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I had a drain. It was the bane of my existence because there is no medical tape that could secure tubing designed not to allow surgical tape to adhere to it. I tried them all. I finally threw caution to the wind and found the solution: Duct tape. Angels sang. By the time I went for my follow-op Doc had to get through layers of duct tape just to talk to me. Duct tape. I hear those angels sing every time I say it. If it doesn't move when it should: WD40. If it moves when it shouldn't: Duct tape. :angels singing: Most folks don't have a drain with their Gastric Bypass. But I recommend the duct tape for your surgical tape needs. Good luck, Tek

your butt shape will change after all the weight loss. Mine was pretty saggy - but I had a lower body lift which tightened it up. Usually lower body exercises like squats and lunges will help with glutes - but again, your shape will change pretty fast, and there's not a lot you can do to help the sagginess with the amount of weight we typically lose. immediately after surgery, all I was cleared for was walking. After four weeks, I was allowed to do everything except for weights. At eight weeks out, I was cleared for weights. The first few months I did mostly water fitness classes - and walking. I also did the stationary bikes at my gym. Now I do dance cardio (like Zumba) and biking, but I was too heavy to do those when I first started on my journey.

Welcome to the Medically Modified Human Club! I can tell food for you is definitely emotional (for me it is!) and you will definitely be right there enjoying consuming healthy food for you amongst your family and friends in due time. For me... I pay attention to those who have sharp emotional cravings for all of the foods that got us (lets face it... ALL of us) where we are pre surgery. Congratulations on making taking the necessary steps so that A... you can be on this earth longer and living healthier. Take your time (as you are) and know that if you follow your NUT's advice you will do well. I found it a heck of a lot easier to not eat (as much or as per the instructions) while I was on pain medication. Now that I am off of the good stuff... here comes the retraining. Drink water, wait, realize why I want to eat... boredom, the time seams right, I just witnessed or inhaled wonderful smells, or AM I TRULY HUNGRY? Arghhhh... Best Wishes, Will

I loathe taking my vitamins. I’m a month out. I’ve found if I eat a couple spoon fulls of sugar free pudding right after i swallow, it helps weigh it down. After I have the pills in my mouth and the water, i lean my head back dramatically and tap on my throat to center the pills…. I’m sure I look REAL crazy. I also stand there a while convincing myself not to to throw up and I sorta pat my belly to get burps out, hahahaha. This is everyday, every time. I couldn’t stomach the bariatric advantage chew or calcium chews. So now I’m taking a centrum womens and a target brand calcium that I can swallow. I have an iron I’m to take every other day. A sublingual b-12 once a week. And a high dose thiamin every day, because I was deficient.

I'm sorry you've had a rocky start, Summerseeker, and hope you're on a upward trajectory now. My instinct would be to stay on the liquids for that second week, purely because your start was so rough. Give your system the gentlest easing into the pureed stage. Are you able to take your medicine and vitamins now that the foamies have subsided?

Glad you asked this question! I’ve been thinking about soup too and wasn’t sure what to do.

I am also 2.5(ish) months out. My surgeon doesn't require me to wait after drinking to eat, so I would normally eat the broth first. However, sometimes it might be hard to eat the protein component after drinking all the liquid. I didn't find that to be the case for me. If you have that issue, maybe just eat the protein/veggies and don't drink the liquid. When I eat soup as a side, it's been pureed soup (carrot or mushroom) and so I think of that as liquid(ish), and I drink it with my meal. I didn't have any issues, but it was just about 1/2 cup or less.

Hi, How far post op are you? your hormones will be going crazy if you are in very early stages. Its not something they seem to tell us but it certainly happened to me and many others. take a deep breath you will be fine. I developed anxiety in the early stages post op. take notice of when it happens mine started after i had eaten and then in turn that cause pre meal anxiety too turns out i was having a type of dumping minus the pain and need to rush to toilet. so I had rapid heart beat, shaking, tingling dizziness and just a feeling of dread. as my surgeon said once I started on solids it got better but boy oh boy it was not pleasant. I also didnt want to be alone and had lots and lots of tears and deep feelings of WTF have i done to myself. hang in there do what you need to do to feel safe. ((hugs)) it does get better

I am also hungry - properly hungry - since my op 16 days ago so I guess I might be one of the unlucky 20%. Sticking to my volume restriction of 1/3 cup pureed whatever per meal and also taking 2 protein shakes. And a tiny cube of cheese every day. Cannot wait for soft foods, also keen to see whether solids will allow me to feel my restriction and to finally feel FULL!

Over time you’ll get to recognise your signals & what you can & can’t eat easily. Some say they sneeze or get a runny nose when they’ve eaten enough. I don’t. If I eat too quickly or eat when stressed my restriction kicks in. If I eat food that’s too dry I’ll get the foamies or if really dry or coarse I’ll bring it up (not vomit but regurgitate). Dairy makes me gurgle more. I’ve discovered my ‘I’m full’ message sometimes seems to take a lot longer to come through. This morning I ate my milky rolled oats over about 35 mins then some 30 mins later I started to feel full, then fuller & fuller. Groan! Felt like I’d bring it up but didn’t (I was driving so probably a good thing). To counter my sometimes slow full message I eat slowly: 30-60 minutes depending upon what I’m eating - it works most times. I ask myself do I need this next bite or do I just want it - this was a big thing for me. I also try not to eat until I’m full but until I’ve had enough - another big learning. Never be afraid to put your cutlery down & sit back from the table. Use the pause to examine how you’re feeling & what you really need versus just want. Good luck.