blissfulbeing

Onward!! You're are in the one hundreds!! Get down with your bad self! Avhick - you are blowing right through the pounds! Way to go! You two must feel light as feathers!! I'm so amazed by you! Keep these reports coming - it's so good to hear from you! I'm down 17 pounds, which feels amazing. I was down seven pre-op and ten since surgery. It's quite extraordinary. I'm already looking forward to eating some real food. I was sure I would be stronger than to complain, but, man, the protein shakes and strained soup are just getting so tiresome. I've tried to tell myself that it's not about enjoyment.. It's about healing. So, I'm bucking up and braving it out. Still.. Really looking forward to four and a half weeks from now when I can have some chicken! Lol! Keep up the great work, team!

Also, maybe the cheese soup was too rich.. Anyway, lesson learned!

Oh my goodness! I diluted a cheese soup with lots of broth and strained it (all allowed per my surgeon) and for the first time in weeks I actually feel FULL! Lord help me, I almost ate through it because I haven't felt fullness in so long that I almost didn't recognize it. I was about to take another bite and then.. WHOA! Hold up! My new stomach was about to get M-A-D! Thank God I stopped! And, yay! Now I know that I can and will get full. I know it's a little crazy, but I was starting to worry a little about that since getting in all my liquids has been so easy. Now I'm just waiting this feeling out.. A little introduction to what is yet to come. When did you guys first experience that "uh-oh" feeling when learning how to eat again?

You look fantastic!!

Day 7 has been so amazing!! I'm getting about 50 ounces of liquid and 20 grams of protein. Everyday I do a little better! So happy I got sleeved!!

Amazeballs! What great work you have done! Thanks for sharing your inspirational photos - and keep up the great work!

It really shows! Congratulations!

????Yay for all of us!???? I actually had a moment today when I forgot I had had surgery. I was just sitting so comfortably that I forgot for a second. So cool! I am really looking forward to the next phase of starting to really see and feel the changes! I know it will probably be tough to figure out the food stuff at first, but I can do it! My doc does three weeks liquid then three weeks of puréed. Feels like a long time til I can try doing any sort of regular food, but I trust him and I'm going to do whatever he says. ????

What a great thread! I'm six days post-op (counting the day I had surgery as day 1). I had a horrible first three days. My second day was worse than the first. I begged to not have to try to drink anything. The doc said no problem. I think it might have even been kind of good to wait an extra day since I was being hydrated through my IV, but I'm not a doctor, so I can't say for sure. On day 3 I drank about 8 ounces of Water and apple juice. I just wanted to do whatever I had to do to get out of the hospital. Day 4, 5, and 6 have been so much better! I'm only up to 30-34 ounces of Fluid, but I'm working towards 40 for today. I also only just started Protein yesterday. Only got in about 10 grams. I feel so relieved when people say to focus on the hydration over the protein. I hope they're right!

Oh my gosh, Onward - your post about running with your puppy made my day! I could just feel your joy! It's been wonderful to have you as one of our front runners leading the way and sharing your journey. Your spirit is a true gift!

Hi everyone! I'm back! Congrats to all of you that are making such great progress! And best wishes to those of you that are heading in for surgery soon. I had my surgery on 2/10 (Tuesday). I went into the surgery feeling great and ready for the journey. The minute I woke up from surgery I was in hideous pain. They gave me pain meds, but they made me incredibly nauseous. So, it was 24 hours of hell. Just keeping it real with all of you. I never regretted my decision once. I just had to deal with the suffering, which was no joke. I had over 40 text messages the day of my surgery, but couldn't even read or respond to them. I read on the discussions boards of people updating us right after surgery.. What? I was a mess. Also, the hospital I was in was not a good experience. I don't even want to go into that part because it's feedback that needs to go to the doctors and hospital. Ok, now for the much better part. After two nights and three days, I'd made enough progress to go home. The physician's assistant told me that in the morning of the final day, so I practically broke out of the hospital! I packed my bags and got myself dressed before they even said it was time to go home. Got to leave around 4pm when my wonderful parents came to pick me up. God, it was great to get out of there. Let me tell you the thought that persistently ran through my mind in bold neon letters: I can never go through this again. This is my sign to take the ultimate care of my new stomach and the second chance at life that this surgery has afforded me. Stayed at my parents that night and pretty much slept like a baby. Four straight hours, awake for about thirty minutes with gas pain, then asleep for another three and a half hours. It was GLORIOUS. I woke up feeling like a new woman. Walking and moving great. It was amazing. So, days 1-3.. UGH! Day 4 - amazeballs. I expected the same kind of exponential shift on day 5, but I feel pretty much the same as yesterday - maybe a little more tired. I focused solely on hydration yesterday, so today's new goal is protein. I'm sippin on a protein shake as we speak. I'm tracking everything I eat and do. Oh! For the people heading into surgery, here are my favorite hot tips: Biotene mouth spray - what a lifesaver! And Burt's Bees lip balm - my lips were gnarly chapped and gross those three days. I brought a lavender air freshener, but couldn't remotely be bothered with it. Also brought the plug and extension cord for my iPhone, but I never really used my phone, so I didn't need it. I'm grateful for the people that shared these ideas in previous discussion boards because some of the ideas really helped! So, I'm on my way now! I hope I can hold in my mind the pain and suffering of that surgery so that I remember to take the best care of my new tummy as possible! Looking forward to an exciting new future and lots of living life to its fullest! Thank you for all of the nice comments and support - you guys are truly amazing!

What a transformation! Congratulations!

I hope I'm not in too much pain! The post-op part makes me feel a little nervous! But being on my way to a new me sounds wonderful! Thanks for the encouragement!

My big day is tomorrow! Whoo hoo!! I want to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you for the vast amounts of information, encouragement, and support! If I did not have all of you in my world, I think I would be very, very nervous tonight. I actually feel ok - just a little nervous, but mostly excited to get this phase started. Thank you for sharing your experiences, knowledge, and vulnerabilities. It is amazing to have this vast group of support! It's been a 10-month journey through the classes, medical tests, six-month supervised diet, and long awaited approval. I can hardly believe that the big day is here! Lots of love to all of you! My gratitude is immense! Prayers, good thoughts, and support are welcome! Surgery is at 10am tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the big day! I can't believe it is finally here! 10am tomorrow morning - I will be on my way on a whole new journey!

It's almost my time, Onward! 48 hours! Your positive posts have kept me inspired during the pre-op journey. I hope all is well with you!

Avhick.. You remembered about me! So nice of you! I am 48 hours away from surgery! Been on the pre-op diet for six days and am feeling great. I feel like I should be nervous, but I'm not. It will probably hit me at some point once I check in for surgery. I went sky diving once and wasn't even remotely nervous until they opened the door and it was time to jump out. Seems like this might be similar. ???? How are you doing? How is the rest of the "New Day" crew doing? Updates, please!

Awesome!! Congratulations!!

You got this! Good luck!

Hope you have a great surgery! Good luck for tomorrow!

Wow.. I mean, 10 days! I'm so excited I cannot count correctly! ????

????HAPPY FEBRUARY!???? Ten days until my surgery!! SO EXCITED! It's our time, ladies and gents!! ????

I'm eight days away from surgery and I can hardly wait!! I'm so ready!!

It is so wonderful to hear how great you all are doing! Your stories are very inspiring! My surgery is in just under two weeks! I can't believe it's finally going to happen! ????

The document you shared is fantastic! Thank you!