brinkleyd

On the subject of calories, DON'T stress them, one week out you should be mostly on Protein shakes and purees if your doctor allows it, mine made me stay on fluids for 2 weeks to avoid damage to the pouch. Water is your best friend, and you can flavor it with sugar free drinks, minute maid, kool aid, for sweetener you can add Splenda or Stevia. One thing too that will help you a lot is walking, it helps strengthen those muscles that were manipulated. My surgery was in Feb. and all this is fresh in my mind.

The pain you are feeling is completely normal. I had pain from my back to the navel, to the upper left hand incision point (that is where they pull the excess stomach out). After 2 months I was completely pain free. REMEMBER to be careful with lifting, bending, eating things you should not. And remember to take your vitamins and your acid reducers. If you do all that you will ease that pain, YOU will be fine in no time. It just seems like forever when you are in pain. Holding a pillow to your stomach and putting a heating pad on it will help ease your discomfort. Relax you are on the way to a healthier you! :-)