wannaBthinsoon

I'm there now. Not very dang many. I have to supplement with 2 Protein shakes right now. I can have about an ounce of meat, or one egg (sometimes only 1/2 an egg) one slice of deli meat, or one baby bell cheese, or one string cheese....With eating so little, and expected to get in 60-70 gms of protein, the shakes are needed for me right now.

@@mandaroo I don't think the craving ever really goes away. But it may become easier to work through them. I am only 1 year and 2 months smoke free. I hope I never pick them up again. This is the longest I've gone without smoking, So, I am giving credit to my ecig. It is a nice substitute and it doesn't stink up my house, car or hair!

@@laguerr13 Holy smokes!! You are gonna do GREAT!!

I love my e-cig though. I use 0 nicotine black cherry e-juice. Not harmful. It has vegetable glycol...the edible kind used in baking) I don't have to have it as much as I used to have cigarettes (can you say chainsmoker!?) But I think it is the act of blowing smoke that I like, plus I do like the black cherry taste! No calories either!! BONUS!

@@KayStar728 yes. this (too) is normal. Stay off the scale for a while.

My job allows 4 weeks, so I took 4 weeks. then I took a week of vacation! I enjoyed every minute of it. This was retirement practice, and we are still speaking to eachother! If you can get the time....take the time. You need it to not only heal, but re-learn how to eat! (step away from the pancakes!) (sorry that was another thread)

@@laguerr13 Ok, you made me laugh out loud! Thanks, I'm better now!

@ I KNOW!!!!!

OMG! what was I thinking? I am totally beating myself up right now! The hubs asked for eggs, bacon and pancakes for Breakfast. So, I made it for him. I had a yogurt about 3 hours before, and was a little hungry. He left a pancake.....a small one......and I ate it. I planned to just "taste" it. But...I ATE IT!! I have not had any simple carbs in about 6 weeks (maybe more). I don't plan to make this a habit, but I have to admit, it went down way too easy, and now I know it's not a good thing for me. Maybe this will break my stall.

@@Bob B The advice given so far doesn't seem to appeal to you. I don't have any advice to give, but I get it. I don't care about food either, but I am not in your situation. As far as my job.....I don't like it either, lol But it is not in the food industry, it is in corporate america, and I'm close to retirement. All I have is well wishes that you find your happy place, and come to terms with whatever path you take to get there.

yep! I was hungry all the time at first. When I moved to the soft food stage is when I felt the restriction. Now I am lucky if I can get down 1 oz of anything at meal time. eggs, chicken salad, cottage cheese, refried Beans, stuff like that. I have added an additional Protein shake so I can meet my protein requirements.

@@raquel_c (warning..TMI) Oh yes!! OMG!! I nearly called an ambulance a couple of times because it was stuck and would not come out of my body! I freaked out! Now I take a chewable Fiber pill and miralax every day. At least till I have some veggies and fruit in my diet. I thought it was due to the pain meds , and it might have been at first, but that was 4 weeks ago, and I had another episode last week. It scared me!! It was like a dang boulder stuck in my body!! MIralax is your friend.

I just came right out and told him. After a few years of talking about how much I wanted the surgery, I finally took insurance out through my work after he retired. I told him I took the insurance out for the purpose of having the surgery. I was honest and upfront from the beginning. No reason to hide anything, or be ashamed. This is for your health, so why should he be jealous? He should be happy! After all this is something that can help to extend your life! Best wishes in whatever you decide.

@@FunBetty The time may seem to drag, but you need this time. (I didn't like hearing that either, but it's true). It will be here before you know it!!

Love both those shows too!

Changes after WLS....Well........I eat less, that's for sure!! I'm drinking lots more Water, and much less coffee (found out my creamer was making me fat! Imagine THAT!!) I weigh less, my clothes are getting baggy. My emotional state is much better than it was before surgery. Before I had the surgery, I was wallowing in self pity and feeding it with junk which was contributing to the weight, which was making me wallow in self pity. Such an endless circle. So glad I had the surgery!

Oh! I am totally a girl!

This totally made my day! I had to sneak a peak, and of course, I was not disappointed!! Good one @@LipstickLady

@@Willow822 same here.

@@jadama22 I don't blame you, I wouldn't either. If they can do it all at once, that would be awesome. I know I wouldn't want to have to go through one recovery just to have to go through another one right afterward. Surgeons are so skilled these days, I'm sure you will do great.

My BMI was 42 when I began this journey, and the people I chatted with in the waiting room all thought I was post surgery, and told me I looked great! ha! When I told them I was pre-op, they'd all say....you don't need the surgery, you could do it with just diet and exercise. (really?!) I just smiled and said thank you, or you are so kind. etc.

I quit on 4-1-14 in preparation for this surgery. Best decision ever. My hubs quit with me. We both smoked 30+ years.

If it were me, I would wait to do the gall bladder later. It is full of bile, and your new tummy could be compromised. But I am not a doctor. If it isn't safe to do it at the same time, he will likely not do it at the same time. At least ethically he shouldn't. (First do no harm)

@ I wondered the same thing. I was also super hungry all the time. It all changes once you move to soft foods. You will TOTALLY feel the restriction then!

@@FraggleRock Holy smokes! Your experience sounds pretty dreadful! I am so sorry you had to experience that! I am happy to see that horrible experience is behind you and you are doing well. Congrats on the pounds lost!!