggles are at times much harder than the physical ones.

Every day you are a step closer to a normal life - take it one day at a time and you will get there.

Hang in!

Sharon

SF Jello and protein enriched puddings helped me during this phase.