NWgirl

I would have been fine alone, but some people seem to have a really hard time with it. I bounced back pretty quickly and has minimal pain. I would keep in mind that there is a lifting limit for the first month that you don't want to go over, so someone to help with heavier things is nice. try to get in with the local support groups. You should be fine alone but do need some support behind you.

there's an instructional on my blog for the ticker. good luck in surgery

I have eczema and if it gets bad it does what you've described.

congrats! It's exciting, isn't it?!

I am 13 days post-op and feeling wonderful! I know the pain of surgery varies from person to person, but I had minimal discomfort and was up and about the day of. I stopped pain meds after day 3 and went back to work in a restaurant within the week. I would absolutely recommend buying a travel pillow or one of those Peewee Pillowpet's. I bought the Pillowpet and it was definitely a lifesaver. I used it when getting in/out of cars, in/out of bed, and sometimes walking around if my tummy felt sore. The pressure helped to relieve any pain from moving. I also went overboard and bought a lot of broth and yogurt. I was allowed full liquids right after surgery, which included pureed Soups through a sieve, so I really lived on sugar free pudding, pureed soups, yogurts, and Protein Shakes. I actually tried SF Jello within the first few days, and something about the texture did not sit well with me. If I wanted something broth like, I used Lipton cup-a-soup cream of chicken, which was much more satisfying than broth alone. I also used peppermint tea the first few days post-op and can't say whether it helped with gas pains because I didn't get any til day 5 or 6, but it was definitely soothing. I did write a list on my blog of the things I bought, the things I actually used, and what I would recommend if I were to do it again. I am now on my puree/mushy stage, so I bought a Ninja kitchen pulse to send everything through.

Hi there! My name is Stephanie and I was banded on March 20th. So far I have felt great. I had very little discomfort post-op and am almost two weeks out. I am so excited for this journey and to have the chance to be the person I have always wanted to be! I don't have unrealistic expectations, but I am tired of being the fat girl. I will be so happy to get back to the normal side of the clothing stores and be able to wear clothing that is not outdated or extremely overpriced, but still looks good. I am thankful that I could have this surgery at 23 and not struggle with my weight for years to come. Here's to us!

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Hopefully all turns out well. Sounds like you made a good decision though, especially if you are less than satisfied with the surgeon you had.

Maybe try 2% milk by itself? One glass is usually 10g protein, so you wouldn't be getting the same amount of protein vs the powder. I actually use 10oz milk per 1 scoop protein because I do not like it so sweet either.

I am glad you are feeling better today. This pain and discomfort will pass soon and you will feel good again. Keep your chin up.

You will do just fine! I had never had surgery before, so I was a little anxious, but it was very fast. I don't know how much Protein is in the Optifast, but if you need to, try and supplement if the protein is not 25g+ per shake. I found with a high protein/low carb/low fat drink I was decidedly less hungry than in the past when I've used slimfast (approx 10g protein per drink). Also, I highly recommend buying a travel pillow or one of those Peewee pillowpet's to hold against your tummy after surgery! It was a lifesaver for me. Pain after surgery varies widely, but I was off pain meds after day 3 and was walking around a lot. After day 4, all pain (minus gas discomfort) was gone.

Maybe go back to liquids for a day or two so you kick your system. Your picture looks great, are you at goal?!

I bought Jay Robb tropical dreamsicle and it is DELICIOUS! Almost like a creamsicle- I will be using this to make ice cream in my Ninja come summer time.

Also look for Lipton cup-a-soup cream of chicken. not much protein, but satisfying. Yesterday I bought Jay Robb's tropical dreamsicle and it tastes like a creamsicle, but is sweet so maybe not a good time. Maybe try a vanilla protein powder so you don't get the super sweet taste? I was told by the lady at the supplement store that Jay Robb is the best tasting whey protein. I believe her now.

I also took cherry milk of magnesia. I bought Probiotic Pearls too, and I think they have been helping. I have had severely reduced fiber intake due to being only about two weeks post-op, but I seem to be fairly regular daily. I only had to take the milk of magnesia once, about three days post op because I was feeling terrible.

I take a fish oil called Coromega Omega 3 Orange. It is a squeeze pouch that doesn't taste too bad. I guess a lot of parents use it for their children. No fishy smells. Kind of like a creamsicle, but not quite. I would buy off of Amazon.com, as I was in a supplement store yesterday and they charge over $30 for the same thing I paid $17. http://www.amazon.com/Coromega-Omega-3-Supplement-Squeeze-90-Count/dp/B000FFQATA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333299205&sr=8-1 I ordered my first set of vitamins from

Hey guys, I just bought a Ninja pulse tonight for my puree/soft foods stage and wanted to know if anyone has one? Also, any good recipes you suggest? I love that this is supposed to be so many appliances in one!

It is possible that your throat was scratched. I know in the past, I have had times when I have taken pills and they went down wrong and still felt like they were in my throat because they had scraped the sides.

Have you talked to your Dr about the throat feeling? Did they put Fluid in the band at surgery? I have read that this feeling of "what did I do?" is common after WLS. Just think towards the future and the real reasons you got this.

Jay Robb is usually said to be the best tasting whey Protein. I stocked up on a lot of broths before my surgery, and drank a minimal amount of them. I also stocked up on yogurt, which I was not able to eat fast enough. Definitely try the sugar free Jello pudding cups, they have some nice flavors. Make sure you have a heating pad and adult liquid tylenol.

I am almost two weeks post-op and had some crackers with my soup last night. Seemed to go fine.

I do not live in California, but have heard others say to be wary of 1800-thin due to some serious lapses in patient care reported. Good luck and hopefully your insurance is figured out soon!

Try "Bandwagon" by Jean McMillan.

my dietician said the first couple stages that the drinking doesn't really matter, as you are already drinking liquids for meals so there is nothing to wash away. She said when I start solids, then is the time to actually follow the rules.

I told very few people- mother, father, stepmom, boyfriend, and boss (who is like a mother too). Nobody else knows or suspects anything has changed. I took a couple days off schedule and my employees assumed I was doing something fun. When I came back, I was pretty normal.