Question:
Any advice on how to thwart the hunger dizzy spells during the clear liquid phase?

I had my surgery on Tuesday April 29th. I've been on clear liquids since Thursday and won't be able to start full liquids until Tuesday May 6th. I'm doing my walking, I can even sleep on my side, doing my breathing stuff, but the thing that is getting me down is that I feel like I'm starving! It's like my body has been through this tremendous change and it wants to recover, but how can it if I'm not ingesting anything but sugar-free stuff devoid of nutrients? I'm dizzy and light headed. My incision isn't even a problem. Had my first post-op BM today. I just want some food! The false sugary additive in sugar-free stuff is just making me gag. All of it, jello, crystal light, popsicles . . . YUCK! Any recommendations?    — snohflake (posted on May 4, 2003)

May 4, 2003
Can you have broth? My surgeon suggested taking your favorite canned soup and straining it - and just sipping the broth - it's better than plain chicken broth or beef broth and gets you past all that sweet stuff. I was on full liquids when I left the hospital but the broth from the soup was clear.
   — Patty_Butler

May 4, 2003
We wre allowed V-8 during our clears, hot or cold. Tasted like tuerky dinner! LOL! Also, we start protein drinks on day 5 or 7, no milk, just real protein powder + water. That helps IMMENSELY because it takes up no space, pushes no limits and it packs a wad of real nutrition. Although you're just moments out of surgery, technically, I'd think you'd be safer starting your protein early than to be messing around with food, you know?
   — vitalady

May 4, 2003
As the first poster said, you can drain the broth out of a soup, which is far better than just canned broth. I made up some Mrs. Grass chicken noodle soup -- the broth tasted soooo good. Luckily the clear liquid phase is pretty short, and soon you'll be on to better things...
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 4, 2003
DONT CHEAT!!! But if your going to cheat responsibly. Soft vwer mushy strained liquids. A member here once cheated with beef jerky. He had a split stomach and was in the hospital for over a month. Lets just sauy jerky described the situation real well. Cream soup might help you, many of us have cheated to onew degree or another.
   — Sam J.

May 4, 2003
Thanks for your replies. My husband went out and bought my favorite chicken rice soup and strained it for me. I was able to get down about 4 oz, but I did feel better. Also, I liked the cold of the popsicles, just not the additives, so I've taken my diluted apple juice and poured it into ice cube trays so I could suck on those later. I know this is the hard phase. And plus I'm feeling weepy & blue, probably from coming off of the anesthesia and the major change, etc. I think I was getting myself a little worked up, so I sat down and took a nap. I won't cheat. Even though I'd probably be willing to commit a crime in order to have a scrambled egg! But I will be good. Funny (not really) food story last night. My husband's brother and his wife came over last night to see me. We are all very close and they are some of the few family members that know about my surgery. Good people. But last night they came over toting 2 six packs of beer and a bag of italian hoagies (my favorite). They were without a clue. So Jac had them go outside and eat while I took a nap, and then we all watched a movie together.
   — snohflake

May 5, 2003
If you go to GNC, they have a really great protien drink called Isopure. They have a clear one, (don't remember the flavor), but on 20 oz bottle has 40 g of protien, and is low in calories. If you do about 4 oz of it, it will add protien, and give you a different flavor. It tasts to me like gatoraide, but without the calories. It might help. Good luck!
   — mellyhudel