DeniseNCC1701

Wow!!!! How inspiring! And what a lovely couple you make!

Posting your situation here is a great first step to getting back on track! I know I did the same thing myself last week. Yep, I vote for Protein shakes, limit/eliminate carbs. Ditch all trigger foods for now. Mine is Peanut Butter. Talk with your therapist. Talk to all of us. We've all been there, and we all struggle from time to time. Not to spoil the ending for you, but everything is going to be OK. Be well…

I'm sorry you're having a rough time. Maybe your doctor can give you some (or different) pain medications. I know heating pads across my upper chest helped me a great deal during my first week home. Be well…

Thanks for that link, it's very informative!

I'm agreeing with all the posts! I too was concerned that when I was able to take in more than I thought what appropriate during my full liquid stage. But once I moved to pureed foods, that all changed. My surgeon allows white flaky fish at this stage, and I definitely feel the restriction! Be well…

I have a high arch, wide feet (10WW), plantar faciitis/achilles tendonitis and a bunion. I love Aetrex and Orthaheel. New Balance and Saucony are good too! I didn't have luck with Drew or Spira (the ones with the coils in the heel). Be well…

I use: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BBJTBE0/ref=oh_details_o06_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Very tasty!

The first two weeks post-op, all I kept thinking about was pizza. LOL Now 5-weeks out, I still think about certains foods. I've even screwed up by indulging a couple of times. It wasn't worth it. Be well…

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the support! I weighed in this morning, and no loss this past week, but no gain. Moving on...

I haven't lost that much weight yet, but I too have had this happen to me at work! I've had to put a cusion on my chair. LOL Be well…

Oh, I felt the effects of the foods, definitely! I ate the first piece, and could not fit any more. I was uncomfortable, felt and heard all sorts of grumblings as my tummy protested. Yet about an hour later, I went back for the second piece! *sigh* The Cadbury egg went down easier, but you know, I didn't enjoy it at all. I didn't enjoy any of it, actually. Physically, I feel OK today, and my eating is back on track. I might take a couple days and go back to the basics of Clear liquids with Protein shakes. I am seeing a therapist... have an appointment tomorrow night, actually. This is something I'll need to work on!

I thought I'd just put my thoughts out here to keep myself accountable and aware: They can remove a big part of my stomach, but the demons are still in my head. I'm almost 5 weeks post-op, and Friday I stopped at the market and found myself purchasing (and later eating) two pieces of fried chicken and a Cadbury Creme egg. Yesterday I found myself grazing all day on Peanut Butter, cottage cheese and cheese slices. I've reeled myself in, at the expense what might be a 2 pound gain for the week. And I'm supposed to be on pureed foods on top of it all. What was I thinking? I've logged everything into MyFitnessPal to stay accountable. I've thrown out the cheeses. I guess what's happening is that things are starting to "return to normal" for me, and the old habits are rearing their ugly heads. I have to admit that the power of these old habits is taking me by surprise, and it's unnerving! I'm feeling very disappointed in myself.

Excellent! Congratulations!

…and another NSV: My primary was so thrilled, that she ran two blood tests. My A1c is down from 12.2 to 9.6. Allowing for the fact that it's really just been the past month that my bloodsugar has improved, it's a pretty big jump. And my Fructosamine came back… wait for it… NORMAL! It's a miracle.

I was at my (1) month post-op follow-up with my primary on Tuesday. I had taken off my shoes to weigh in. While at the front desk checking out, without even thinking about it, I bent down to tie my shoes. It was pretty effortless. When I stood back up, I realized what had just happened. I bent down to tie my shoes. Without feeling faint. Without cutting off my breathing. Without having my face turn red. Such a simple thing. I was thrilled.

*grin* NICE!!!

I think confused is an understatement! It is, most likely, a combination of all of the above. Although personally, I wasn't particularly hungry the first few days. Pain will mess with your head. Give it a couple of days, and I'm sure you'll find the "fog" lifting! Be well…

I live in NJ too (Sparta/Sussex County). I'm seeing a therapist, as I too struggled with binge eating. But if you'd be so kind as to send me your therapist references, I'd appreciate it! I like the one I have now, but I'd like to have as many options as possible. Be well...

LOL! My sleeve did that with cottage cheese of all things.

Congratulations on the start of your journey! Positive thoughts being send your way. I wish you a great surgery and speedy recovery!

I asked my surgeon if he could put Vitamins in my IV, and he did. I believe it helped with my recovery. The first few days home were rough, but by the 4th or 5th day, I felt much better. Heating pads helped with the pain in my left shoulder. Bring something to keep you entertained and distracted at the hospital. I bought slippers with me. And yes, get used to sipping Water all day long! It's something I'm still trying to get used to. Be well…

1. I'm trying to do the no Water 30mins prior, during and 30mins after a meal.… Yep, it's lifelong. It's something most of us have to work at to "learn". But from what I understand, it's critical to success.
 2. I tried a shake this morning (1 scoop of whey chocolate powder (30g of protein) and 8oz of chocolate almond milk). … I'm partial to Isopure Protein water (the pineapple is my favorite). It does have an aftertaste, but it packs a protein punch, which is much needed, especially when you're in the liquid diet stage(s). For powder, I like Eat the Bear brand. It’s a little on the sweet side, but it dissolves quickly and smoothly in water, and the taste is OK. I’ve also recent purchased Garden for Life Raw Protein in the Chai Tea flavor. Don’t really care for it, but I do half and half with the Eat the Bear powder. It is based on sprouted seeds and has some Fiber, which I could use right now. 3. Is there no snack between meals ever? In a perfect world, Snacks should probably be protein based (sardines, jerky, small amounts of Peanut Butter, greek yogurt, cheese sticks, etc…) I think you’ll find your hunger greatly diminished, and the need for a snack might subside a bit. 4. I'm switching to decaf so I can get used to no caffeine. I’ve been having caffeine since a few days post-op, though it’s 1 medium Dunkin in the morning (with cream). Herbal tea, water, Isopusre and water flavored with True Lemon/True Lime make up the rest of the day. 5. Do you have to puree food the 2nd week? The thought of eating pureed chicken or tuna makes me kinda sick lol... I had 3 days clear liquids pre-op, than 1 week clear liquids post-op, second week full liquids, and pureed foods starting week 3. I couldn’t wait until I was able to have scrambled eggs. I’ll be on purees until April 20. Pureed chicken breast isn’t that bad if you puree it with chicken stock and serve it up with a dollop of mushroom gravy. My doctor allows for white fish, flaked (doesn’t have to be pureed), so I enjoy that too. Liver pate has become a new staple for me. Best of luck to you!

6-8 ounces? Wow! I can only manage about 3-4, 5 on a good day. Don't try to force it, that's for sure. Maybe stick with cream Soups, cottage cheese, and the softer, more "liquidy" things for a few days? Be well…

I had (and continue to have) diarrhea issues too, especially if the food is too rich. Cottage cheese in particular goes right through me. I mentioned it to my surgeon last week, and he didn't seem concerned at all. He said my plumbing is still sorting itself out. He also said taking Immodium every couple days would be OK to keep things in check. Hang in there, I hope it gets better (for the both of us!) Be well…

My surgeon had me do a 3-day clear liquids pre-op. I did low-carb(ish) on my own for about 10 days before, but I didn't go crazy. As for returning to work, I had my surgery on Mon 2/24 and was back at work full time the following Monday. I have a desk job, which helped.