Lilee84

I did the same thing a few weeks before my surgery, and actually several other times as well as my family wanted to know exactly what was going to happen and it was easier to show them than to try and explain. A few weeks before I had my son I started watching videos of epidurals and c-sections (just in case) so that I could mentally prepare myself for what was about to happen. It's a coping mechanism.

I did this also - I made all sorts of yummy things for my family that I couldn't eat myself... It gets better, and eventually as you get farther out you'll start making healthier meals for you family that you can eat too... I've noticed now at 7mos out that just about every meal I make for myself and my son is pretty darn healthy.. Even the garlic mashed potatoes I made last night were made with low fat mayo and fat free milk. Hang in there!

I'm going to have to try the saltines thing... I never was much of a morning eater pre-surgery, but I never had problems drinking my coffee... So weird!

I thought maybe it was just me, but I'm discovering now that my sleeve is incredibly picky in the morning... This morning I tried to drink my coffee, the same as I do every morning, and he revolted and told me no. I didn't vomit, but I knew he was unhappy the second the coffee hit. It's been happening a lot lately actually. Yesterday morning I tried to eat a scrambled egg with spinach about 45mins after I got up and got about 2 bites in before he left me know that it wasn't gonna happen... Anybody elses sleeve not a morning "person"? How do you ease into your daily eating with a tummy who doesn't like food or drink when it's empty?

Teenagers can be such a$$holes sometimes! I stayed at my parents house after surgery just so my mom could help when she got home from work, but low and behold my 16 y/o nephew was such a blessing! He took my son every day after school and played with him for an hour or two so I could nap.

I came home from the hospital about 4 hours before my son came back from his dads. He was about 16mos then. I had him all by myself the entire two weeks post-op before I went back to work and it was fine for us. He was pretty self sufficient, climbed the stairs by himself, climbed into bed himself, up on the couch... I pretty much just let him run free the whole time (he was confined the to kitchen/living room with a baby gate) and didn't worry about picking up the mess until nap time and bed time. Your kids are older so I'm sure its probably harder, ur maybe you could ask your son to help mommy with the little ones? Just tell him that mommy's not feeling well and really neeeds his help until she feels better. He'll feel super important and useful, like he's helping you get healthy too...

Oh contrare mon friar - I have oodles of loose skin, you should see my bat wings! Next time I do my youtube VLOG (see my signature for the link) I'll show my sggy skin. I'll be posting my 7mo post op video probably Sunday so keep an eye out.

OK so I'm a few days (3) shy of 7mos post-op but I don't care.. I have to share! Starting/current/difference 278#/185#/ -93# GONE! 24/26/12/14/ -5 sizes down! -47" total! Now that's inspiration to keep going! I'm officially 35# from goal! Slide show below...

I just wanna know how you got the title Sarcasm Specialist, and who I have to send chocolate to make that my permanent title...

If you can chug I'd say chug - otherwise get the unflavored

Publix protein powder really isn't that bad - no funky aftertaste... And the EAS Myoplex original isn't bad either... I got it in French vanilla and I actually like it. 2g sugar, 20g carbs, 42g protein and tasty!

And you can have 3 meals and 3 snacks or 6 small meals, however you want to look at it.

If you can't get your protein in with regular food, shakes are the only way to go.

Im not sure about PCOS and what effect surgery has on it, but i do know you are SUPER fertile post op. Being overweight does negatively impact your fertility which is why many larger women have trouble getting KU

Once you start on mushies, purses,and regular food you'll feel your restriction - liquids go down easier usually. You're fine, just try not to drink too much too fast, you'll know if you do. That's one thing you can.be sure of is that your new stomach will let you know if its unhappy

The bruising is a result of them having to use retractors to pull apart the incision that they pulled the removed portion of your stomach out of. Totally normal and nothing to worry about. If you check out my 3day post op video on YouTube you'll see mine.

At 6 1/2 mos post op I have lost 90lbs, dropped from a size 24/26 to a size 14, have more energy than I have had since before I gained the weight, am able to run after my 2 year old without getting winded, I feel attractive again, I feel HEALTHY again, I am confident that I'll remain healthy enough to watch my son grow into the amazing man I'm sure he's going to be, and most importantly he'll be free of the food issues I had because now on top of my already healthy menu, my portions are healthy too. If that's not enough to warm up those cold feet, I'm not sure anything will...

That is true Rissy - Protein is always first, followed by veggies, and lastly grains if you have room. Most often, you won't have room for them, especially not during the puree or mushy stages when your tummy is still swollen. Plus, pasta/bread/etc... absorb moisture and expand in your stomach - believe me when I say that does NOT feel good! It's going to be a long time before you enjoy pasta again.

Puree is baby food consistency, not just mushy with no solid pieces... There is a difference, and the next stage you'll move on to will be soft/mushy stage, but if you're on purees you should probably try and stick with purees. Your poor tummy needs time to heal Check out the FAQ up top for some inspiration on what to eat and any other questions you may have as a new member of the losers bench!

I remember when i could safely trim "down there" without injuring the sensitive lady bits... It was momentous! Congrats on the NSV!

After 6 weeks and providing you had no complications - I donated last week...

Even pre-op sugar has never sat well with me, so my go to has always been an iced quad venti, non-fat, sugar free french vanilla latte - I was restricted from coffee of caffeine of any kind for 30 days I think? I could have decaf tea, but the acid in the coffee, even decaf, was a no no per my surgeon. That being said, you're far enough out to where you should be fine, but like PPs have said, go for a skinny, sugar free version so you don't upset your sleeve

What'd I do?

Coffee AND protein? Amazing! I love coffee, and it pretty much masks most nasty protein flavor, but you're right, that is pretty pricey. Maybe I'll just start tossing a scoop of protein powder in with my iced coffee in the morning...

The short version is that it's when you deprive your body of carbs so that instead of burning carbs for energy your body is forced to start burning fat for energy. Here's the longer version http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/faq/f/whatisketosis.htm