Question:
Get used to things I don't like prior to surgery?
Now that I have a date (October 31st) it is real to me that I am having this procedure. I have a part time weekend job that allows me to read the boards (as long as the phones are answered) and write down questions and recommendations. I have already let go of the Cokes and working on the sweet tea. Wednesday, I will start my post-op diet. I know from reading the postings that your tastes often change dramaticaly post-op. I am afraid that if I start drinking the protein shakes / instant breakfast, etc. that I already don't like and get used to them (tolerate them) that post-op I will HATE. Is it better to not taste, try, get used to things before surgery? During my Curves weight loss try I gagged down the protein shakes daily and honestly was not fond of them at all. I've never liked milk, cottage cheese, and anything dairy related. (two/three bites of icecream is enough for me)so I am praying that I suddenly like dairy post-op and will love the protein shakes. I am going into this with a positive attitude and am saying positive affirmations to myself (I CAN tolerate this milk, cheese, etc.) but would welcome feedback from those that have experience in this area. — Rachelle D. A. (posted on August 27, 2005)
August 27, 2005
I never did shakes or other protein drinks. They taste like....####! I ate
alot of deli meats and cheese. Find whatever foods YOU like that are high
in protein! But whatever you do, I would'nt eat THOSE foods to much now.
You don't want to be tired of them when you need them.
Also it is good you are making positive changes now. But do remember you
will never be able to eat the same way again. DO enjoy food now, while you
can. Don't pig out, but eat slow (will help you later) and savor the taste
of your food. Walk, quit smoking (if you smoke), and whatever healthy
changes you can make now will help you later. But relax and don't worry.
Enjoy you time as a pre op. Post op life will come soon enough. Don't
borrow tomarrows possible troubles today. Good luck to you.
— Danmark
August 27, 2005
I also never did the protein shakes. I have to agree with you on the
taste. I do like the CIB, but I also love milk so that may be the
difference. Now, have you tried the fruit flavored protein shakes? I
don't like them cause they are way too sweet for me, but there are those
that really like them. If they weren't so sweet, they might be ok. There
are also many places that will send you samples of their protein drinks,
you might try having some of those samples on hand for post op. I do agree
with the other answer in finding high protein foods you do like and using
them. Chili is good and so is beef jerky. Your tastes will change after
surgery so don't go overboard getting things for post op or trying to get
use to something. You WILL be able to eat foods post op, so don't fall
into the "last meal syndrome" and try to get all your favorites
in now. If you like sweet tea, try using stevia as a sweetener instead of
anything else. I use stevia all the time (it is an all natural
sweetener...made from the leaves of an herb) Anyway, good luck! Carmen
— kccjer
August 28, 2005
If you don't like milk, try the Soy milk or Whey milk (?). Personally, I
don't like either one, but they are less in sugar, and higher in Protein.
Soy and Whey milk are lactose free "milk" substitute, meanig
they're not made out of dairy milk or anything. give those a try.
Also, being 3 months, going on 4 months, post-op, try and stay away from
like cheeses and stuff. You'll find that constipation will prove a
troublesome enemy after the surgery.
I'm having to take benefiber because I like cheese so much.
~Chip~
— Chip S.
August 28, 2005
Eat what you like now, bevcause your tastes may very well change post-op.
I was pretty happy that I would be high-protien for the resst of my life,
because I always loved meat and other proteins. NOw, eight months post-op,
I cannot stand the taste of steak! I like hamberger, though.
As for protein, you will have to try different kinds. The only one I can
choke down is Dutch chocolate Low Carb Isopure. I cannot do any other
flavor, nor the no carb version! I use Hood Carb Countdown, instead of
milk, because it is much higher in protein and has less sugar. It is found
in the dairy section near the milk. Also for dairy, can you do low-carb
yogurt?
— Novashannon
August 28, 2005
Hi Rachelle. Congratulations on your surgery!!! You will love being on
the losing side : ) I read a lot on the Q and A's prior to my surgery to
gather advice from other people on the 'losing side' also.
My experience prior to surgery, was I did NOT give up diet soda prior to
surgery. I did not give up any foods prior to surgery, except carbs the
last few days prior to surgery per surgeon's orders. I did not chew, chew,
chew like I do now since WLS. I ate like I always did. I did drink a few
protein shakes (Carb Option shakes) prior to surgery but not because I
wanted to get used to them. I drank them because I had to do the atkins
diet and I drank them instead of eating.
I made my mind up that I was going to wait until after my WLS to drink the
protein shakes, to eat the 'soft' foods and blended foods until after my
surgery. I am happy that I did wait. Everything has worked out fine.
There is a time and place for everything. The diet phases after WLS are
meant for after WLS. That's how I thought of it.
Personally, my 'taste' didn't change since surgery that much. One thing
that happened was I was lactose intolerant (I would get stomach cramps and
could clear a ROOM in milliseconds from the gas!) prior to WLS and now I am
NOT! I think that is cool. I used to have to have two ultra Lactaid
tablets prior to any milk product- now I don't!!! I did blend up a couple
shakes prior to surgery to make sure I knew how to make them. I don't
think I ever will LIKE protein shakes but I tolerated it. After WLS, I
couldn't even smell the mix without my new tiny pouch bunch up like I was
going to throw up. My hubby brought those mixes back (at GNC with your
receipt they will give your money back) and bought a different one. I
didn't like that one either! So I basically have decided that I won't like
protein shakes but I need them to get my protein levels up, so I drink
them. Some people on this site LOVE shakes from vitalady.com I just
haven't had the money to order some samples from that site. You might want
to take a look at the website and see what you think.
Did you mean you are starting your PRE OP diet on Wednesday? Is your
doctor asking you to do liquids or no carbs (atkins diet)prior to surgery?
In your posting you wrote you are starting your POST OP diet. I am
thinking that you meant PRE OP but if not I did not want to do any post op
diet until I was post op!!! The post op diet isn't much fun but you do it
post op because you HAVE TO! : )
Keep your positive attitude and all will be great! See you on the 'losing
side' : ) God bless.
— jstatkus
August 28, 2005
I never cared for tofu before surgury but after it was one of my favorites
mixed with soups or as a chinese dish such as Mo Po Bean curd without the
rice. I did loose interest in some of my favorite foods as well. If you
have trouble with milk whey protein I found the unflavored soy protein was
tastless mixed with just about anything. If you like cream in coffee or
capachino putting a scoop of vanilla flavored whey protein (premoistened to
a thin paste to avoid clumping) in decaf coffee is very good.
I think you have to ask youself what are your favorite foods? Are they high
fat? Sugar? Carbs? Salt? These will most likely make you sick post-op and
after a couple of dumping episodes you will lose interest in them. You may
find you apreciate any food that is easy on your new pouch and adapt.
Personally I miss a good martini now but I can deal with it.
Good Luck and best wishes.
Rich
— Richard S.
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