catwoman7

it depends on what it is. Something dense like fish or chicken I can't eat much of - maybe 2 oz. Soup or salad I can probably eat 1.5 cups of.

I think at three months when I was cleared for all foods. The acid bothered me at first, though - but not anymore.

I hardly ever eat ketchup since most things I'd put it on I can't eat (i.e., French fries), but I've had the regular kind and never had problems with it. But then, I didn't eat very much of it, either. I don't think I had it until I was 3 or 4 months out. I've made crustless quiche a couple of times. I can't imagine quiche - crustless or not - with ketchup though!!

I've been doing yoga for 12 years (pre- and post-op). I rarely have trouble with poses (but then, I mostly go to gentle or Yin classes), but the above poster is right in that a good instructor can come up with modifications that will "work" for you.

I didn't have any problems at all - no one asked any questions or even asked to see them. It might be different if you're flying internationally, but I sailed right through on a domestic flight

it's the infamous "three-week stall" - right on time! Mine lasted two weeks.

I started eating berries and bananas pureed in my Protein shakes pretty early on - maybe the second week out. I've been eating (whole) berries on my yogurt since I was first moved from the pureed to soft food stage at four weeks out. I wasn't allowed to eat raw vegetables until month three. Lettuce still bothers me. I know some people have trouble with fruit with skins, too (I haven't tried those yet)

Peanut Butter is probably OK in moderation (but note what the above poster wrote about reduced-fat products). Not sure about the crackers. I'm five months out and have been on solid foods for awhile. I haven't had any white flour products (like crackers) yet. I'm not sure if I was told to *completely* avoid them, but I know at minimum I have to be really careful with them. I just avoid them to make it easy. But then, programs are different...

pizza!

I was walking right away. I think I was doing everything but weights once I was four weeks out. Weights I think i started around 6-8 weeks out.

I think it can be a behavioral addiction for some people, but probably not a substance addiction (like drugs). Although behavioral addictions can be just as strong - compulsive gambling is a behavioral addiction, too. Although there seems to be a lot of disagreement about this. Some people say there's really no such thing as food addiction - but others insist there *is*. And on top of that, people define it differently, which makes it even more confusing...

I had surgery the day after you (June 3). I average 800-1000 kcal per day. Although I should add I'm supposed to get 80-100 grams of Protein in a day because I absorb less of it than most patients. It's hard (for me) to eat less than 800 kcal with those protein requirements.

they only thing I've had so far are strictures - but that's an easy fix

I do high Protein, moderately low-carb (*not* ultra low-carb). Sort of like a South Beach thing. Or a Mediterranean diet without the bread, rice and Pasta.

from what I've heard/read, it usually starts falling out at 3 or 4 months out, but it can start as late as six months. I'm quickly approaching five months (with no loss so far) and am cautiously optimistic, but I won't rest easy until I hit the six-month mark.

I still go out to eat (not as much as before, but i still do). I now order a cup of soup or an appetizer, and I'm fine with that. Never thought I'd be satisfied with that, but I am....

For my multi, I just take Centrum Silver or the generic equivalent (two per day). CVS brand is about half the price of Centrum, and they seem to go on sale fairly often (BOGO)

it'll definitely slow down, so don't freak when it does..

you're bound to get a hundred different answers because people's tastes vary so much, but I personally like unjury and Syntrax products. You can get samples of both.

from what I can see on the boards, it can vary considerably depending on the surgeon.

it seems most people lose a lot the first month or two, then it slows down to about 2-3 lbs a week. And it slows down even more once you're a few months out.....

from what I've seen on this and other forums, surgeons seems to be across the board on this. Some allow it right away, some allow decaf only, some allow limited amounts of caffeine when you're further out from surgery. Both decaf and regular have acid, and caffeine has caffeine (duh!) to boot. Both can be hard on healing stomachs - and caffeine can be dehydrating. that said, I was allowed unlimited decaf at the three-month mark, and one cup of caffeinated per day at the six-month mark. You might want to check with your surgeon's office to see what they say.

I hit this particular NSV about a month ago, and I agree it was fabulous! My most exciting NSV yet!

I probably can, but I don't. I don't try to push the envelope at all. I'm in my 50's and have gained and lost hundreds of pounds over the course of my adult life. This is my last chance. I'll do whatever I can not to fail at this - especially given all the hassle and expense of surgery.

I just ate it with a spoon until I could eat solid food again. Now I eat it with baby carrots