VDB

Once I get to the solid food phase, sushi will be on the list!!! Can't wait! I like the cucumber wraps too

2 1/2 weeks post by-pass. I can't stand chewable Calcium Citrate, anyone recommend a non-chewable 500mg alternative? The ones I have are about the size of a thick quarter, and taste really gross to me. Thanks in advance.

Hi, I am two weeks post surgery. I am doing really quite well, but getting back in the pool will really help. My incisions have to be completely healed, no scabs or holes.

I use XL foam dumbbells and do an hour of very rigorous underwater exercise, focused on aerobic level benefit, and core muscle building, followed by some weights and light reps. I also walk and in six months will be back on my street bike, which I have not been able to ride for 15 years....

How are you doing?

My surgery was April 21. Overall, doing quite well. Due to my height and bone mass (size 8 1/4 head, size 18 feet!) my pouch is larger than normal. Started out at 422#, dropping inches fast now. Just walking and get to return in swimming in two weeks. Now on mushy foods, trying something new each day. Chewing is a challenge due to a history of shoveling food fast.

About me: A retired shrink, age 64, live in rural Colorado. Fat since I was 3 years old, but had a great career. The increasing diabetes and fear of what would happen brought me to surgery, as well as potential mobility problems. Took me a year plus to get approval from insurance, it was a long wait and surgery was scheduled for June but a date opened up in April and boom --- it is done.

Challenges: I really can't visualize myself as a normal size person. My core identity is fat, and have always been pretty comfortable in my skin. My wife is very supportive and very understanding, she is a normal size person.

Thanks! Would like another man roughly similar to me in age and surgery date, but any big man would be good to hear from, to share strategies and experiences.

I am two weeks post bypass and find that I can keep hydrated with several hundred small sips a day, I like Water but also Crystal Light. I have been able to eat watery refried Beans with some salsa in it. But the real winner is strangely, Cream of Wheat. I make a double batch (2 cups of Water, 1/3 cup COW) and add two scoops of Protein powder in it, and a couple of Splenda packets. I let it cook thoroughly and then cover and sit for ten minutes. It is delicious.

My weight kept me from most aerobic sport, with problems with ankles. Three years prior to surgery, I started doing vigorous workouts in the local pool. This has ended up being the first exercise I could maintain and now love it and miss it due to being in recovery -- two more weeks and I can go back. I know that when I lose another 30 pounds that I will be able to do more walking and use my treadmill without joint problems. My real goal is to be light enough to get back on my street bicycle -- maybe six months from now! Good topic!

I am two weeks post bypass. Healing good, no major problems better chewing can't solve. I can't wait to get back in the local rec center pool, are any of you swimmers and did you get back into the pool quickly? My Dr. says two more weeks, any suggestions for pace? I know I will want to overdo it, but will restrain myself.

Hi there, I had my gastric bypass exactly 15 days ago, and I understand the "being scared" part of this journey. All I can say is my experience, which is only two episodes of nausea, no vomiting, pain is now gone and the incisions are almost healed. I have lots of energy and have lost over 20 pounds. I had a bit of depression at the end of week one but it has lifted, I think this is such a huge choice that there was some let down. I kept to the Protein drinks (I used EAS from Target, mixed 50% with powdered dry milk) and they worked fine, lots of Water. Now, I am on the mushy food step, mostly cream of wheat Cereal with added Protein powder, string cheese, mushed avocado, sugar free Jello with a small amount of banana added in, a bit of flaky white fish, a bit of refried no fat Beans with a low fat cheese (very good), am going to try pumpkin pudding today made with Splenda. Scrambled eggs have not gone down well. I chewed some crackers but they swelled up and caused discomfort.

Now, I am just two weeks from being able to get back in the pool!! Good luck, it is worth it!!!