Indymom

Congrats and glad all went well! Keep up that positive attitude, the liquids and purees can get a little monotonous but just keep telling yourself that it's only for a short time.

I had lots of belly growling early on and it turned out I needed to up my PPI from once a day to twice. Since then I haven't had any feelings of "hunger" other than in my head. Keep in mind, too, that you're still on liquids so everything is running right through. I bet once you're adding in some solids you'll get full easily.

You look awesome! When was your surgery?

How is your Protein intake? I started my protein on day 4 and have maintained at least 70-75 grams of protein daily (and sometimes more). I feel like that's really helped my energy level, I started walking around the block as soon as I was home and now, 18 days out I am walking a TON. I did about a mile and a quarter yesterday (at a brisk pace) and tonight I did close to 2 miles. Once you start walking more it will make you feel really good . . . I am loving it!

I was a long-time smoker too and had tried to quit multiple times unsuccessfully. I quit a month before surgery but cheated quite a bit during the weeks leading up to surgery. I had my last cigarette the Saturday before my surgery. I haven't had one since and hopefully will be able to stay quit!

It's really best to refer to your nutritionist's guidelines that were set. Did you get a packet of information following surgery that had your meal plans? I know on this site that every surgeon seems to have a slightly different plan. On my plan in the first month I can have refried Beans, yogurt, applesauce, pureed fruits/vegetables, soft cheeses, sugar free pudding, etc.

Good luck, the next two weeks will fly by!

Are you still tracking what you are eating? From what I've read on this site, some of the other posters have said that they hit stalls and they weren't tracking. Starting to track again and keeping the carbs low enough has helped to get them back on track.

You look awesome! That's the exact reason I took a REALLY unflattering set of before pics (wearing a tight tank top and spandex bike shorts) so I would be able to easily see differences month over month.

Congratulations! I love the idea of dining with my "skinny" friends and not feeling like I'm more focused on the food than on conversation with them. Great goals!

Yeah, my food plan is a little unusual because I was allowed to start refried beans, cottage cheese and soft lowfat cheese on day 4 . . . but I can't start solids for 2 months. Definitely talk to your nutritionist!

I used mine religiously the first week after surgery . . . 10x 4 times a day. The second week I used it about 3-4 times a day, about 5 breaths each time. I put it away about 3 days shy of the end of my second week. I'm not having any problems breathing!

You're so close - good luck! I didn't have to do a pre-op diet, just Clear liquids the day before. I gave up caffeine about 3-4 days before surgery and I wasn't a big soda drinker to begin with so that hasn't been tough. You're right about not feeling hungry post-op. I ate a nice dinner two nights before surgery and then virtually nothing the day before. I went into surgery literally with my stomach growling from hunger and woke up feeling NOTHING. Since August 10 I have had to remind myself to eat as there are virtually no feelings of hunger at all. I've smelled foods that made me "want" them but it's in my head, it's one of the best feelings I've ever had! I know that I'm in the honeymoon period and it's going to get harder as I go, but I am using this time to get my mindset where it needs to be relative to food. I know there's another poster on here with pain issues and maybe fibromyalgia? I'm not sure if her symptoms have completely subsided with her weight loss but I believe they've improved significantly. You may also find that once you're able to exercise more efficiently with the weight loss, that may have significant impact on your back pain.

I stalled about 2 weeks out,coincided with my period starting (sorry if TMI!). I stalled for about a week and then noticed some movement on the scale this morning. I should also take the once-a-week scale advice but I haven't so far. There are lots of posts on here about stalls, all the veterans can reassure you that they all hit stalls and their weight did come off. Hang in there!

I'd bring in a big tray of veggies and a pitcher of protein drink and tell 'em that's the new Friday special!

Remember anything liquid is going to flush through quickly so you may never get a feeling of "full" from a yogurt drink or even a protein drink. From what I've read on here, once you start on regular solid foods (like meat) you'll quickly figure out what "full" is.

I don't start purees for a couple weeks but my nutritionist said if I'm using canned chicken or tuna, I don't have to puree the meat, just chew it really good. For regular chicken or turkey she wants me to either puree it or chop the heck out of it and mix with something moist. I plan on just doing chicken and tuna salad, she said I could use dill relish in it. My meal plan allows refried beans in the first month so tonight I'm having 1 oz of refried beans with a dab of shredded cheese, a bit of sour cream and some taco bell mild sauce. It's delicious! I am also having a mini babybel cheese. So this dinner is about 7.5 grams of protein. I'm trying to eat cheese at every meal so I can get at least 20 grams of protein from food - that way I only have to have 2 protein drinks instead of 3!

I think this early out, we are taking in so few calories that fat and carbs don't have a very significant impact. I am getting quite a few carbs but it's because of pureed fruit, milk and some of the protein shakes I'm using. A lot of people have said 30-40 carbs a day is their target (and that's once they are on regular food). I'm probably getting 30+ a day now but in 2 weeks when I can add in meat, I expect to see my carbs drop significantly as I start to get more protein from regular food.

Not sure about pain in the area you're referencing, when I had problems with reflux I had a gross taste in my throat and burning taste in my mouth. My doc wants me on my PPI for the first year after surgery.

Good luck on Monday!

Nuts are really good source of protein and good fats, so don't beat yourself up too much . . . switch to a lower-salt version and drink that water!

I recovered really well from both my c-section and my VSG, but I agree with the others - the laparascopy of VSG is much easier than the open c-section.

I'm sure you're miserable but trust your surgeon and the nurses. They don't want to release you to go home if there's any possibility of an issue. It's great that you're not showing any signs of a leak but I believe I read somewhere also that slow progression of liquids can be problematic, so let them make sure you're OK. Hang in there!

I didn't have issues with emotional/stress eating prior to surgery . . . I was strictly a volume eater. I've been a little irritable about food, but it's not so much that I miss stuffing my face with piles of food; it's more that I miss variety. I think once I'm through my first couple food stages and back to regular solids, I'll be much less irritable.

Ask your doctor or nutritionist if you can take miralax or something similar. It's flavorless and you'd be able to mix with water or gatorade daily with no problem.