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Internal stitches that dissolved where the 5 incisions were with glue over a few of them. There are staples of course on the stomach itself (titanium). Also, on the biggest incision where my stomach came out (still kind of creeps me out to say that, lol), my surgeon uses one big stich with a few runner stitches after it. They are internal. This is where the muscle wall is cut. You don't have to have these stitches but my surgeon likes to use them. The PA said they would come out one at a time and at about 6 weeks I will be able to feel the biggest one pop (glad she warned me). I can feel/see a dimple from the stitch by that incision. Someone on another thread mentioned a dimple and wondered if it was normal but I can't find the thread now. Anyhow, if your surgeon uses internal stitches here, the dimple is normal. That's how the PA knew that the stitch hadn't popped on me yet when she examined me.

Your new world is full of wonderful possibilities! Great job!

Wonderful progress--you look great!!!

I put mine in a little disposable shot glass (they sell them at the liquor store or party store--of you can buy pill cups like they have at the hospital) then add some flavored Water. Stir with a little paring knife (perfect size) and down it. I can't taste anything I take this way except for Ursodiol (yucky) but even that isn't too bad. If there's any residue in the cup I add a little more flavored water, stir it up again, and take another few sips.

when I first started on oatmeal, the RD had me thin it out to the consistency of a protein shake and also puree it. It tasted almost like cream of wheat--it was tasty. I added some protein powder...

You look like a different person! Congratulations!!

Did you get an incentive spirometer (breathing exercise tool) in the hospital? If so, do make sure you use it. Should be 10 times every hour (not all right in a row). Breathe as deeply as you can when you're not using it (I know it hurts but it's so good for you). You really need to avoid getting pneumonia, especially bc you have something respiratory going on, and this will def help. Glad your checkup is tomorrow. Hope you feel better soon!

Kelly, did you buy a pill crusher from the pharmacy? They work great! Just a little plastic container with a point inside and you screw on the cap and then screw it back off--pulverized. Like a modern-day mortar and pestle. Very inexpensive!

I haven't had that, but when I was in Montreal on vacation, I went to a well-known restaurant in Chinatown and they had the best sweet and sour tofu--it was made with the tofu "skin." I wonder if I could recreate a low-carb version....

Good luck with the pre-op diet! I'm sure that you will do great, Wrinkle!

LOL, no, that's good info! It is true, I believe it has something to do with "denatured protein," whatever that is. powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury and I would imagine some of the other brands can be heated up to 140 degrees without losing effectiveness or clumping (I use a candy thermometer to check and then keep using the same "recipe" if it's okay--since I'm sure I won't be needing my candy thermometer for much else in the future). Once it starts clumping, I think that's a pretty sure sign that you might as well pitch it and start over. Goodness knows, you don't want to have to drink protein that's not giving you any protein!

I'm just transitioning to soft foods and today made a really good version of "The Biggest Loser" pancake: 1/4 cup of low-fat cottage cheese, 1/4 cup of instant oatmeal, and 1 to 1.5 egg whites (I used Just Whites in a carton). Blended it all in my vitamix. Very tasty!! I did the egg whites in the blender first to give them some volume. Ate with some SF Carey's maple syrup.

I do if I go too long between meals and if I'm eating really low carb/high protein (because of ketosis).

Very wise words and especially meaningful given your current situation.

You should go with your surgeon's advice. Mine says walking is fine from the beginning, water walking within a couple of weeks if you are scabbed and cover with a waterproof bandage. We are told to wait 6 to 8 weeks for organized exercise classes, including water aerobics (which I really miss!). Can't wait to get the all-clear but don't want to pull out stitches prematurely or rip muscle. Walking is one of the best exercises you can do, though! You might need to wait longer to do light strength training--I would go with the advice of your surgeon's office.

I wouldn't be brave enough to try Triscuits at about a month out--but maybe if you chewed them to nothing before swallowing. I would email or call my RD or PA/MD to ask.

Wise words, Laura-Ven... I just added you as a friend!

I am a vegetarian and was probably eating about half as much Protein pre-op as I am now. I have a few bits of advice that helped me get down my protein during the first week or two (it gets easier): 1) Find a premade Protein shake that you really like. A lot of people recommend Premiere (available at costco and elsewhere) or Muscle Milk Light. Look for one that has around 150-180 calories with 20 g of protein or so and not super-high in carbs (maybe 10 g or fewer). If it seems too thick for you, put it in a shaker and add a little almond milk or skim milk--maybe just an ounce or two. Shake it gently (since you don't want a ton of extra air right now)--and put it in a pretty glass. Now is the time to break out those wine glasses you never use. :-) I have never thought of myself as a chocolate lover, but I seem to like the chocolate shakes the best bc they seem to hide the protein flavor the most. You can also go to GNC or Vitamin Shoppe and try individual ready-made shakes (or the dry shake packets that you add liquid to and blenderize--I use a Vitamix but there's also the Magic Bullet and an imitation Magic Bullet at WalMart that a lot of people like). 2) Get a good unflavored protein like

it gets better soon! that was the worst part for me post op, bc I'm a side sleeper too. I was sleeping on my side by about 1 week out, and doing so comfortably within 2 weeks. In the hospital, one of the night nurses was so amazing--she rolled up blankets and things and put them under my arms for comfort, which made me feel more comfortable sleeping in my back for some reason.

I'm with you... the crunching is the only sound that really seems to get to me right now! Would love to crunch into a little salad. I'm on purees/soft foods now, so that's probably why. In about 10 days I get to be on regular foods, so just hanging tight!! The first thing I want to make is homemade kale chips! When someone is crunching in my house, I leave the room and get on my computer to see what's going on here! Keeps my head in the game, for which I am very grateful.

Thanks! hmm...it's really snowing here today, but this might get me out of the house. It's funny how there are certain post-op foods/drinks that sometimes I feel like I just must have...NOW! and then I get them and don't touch them for days. LOL. Thank you to the person who started this thread--it gave me lots of good ideas. I also want to get the Mio orange/tangerine flavor. Someone here recommended SF Hawaiian Punch (on another thread), which I absolutely love. I try to keep it to 1 or 2 a day b/c I feel like I lose better with pure Water and I don't like the HP taste diluted--but it is a GREAT treat. Tastes just like the full sugar version. My mom always got us HP when we were kids when we got sick so it's sort of a "comfort drink" for me.

I really agree with this. I haven't shouted from the rooftops about my surgery, but I also haven't lied about it to anyone. I told a few people that I was having surgery (mostly business contacts whom I needed to let know I would be out--although I was answering business emails from my iphone within a few hours of surgery)--and not one person was rude enough to ask what kind of surgery. If anyone asks at any point how I am losing weight (I'll be so psyched when I lose enough for it to be noticeable--LOL), I will likely say either 1) I decided to make myself a priority; or 2) small portions, low carb, and exercise--all of which will be true. I think it's fine if people want to share the personal details of their life with others, but I wasn't raised that way. I don't judge people who like to do it, but it's just my personal preference not to do it. When I had an office job, on the rare occasions that I was out sick, I would send a note to my staff saying I would be out of the office that day. I didn't need to come back and tell everyone the status of my GI virus or whatever. Yuck. And I have been known to take vacation time and not tell anyone at work where I was going. That's just me though. It doesn't mean I am living a fake life. I really don't think there are many times when anyone I don't know well has talked to me and said "TMI"--and I'm good with that. Again, if it is your preference to be open and share as much as you can about your life with others--I say go with your own comfort level. I won't judge you for it, and I ask that you please not judge me for my choices either. We are all going thru this together and there isn't a one-size-fits-all prescription. I love that we can learn about and respect each others' differences.

Webblarsk, do you buy this at the grocery store? Cranberry and cherry-lime are two of my favorite flavors ever, so I have a feeling that this would be right up my alley. Kind of like a non-alcoholic cape cod cocktail with a little grenadine.

Good for you! That was a wonderful gift that your mom gave you--and a wonderful one that you have given her in return.

I had my VSG on Feb. 5. I have been meaning to mention something to everyone who is pre-op. The anesthesiologist came by and asked if I had ever had a bad reaction from anesthesia. I told her just a sore neck from the intubation and nausea/vomiting post-op from the anesthesia--"but that's normal, right?", I asked. I almost didn't mention it bc I thought it was unavoidable. She said it's not normal and that they could give me something early on (not sure if it was before, during, and/or after surgery) to avoid the nausea. Guess what? it worked! No vomiting post-op and very little nausea...just a little once I was switched from the morphine pump to Percocet 1.5 days post op, but that nausea was from the pain med, not the anesthesia. So I wanted to say, make sure you speak up bc nausea is such a horrible feeling as we all know, and in some cases it may be preventable. She also told me they would be gentle with my intubation so my neck wouldn't hurt as much--and they were.