Question:
Anyone get your jaw wired during the liquid phase

I feel like such a failure, dieted whole life and failed. I have so little willpower and am afraid I might cheat while on liquid diet. Anyone get their jaw wired till the liquid phase is over? I really dont want to mess myself up after surgery....    — [Anonymous] (posted on May 22, 2001)

May 22, 2001
One of the things to remember about the liquid phase is that it is not about losing weight! You are on liquids for the sole purpose of healing your new tummy. Think of it of post-op wound care, rather than yet another failed attempt at dieting. I know it seems rather hard to believe that any of us could sustain a liquid diet, but honestly lots of us don't feel like eating anyway because of anesthetic effects, pain or lack of energy. Some of us were afraid of eating - afraid of food intolerance, dumping, and throwing up. What will that first bite taste like? Nothing ever seems to taste the same, so many cravings for favorite foods dissipate rather quickly. Myself, I lived on water because I didn't like broth and couldn't stomach the smell of sugar free popsicles or jello. Later, with full liquids, you actually begin to appreciate taste...that first 1/2 cup of pureed bean soup was pure heaven! Oh, and the cream of potato soup was absolutely sinful! By the time I reached that stage, it wasn't flavor I was after, it was crunch. I wanted to chew something other than my fingernails. So I had a couple of Cheez-Its and survived. One of the things I would suggest you do (other than get your jaws wired - one surgery at a time, please!) is visualize the thinner you and how healthy you will feel as you lose weight. Think about the new, smaller clothes you'll buy and the day-to-day tasks not being so painful or cumbersome. Set yourself up for success and you will be successful! And remember, we are all human, and believe me, this surgery can tolerate mistakes. I've made them all and I'm down 99 lbs. in 10 months. You'll be there too someday, with your jaws intact! :) Good Luck and God Bless.
   — Allie B.

May 22, 2001
Do not worry. You will not feel like eating anything until your new stomach has had time to heal. You will probably not have any appetite for quite some time so just concentrate on getting well!
   — Ginger J.

May 22, 2001
I thought like you--I'd never make it through the clear liquid phase. I just wanted to lick my coworkers' potato chips and they would NOT let me do it. So, I think we were lucky in that we got protein supps early on, so it filled me up, actually got nutrition on board, so flipped the hunger swtich off and made me last til the next meal. I was a little queasy, so was afraid of food, to a degree. Also, when I dropped 30# the first month, I was so stunned, well, it shut my mouth and then made me more determined not to let anything take that sensation of elation away! Hence my addiction to the protein supps. It gives me the control I need to space my meals and keep the things that would harm me OUT.
   — vitalady