I screwed up! HELP?

Ok so I screwed up!  So I am 3 weeks post op.  Here is what I have done:

1.  I am at a weightloss "stall", have been extremely horrible with remembering to take my vitamins.

2. I have NOT stuck to my Stage II (Pureed Foods) Diet in a week. 

2.  I have been eating "regular" and "solid" foods but in very small doses and after completely chewed.  I still, however, after eating such get what I consider the "golf ball" in my breast bone. 

4. I have also had an extremely hard time not "sipping" liquids while I am eating.  I have always been a huge drinker while I eat and this has proven to be the most difficult habit to break.

5.  I am completely and utterly exhausted, 24/7 and even almost fall asleep driving in the middle of the day (without pain meds in system).

6.  I am hungry all the time and starting to resent my family for their ability to eat whatever and whenever they like.  We had to go out of town for the weekend (daughter is in softball) and therefore had to experience my first "eating out".  This resulted in a complete MELTDOWN.  Because I was unable to eat pretty much the entire weekend.

Have I caused irreversible damage to my new stomach?  or can I start new....today and if I mentally and physically follow the diet will get back on track.   They prepare you for everything....except how YOU will feel and be.  I am lost

First off...just calm down. You havent screwed up. You are only 3 weeks out, right?  You are still just in the first stage of everything. You have to get used to your new stomach. I can say try not to drink while  eating. that was hard for me too, but it can be accomplished. Stalls are common, I think we all go thru it at some stage. And this wont be your last one, but it will pass. From what you have said, I cant see where you did any damage to your new stomach. I would think it would take longer to stretch it out than 3 weeks.  So just relax, follow your surgeons orders, all should be fine. Dont worry yourself to death about it...but stick to the plan...it's all worth it  ;-)

Thank you!  I feel so guilty for what I feel to be "manipulating" a gift that has been bestowed to me.  I want this weight loss very badly but I am confused. I see so many people that say they are NOT hungry and have to force themselves to eat on a daily basis.  That is the complete opposite for me.  I am hungry, whether physical or mental, I am still hungry. I guess I just have to try harder.

Dont beat yourself up. It's different for everyone. I found that if I drank a lot of water throughout the day, I pretty much had to force myself to eat meals, so be sure and get plenty of water in. And if you feel hungry, try a protein shake. It might very well be a mental thing. I know it's not an ideal thing to do, but when the family sits down to eat, just try to excuse yourself while they eat. Remove temptation from the equation. You will develop and adopt little tricks along the way to help yourself. You got this!

CONGRATULATIONS on your surgery. That was a huge step. Now you have to let your mind and emotions catch up. Relax. Go back to doctor's orders and you should be fine. I would stay away from drinking while eating for several reasons but the main one is so you do not flush out the nutrients you are getting from your food. Did your doctor address not drinking 30 minutes before or after eating? Mine did while others drink right up until they eat and not until 30 minutes after--so I have learned on here.  

The "golf ball" could be food getting stuck due to swallowing too quickly. Be careful this can be very painful if you do not already know.

GOOD LUCK! Hope this helped. Stay calm and on track and the stalls will pass, too.  

Hello!  I am about 2 1/2 months out and so I am by no means an expert.  I think much of what you are feeling is a combination of "head hunger" and depression from the isolation this phase puts on you.  My advice would be to make sure you are drinking at least the 64ozs of liquid and meeting your protein requirements.   Don't miss your snacks even if they are still liquid.   If you think you are hungry have a drink and walk around the block and see if you are still hungry.  I have a wonderful fiance and he made me a great kicked up chicken broth that I drank by the gallons.   It wasn't too sweet like many of the protein shakes and I would drink it several times a day. 

I travel a lot for my job and had to be gone for about a week (New Orleans and Vegas)  It was hard but I did my best to find food that wouldn't be too bad.  Wendy's chili, red beans (without the rice), broiled fish, clear soups (hot and sour & miso), etc.  I also brought my protein shakes and cheese sticks with me.  I didn't loose a pound that week, but I'm back on track now. 

I still get pain if something I eat is too hard or if I haven't chewed it enough including scrambled eggs.  I do well with fish, chicken that very moist works but I had grilled chicken last night and it was a bit tough and I felt it.  It also hurts if I eat too much, so I weigh everything.   

As for being tired, you've had major surgery, it is to be expected.  I know you have a family to care for, but remember your body is healing and you need your rest.  So try to get those eight hours in.

Good luck and if you want me to get the recipe for the kicked up chicken broth just let me know.  I promise it gets much better.

Wow!  Thanks.  My surgeon did address NO DRINKING 15 minutes before and 60 minutes after, but It is absolutely KILLING me.  I feel I cannot get the food down my throat without a sip here or there.  And when I say sip I mean a very very tiny one.  I was just instructed to eat 3 meals per day and 1-2 snacks about 60 ml (or 2 medicine cup fulls) per sitting.  I have never tolerated protein shakes and was glad to say goodbye to them when I entered my "Stage II". 

Hi Suzanne!  I'm  3 months out but  the majority of my protein comes from shakes and some bars. I would absolutely love the recipe for the kicked up broth!  I'm craving warm drinks and would love to try it!  Thanks!

1.  I am at a weightloss "stall", have been extremely horrible with remembering to take my vitamins.  I had stalls at least every 2 or three weeks, for a week or more at a time. It happens. I did not take vitamins for the first 3 months of surgery(not saying this is acceptable, but don't panic). Your body stores vitamins for awhile, so get yourself on a schedule and you will eventually make it part of your everyday life. I am 2 years out and still have problems remembering, but this is now a part of our lives. We chose this surgery and we are the only ones that can make it work.  Set reminders on your cell phone.

2. I have NOT stuck to my Stage II (Pureed Foods) Diet in a week.  It's tough, but you need to follow the doctors rules. Otherwise, you make do some damage before your stomach is even fully healed!

2.  I have been eating "regular" and "solid" foods but in very small doses and after completely chewed.  I still, however, after eating such get what I consider the "golf ball" in my breast bone. Read above

4. I have also had an extremely hard time not "sipping" liquids while I am eating.  I have always been a huge drinker while I eat and this has proven to be the most difficult habit to break. This was my biggest downfall also. And to this day, 2 years out I still have trouble doing this. But i've limited myself to only taking 1 or 2 small sips of water with each meal so that I stay full longer. 

5.  I am completely and utterly exhausted, 24/7 and even almost fall asleep driving in the middle of the day (without pain meds in system). Rest rest rest, your body is healing from a major surgery. Sleep is a good thing. You will feel better mentally and physically.

6.  I am hungry all the time and starting to resent my family for their ability to eat whatever and whenever they like.  We had to go out of town for the weekend (daughter is in softball) and therefore had to experience my first "eating out".  This resulted in a complete MELTDOWN.  Because I was unable to eat pretty much the entire weekend. The hungry feeling is head hunger. I had that for 3 months. Eating was a habit of ours, that's why we need to make lifestyle changes. Seven days after my surgery, I remember to this day I went to a movie with my friend and my cousin. After the movie they wanted to go to ruby tuesdays. I at first thought to myself how unfair, I can't have anything and they can eat what they want. Then quickly I had changed my view on this. I chose this surgery, I chose to make myself healthier and change my bad habits. I got into the restaurant smelled all the food smells and I kept saying I wish I could have something I wish I could eat that. But what did I do? I sat at the table with them, drank my water and watched them eat. Did it bother me? Sure, a little bit. Was I miserable? Not at all. My mind was set on that one day I will be able to eat that again, in a normal size quantity and good size portions. You WILL be able to eat out again, maybe not today or a month 2 or 3 months out, but you will. I live a relatively normal lifestyle now. I go out to eat with my friends and family, I make good choices(and sometimes bad) but I am the healthiest I have ever been, I feel great and couldn't ask for anything more. Stay focused, it gets easier.

Thank you for being so honest. I too am three weeks out and man is this ever hard.  I haven't lost since last weekend and just moved to soft foods. I really didn't do well with pureed foods and everything protein turns my stomach.  We will get there but thanks for being brave enough to be honest with yourself and others.  I sometimes wonder what I was thinking having the surgery.  This has been so tough.