Question:
In desperate need of advice and help.....
I am just a shade below three months out from distal gastric bypass, and I have had a whole slew of problems. I have trouble eating at times, sometimes because eating makes me sick. As a result, I have this odd fear of eating now. I never thought this would happen, but it has, and I am having a huge problem dealing with it. I have lost my weight too quickly, according to a few people I have spoken with as well. I have lost over 100 pounds already, and I know it is simply too soon for me to have lost so much. I have tried using protein shakes from several different sources, and they don't go down well. I guess what I am asking for is possibly some sort of advice as to what I should do, and to see if anyone else has ever gone through this. Also, what is easy foods to eat that are protein rich? I thank you all for your time, and I appreciate any advice given. — Lisa S. (posted on October 29, 2003)
October 29, 2003
I had the hardest time with protein drinks. Too sweet, too thick. Now I use
Isopure chocolate powder for 200 cals, 50 g protein, 2 scoops. You add
water and ice if you want. This is thin and not overly sweet. I keep this
down no probs and I start drinking at 6am and finish about noon.
email if you want info on where to get the best price.
— Sandy A.
October 29, 2003
Thank you for the suggestion, Sandy. You hit the nail on the head with the
difficulty with the protein shakes. Some were too sweet, but my main
problem has been they are simply too thick. It was almost like drinking
barium to me when you have to get an upper GI. I tried them all sorts of
ways, and have yet to find a way I can tolerate them. :(
— Lisa S.
October 29, 2003
Lisa there are also several other types of protein mixes that are like
fruit juices. Check the library and look up questions like "can't
tolerate shakes". You'll find the names of alternatives to shakes in
those old posts. Tuna has a very high protein content compared to other
protein foods. Best wishes -
— M B.
October 29, 2003
100 lbs in 3 months is fast. You really must try to get in some nutrition
and it does not have to be just protein. If you can eat some applesauce or
mashed potatoes go for it. At this point you just need to eat/drink some
foods that will give you some energy and keep you going.
You can water down your shakes a little too. Use a little less powder than
the mixing instructions say to use. This will make the shake thinner and
more watery. As you get more used to the shake, add a little more powder
each day until you are using a full scoop. No need to make a great big
shake all at once. The powder I use is 1 scoop to 8 oz of water or milk. I
sometimes use 1/2 a scoop to 4 oz of milk just to get over some annoying
head hunger. Remember when using powdered whey, you can always adjust the
ratio to suit your tastes.
— mary ann T.
October 29, 2003
The poster's BMI is over 80, so I don't think that 100 lbs in 3 months is
THAT fast (fast yes.. but not unreasonably so). My BMI was 52 and I lost
100 in 5 months. There is a lady in my support group that has lost 80 lbs
in 8 weeks.. and she is extremely large as well. I don't know her
particular stats, but I am assuming she has to be about 500 lbs also. My
advice on the eating would be to SLOW DOWN. If you think you are eating
slow enough, eat HALF that slow. Chew like crazy. Write down everything you
eat, measure it, etc. You may be eating the wrong foods (lots of trial and
error!)Easy foods that are protein rich would be no sugar added yougurt,
cottage cheese, string cheese, soft eggs, and of course your protein
supplement. Try to get some sort of unflavored protein powder that you can
put in soups, etc.
Good luck.. sounds like you are doing just fine.
— SarahC
October 29, 2003
What does your surgeon say. Is it possible you have a stricture. Could
you be depressed. You definitely need medical intervention. As far as
protein is concerned, you can get samples from vitalady.com and try them
all. I particularly like bannana scream because it is made with splenda.
Aspartamine causes me problems.
— faybay
October 29, 2003
I agree with some of the responses. I would start writing down everything
you eat and drink (what you eat, when you eat and were you eat it). Show
your Doctor this log. Write down you emotions also. I would also recommend
a support group to talk out this issue. You may need some counseling to
deal with this fear. Remember the surgery is just a tool. All the
emotional issues that we had before the surgery do not go away. If
anything the surgery my being up more issues. That is way a support group
are so important.
— Linda R.
October 30, 2003
Lisa: I'm sorry to hear of your problems, but congratulations on taking
the step to have surgery, and on your fantastic weight loss! I don't
believe your weight loss is overly rapid for your starting BMI. According
to your profile, you started at over 80 BMI. My son's was 61 when he had
surgery on May 5, and he lost 100 pounds in about 4 months. I understand
how you must be upset that eating is making you sick. I can relate,
because for a few weeks right after my surgery, I suffered a lot of nausea,
and the thought of food just turned me off! All I can say is try to think
of things that you are able to tolerate, and try to stick with them for a
while. Maybe you could try to use an unflavored protein powder and add it
to the foods you are tolerating well. I think a lot of the shakes are kind
of nasty, so I don't use them that much. Maybe take a step back and try
softer, pureed things, adding the protein powder to them. Certain soups
can be protein-rich, or how about very thin oatmeal, string cheese is easy
on the tummy too, and mashed potatoes. I hope the answers here have helped
you. And please check with your doctor's office about your problems. They
should be willing to help you out. Good luck.
— Carlita
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