BellaItaliana

Refried Beans are okay. Especially if you whip 'em through the food processor a little bit. However, don't overdo it on the beans because of course they can be gassy.

That's totally normal. When I was a week out, absolutely everything exhausted me. I actually had to lay down after taking a shower. Your body is still deep in healing mode. Just keep getting in as much Protein as you can and don't worry about it... you will get your energy back soon. I'm one month out now, and honestly can't say I felt close to normal until sometime last week.

Sometimes the cost difference is in reference to your BMI. The higher the BMI the more the cost.

Cost difference for BMI is usually only about $500.

One main difference is that some of the cheaper ones use a "clinic" instead of a hospital and you do most of your recovery in a hotel. I went to one of the more "expensive" doctors, and I think I definitely paid for his experience, but even more so for three days in the hospital for recovery. For me it made all the difference. It was a very modern, clean hospital and I felt like I was in very good hands. That's my story, and that's why I paid more.

I told my mom (she went with me for the surgery), my sister, and my closest friend... only because I knew she would be very suspicious about my eating/drinking changes. I don't plan on telling anyone else. As far as what do I tell other people? I tell them I am doing high protein/low carb, and exercising. Also, if I am at a BBQ or something (which has happened recently) and there's nothing for me to eat, I tell them I'm on a diet and I had a Protein Shake right before I got there. It's usually true. As far as alcohol, I have used Migraines as my excuse for not drinking lately.

My feeling is that it is nobody's business but mine, and I don't want to be known from here on out as the "girl who had weight loss surgery" in my extended group of friends. I believe it's a totally personal decision if you want to tell people or not. I decided not to tell, and although it's only been a month, it's working out fine so far.

I'm not married, but I can tell you that my friends definitely think I'm no fun anymore. I am just less than one month out from surgery now. All I can say is hopefully this part is temporary. I fully plan to be "fun" again when I'm healed and back to myself!

For me, it makes a big difference how big the sips are. Are you gulping or taking little sips? This was really hard for me to get used to, and sometimes I still forget... if I'm watching TV or something, I may accidentally take a big gulp of Water, and I definitely feel it in that spot in my ribs.

I'm on pureed and soft foods, and I am eating scrambled eggs and egg salad. Both have worked out fine.

I have had mild pain under my left rib cage too since surgery (8/17). I figured it was my sleeve continuing to heal, since it seemed to be the exact spot where my sleeve is sitting. I think it has gotten less every day, slowly. Anybody have a clue what it's from? I read somewhere that they attach the sleeve to the wall of the abdomen... is that true, and if so could it be those stitches causing the pain?

What do you put in your chicken salad?

Just Mayonnaise and whatever spices I want.... and then I put two teaspoons of Pickle Juice to help puree it! Also, one time I put avocado in there too... I figured I used to like chicken breast sandwiches with avocado on them, so what's the difference? I think it came out good, but some people might not like it.

Did your doctor tell you specifically not to do Protein Shakes because of a medical condition or does he/she just not believe in them in general??? I think long term we need to try to get off Protein shakes, but at three weeks out (which is where I am now too), they are a lifesaver. There is no way I would get my full protein in without the protein shakes. However, I also am having eggs, cottage cheese, and tuna and chicken salad which I whip up in the food processor.

Prior to surgery, never in a million years did I think I'd say this, but..... Goodwill! You can buy really cheap shirts and pants, and then get rid of them without any guilt as soon as they become too big.

How many carbs are you eating? Just a suggestion, but for me, the more carbs I eat the hungrier I am. That said, I am currently eating a little something every 2-3 hours, but I am on the puree stage right now and I can't eat more than 3-4 bites at a time. And I am careful that whatever I'm eating is low carb.

Worst case scenario is he will be stopped at the border and not allowed back in. You need a passport or passport card to re-enter the US, and with 54 days you have time to get that (especially expedited). I bet you could even get his birth certificate from England in time, if you go online to order it and pay for the expedited shipping. If I were you, I wouldn't risk going over the border without the passport or passport card to get back.

I understand it's not easy. I just started on soft foods, and I am not hungry at all. Don't feel like eating. But I'm forcing myself to put food in there anyway, b/c I know I can't go without eating... it's really unhealthy. I'm trying to eat things with the highest Protein possible, so I get as much protein in even with the little amount of food I'm eating. Yeah, do some research on protein and find things that have high levels... that way when you do eat, you're getting the most out of it.

It looks like you had your surgery over a month ago. You need to be eating so you get your Protein in. It's super important for long term health and even short term energy. I wouldn't want someone watching my every eating move either, so I get that, but try to get your protein in, however you do it.

I think you just ate the shrimp too soon. At one week out, your sleeve is really not very far along in its healing yet. My plan doesn't allow solid food like shrimp (or anything solid) until at least 30 days out. At 7 days I was still on Clear Liquids, then full liquids (cream Soups, etc) for ten days after that. If you take it slow and don't eat things that your stomach isn't yet ready for, it won't hurt as much.... and someday after you're totally healed, you'll be able to eat "normal" food again... just alot less of it. The stage you're in now is temporary.... try not rush it.

If you are bleeding, and you are sure it is because of that fall, you need to go to the ER. That's my opinion.

It does! I'm 21 days post op today, stalled for the last 10 days, and lo and behold it broke this morning. Lost two pounds. So hang in there!

You're not failing. You're in the legendary 3 week stall. Almost everyone experiences it. Do a search on 3 week stall and you'll see. Just stick to your plan and it will break. Your body is just trying to catch up to the weight you lost quickly in the first two weeks. Give it a little time and keep following your plan.

That definitely sounds like an allergic reaction. Does it happen with anything else??

Ha! Well, mine's boring compared to the naked guy. I wore pajamas for about two weeks straight. Left the hospital in a pajama / sweats outfit. Anything with a very comfortable stretchy waistband, b/c you'll have incisions around that area. I also slept and sat in a recliner for the first several days.

LOL... I've lost 45 Swedish Meatballs.

They ask you to stop because it raises your risk of blood clots with surgery.

I scheduled surgery about a month before I actually had it. At that time, my doctor told me to finish out the pack I was currently taking, and don't start a new one. However, if my current pack was not going to end before surgery, keep taking them as normal-- don't stop a pack halfway through, in other words. I think doctors are weighing the slightly higher risk of blood clots if you are on BC, against the risk of getting pregnant.