Head hunger - Margie

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 08/03/2000 3:46:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

lindat@... writes:

<< So the main time to worry about the protein is the 3rd-10th weeks,

when you are still learning your new stomach's limits and when it is

hard to get enough protein from food, if that's any consolation. It

*does* get better, much!

Kind regards,

>>

,

Thanks for the encouragement. I figured it would

get better. It is hard to get it in the first 2 weeks though. I don't think

I'll have any problems getting it in when I can EAT. Even when I try to make

a shake I can't help it, the blender is Fulllllll then I think Ohhhhhh man,

thats all my meals all day! YUKKKKKKKKK It is so hard for me to make little

things or portions. I can't help but to fill a BIG glass with ice for a

drink?? Then it gets watered down and I throw it away. I feel pretty good

though, actually real good it is amazing how much better you feel every day.

I was having leg cramps prettty bad, so I drank 2 v8's and they stopped. That

is 360mg potassium Yummmmmm better than taking a pill!!!!!!!!! But I don't

have a clue how to grab a small glass or plate, let alone a small amount of

drink or food?? I guess that will come real soon huh? Besides I don't like

the way a smoothie feels going down, it reminds me of the pepto bismol

commercial when you see it slowly coat the tummy and it feels thick! Anyhow I

guess I wondered out this morning. Hey How is Durham happenin this morn? Did

ya get the girls off? keep us posted. How are you feeling? Take Care! xoxox

Margie POST OP SC ( now that there is 3 of us?

[Guest guest]

Hi Margie!

How I learned to deal with the head hunger thang was just to survive

it. Give it time. Before surgery, your brain had a pre-conceived

size that a plate of food should be. If you went to a buffet, you

knew exactly what size portions to put on your plate, but you never

had to think about it. Well, here I am, 2.5 months out and my brain

does that on its own again without me thinking about it -- what I see

as a normal portion is completely different than it used to be but

there is no sense of deprivation or dieting, or being short-changed.

But *getting there* for me was pretty much an obsessive process.

There weren't too many moments of the day the first few weeks that I

wasn't thinking about my new stomach or food or eating or

medications, or all of them in combination.

Part of the learning process for me was to eat too fast, throw up,

not chew well enough, throw up. I *still* do that when I eat while

trying to do any business if it is stressful or exciting. I will

forget to pay attention to bite sizes or chewing, particularly if I

eat while I'm on the phone, so I slug the food down and 2 min. later,

URP! But for me, that is *not* a big deal and I personally *like* it

because it is the type of reminder it takes for me to change my

behavior.

I *never* got used to the protein supplements -- hate 'em. So,

instead, I concentrated on eating high protein foods like shrimp and

jerky, tofu, peanut butter, eggs, soup with meat in it, whatever

would sit well in the stomach.

Now, 2.5 mos. out, nearly *everything* sits well in the stomach now,

so it is very easy to get plenty of protein. I can eat a

whole " Smart ones " or " Lean Cuisine " dinner (or nearly all, maybe

80%) and those have 22 or so grams of protein in them. Two of those

a day and you've gotten most of your protein requirement. I live

alone so those are easiest for me, but you could do the same eating

normal meals high in protein, whether meat or beans.

So the main time to worry about the protein is the 3rd-10th weeks,

when you are still learning your new stomach's limits and when it is

hard to get enough protein from food, if that's any consolation. It

*does* get better, much!

Kind regards,

> In a message dated 08/01/2000 1:40:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> lindat@m... writes:

>

> << Margie, what a *great* story!!

>

> Sorry to hear your i.v. infiltrated. That sounds like absolutely

no fun

> at all.

>

> But I was sure glad to hear when you were up and doing well.

>

> Hugs!

>

> >>

> Hi ,

> Thanks for the welcome back! It's

so nice to

> know others care about ya! I just love it!! I thought you were

sneakin in? I

> missed ya? Ohhhhhhhh you were probably with Flo (sorry Flo Last One

I

> promise!) I couldn't contain myself! LOl Anyways How are ya linda?

I am just

> starting this Head Hunger thing, and How did you learn to Eat

Slow?? hmmmmmmm

> I don't want to leaRN THE hard way!!! give me the scoop! Ohhhh do

you do the

> protien shakes? tell me pleaseeeeee how to mix it I am having a

heck of a

> time swallowing this!! xoxoxox Marge :00