JenC

I'm 4.5 mths out and I don't see to be losing anymore than usual. Not taking any additional remedies just my daily vitamins, b12, calcium. Love my Wen products for keeping it looking shiny and healthy. Hoping I'm dodging the hairloss bullet.

Hi. The immersion hand blender is a very helpful tool for making puree. I used this as well as my Magic Bullet alot during this stage and still do. You really can puree almost any of your foods and enjoy the same flavors as you used to. The only caution my doc gave at this stage was that pureed dense meats mightstill be too much for my new stomach to handle. You do need to add a bit of liquid to get a good mix, I prefer to use a small amount of broth that compliments whatever I'm making, vegetable, chicken, beef instead of water which dilutes the flavors you might be trying to achieve. Start with a small amount (tbl spoon and add more as needed) I made alot of "crockpot" meals during those 10 days...and pureed a portion for myself. Chili, chicken and beef stew, curried chicken, hearty soups. The stage doesn't last long so do yourself a favor and make a few meals that you won't mind having again and focus on other things rather than preparing alot of different foods. For me at this stage eating was a neccessity not really a big interest but when I ate I wanted it to be satisfying. My primary interest was getting the nutrition and liquids I needed so I continued to use shakes and isopure at many meals and snacks.

Heck yes. I did it with a BMI of 35 and a lifetime history of diets, yo-yo weight losses and gains. Exercise before surgery was impossible for me to sick to because it was such a huge effort out of breath, discouraged, not significant enough change to encourage me to continue. I wish I would have been able to do this for myself 10 or 20 years ago. Can't imagine what I would have done with all the time, energy, effort and lost money I have spent on the futile effort over the years. My stats are a little different than yours 5'8" surgery weight of 236. Anyway that's my two cents...you're well on your way to getting a bucket of pennies

Personally I avoid bananas, for me, having the banana is like eating sugar candy...it starts the cravings, the hunger, the pursuit of carbs. It is also a mushy food and I find when I eat something mushy like that it does not fill me up for long and I can eat more of it. I agree with the folks posting about PPO's. Prilosec is what I take, it will take about 4 days to see it's full effect. Luck to you!

Hi, If you've got a smart phone Myfitnesspal.com is a great way to track your protein and liquids for the day when you're on the run. It has such a great library of food and beverage counts it makes tracking very easy. Soups where my friend for lunches on the go during the soft food stage, so was stir fried or curried tofu, loved cottage cheese with soft pears or peaches in a small container with a dash of Hymalian salt. I've attached my docs list of soft food stage...maybe it will start some ideas for you. Good luck being back to work. Tofu Low fat cottage cheese Cereal Oatmeal Precooked pureed rice Low fat Yogurt Yogurt mixed with fruit very well blended Cream soups ( denser cream soups like cream of potato ) Eggs Boiled pureed fruit ( example pear, apple ) Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces Boiled pureed vegetables Beans …..Mayorcoa Mashed potatoes

Hey Hockeymom, Congratulations on your 46 pound loss from highest to current weight! Walking is a really good start to exercise. Careful not to do too much two weeks out from surgery you are still very early in your healing and don't want to be lifting much or doing any ab work just yet. You will be surprized just how helpful the walking part is at first in increasing circulation and getting the weight loss ball rolling. I still had a pretty swollen abdomen at two weeks out but at the 4 week mark my clothing really started to feel different as the weight and my belly went down. I am sure things will start to gain momentum for you!

How much weight do you have to loose? What's your starting BMI? If you average the weight lost it's 4lbs a week. Some weeks I have lost 5-6 pounds some weeks 3lbs, some weeks none. It's like my body lets go and then hangs on. I can understand your frustration as we read about a lot of huge initial loses on here but everyone is different. It will come. Focus on healing your tummy, getting the protien and liquids in for your stage, that will set you up for sure and positive changes on the scale in the very near future! Good luck!

That's good to know. Thanks!

YaHOOO! Way to go on reaching goal. Try and enjoy all you have accomplished, its a big deal put the worries away for awhile, you deserve to enjoy!

I am so loving the clothes I am wearing, the body I'm walking around in the positive comments. Believe me if you're new at this mourning food it's t totally worth it!

What I was especially thankful for yesterday...My Sleeve!!! I chose to have small tastes of all the wonderful things offered that I love...left behind the things that weren't favorites or just fillers and left the table feeling satisfied, empowered and comfortable. While almost everyone else had that "I'm so full, need a nap and to unbutton their pants feeling"... I felt great! I woke up today to a .6lb loss with no guilt, regrets or should'nt have feelings. I plan to stay on track this holiday season and look forward to bathing suit shopping at the end of December for a January trip to MX.

Congratulations you have lost 70 pounds! Celebrate with a little happy dance knowing you won't be wearing "big girl panties" forever. You will be able to eat the healthy foods you came to love pre-op and a variety of food with a new relationship and restriction. You can do this, nothing is forever when you look back... this will be a flash in your long healthy life. No consulation right now but I'm pretty sure you'll have no regrets later...

Don't beat yourself up. Tomorrow's a new day. And you can make better choices in the morning. You will have a powerful tool after surgery to keep you on the path to health and happiness. You will have to make the right choices and work your sleeve but you will undoubtedly be in a much stronger position to succeed. Do what you can in advance to set yourself up for surgery success but remember the reason you are having this surgery...We could'nt do it on our own before so don't think that you're going to be perfect in your attempt at this moment. Chin up!

Had surgery in MX in July 2012. Can't report any complications only a first class experience.

Your friends experience sounds about right! There is plenty to research, its a major surgery and a huge life change but so far I have no regrets...only that I didn't do it sooner. There are plenty of great success stories on this forum and there are very true and difficult complications that folks have had. Read them all! It's given me the restriction and allowed me to have the will to make the right choices. Good luck to you!

I liked Unjury protein powders especially right after surgery because they where not too thick. Right after surgery thick was ikk! I also used their chicken broth one a nice savory change. All of them have 21g of protein and 100-110 calories per serving. I mix them with almond milk because dairy disagreed with me after surgery. I still use them but now I like to mix them with ice in the blender for a thicker creamier beverage ...except for the soup of course. I buy them online direct from Unjury.

Way to go, looking great!!

Luck and well wishes being sent your way!

Honestly, the first couple of weeks after surgery my husband would ask what planet my mind just wandered off to as I starred blankly into space on occassion. Once I was able to get my recommended 600-800 calories along with liquids and protien in... my body balanced out. Pre-surgery, I also used to get, what I would call the "sugar shakes" and have to down a glass oj or a spoonful of honey. I find that the diet I follow now has never left me with that clammy, weak I might pass out feeling. I think my blood sugar is regulated to the point that I don't experience those spikes anymore. I typically eat 600-800 calories and limit my carbs to approx 40-60 per day, shooting for 70-80g of protien daily. Anyway that's been my experience and I have had great energy since about week 3, I'm about 4mths out now.

I like to say "Thank you- I'm just eating healthy and exercising." Which is true! If they query further I will tell them "lots of low fat protien and good carbs". Because if you say high protien/low carbs it usually leads to an Atkins diet debate...no thanks : )

I haven't felt that way except in relation to not feeling hungry and when that happens I turn to using Unjury chicken broth: 100 calories 21g protein. It is gentle on the tummy and I can just carry it around in a mug like a cup of coffee and sip, to get liquid and protien and the same time.

Way to go!! Awesome results, you look great and very happy!

Yay you!! Enjoy the feeling

Try almond milk, unsweetened original in place of dairy, I've heard many folks report having the same effects you describe from dairy.

If you had always been at a healthy weight and "normal" BMI you would probably never have hooked up with this man...because frankly you just would'nt have been his "type" Personally my type of guy is one that loves me for who I am and supports unconditionally who and what I aspire to become. It sounds like thats your "type" too. It's just my opinion but its a big red light that someone would wish that you would continue to be unhealthy, risk not being able to have a healthy pregnancy and skirt your dreams of a more active lifestyle. You did not over react, and you're not overly sensitive in my opinion. Sounds like you have it going on. It's hard and scary to start over but it can also be exciting and revealing. All the best to you. Sorry you're going through a break up, they suck!