imagine.dream.inspire

I use my teeth. LOL. I made soup today and added veggies. I made sure to cut the veggies very small and take off the skins. I then use my teeth to grind it and mix it up. I chew it a lot before swallowing. No issues yet.

Well, it is nice to know that I am not a lone. I got a bit angry today for not being able to eat the quantities I did before. Only a few spoonfuls or bites and I hit my maximum before truly enjoying food. I loved food (and still do) and that makes its frustrating that I cannot enjoy it like before. In the end it is a small price to pay for health. I know in time I will learn to enjoy and be happy with the smaller portions and really savor every bite. As for now I am a bit bitter.

I bought a variety of Beans yesterday and am looking forward to all the yummy bean dishes that I am going to enjoy. I am now in the mushy stage and could not be more excited. :001_smile: Today I am going to mix beans with a little cottage cheese and shredded cheese. Once warm I am going to top it with sour cream and guacamole. Everything will be smooth without chunks and of course it will be a very small portion. Tomorrow I am having lentil soup. :drool5: I am so excited to be eating real food! I was so tired of liquids already.

I agree with others. I think that you can manage on your own but it is nicer when someone is around to help. I got tired a lot throughout the day and sometimes it was easier for someone to get things I needed. I could have done it on my own but it was really taxing on my energy.

I was too scared to sleep on my side. I was afraid that it would affect the healing of my incisions. I slept on my back for a while and then tried to sleep on my side. That was a big mistake for me as it caused so much soreness and some pain the next day. I am almost 21 days out and I am now able to sleep on my side from time to time without discomfort.

Glad your scale is moving again.

Did you have any issues with your recovery since you weren't getting in your daily protein requirements? I've struggled with protein. The shakes make me want to gag and are no longer an option. At this point I've given up on trying to find ways to get in protein. I've tried all sorts of powders as well. I am about to start the mushy stage and am really hoping that helps me to finally get in some protein. I just worry that I might have slowed down recovery by not meeting my protein requirements so far.

I am still struggling with this. I seem to go back and forth. I don't mind it as long as I keep hydrated.

Sounds like you've been through a lot. Take it easy and relax a bit. Do keep up with your breathing exercise, walking (will help so much with gas), and fluid intake. Glad that you are back home safely. :001_smile:

I have high bp and am on medication. The times that I have felt what you described have been times when my bp has dropped. Do you have a home monitor? Try to check it when you begin to have those symptoms.

I've done low-carb for years and am used to counting net carbs. Its not extra work for me at all. I can calculate carbs in my head easily as I know a lot of nutritional information.

I was just thinking about this today. I was thinking about what I would order at certain food places (as a way to plan ahead) and kept choosing large meals as if I am going to be able to finish it. Even now when I serve myself the food I can eat for my food phase I serve double portion even if I do not finish it. I think it will take a while to make the connection as you said. Of course I knew before surgery that my stomach would hold very little food but its a lot different when you finally experience it. Its mind blowing.

I recently asked my doctor about this and the recommendation was NO BOOZE AT ALL. However, I was told that if I decide to have some, I should try to limit the frequency and stick to 1 drink as it will hit me harder. I was told to at least wait until I have gone through all the food phases.

I sleep like a baby. I can't stay up late anymore. My body is so exhausted by 9pm. I am waking up around 4:30-5:00 though. Never linked it to my surgery. I just thought it was because I was going to bed earlier.

I don't think that you're cheating, but I do think that your stomach needs time to heal and you should be gentle with it. Mac/Cheese, Pop-tart, and Pizza are all yummy options but not the best food choices. The surgery is simply a tool, you still have to change your eating habits. Its hard, believe me, I know, but that is how you will be successful long term. Feed your body good foods. Of course, you can still have the pizza and poptarts once in a while, but it shouldn't be an everyday thing.

I agree with goodlife. I think you're doing great. You started at a much smaller weight (274) and according to your ticker you're now at 256.8. You've lost close to what I have lost. Our surgery dates are also 1 day apart. I think you're right on track.

Thanks. :-) I decided not to have the homily. I am just going to wait and follow the diet as instructed. Why risk it. I have plenty of time for hominy later on. For now my stomach is learning how to take its first few steps just as a baby would. I wouldn't expect a newborn to go from taking a step to suddenly running a 5k, so why would I expect my stomach to be that way. It needs time to get used to the new foods and digesting them.

I am half way through the thick liquid phase. I wanted to add some hominy to my Soup. It gets pretty soft in the broth and I could chew it a lot in my mouth before swallowing. Do you think it is too soon? Or would upset my stomach? I would only have a small amount. I am on the fence on this one.

Good attitude. Sending good thoughts to you today on your surgery day. :thumbup:

Thanks everyone. The skin all around is still irritated. Seems to be drying out so now it is itchy. I switched to paper tape and that makes a huge difference. It was starting to hurt with the regular tape already. It was sticking to my skin hard and leaving me red. I am going to apply some neosporin on the irritated parts (not near the incisions) to see if that helps healing. Don't want to end up with marks either.

My doctor has me on clear liquids for 10 days, thick liquids for 10 days, soft foods for 10 days and then solids after that.

I've been using regular plates and utensils but just today was thinking that I need a small bowl and plate. Eating is partly visual for me and seeing the smaller plates fuller will make me feel like I am eating a good size portion when in reality it is a small portion. Of course I am going to listen to the physical cues from my stomach but it is also mental for me.

I was the same way. I felt so swollen that it felt uncomfortable. It was from the gas that they pumped into me during surgery. In a way they inflate your belly to get better visuals and be able to work around. It will go away soon enough though.

I make my own broth. For chicken.....water, chicken thighs with skin & bone, cilantro, chayote, zucchini, carrot, celery, onion, garlic, tomato bouillon, small amount of tomato sauce....I cook it slow until the fat melts and all the flavors combine and then I strain it. Same with beef soup except instead of the chicken thighs I use shank w/bone and marrow. Sometimes i'll replace the tomato sauce with some bay leaf and oregano, especially if I am making a seafood broth. I simmer shrimp tails first before adding in veggies. The key for me is cooking everything slowly for a long time. I like homemade stuff a lot better but I do have a few backups. I went to walmart and was able to find miso soup in their asian section. Also egg drop soup mix which you are supposed to add an egg to but you can have it without. It has 3 small individual packs per packet. I also got some ramen soup and took out the seasoning packets. They are very salty so I used only a small amount. These are my backups.

That is good to hear. I hope I encounter some supportive men. I never knew how many people had WLS until I started to browse ObesityHelp. It was eye opening.