bmbrush413

I caught myself laughing at the gym today when I was looking at myself in the mirror as I was doing my weights...I just don't look like me anymore! It's a good thing - I can see my collarbones, my face is much thinner, and my workout clothes are starting to get loose. I just couldn't help but snicker a little...

I definitely am in the guessing game phase...it's all trial and error with me. Welcome to the club!

Here's my before (1 week preop) and after (8 weeks postop, down 45 lbs). I couldn't believe the difference in my face! The girl who does my nails said (in her broken Korean/English) "No lose more face! You not going to have any face left!"

I don't have celiac, but I am gluten intolerant - get really sick and have rashes when I eat it. I've found my post op diet really excludes most gluten containing foods already. I focus on my proteins, fruits, and veggies and don't eat starches.

These things literally saved me post op! My favorites were the fruit ones...fuzzy navel, roadside lemonade, twisted cherry...no way I could have done just vanilla and chocolate!! Also - about the car ride, my surgeon said no rides longer than 30 minutes for the first month. I'm assuming that was because of DVT, but would definitely not ride 3 hours straight! Good luck!

Sorry to burst your bubble...but noisy stomachs seem to be par for the course around here from what I gather. I'm almost 9 weeks out and mine is pretty loud...

B: 1/2 scrambled egg, 1/2 slice muenster cheese, 1/2 slice bacon L: The other half of breakfast S: Oikos cafe latte Greek yogurt D: 1/2 turkey burger, 1/2 slice cheese, 1/8 cup mashed potatoes S: SF chocolate pudding cup, 1 T whipped cream

I had lactose issues right after surgery as well...seems to be better now. I'm 8 weeks out.

I added up all of the claims on my insurance website that were related to my surgery (hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist, pathologist) and not counting any of my pre-op visits, I was right around the $40k mark. I am also in Fairfield County, CT where everything is expensive... Thankfully my insurance covered 100% after my $3000 deductible.

I used the Syntrax Nectar fruit flavored drinks - mixed with 16 oz cold water and ice. Got them from BJ's Bariatrics - you can make your own sample pack. My personal favorites are the fuzzy navel and roadside lemonade. Good luck!

I'm wondering if this is what's going on with me now... Going for an endoscopy tomorrow.

I couldn't find them near me either. I just got the chewables.

Panko is a style of Japanese breadcrumbs - much larger and crunchier texture than regular.

I was 3 weeks liquid, 1 weeks purée, 1 week soft chopped, then on to normal a little at a time.

Broccoli will do that, too...

I was told no car trips more than 30 minutes for the first month...you might want to check with your surgeon. I was out for 3 weeks - school administrator, mainly a desk job.

pureed chicken/tuna salad Pureed chicken with taco sauce, cheese, and sour cream Refried Beans with taco sauce, cheese and sour cream Ricotta cheese with sauce and mozzarella Cottage cheese with applesauce and cinnamon Greek yogurt with sugar free seedless jam Cauliflower with cheese sauce Any kind of soups I was told to avoid all starches so I couldn't have anything with potatoes. I also wasn't allowed to have eggs.

I don't eat any ff dressings. Was told by many different nutritionists that I have worked with that having some fats in the dressing actually help you to absorb nutrients in the veggies in the salad.

I have made this a couple of times and it's great! 2 pkgs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can french onion soup (if you use Progresso, omit the water) 1/2 can Water Extra mushrooms if you want... Pour the Soups and water (if using) into the crockpot and stir to combine. Add chicken. Cook on low for 6 hours. Serve with mashed potatoes made with some of the cooking liquid plus 2 wedges of Laughing Cow garlic & herb cheese. YUM!!

Check with your doctor... My surgeon asked me to bring all of my meds with me to my pre-op so he could check the pill sizes, etc.

I didn't have one.

I did a lot of puréed tuna and chicken salad. Another one of my favorite things was puréed chicken with taco sauce, a little cheese and sour cream. You can do the same thing with refried beans. If you're going away, you can take the little cups of applesauce, baby food fruits, cottage cheese (I used the whipped at that stage). I also made some meals in the crockpot for my husband that had a lot of sauce, then just puréed my portion. Ricotta cheese with a little sauce and mozzarella heated up in the microwave is like the insides of lasagna. Hope this helps!

Looking good!!

Yes - the Smirnoff Ice drinks are carbonated. I would stay away from them. I was told no alcohol for a year...so I'm just staying away from everything for now.