melodymouse

You obviously were not a High Risk person for liver damage. Individual medical history is such a vital piece to this puzzle and why a "one size fits all" approach doesn't work.

1. Protein first 2. Liquid second 3. Low fat, low sugar foods 4. Plenty of good carbs, fruits & veggies 5. Minimal simple carbs, grains & starches 6. Moderate exercise, something I could live with the rest of my life- walking, bicycling or just plain old keeping busy And most important 7. Keeping a positive attitude and believing in myself!

How far out are you? They use an intubation tube during surgery that can make your throat swell and takes time to heal depending on the injury. Mine felt that way for almost 3 weeks. =(

Dancing in my "skinny" jeans! Oh yeah!!

Awesome Terry! You will be an inspiration to people on how to do it! Now the real work comes, keeping it off! Best of luck and Way to go!!!!

I ate things on Christmas that I don't usually eat. I thought I made good choices but because I didn't prepare them, I didn't realize how much hidden fat or sugar was in them and wound up with a wicked case of Dumping Syndrome @ about 2:00 am. Not fun!! The same thing can happen by forcing undigested food through your stomach, into your intestines. Please be careful! DS feels like food poisoning. Something you'll definitely want to avoid!

Give her a big hug and tell her, "You can do it too, Honey! I'll help you through it!!"

Nope! Even with some post surgery complications, I would do it again in a second. One of the BEST decisions I ever made for myself!! (14 months out- lost 104% of my excess weight! = D)

Talking to a professional is a great idea! They have all kinds of tools to help you overcome depression! Been there done that! Try to focus on the positive. We are quick to beat ourselves up when we do something wrong but rarely pat ourselves on the back when we do something right. Be kind to yourself! You deserve it!! As for the gym, if you don't feel like going, take a walk around the block. Listen to the birds and other sounds. Literally smell the flowers if you see some. You'll be amazed at how something so simple can make you feel better. Plus, you get to say "I went for a walk!" Hugs to you!!

Clear for the first 2 days, full for 2 weeks, puréed for 2 weeks, soft for 2 weeks then full regular diet. I would go back a step or two if I hit a stall for a couple of days or until I would start losing again.

I took a screen shot of my doctor's recommendations. Hope it helps. (This is the first time I've attached a picture here so I hope it works!)

We were allowed to eat nonfat yogurt regular or Greek without fruit in our full liquid stage. I liked the Dannon light vanilla flavored one. We could also eat extremely thinned out cream of wheat cereal and sugar free pudding. If you can't handle dairy products you can buy the boxed kind and make it with either soy milk or Lactaid. Hang in there it's only temporary and gets better. Remember Nothing tastes as good as THIN feels!!!

Kaiser recommends giving up carbonation for life because it stretches out your stomach. I agree! I didn't have 85% of mine cut out just so I could stretch it all out again! Not being judgmental of anyone but myself! =)

I was told 60-80 at first progressing up to 80-100 1 year out and beyond. Also 400-600 calories to start progressing up to 1000-1200 @ 1 year and beyond. 20-30 good carbs (complex carbs, fruits and veggies-NO simple carbs like bread, pasta rice or potatoes) per meal. When you stall, change things up. Change your exercise routine, or go on liquid protein for 3 days. You can usually break your stall.

At 14 months, I can only eat 1/2 and that's with substituting 1/2 a slice of wheat bread or 1/2 a wheat sandwich thin. As a rule I stay away from bread. I have deliberately wanted to keep my stomach smaller and eating bread just makes me feel bloated. The fact that you can't eat even a quarter is a very good thing! It means you're doing a great job! Keep it up!!!

So sorry to hear this. Something doesn't sound right. You definitely need to pester your doctor until you get resolution. They tend to assume that YOU are doing something wrong to cause your problems because the alternative could mean that THEY did something wrong. Be persistent. Ask to see the head of the department. Demand an outside second opinion. Ask for a copy of your medical record for your "lawyer". The implication that they might get sued, is a great motivator! Do whatever you have to, to get them to solve your problem. The squeaky wheel gets the grease! Keep us posted and best wishes to you!

I am14 months out and have lost 104% of my excess weight after being told that it was only possible to lose 55-75% with a sleeve. How did I do it? Quite simply. By FOLLOWING THE RULES!! I think that says it all!! = D

You can get both. You do just have to almost constantly be putting something in your mouth. I used nectar powder mixed in 8 oz of Water and sipped that. Technically, it is 64 oz of "liquid" a day not just water. So your Protein drinks DO count as part of your 64 oz. = ) I know a lot of people who were trying to drink their protein AND 64 oz of water. Yikes! Too hard!! I also took a bottle of water to bed and drank every time I was awake enough to think about it. Because your body needs it and is using it, surprisingly you don't have to constantly get up and go to the bathroom at night.

You don't have to weigh the popsicles, just use the nutrition facts on the box for the weight. Soups are so yummy in the beginning. Just be careful to check the amount of sodium. Most soups are pretty high and can lead to dehydration. Buy the soups and broths labelled "low sodium".

Walk as much as you can. It is the gas they fill your abdomen up with. It is not in your intestines so you can't pass it. It has to be absorbed through your cells. Walking increases circulation and oxygen exchange. It is miserable but only temporary.

Evidently Country Life makes a gluten free, iodine free chewable. It is available @ vitamin shoppe and gnc to name a few. I haven't tried them myself, but someone mentioned them at support group.

Curious? Do those of you who eat this stuff especially early out go to support groups? The one I go to is full of people who are full of regret that they didn't take this more seriously. Didn't try to get as much weight as possible off while they had the chance. The pain in their eyes and on their faces is a great motivator for me. Remember, WLS is only a TEMPORARY tool. It only works for a short time before your body figures out the trick you played on it and adjusts itself. Of all the long term people I know, and there are a lot, only a couple of them still have the consequences surgery created working in their favor. Most are right back into the same old struggle and the scale is rising. Please, don't sabotage yourselves. If you absolutely have to have unfriendly food, there are a lot of things you can to do make them a better choice. We have In & Out burger in CA. I order a hamburger dry. I take 1/2 a wheat sandwich round, my own low fat cheese and add ketchup and mustard instead of their secret sauce. I've cut the fat and calories in half and made a guilt free, healthy choice hamburger that tastes just as good as a regular double double. Try it! I don't feel deprived at all! As for the fries, I gave those up in 2007 so I don't miss them anymore. = )