feeling discouraged

I am 11 days post op RNY.  The healing process is going well.  I am, however, really struggling now with getting my protein in and drinking my hydrating liquids.  I have tried so many protein drinks, powders, flavorless powders, etc.  Currently I am drinking skim milk mixed with milk powder, as suggested by my surgeon.  I want to gag every time I drink it.  I cannot imagine drinking it for another 7 days, at which point I have my post op appointment that will permit me to eat actual food. 

Also, I am struggling with the hydrating liquids as everything tastes TOO SWEET.  I used to LOVE water with a sugar-free flavor from Walmart, but right now, nothing is good.  I don't particularly even enjoy water unless it's at room temperature.

I don't mean to be a whiner or to complain so much, but I am really having a mental, as well as physical, struggle with the last leg of this process.

Any encouragement or suggestions out there?

Thanks so much,
Fran :)

Hey Fran:

Have you tried mashing up a bananna and adding to your protein-along with a couple packs of splenda?  I purchased my first protein from my doctors ofc and yuck, later I found Unjury.  It is actually very good and I don't mind it at all.  I heard that after surgery things sometimes taste too sweet.  I didn't have that problem.  I use Crystal light, because I can't just drink water.  It will get better I promise.  Hang in there.

Teresa

For my three weeks of liquid I could only drink the sugar free carnation instant breakfast with skim milk, it just tast like chocolate milk. I would use the to-go salad dressing containers and drink 2oz every 15 minutes rotating with water and juice sometimes. The 2 oz cups make it such a small portion it seems easier to get it down. You are half way to the three weeks, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!
I was over whelmed at times but every drink is a new meal, sometimes every day is a new day is to long. Be patient things do get better. I wish you all the best.
PS I was soooooo sick of sweet I would actually sip pickle juice (its clear liquid lol), so I know how you feel. Shouldn't protein drinks taste like steak, chicken and pork chops????
Audra

You sound very much like me after surgery... none of the proteins tasted good, everything was thick and sweet, nothing worked.  I tried sooooo many different protein liquids and powders and hated them all.... finall i found somehting that worked for me... I bought GNC unflavored whey protein... it's the only one that is truly "unflavored".   I ended up mixing with Chunky Chicken noodle soup... sometimes i strained out the noodles and additional pieces/chunks, sometimes i just blended it.  But the chicken soup with protein seemed to satisify my and my protein requirements... to add the additional liquids, i used the Special K protein water, bu****ered it way down with plain water to get rid of the sweetness.  This was the only way i got thru everything... and i also used the 2 oz cups to make it not seem like such a huge  quantity that i had to take in. 

Hang in there! You are not whining or complaining. We have all been down that road and we are here to share.

 

I usually post when I think I can help or at least maybe by sharing my experience you get a laugh! Laughter cures everything for a minute!

 

I have no wonderful words of wisdom on this one, so I’ll just stick to a little laugh somewhere along the way.

 

My advice is do not give up. Keep trying different suggestions form folks and things on your own. You WILL find your way!

 

After surgery, I became lactose intolerant. Almost 4 years later, the smell of milk and yogurt is still icky (but I am fine with mayo and sour cream (as long as I do not smell it)!

 

First 3 weeks after surgery, I could not tolerate the smell or the taste of anything with milk.

 

Goodbye all those lovely protein drinks…Boost away from me…Slimfast was not moving fast enough…Carnation Instant Milk would not instantly disappear….Ensure was sure to make me sick…and as for milk…all the cows breathed mooed sigh of relief cause I could guzzle a gallon in 2 days!

 

All the protein juices were too sweet (this coming from Queen Sugar Bee! I used put sugar in EVERYTHING).

 

I survived for 3 weeks on sugar free Apple Juice! Yes, juice..no protein. Not endorsing it, just telling my story. I struggled to try different things and this was the best I could do (ok maybe the best I felt like doing – no protein makes for a tired girl!). To this day, no protein drinks.

 

I have finally started putting protein in my coffee. The rule for me has been to get my protein through food because the liquid just does not work for me.

 

I could talk all day but I am sure others want to post, so the moral of my story is keep trying stuff even when you do not feel like it, until you find something that works for you and helps get you to the next phase.

 

It will not be this way forever. It is just a stepping stone to move on. I love apple juice but if I thought that was all I would have been able to drink forever, I woulda ran back to hospital screaming “gimme my fat tummy back!"