Why is the 1st month so difficult

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Why to first month is so difficult. You are about to change everything you know

about eating and your body. Your brain for all of you life has been used to you

eating almost anything you wanted and large amounts of food. I never stopped

and gave this much thought, when I wanted to have WLS. All I was thinking was

about getting the fat off my body and feeling healthy again. I spent a lot of

year being fat and this was my chance to change the roller coaster of losing the

weight and regaining it again.

So for me I had to spend the first 10 days having nothing but clear liquids. I

could only have about a ¼ of a cup of anything when it was time to eat. I felt

pretty good, but this first 10 days were the worst. There are only some many

clear liquids. I had various kinds of broth—chicken was my favorite. I had

Jello, white grape juice, apple juice, water with Crystal Light, decaf tea—Earl

Gray and my life saver was sugar free all natural fruit popsicles. If my

stomach felt quizy this really seemed to clam it. I had problems finding a

Protein Drink that was clear that I liked. I since have found some. They are

made by Syntrax and they are called Nectar—all kinds of flavors that can be

mixed with water. It is very important that you try to get some protein the

first 10 days. These first 10 days are difficult because my brain is screaming

at me " I am hungry. " We call these head games because your brain is trying to

control you. Your brain can play some mean and ugly games with your mind and

what you are thinking. You are NOT hungry; you are getting what you need for

these 1st 10 days. You NEED to give your new stomach time to heal and that is

why you need to follow exactly what they tell you to eat.

The next 10 days is so much better. 10 days of nothing but creamy foods. I

thought I was in heaven when I got to this stage. I could have my favorite

Protein Drink. I love Premier Protein Drink—I get mine at Costco. I have since

found 2 other Protein Drinks made by Syntrax that I also love—Mint Cookie and

Banana Cream. I could have cottage cheese, sugar pudding, yogurt, and creamy

soups. Some Creamy style peanut butter. I still could also have any of the

clear liquids I was having before. Remember you are only going to be able to

eat about 2 oz. of anything when you eat. Your new stomach can now only hold

food about the size of your thumb.

The next 10 days are getting a little better. It is 10 days of mushy food. I

found this stage a little harder, but I became a little creative. I took some

home made chicken soup and put it in the blender, veggies worked great to make

mushy, sweet potato was great instead of a regular potato. I also had applesauce

at this point too. I tried to watch my carbs too—no more than 20 carbs per day.

I always made sure I had my protein drinks at least 2 per day. I was told to

have at least 70 grams of protein per day. Premier Protein had 30 grams per

drink box.

Another challenge I had was drinking enough water and getting the Protein Drinks

down too. It felt like I was always sipping and drinking something. This is

just what you have to do. Eating is like having a job and you have to do the

best you can to get everything inside your body that you need.

I had problems swallowing my medication during this time. I learned to smash

the meds up into a power with a mortar and then mixed the powered medication

with applesauce and that is how I took my meds. You may have problems with

constipation too. I use 1 cap full of Miralax everyday in the morning. I put 1

cap full in with my Protein Drink and mix it in my Magic Bullet. I still use

Miralax all the time. It is not habit forming and helps because we eat a lot of

protein and that causes the constipation.

Remember there is a reason you need to follow the diet that your doctor has

given you.If you have any questions please feel free to ask me.

Suzanne

Sleeved 10/28/2008

Lost 105 lbs.