Bethany

You may only need two (maybe three) weeks off from work. Depending on what you do at your nurse job, if there is lifting, etc. I am a stay at home mom and it's been about 11 days since my surgery and this is my first day without helpers with me. I can't lift my son and really have to rest alot. I wouldn't be concerned with your bosses negatively. I had family members that weren't supportive until they saw I was going to d it with or without their support. I only know one person that had a bad outcome and it was her own fault. She lost all the weight and then decided to eat the way she used to and re-stretched her stomach out so she is back to her old size. From what it seems, this is actually not very common. It'll stretch out a little over time, which is understandable but it takes you really not caring anymore to go backwards that much.

You need to talk to your doctors office. My surgeon doesn't allow anything (even protein) for the first week post op. just clear sugar free caffeine free liquids. I had a very hard time getting in my liquids the first few days and then I started making myself eat Popsicles all throughout the day, that reallllllly helped! As for how much you lose and how fast it really depends on your body and how much you have to lose. If someone has 200 lbs to lose they will lose a lot faster then someone like me who has about 60 lbs to lose. I wouldn't worry. Just don't push yourself past the different "phases" too fast. (1. clear liquid, 2. Adding in protein, 3. Adding in some puréed food, 4. Adding in some soft foods, 5. Carefully eating normal.) these each take a certain number of days or weeks depending on your doctor!! Mine does 1. One week, 2. Three weeks, 3. Two weeks, 4. Three weeks. And then if I calculated that all right I get to eat normally NINE weeks post op. Every doctor is different though, some more cautious then others.

My surgery was on Tuesday and I completely understand. I was miserable and am not much better then that today (today is my first day without vomiting) I have noticed that for me the only thing I could keep down without terrible heartburn/acid reflux is Popsicles. They also hydrate a bit so that makes you feel better. But above all SLEEP! Make sure you get up every hour or two and walk around your house to prevent blood clots in your legs from forming but I guarantee you the rest/sleep is the best thing for you.

**Did you all have a pre-liquid diet diet? **if so, did you follow it really well? I have struggled off and on with my diet and am starting my liquid diet soon (mine will be ten days)... Have lost 13 lbs since April though so that isn't too bad

These are some questions I have... I am a stay at home mom so I am mainly winking when I can get back to daily life taking care of my 4 year old. Thank you in advance for any answers you provide!! How many days of liquid diet did you have to do? How much weight did you lose during it? How many days (if any) did you have to stay at the hospital? Did you have any complications? How long after surgery did you try to eat normal food? (non-puréed, etc) How soon after surgery did you feel mostly or fully back to normal? Please share any extra comments about things you weren't expecting or tips:

When was your surgery date? It's good to hear your having a good experience!

I would tell him, just so he has a heads up. All that matters is that your healthy for surgery, not that he may shae a finger at you. I did ask my doctor what would happen if I ate something during the liquid phase and he said it shouldn't matter since the main point is to lose as much belly fat as you can in that phase... Of course they don't want us to eat though. Does your office have a coordinator that you email with? If so you could tell them... Maybe a little less intimidating than in front of the doc face to face.

My surgery date is the 28th as well.... Liquid diet starts the 18th, not sure how I'll handle that!

Nope they don't sell it.

My surgeon said I couldn't have any ready to drink Protein. I have to make it and drink it within 20 minutes because if you wait, or have ready to drink ones the protein has broken down and has less grams than it would if drank right away. unjury is what my doc office recommended. I haven't tried it yet but I do have three on hand in different flavors. My liquid diet starts this Saturday... Terrified of how I'll be to live with. Good luck to you!