days revolving around vites/protein?

As 1. a newbie, and 2. an overly curious person..i am wondering if you guys ever feel like your days revolve around taking the next large set of vitamins?? I am currently just doing my research and lurking this board LIKE CRAZY and soaking it all in! As I have previously said, my surgery will be in late August or more likely early September with Dr. Stewart.

I just know the amount of vitamins people take and the constant need to be hydrated and full of protein and I just wonder if you ever feel like you're just living to do that everyday, you know? Your day revolves around that next batch of vites.

Thanks in advance, guys!
-casey

 I had my surgery on Monday, and yes.  I feel like an infant on a strict feeding schedule.  Top of hour - drink 2 oz. protein.  Fill up my glass with 6-8 oz. of water or other hydration fluid.  Rest, sip, walk, sip.  Repeat.  

I'm only on the chewable Multi and the subliungual b-12 vitamin right now, but once I add the calcium and the iron and have to space them out because they can't be taken together, I think it will be a bit more intense.

What I do appreciate about this regimen is that I'm never hungry!  So when I get the urge/need to eat, I know it's mental hunger and I can more easily "reprogram" myself.  Being a boredom/emotional eater up until now, I really appreciate that filter because it helps me to focus on finding other behaviors to fill that need.

R

Nope.  At first, early out, I did feel like that, but now I fill my vitamin containers once a month and it is second nature to take them, I don't think about it, I just do it.  I eat protein first always and I have something to drink at hand all the time.

It really is no big deal now.  Well worth the trade off in MHO.

Michele

To a degree.

BUT

it totally beats spending my days focusing on what I eat or more specifically what I do not eat when on the diet-forever plan.

I never had trouble putting things IN my mouth. It was keeping them out that was the problem.

Yes! I feel like that is what my life seems to be. PROTEIN, WATER, AND VITAMINS! For me it does get kinda ho-hum. Although it is all for the best surgery or not, I guess. I am trying to get used to it. I am 3 1/2 months out so, hopefully it gets less of "job" and more of a natural habit. sigh!!!!

Varies a lot depending on which surgery you are having. If it is one which does not cause you to malabsorb, then there is no extra effort required! I take one multi-vit and one calcium tab every morning.

Kate

Initially as a post op, that may be an issue. But you'll adapt.  Remember, this is part of a lifestyle change. Failure to follow protocol will lead to disappointing surgery results, or worse, major health issues.  I hear of too many people at support groups who suffer major health issues because they fail to take daily vitamins, so this is very important.  Getting enough water is a major challenge for a large segment of post ops.  Swallowing liquids and foods is an issue that many post ops have issues with.  Chewables or liquid vitamins are suggested for the first few months, minimum.  And chewables does not mean gummy or flinstone vitamins--ADULT chewables.  Get a segmented pill container to hold your dry D3, calcium citrate or other scripts you may need daily.  This works well for me. DAVE

Well I was always shoving something in my mouth to eat before the surgery, and then regretting it, so popping vitamins all day, and drinking water is what I am supposed to be doing now, so it just takes the place of overeating. Dont get me wrong it is still a struggle to get it all in, but, trying to not overeat was even harder, so I am up for this battle, with all the benefits.

I am only about to start week 4 and I definitely do feel that way. I feel like I am stuffing something down my throat constantly and trying to space it out properly is a little hard. I am on chewables but i crush them and add them to applesauce. I just can't stand the taste and my nutritionist said it was fine...I can handle the iron chewable but the others are just huge and nasty...I am not getting in all the water. I just can't do it yet..I know I will in time but right now there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day for it all...I do get my protein in that my surgeon requires. He is only requiring 60 grams at this point and I usually get a little more than that. I drink 2 shakes a day which are about 30 grams each and I usually eat a few eggs in between somewhere or some cheese or something that will boost my protein..All I can tell you is good luck with it. It is very hard in the beginning, but what the others are saying is true...you won't worry about overeating because there isn't room for more food with everything else you have to put in there...lol

Tracy

Like Vitalady, I NEVER had trouble putting things IN my mouth---my trouble was keeping them OUT. Sure, the first few weeks it did feel like my whole life was counting grams of protein and taking vitamins---and then it turned into a habit.

I do plan my meals better than I did pre-op, but again, it's become a habit. I try to plan ahead so I'll have good, tasty food ready when I get hungry, so I won't do that eat-whatever's-handy thing---that tends to make me eat too many carbs and not enough meat. So I plan on having leftovers. (*grin*)