DeniseM

I have no problems eating salad or any other raw veggies or fruits except that I get full very quickly if I am not careful with eating my protein first.

Mine was a life-saver for me! It really helped with my pain, especially in my large incision.

I wish I did! I had four incisions with my sleeve and then six weeks later had my GB removed and that was four more incisions, so I basically look like a slasher victim!

I started feeling hungry at about five months post-op, and I get hungry 3-4 hours after eating, depending on what I have eaten, sometimes longer.

Are you wearing a compression garment? Mine was a life saver! My large incision was like a knife in my side for three weeks, and wearing the compression garment every day really helped. I got mine from my surgeon's office, but you can buy them from a local medical supply store, or online like this one http://www.amazon.com/Style-Abdominal-Adjustable-Compression-ContourMD/dp/B004A6N5RA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385851352&sr=8-1&keywords=velcro+compression+garment

Have you considered Gelatin Protein? I'm not sure if you are still vegan, so this might not work, but I am going to try gelatin protein instead of whey protein for health reasons- I found a recipe for an after work-out shake that sounds really interesting. I don't use a lot of Protein powder anymore as I get most of my protein from food, but I am very into Paleo and organic foods, so I thought the gelatin protein was really interesting. I just ordered all the ingredients, so I haven't tried the shake yet, but I will this week. http://www.primallyinspired.com/protein-workout-recovery-shake-using-gelatin/

The main problem with soups is that they don't contain much protein because of the liquids. I have had soup here and there since surgery, like when I am sick or it's cold out, but I count it as a snack and not a meal due to the low protein in the amount that I can eat. I have read that people have added protein powder to soup, which can also be an option if you are really craving soup.

I second the binder- it helped me SO much my first three weeks after surgery. I got mine from my surgeon's office but you can buy them online and at medical supply stores.

I had this too after my gallbladder surgery. What I suspect is that I had an incision in my belly button that should have been sutured but was not. The first two days after surgery I was bleeding from my belly button but then it stopped. After four weeks, I was still seeing crust and oozing from my belly button so I had it checked out and found out that the wound had never healed. I then needed to have it packed and treated with silver nitrate and after another month it had finally healed. My surgeon told me that she sometimes uses a tool to lift the abdomen when putting gas in the abdomen before surgery. Of course she said she didn't use that on me, but clearly she did since I had the non-healing wound to prove it. She said it also could have been a cyst or abscess, but I pointed out that I was bleeding from my belly button for two days after surgery. Anyway, I had to have a month wound care treatments to get it to clear up, so you should have it checked out. A non-healing wound can become infected, so you need to be careful with that.

Interesting. I am a federal employee and I just looked up what my benefit is, and I can also get my gym membership paid with a doctor's note. I am spending a small fortune on my personal trainer, so I am definitely going to do this next year since I have no money left for this year! Here is what the website says: https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/summaryofbenefits.asp#HowdoIsubmitGym

You might be feeling great and have no pain but it takes 30 days for your muscles to heal on the inside. By not listening to your doctor and exercising too early you could disrupt the internal healing process and set yourself back weeks or even back in the OR. Just keep walking and taking it easy- before you know it you will be cleared for all exercise and breaking in the new eliptical.

I had a few bites of pizza at about eight weeks. I have only had it a few times since surgery since I do mostly Paleo, but I usually just eat the toppings because even thin crust is too filling and I don't get in enough protein. But you would be amazed how good just the pizza toppings taste- I never even miss the crust!

I ate a lot of soup from restaurants- my fav was Panera Bread's Broccoli Cheddar soup. I blended it up and ate it several times a week for my weeks on puree. Also Wendy's chili with a few saltines is really good too. I also experimented with many different versions of smoothies adding in whatever I thought might taste good- my fav was pineapple, mango, and coconut. (I pretended it had rum in in and that I was on a beach somewhere...) The last few days are the worst because you are SO sick of eating the same things over and over, but hang in there, you are almost through this!!!

Try different temperatures like really cold or warm. I sipped a lot of hot herbal tea the first few days. I couldn't tolerate anything super cold. But then week 2 all I wanted was frozen slushies.

Depends on what your surgeon told you. I could only walk (regular or treadmill) for the first four weeks, and then I was cleared for all exercise, but you need to do what your doctor says since we are all different.