frustrated

Is anyone frustrated with their results so far?  I'm three weeks out of surgery, and I'm already getting hunger pains and cravings.  I'm getting sick of protein shakes, cheese, tofu, and eggs.  It's killing me!  I want carbs so badly.  I also don't stay full for very long.  It makes me nervous because this is the time when I'm supposed to feel the most full.  Dr. Tanaka says not to worry about it, but I can't help myself.

I wonder if it's a psychological thing...like I was addicted to food before the surgery, and I still am addicted now.  Yikes.

On the bright side, I'm down to 225 from 243.  I hit the dreaded stall, but things seem to be moving again.  I thought I would be losing weight everyday, but I'm still happy with the loss so far.

hi Sara.....oh my, sorry to hear this. I know that for me, I'm talking to myself about FASTING and how beneficial that is going to be for me...and...that lots of people FAST and are doing well. Yes, unfortunately, you are probably like me and maybe others, we are addicted to food for many reasons....some of those reasons we know and some we don't. I think this is our challenge, to work with our addiction so that we can control it and not let it control us.....make sense? Are you keeping up with your water? I think I heard somewhere that it takes 21 days to change a habit....you are close!!!!So, hang in there like the doc said:)D

Yes, that makes sense.  I am keeing up with my water too.  It goes straight through me!  Thanks for the encouragement, Deanna!

I think what you are experiencing is psychological hunger. I don't think you are really hungry but when you think about specific foods, it stimulates your brain and makes you think you are hungry for it.
I'm not even two weeks out and yes, I too feel hunger, but I know that I'm not really. I think about various foods, pho, chinese, sushi, pizza etc, and of course, thinking about them makes me hungry for them, but I keep reminding myself in due time. I've spent a lifetime of eating what I wanted, now it's time to knuckle down and be in control.
My surgeon didn't list tofu as something I could eat now. I wish he did cause I'd get things like the tofu fake chicken nuggets, etc. He only cleared me for yogurt, cottage cheese (which I don't like either of them) and soft eggs. So I'm living off clear liquids, protein shakes and scrambled egg whites. I can move onto seafood and some vegetables on Sept 25th.  It's only 20 days away, so I'm going to keep strong and stick to what I was advised.
So yeah, I honestly think its psychological and I feel it too. Just be strong. Remind yourself that it is not forever, but that when you can enjoy the things you love, just be sure to do it within moderation of your new stomach.

You're so right!  Thanks for the encouragement and advice.  It's really hard to thinik long term, but I'm trying. 

As for the food, I tried the some tofu bacon and sausage to mix with my eggs, but it made me feela bit iffy.  I'm going back to just eggs and cheese.

spoken well baby, spoken well!!!!!

I get hungry too. I have started eating more than the  two times a day plus a protein shake (which Dr. Tanaka told me to do). I have started incorporating more stuff. I just couldn't wait til the Sept 25th. That would have been 50days from my surgery with only clear liquids tofu, yogurt, cheese and eggs. That's just cruel. I'm doing four very small meals, and I LOG EVERYTHING! If I bite it, I write it. If I nibble it I scribble it. NO EXCEPTIONS! I eat anywhere from 595-800 calories a day.
 
I think alot of the hunger is "head hunger". When I'm at work and I'm busy, food is the last thing on my mind, but when I'm home and bored I think about food way more often. Sometimes I'll be walking by the fridge and just open it and look inside. So weird!

I went to dinner with my husband the other night. I just ate some of what he ordered cuz it would be pointless for me to get a whole meal. I have two leafs of lettuce, a quarter of a slice of tomato, a piece of bread the size of my thumb and a piece of manicotti that measured about an inch. Totally stuffed. We might get hungry, but we sure do fill up quick!

When you go back to work you won't think of food as often  I promise!

I love the saying If you bite it, write it, and nibble/scribble.  That's genius!  I'm impresed that you had sucha variety of food and felt okay.  I'm still a little iffy with my stomach, but maybe in a couple weeks I'll be getting better.  Also, I totally do the fridge walk by.  I've started watching Food Network shows all the time too.  I love smelling what my fiance is making when he cooks.  I really miss food!  Sian reminded me that in a year or so I'll be able to eat what we like again.  Let the count down begin!

It's strange that Tanaka gave you till Sept 25th before progressing. Rumsey gave me to Sept 25th also, he said that by a month out of surgery I will be able  to go to soft foods like shrimp and fish. I would've thought you'd be able to progress as of Sept 5th (today), since that is your month since surgery.

I'd suggest double checking that with Tanaka, because it is a very long time to go on the clear liquids and protein shakes. I have a post op form that Rumsey gave me, I can scan and send you a copy if you like.

Right now I consume in a day:
1 to 1.5 Premier Protein Shakes, 160-240 calories, 30-45g protein
3 oz scrambled egg whites, 75 calories, 15g protein
And the rest are liquids, such as water, sobe 0 cal water, and low sodium chicken broth

This is about all I can handle, plus I run out of hours in a day to do anymore. I'm looking forward to the 25th though. A friend of mine is taking me to Anthony's Fish Grotto, he said I can share his plate since it wouldn't be worth getting my own, but that we can celebrate me progressing up the food chart LOL.

Dr Tanaka said I could add fish at week 5, but I'm a vegetarian...if it's from the sea it's not for me....lol

He said he would add more food at my 1 month check up. I've been adding extra stuff for about a week now. I have always had a stomach of steel. Partied my butt off for 20+ years, maybe hurled a total of 10 times. Three pregnancies, only hurled once. Even with the stomach flu, I rarely puke, it come out the back exit (TMI).

I would like to look at the form Dr. Rumsey gave you, if you wouldn't mind scanning it.


Sound like you're doing great...It's good to hear!