prettyCali916

It's really good but I can only take two or three bites and I have to stop. Not having to mash anything but its an option. I chew the soft foods very well. My options are really limited lol! Here's what I can actually eat (plus all full liquids from before): So as you can see it's not much but I'm happy! I still had to have a protein shake (30g of protein) this morning just because I want to make sure I can get it all in.

Oh that sounds delicious. I can't start soft foods until 2/29. I think they want me to master these other stages before since I haven't been getting my pureed foods down well. It's right around the corner!!!

I had salmon for dinner tonight at a restaurant and it was amazing. And so little made me so full!

My hubby actually puréed a burger patty he had made with beef broth and it was delicious. I think he added an ounce of low fat cheese. I've moved to days 15 - 30 which for me is soft fish, soups, puréed chicken and meat, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu, deli meat, eggs and string cheese. Plus all the other stuff.

Another update: This whole time I've been dreading eating out. During my psych eval it was actually something that my therapist and I spoke at length about. We agreed that I should not do what I normally do which is cut off all social events around food while I lose weight. Instead, I am supposed to embrace the events, go to them and make good choices. My husband asked to take me out to dinner. We got to the restaurant and I ordered Water. He apologized up front and said he was going to pig out tonight - I was ok with that, I wanted him to be normal lol. I ended up ordering the grilled salmon and mashed potatoes. I ate an ounce of salmon and a bite of mashed potatoes. I felt full and happy. We had a great time. I ordered the mashed potatoes because they are soft and my dr said no grain so rice def wasn't an option. The salmon is on my list. I did well and I'm excited we went. Felt good to know i can survive out there... ESPECIALLY since I have to go to Palm Springs all week next week for work. I'm more at ease about that now.

Update: Didn't quite make it: 263.8 lol! So I'm down 19.8 pounds since surgery and 25 since 3 days before surgery. Yay!!!! I made Greek yogurt + Syntrax unflavored. Disgusting. I ate it all but will never make it again. For lunch - salmon pack + 1tbsp ff mayo + boiled egg = meh. I ate half of it but my 16 month old was tearing it up lol! Tomorrow I think I'll just have a plain ol' egg lol!

So glad to hear that you are doing well, I'm sure the numbers on the scale will be kind but if not look at all of your current NSV's ???????????? I actually weigh myself everyday and use this app to keep the progress. I'm glad that your hernia isn't bothering you this week but so jealous- my hernia repair is awful, I feel like I have acid in my esophagus and I'm having some discomfort but it comes with the territory so I will be patient Yayyy for being able to get away when your hubby chases you- you two sound sooo cute aw thank you! I'm so sorry to hear about the discomfort and acidic feeling you're having! That's got to be aggravating. I have a question. Did your doctor put you on Prilosec at all? My doctor has me start Prilosec one week pre-op and continue until the end of two weeks post-op. I think that's some kind of secret magic key for no acid or something! I've never taken that stuff in my life but he was like take it. Even if you don't have heartburn or discomfort take it - and then he said so many patients won't take it thinking it was options and then they turn up with issues. I took everyday - no issues at all! I hope you feel better soon!

Update! Seems like liquids are finally going down with less of an issue. The hernia repair must be healing. I'm not going to get my hopes up though. I'm not going to consider myself healed until about week 6. I didn't weigh this weekend because I was trying to hold out until I completed my last day on full liquids which is today. I'll post a weight update tomorrow. Seeing 263.6 would be amazing because I was 283.6 morning of surgery on 2/1. Wishful thinking though...we'll see. I've noticed when I've been walking my knees don't bother me, my feet don't hurt, my legs aren't tired....and it's not that it's been a while since I was at my current weight. It hasn't actually. The difference is that I was in the gym everyday hurting myself just to keep my weight here. I would come home every night after working out sore and tired and dragging and just not feeling great at all. I am so excited to know that when I start exercising again (tomorrow) I can do it gradually and easy at first. Speaking of, I really need to make a workout plan - I'll do that tonight before bed. Anyways - NSV's so far: *My face is clearly smaller. *My tight size 16 pants fit easily. *My legs are slimming down. *Compliments. Compliments everywhere I go. Way more than usual. *I can actually get away when my husband chases me around the house now! Cheers!

Good luck with everything! Hope you know soon!

I volunteered it. I just called Kaiser and they emailed me the 5 month weigh-in logs and the labs and I forwarded straight to my surgeon's office.

Mine technically wasn't waived - I just told them I had done a liquid diet for 5 months in 2013. They said it was good enough and after my consult on 1/7 my paperwork was sent in on 1/11 and I got approved on 1/13. Had surgery on 2/1!

Try again tomorrow.

I'm in too!!!

So sorry to hear that. I hope you are able to process this and put it away so that you can focus on your surgery. This surgery is mentally as well as physically taxing. You'll need all the strength you can get to make it through successfully. If you can handle all you need to handle as far as getting situated in your surroundings in the next few days and preparing your support system for your surgery, I think you should. And then focus on the surgery and your new future. Again, I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this. I wish you the best and hopefully you heal from this soon.

Thank you!!!! I was a little anxious before too. You'll be fine. Just stick to your doctor's plan, keep them on speed dial and remind yourself that at the end of it all you'll be a different person!!!

Glad that you are doing well and that your work week has been pleasant. Yayyy for long weekends. I actually plan on going back to the office on Monday and as of right now I'm dreading it, so it gives me some peace reading that it's a doable challengeYes it's doable! I would actually consider this week as harder than most because I had to drive 1.5hrs each way to the Bay Area for my follow up appointment on Monday since my surgeon is out of town for two weeks, AND I had to drive 1.5hrs each trip for a presentation on Wednesday! So I'm glad I made it through. Each night though I went to sleep hours earlier than usual - guess my body was really feeling it. So glad I have this time to recover! You'll do fine. Just pace yourself and listen to your body. Have a bottle of Water on you at all times and maybe a quick Protein shake just in case you feel lightheaded. Keep us posted on how it goes!

2nd update today: Made it through the work week! Today was my Friday - I work an alternate schedule where every other Friday is off because of my 9hr days. So glad I made it!!! Now for a long weekend!!!! Monday is a holiday. Next week is another short week!!!!! So excited for soft food on Monday!!!! Can't say that enough!

I am on full liquids now which includes sugar free pudding, blended yogurt and low fat creamed Soups strained. So I skip the food at breakfast now and only have shake. Ah! Ok!!! Makes sense! Those aren't even options in my "full liquids"! I would love some Greek yogurt!

Lol!!!!

I'm so happy for you!!! My husband is a firefighter (civilian) too and was also a firefighter in the Airforce Reserves but is retired now. He has that fit, healthy....so sexy build too. 5'11'' , 205...he's 47 and still in great shape. I really enjoy reading your progress updates---being on bed rest following an Achilles' tendon surgery can be real depressing and boring!!!!Don't you just love that build? I think it's a firefighter thing! they stay in such good shape!!!! Thanks so much for your sweet comments and I appreciate your support! I hope you get better soon!!!! That must hurt! Do you have surgery scheduled yet? Yes, it is March 21. My orthopedic surgeon saw how upset I was when she told me that I would have to have my tendon surgery--on the exact day I was already scheduled for my sleeve (feb1). Her office called my Bari surgeon and they had my sleeve rescheduled before I left the appointment. I'm enjoying living through you and I hope mine is just as successful as yours!.......yes, that firefighter build is very nice indeed! My husband is supportive about the sleeve but is always hugging, pinching and up under me saying how he is going to miss my extra....yea right! Oh yeh I remember reading that!!! Glad you got your date! It'll come sooner than you think! My hubby is the same. He loves me at any weight but I know he'll love the new lighter me too! Can't wait to follow your progress!!! Hoping the days go by quickly for you!!!

Yay for a good appt and staple removal! I'm with you until the 15th lol then I get glorious eggs and Greek yogurt and thicker soups and blah blah. If I can keep it down lol

When you say replace breakfast what do you mean? Is there some other option you get for breakfast? I'm protein shakes and broth all day until Monday.

I'm so happy for you!!! My husband is a firefighter (civilian) too and was also a firefighter in the Airforce Reserves but is retired now. He has that fit, healthy....so sexy build too. 5'11'' , 205...he's 47 and still in great shape. I really enjoy reading your progress updates---being on bed rest following an Achilles' tendon surgery can be real depressing and boring!!!! Don't you just love that build? I think it's a firefighter thing! they stay in such good shape!!!! Thanks so much for your sweet comments and I appreciate your support! I hope you get better soon!!!! That must hurt! Do you have surgery scheduled yet?

Update: Day 11 Down to 266.8. I was 266 when I got pregnant in January, 2014. So excited!!!! Next milestone is 248 - I was 248 when I went in for my knee surgery to fix my MCL from a sports injury. I'll be so happy when I hit that mark!!! Today, I have had half a premier Protein drink, 15g (it was leftover from last night) and 6oz of Water. I'm about to go get an 8oz cup of decaf tea because warmer things seem to be going down quicker and easier with my hernia repair. After that around 1pm, I plan on drinking my 15 gram fruity Protein Drink for another 10 ounces. Then broth for dinner. I'm feeling great! My clothes fit so amazingly well now. I'm in my Larges, 16's and a few XL's that run small. Hoping to have a box of things I can no longer wear by the end of the month!!!! I tried on a blazer that I had bought last year and couldn't wear but kept because it was so cute and on sale at Ross. It's gorgeous on! Best compliment so far? Last night my Active Duty USAF Sgt., Firefighter, ripped and toned, 5'11,180lb, all muscle, sweet as heck husband said: "I gotta hit the gym. ****. You look so good!" My response: "it's only gonna get better".

Yes! You are recovering and your body surely hasn't adjusted yet. When it does, you'll know. Also, water is huge. You need water to flush out everything that is being broken down - all the fatty cells. It's hard to take it in but you have to. I've resorted to drinking warm, almost hot water just to make sure I get my fluids because it goes down better! Hang in there! You got this!!!!