Frustrated

[frankcahall]

I know I should be so happy to have lost 100 pounds already. Don't get me wrong I love that part. But I seem to be very depressed all of a sudden. I am so tired of protein shakes and nothing but protein. It seems as if I have given up my whole world. As a chef food was my world.... Now its just something the rest of the world enjoys and not me. Its like my life has changed so much I have lost myself. I changed my life to live and now I am not enjoying living at all. Deep huh???? I sure hope this is just a phase.

[Kipepeo]

Hi Frank, firstly, congratulations on your amazing accomplishment.

I can completely empathize because sometimes i have asked myself - what did i do to myself? food is a critical part of my social life and my friends and i always go out for brunch, lunch, dinner, etc. to socialize and I am hoping that in a few months, i can hold anywere from 6-8 0z a meal, which is more normalized. On the other hand however, why is it that you are only eating protein and no carbs? remember, carbs are essential for mood balancing - your brain needs carbs. I do believe that we have to eat our protein first, but I personally do not believe in completely eliminating a food group. Have you considered eating a little from each food group (while protein still majority of meal?) this may help with how you FEEL since people with extremely low protein may sometimes have lower energy, etc.

Also, I just started seeing a therapist paid by my insurance - i dont have any condition, other than to help and keep me feelign okay through this journey. Have you considered that? I am learning so much about myself and starting to learn how to resolve my pain without food and how to feel happy without food.

Keep your chin up - you are doing a fantastic job and all this will come together. You made the RIGHT decision.

Good luck!

[Kipepeo]

by the way, i have known of a few sleevers who have gotten to goal by eating whatever they want, but in limited quantities. Granted they got there slower, but they got there. I personally want to be that kind of a sleever - get my protein in, get the right nutrition, but not completely eliminate any food group.

[frankcahall]

With my workouts and activity at work (I walk over 5 miles a day at work) I have to eat close to 130 grams of protein a day right now. That means all I get to shove in is almost all protein. At 7 weeks post op I can't get a bunch in. I have added a few carbs to my shakes as well. The only real carbs I seem to get are in my protein bar. So with that I never get more than 25 grams a day

[Dee Leshuz]

Oh, honey, that sounds miserable! I agree w/ what the previous poster said about eating more carbs and part of getting the sleeve is that (eventually) we'll be able to eat what we want, just in limited amounts. (I see this as post weight loss, though) However, I think what you're feeling is very normal and will probably pass eventually. Do you have a support group to go to aside from here?

[laniesmom]

My Dr's office told me to eat two bites of protein to one bite of carb, veggies, or side dish. I also use a child's plate when at home. 185 days after surgery and appetite is still limited, no hunger pains.

[frankcahall]

I go to a gym that was built for obese surgical patients. We all talk while we work out. Its a great support group. I seem to be the only one "morning" my past life. I still think its the "Chef" thing. Who knows. I will live.... I have just lost my enjoyment of life.

[Dee Leshuz]

I have a feeling it will be temporary, Frank, but of course it doesn't feel like that now. It's normal to have these feelings after the sleeve, from what I have read and hear.

[jdecker11]

How about soups? Read that other post from the "soup woman" on here. She's got a blog on blogspot with a bunch of soup ideas...I think this is by far the most frightfull part of the surgery....the food addiction; from enjoyment of eating a lot....to eating next to none, but look on the bright side...we will all be healthier and live longer more productive lives in the long haul. Keep your faith in God and he will take you places you've never dreamed of....

[Grace]

Frank, I understand. I owned a restaurant for a while and food is so integral to my life. I'm a kitchen witch.
My stage 5 (final) food list states after 10 weeks I should be eating 4 oz protein with some starch like toast or cereal for breakfast, 3 oz protein, 1/4 cup cooked veg and 1/4 cup cooked low g soft fruit for one meal, 3 - 4 oz protein with 2 1/4 cup servings of veggie for the other. Snacks are to be low carb and about 100 cal a piece. This gives me about 80 gms of protein a day, and perhaps 35 - 40 carbs, and if it's low fat protein, about 1000 cal a day.

Perhaps it's time to consider adding just a few healthy carbs at the end of the day? Then they work overnight on your serotonin level to help it be more raised the next day. ( got this info from "Potatoes, not Prozac" book.)

[Norms]

I agree with Kipepeo, eat a balanced diet both carbs and proteins. As I've stated on here before, I eat what I want and when I want. I've been told to eat only 3 meals a day, I eat 5 meals instead but I also cheat a bit, I drink with two of my meals so I eat a less and still feel full. One of my 3 meals is always a high protein shake. Do I keep a record of the calories, proteins or carbs I eat...nope, if I feel like an ice cream or a piece of chocolate I go have it. I read so many posts where people beat themselves up about counting things they eat that they seem to have gone from addiction to another, the operation is to help improve your quality of life, not control it.

[connie]

DANG Grace---you never cease to amaze me!!!

Frank---While I am not in your shoes, I feel your pain. I too ask myself--what did I do? this is a full time job---eat this don't eat this-oh, you are full---that is why your stomach is uncomfortable---for me it is all about LEARNING---I'm old---I don't want to learn anything else---HAHAHAHAHAHA I sometimes go to bed and go over my list of intake---I have even gone so far as to jump out of bed and go drink a 1/2 cup of water thinking that maybe I didn't get my 64 oz in. Maybe I am being to much of a freak about it, I just keep telling myself - THIS TOO SHALL PASS- all of this will be second nature, time takes time. I also try to remember that I have all of YOU in my sleeve family to help me - we are so blessed to have each other. Hugs to you and I hope it gets better for you- Connie

[BusyGirl]

I go through this, too, Frank. Eating just isn't "fun" anymore. It takes me so long to eat so little. Also, on the rare occasions I do start enjoying myself, I'm full and it's time to stop eating. That does suck about the protein thing. I have to admit that I'm one of the people that eat whatever I want (within reason and in tiny quantities). Even though I have chosen that eating style, it's still nowhere near the same as it used to be. I don't get the same joy, satisfaction, or euphoria as I used to. And in fact, the only real reason I have chosen the eat-whatever-diet is because I work full time, go to school full time, and take care of my 77-year old grandma full time. If I have any more on my plate (no pun intended), my head would explode. Plus, I'm ok with losing a bit slower because I figure it will give my skin more time to adjust and change with my body.

As for the cooking, I'm no classically trained chef, but I love to cook. (C'mon, I'm a Louisiana woman! lol) Cooking has always been my passion. I have no other creative talents, and cooking is how I take a lot of nothing and create something extraordinary. I even read cookbooks for fun, and I actually ordered 19 cookbooks on Amazon last night. haha

Just keep your chin up, friend. Know that you're not alone in how you're feeling and that this is only temporary. You're doing soooo great!

[jane_vsg_ayla]

I have always HATED cooking... I lived on hotpockets for YEARS! But every since this surgery, gas station food just doesnt work anymore So I have found quite a few foodie blogs - some by people who have also had WLS and love to cook and refused to give it up - they just challenged themselves to take their favorite food and make it surgery-friendly! theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com is a great place to start - she actually adds protein powder to a lot of recipes too (way better than drinking them!). But there are many others! They all say that having surgery does NOT mean giving up the foods you love. It means finding new foods you love ANd if you like to cook, there is no reason to stop! Take it as a new hobby or challenge. Think of the best recipe you made before, and how you could lesson the fat (change up some of the cooking oil with applesauce) and carbs some (just substituting with low-carb flour may be a big step) or upping the protein (adding tuna or chicken or cheese, or even some "unflavored" protein powder - dont have to use the full serving, play and see how much you can add before you notice it...every bit helps!).

And for soup - Applebees has a french onion soup bowl for about $3 that has 15g protein it (Calories in Applebee's Baked French Onion Soup and Nutrition Facts). It also has 17g carbs and 16g fat... no perfect, but a good change of pace. And of course, you can always try making it yourself at home and change up the ingredients to lower the fat or carbs or increase the protein... Here are some starter recipes:

Applebee's French Onion Soup
Applebees Onion Soup Recipe | Chef Pablo's Restaurant Recipes

This does NOT mean the end of food or cooking! It is an adjustment to a new passion, that is all! And it is healthier for your whole family, so whatever you make, there is no reason not to share or only learn to cook for one.

Great job!!!

[frankcahall]

I still cook everyday. As a matter of fact the is a awesome Bolognese with beef, pork and veal cooking for the girls dinner right now. It is not that I don't know how to cook healthy I do. I have been blogging healthy cooking for a year. I do it all the time. Its that I miss my old life right now. Will that change? Sure it will. Will I survive? Sure I will.

I just am so bored with it all right now. I have not found a replacement for eating besides work. Yah I worked 80 hours last week and close to 100 the week before. Do I have to do that nope!!! I did it because I have nothing else in my life right now....