Question:
I am one week post-op, and ate a handful of chips, has anyone else done this?

Is there something wrong with me or my surgery. I just get so nauseous when I think about putting those bland liquids to my mouth and swallowing. I have not been able to get in enough liquids and I craved something that would taste good and possible give me more energy. Please help............    — Tselane M. (posted on November 8, 2000)

November 8, 2000
You are going to have to take it one day at a time. Were you informed before surgery about what you were going to have to do after surgery. We all get tired of eating things we dont like or dont want to, but getting sick from eating creasy chips will only make things worse. I don know about you, but I hated the hospital and after that bill I dont need anymore. Consider being put in the hospital before eating any chips. Eating the wrong thing sat the wrong time can really hurt you and cause more problems in the long run. I hope you will reconsider the thiings you eat from now on. This surgery is not a miracle only a means to help lose the weight and learn how to eat more healthy.
   — Sabrina F.

November 8, 2000
You are going to have to take it one day at a time. Were you informed before surgery about what you were going to have to do after surgery. We all get tired of eating things we dont like or dont want to, but getting sick from eating creasy chips will only make things worse. I don know about you, but I hated the hospital and after that bill I dont need anymore. Consider being put in the hospital before eating any chips. Eating the wrong things at the wrong time can really hurt you and cause more problems in the long run. I hope you will reconsider the things you eat from now on. This surgery is not a miracle only a means to help lose the weight and learn how to eat more healthy.
   — Sabrina F.

November 8, 2000
Stop beating yourself up over this, hon. You made a MISTAKE, you didn't commit an unforgiveable sin. I would, however, strongly suggest that you talk to your doctor -- a handful of chips a week out can't be good for you, even if you chewed it into oblivion. A week after my surgery it was still taking me half a day to drink 4 ounces of grape juice, and I didn't WANT anything else. I know that liquids and soft food is no fun (if I never see chicken broth again, it'll be too soon!), but it's necessary -- you need to give yourself time to heal. Carbs (because they're basically sugar) will give you that "quick pick up" (as we can attest from many afternoons of scarfing back Mars bars), but you'll crash just as hard -- it won't give you more energy. Protein will do that, and for a sustained period of time. Talk to your doctor. Be patient. And be gentle with yourself. Warm thoughts,
   — Cheryl Denomy

November 8, 2000
I don't think there is anything wrong with you at all. I'm one week post op myself and can very, very much relate to how unappealing any and all things liquid are. I've been worrying that I seem really hungry at points during the day -- but I find when I do eat what my diet calls for, I'm really fine until the next meal. I'm not expert on this process, but I think it's really, really crucial to stick to the diet plan. Cheating at this point after major surgery isn't like cheating on weight watchers -- it could make you sick and hurt your long term progress. Here's something I ate today that really helped break the blahs of the current diet -- sugar free, fat free White Chocolate Jello Pudding. Made it with skim milk and it tasted great! Almost decadant. Again, I do really understand what you're going through, but give it this very best effort you can. And don't beat yourself up over this one. Just move forward. You will do great.
   — Susan N.

November 8, 2000
Hi Tselane. I have to agree wholeheartedly with all the previous postings, but please allow me to express a few thoughts of my own. Sweetie, we all know how hard it is the first few weeks post op to adjust to a whole new eating plan, but it's so important to "stick with the program" for several reasons. First of all, we have to realize that the post-op diet our surgeon has recommended was recommended for a reason. At this stage in our recovery, our bodies are still healing. The liquid/pureed diet is designed to allow us to consume the necessary nutrition or bodies still need without compromising that healing process. When we try to "force" ourselves to eat contrary to what we're supposed to be eating , we could ultimately contribute to unnecessary complications and/or extreme discomfort. Yes, it can be boring and unappetizing, but it is very necessary to assure the success of not only the "healing" of our bodies, but also to limit any possible complications down the road. Secondly, by limiting our food choices and portions now, we're taking advantage of the very BEST opportunity that we will ever have to lose as much of our excess weight as quickly as we can. On average, the best opportunity we have to take the fullest advantage of our wls is within the first 18 months post. We will lose weight quite rapidly at first and then little by little the loss slows down. Eventually, our metabolism will "even out" to match our new and improved body size, activity levels and caloric consumption and we will stop "losing" and begin to level out and "maintain". We generally lose the greatest percentage of our excess weight within the first 3 months. When we add "empty calories" to our diet, make unhealthy food choices or neglect to exercise during that first 3 months, we'll still lose weight, but we inhibit the maximum percentage. In other words, while we can (and most likely, will) lose a substantial amount of weight during those first 3 months post with little effort on our part, when we "stick to the program", we can lose even MORE of our excess weight during that time, giving ourselves an even greater "jumpstart" to making it to our ultimate goal weight. And last but certainly not least, "sticking with the program" NOW helps us to develop the very needed discipline we WILL need later on when we've gone beyond the "honeymoon" period of our wls (as Al phrased it) and the CONTINUED success of our weight loss is no longer simply the result of the "relearning" process but will be directly dependent on our own efforts. Most of us will admit that "lack of discipline" was, indeed, a contributing factor in our weight gain and/or inability to lose weight or keep it off. And it was that very inability that caused us to seek out wls as a method to "help" us in our weight loss effort. But, as I'm sure you've heard before, wls is simply a "tool" to "assist us" it is not a magic formula. We HAVE to do our part. Someone asked here on the question and answer board once, "Are we simply allowing our wls to work for us or are we also working for our wls?" Disciplining ourselves NOW to develop good, healthy eating and exercise habits is essential to the ultimate degree of success of our weight loss over the next year and a half. So with that all being said, the only thing I have to say now is, yep, sweetie, you screwed up a little bit, but, we ALL have at one time or another, so don't beat yourself up over it. We all understand where you're coming from because we've pretty much all "been there, done that." But take a few minutes now to sit down with the lady in the mirror and recommit yourself to doing all you can NOW to help yourself become the person you truely want to become. Follow the rules as closely as you can and take it one day at a time. We'll always be here for you and will help you to help yourself as much as we possibly can. Yesturday is gone now but today is another day. Thank God for always giving us another chance. Good luck and God bless. cj
   — cj T.