Pebbagirl

Mara005, I liked your recipes and I LOVE how you relate to your children! Gotta get me a George foreman!

MsRhonda, please use more punctuation. It's so hard to understand you when you "free write" and we all want to be sure we can understand you clearly. Writing on a message board, even when you're on your phone, isn't like texting. It's important to use punctuation and full words. I'm afraid some people might skip over your posts because they're hard to understand, and we don't want to miss what you say, as it's important. By the way, this message was written on my cell phone. :-)

Chili from Wendy's or make your own. Potato soup.

Slim Fast has a CRAP TON of sugar in it. That's why it tastes good. You might try adding a packet of Splenda to whatever you use. I like the Cytosport whey protein powder at Costco. But it's only available in a huge bag for like $50. You could also try blending it with frozen fruit and crushed ice. And lastly, it's a mind game. You have to tell yourself it's not going ro taste like slim fast or chocolate milk.

Thank you all. These are helpful. My nurse did recommend salting my water in restaurants. But at home, I'm so thirsty after a few bites that I feel like I must drink. Right now, my plan is to do it gradually. First, get through an entire meal with no water. Then wait 10 minutes, then 20, 30, 45 and 60. Goal is to go the whole hour by my 6-week appointment. I feel like it's the best I can do.

So I'm 3 weeks post surgery and all is going well. Following the rules and doing good. I have just graduated off soft foods and have started experimenting with regular food. I cannot seem to get through a meal without drinking. I know all of the ramifications of this behavior, so I'm not looking for a pep talk. I would like to know if anyone has advice on how to get through a meal without drinking. What about eating a couple of ice chips or something? This is just a transitional phase, as I am determined to get to a point where I can eat a meal and then go an hour without water.

My head tried to play games with me like that but I wouldn't listen. You have a foreign body inside you, it said. So! I'll give it a name. You'll never succeed. Yes I will. You will have medical problems with your ban or something. NO! I refuse. Buck up, honey. It's a mind game. Take a good attitude and move forward.

I'm 3 weeks in and not sure how to set my goals. I need to lose anywhere between 75-100 pounds. I'd really like to do that in one year and my doc says it's totally attainable. But I don't want to set the goal too high then not meet it but I also don't want to set it too low. I feel like I shouldn't even set a weight loss goal until I'm at least 6 weeks in. I do kind of feel like a first goal is onederland. Thoughts?

Wendy's chili! And you'll love your Ninja. I love mine. I cook sausage and then throw it in the Ninja and crumble it up then eat a couple of tablespoons. Just watch the fat content.

Sigh. I'm 3 weeks post op and needed that reminder myself. Oh, I know it's true and didn't expect a loss but am just frustrated. Going to strt up my walking routine again as soon as this snow melts. That should make a big difference.

From the shaking and lightheadesness, it sounds like you might be in ketosis, which is a good thing. Nobody really talks about that but it Happened to me. I was banded 12/6 and I felt shaky, light headed, feverish and body aches for 4 days after surgery. Didn't have fever but had chills the sweating. Doc said it was ketosis. If that's the case, you'll feel like crap but be fine. But the fact that the partner in the practice won't help you sounds crazy.

Loose pants to wear a out of the hospital or surgery center, a nightgown, milk of magnesia refrigerated (goes down easier), liquid tylenol for when pain meds are too strong, tons of pillows to prop you up (I slept sitting up for 3 days!), and some homemade chicken broth prepared for when you get home.

PJ, that's a great weight loss. Remember to exercise and don't drink any calories.

Mine are included for 18 months. After that, it's $100 a pop.

Warm prune juice would make me puke long before it would make me poop!

CG, 4 days?! Lordy, girl! I was 7 days and thought that was bad. My nurse, too, said "whenever you feel up to it.".

My doc suggests papaya enzyme for stuck episodes. You can get it at Wal mart in the vitamin section. I haven't been stuck yet but I bought some just to have on hand.

My doctor advises to eat this way: protein first then veg/fruit then a bite or two of bread. He says "bread is your friend.". Eating protein first will help you feel full longer and the bread will help too. But it's important to put the protein in first.

I weigh once a week. Period. And FWIW, here's how jacked up it can be: surgery day: 245, 1-week follow up: 232, 2 weeks post: 235. Am I concerned about that weight gain? Not a bit! I went from about 100 -200 calories a day after surgery to 800-1000 a day this second week. That 232 was partially water. It was like getting the flu. This is a marathon, not a sprint. "Finishing the race " (weighing a healthy weight) is what matters, not how fast it's done.

I weigh once a week. Period. And FWIW, here's how jacked up it can be: surgery day: 245, 1-week follow up: 232, 2 weeks post: 235. Am I concerned about that weight gain? Not a bit! I went from about 100 -200 calories a day after surgery to 800-1000 a day this second week. That 232 was partially water. It was like getting the flu. This is a marathon, not a sprint. "Finishing the race " (weighing a healthy weight) is what matters, not how fast it's done.

Jalangy, I bought Wendy's chili and put it in my blender (Ninja). Yesterday I made my own chili and I'm having that right now. It's not my regular recipe, but it's so good and 1 cup Has 170 cals, 6g fat and 12 g protein. I also went to Whole Foods and bought their chicken enchilada soup and blended that my first few days on thick liquids.

Naturally, you may be freaking out because you're on pain meds (I assume ) and sleeping a Lot. I slept a lot the first three days. Don't freak out until at least the pain meds are out of your system.

It kind of Freaked me out beforehand, having a foreign body inside me. But I'm 2 weeks old today and I'm embracing it. Like Chez said, that foreign body is helping me. I was able to pull my jeans off today without unbuttoning them!! I'm currently trying to think up a name for my band. I'm considering Magic Mike or The Amazing Kreskin!!!

I walk outside. Bought all the necessary weather/appropriate clothes and I'm off! Also try consulting with a trainer at the gym. A good trainer can teach you how to do an exercise program with things you have around the house. If you don't have someone, PM me. I can refer you!

I own my business and am fortunate to take 9 WEEKS off after surgery (way overkill, but that's just how it worked out). I was miserable for the first four or five days after surgery but I could have gone back to most any job after ten days.