Lila21

Yes, definitely keep us posted! I thought about buying an ice cream maker just so I could make those protein ice creams!

Just echoing what HopeAndFaith said. It gets so much better after day 3. I think it takes a couple of days to acclimate. You can do it!!

I am at 3 weeks (on mushies), and I have cottage cheese, yogurt, refried beans, egg salad and tuna puree (sounds kinda ick, but tastes fine) packed in 1/4 cup containers. I also have SF pudding for a snack. I'll probably also bring a shake so that I can work on getting my protein in.... not a ton of variety in the mushy diet

I started mushies at 14 days, but if your surgeon is comfortable with it, go ahead. Mushies is kind of a slow process, anyway, as my Nut. set it up. I try a new mushy every couple of days. I am working my way up to chicken salad

Haha, your post cracked me up! Glad you got a "twousie".... It gets easier every day, that's for sure. Sounds like things are going great. Regarding the pain ball, I didn't have one, but I was pretty lucky on the pain front. I was mostly a gassy lassy, so my pain was less about the staples. Anyhow, glad things are going well. Keep up posted

Congratulations!!! Way to start the new year off RIGHT!!! WOOT!

Wow, you look great!!! And thanks so much for posting this because I am in the stage of losing and nothing to show for it (still the same size, etc), so I'm now looking forward to turning that corner :-). Truly, you look so fabulous, congratulations!!!!

It gets a lot easier! I had that same gassy, burpy feeling at first, but it got better. Also, if I have a hard time, I focus more on water than protein. My feeling is that dehydration is worse for you than not getting quite enough protein. Hope that helps!!!

Wow, I thought you were already at your target!!! You look stunning! Wonderful and inspiring, thank you!

Hiya, I know how you feel !!! I found that there are a lot of good liquid options for getting your Protein. I don't think you have to do the broth or the Jello if you don't want. I wouldn't worry too much about your appetite, it's probably just your body going through its healing process.

You might try this recipe from the "mushies" section of "the world according to eggface". However, I would still go slowly. I am 15 days out, and my nut. has me eating simple mushy meals of 1/4 cup of cottage cheese or yogurt. But if you are seriously craving italian flavors, I'd go with this over pizza: Shelly's Baked Ricotta 8 oz of Ricotta Cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 1 large Egg, beaten 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning salt & pepper to taste 1/2 cup Marinara Sauce 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together and place in a oven proof dish. Pour marinara on top and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes (best) or nuke it till hot and bubbly. I usually made it first in the oven and heated the leftovers in the microwave. From: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html

Tiffykin's suggestions are great! Right now my nut. has me slowly progressing towards meat, so I usually have a meal that consists of greek yogurt, a hard-boiled egg, or cottage cheese. My meals are pretty simple at this point . However, there are some great suggestions over at http://theworldaccor...e.blogspot.com/ that I can't wait to try later. Almost all of them are low carb, and they look superyums. Oops, here's the link to the pureed foods section: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html

That is just wonderful! I am so happy for you, and so inspired by your success. Thank you for sharing!!!

I'm a big fan of the recumbant bike. Also, you can do many exercises in the water, like running or even swim-sprints. I have both plantar fascitus (never can spell it right) and knee probs, and these things work for me. Google "water workouts" for some good ideas! Hope that helps!

You do look great, and very stylish with all the new duds, indeed! Congrats to you! I also think it's great that your doc shared his emotions. My doc is super skilled, but not a very emotional guy

I haven't gotten too far into the pureed stage yet (had my first soft-boiled egg today). But, here were the suggestions sent by my friend who recently had the sleeve: Yogurt with no fruit chunks (mix in a little unflavored protein powder too. Not too much or the yogurt will get liquidy and weird). Unsweetened applesauce. Scrambled egg beaters - this will taste so good to you right now No chunks of anything like peppers or onions though Egg only. And even mash it up more with your fork before eating it. Refried beans, oh yum. Fat free taco bell ones are great (from the store, not actually from taco bell.) Heat them up with a little shredded cheese melted on top. Cottage cheese. ANYTHING else you want... as long as it is made into a really soft consistency. You can use a blender or food processor. It sounds yucky but really it's not so bad. You can even do tuna or chicken salad right now... but only if you have processed it to be much more mushy. No chunks of anything.

Hi Kimmes, I dry-heaved a LOT right after surgery as a reaction to the anesthesia, and while it was scary, my surgeon (who is *very* experienced) did not seem very concerned about it. Basically, it scared me a lot more than it scared him. I was promptly put on an anti-nausea med, and I have had no nausea since then. I hope that eases your mind a bit....

Alexis, I hope you saw my reply to your question about my recovery.... just wanted to reiterate that Dr. Cirangle is highly skilled at this surgery (one of the best in the biz!), and you will do wonderfully! Best of luck to you!!!

I don't know about the study, but I do know that swelling right after surgery is very, very common. I had a hard time getting down my liquids at first, too. Try not to freak out until you talk to your surgeon. It might be that this is the normal swelling that does often occur. Also, make sure your nurses are hydrating you via your drip if you aren't able to drink much yet. Please don't stress too much yet!!!

Good luck, tomorrow!!!! I know it will go beautifully!!! I will be thinking of you....

Way to go Pam!!! That's so exciting to see how well you've done! I love hearing people's awesome success stories, it really helps to motivate me :-)))

Hi Alexis, Wow, that's great. Dr. Cirangle is a really experienced surgeon, and I think you'll be in GREAT hands! Also, I assume you'll be at CPMC, the staff there are SOOOO nice. People were really kind and supportive, and I felt well taken care of. My recovery is going really well!! The first couple of days were kind of tough (mostly because I was a bit nauseous and bloated from the gas, not really about the pain), but after that, things have been going like gangbusters. It's truly hard to believe I have a major surgery two weeks ago. I have had no problems drinking my Water, or getting in my Protein. I've had good energy, and I only took the meds for about 4 days. I might have taken them for an even shorter period, but I was a little paranoid about pain. My incisions are healing really well, and I'm feeling really good. I hope things go GREAT for you! I'll be thinking of you!

Oh, I meant to add that when I bend a lot, it tends to get sore on my right side, too. But, Amber has a good suggestion to rest and see if that helps. I found mine got way more sore when I did a bunch of chores the other day.

I agree with Klus263. Also, if the pain is severe, you should definitely call your doctor. I think it's good to err on the side of better safe than sorry!!! I hope you feel better soon!!

I didn't have that particular pain, but I think a lot of people have described their gas pain in their shoulders or backs. But, if it's severe, you should def. call your doctor. I hope that helps!