Hiraeth

My favorite was creamy tomato soup and cream of chicken soup. Mashed potatoes are also a good option.

Everything you mentioned sounds normal. Did you have back pains before the surgery? If not, this could definitely be lingering trapped CO2 gas. I was in a horrible amount of pain for the first 2 days after surgery. My left arm and shoulder were killing me because of the trapped gas. The only thing that helped was walking, but I became so tired and wanted to lay down. I couldn't lay down without the gas pain shooting back to my shoulder. So I demanded (because the nurse didn't want to comply) that they give me Dilaudid. The nurse seemed shocked that I knew what it was, so I told her that I had kidney stones before, and that Dilaudid was the only pain killer (for me personally) that could take the edge off of any kind of excruciating pain. Week 2 seems a bit soon for puree foods. I would just keep doing pure liquid until you can take liquid without sharp pains. I was unable to eat anything except liquid for the first 3 weeks. The reason is because our stomachs are so swollen after surgery. It will get better. Right now, it's hard to imagine being able to go back to normal. But trust me... Just give it a bit more time and you'll notice your body feeling better.

Hi! My stats are almost like you. I'm 25, female, 5'2'' and SW: 255, CW: 202. The only difference is that I'm over 3 months post-op (not too far from you). I have just started to work out at the gym a week ago. Last week I worked out 3 times for 30-45 minutes each. I'm shocked by how much more energy I have. I'm already able to walk 3.5 mph and at an incline. I'm also able to bike at 90-100 rpm. Every time I go back to the gym, it's so much easier than the time prior. I've plateaued a bit, as well. I haven't gained any weight, but I've noticed the weight loss is much slower than it was (only losing 1-2 pounds each week). I don't think I'm eating enough, and when I do eat, I'm not eating what I should. I'm not drinking 64oz (maybe only 20oz) and I'm only taking in about 40-50g of protein a day.

So far, what you have been trying to eat seems good enough. 24 days post-op seems a bit too soon for you to try and eat solid things. But if you're able to handle it, then I don't see why it would hurt. Have you ever tried Lactaid? It's lactose free and tastes just like milk.

Hey there! How are you doing? I would love to meet up with you after a support group! When do you plan on going to the next one? I think the next group is probably on the 17th of December. I'm not certain, though.

I knew of a man who decided to lose weight because his facial fat was folding over his face and eyes. So, I'm pretty sure you will lose weight there, as well.

145 for someone your height? That, to me, sounds borderline anorexic. That is a very unrealistic goal. You will look amazing at 175. I wish you the best of luck!

Hello! Sorry you are having such a hard time. I didn't have the Band, but I did have the sleeve. I also had a hiatal hernia (the size of a golf ball) that I had no idea I had. I felt exactly how you are feeling right now. It was extremely hard for me to swallow anything. I am a gulper by nature, so it was rough making myself take small sips. I had my surgery on August 4th, and I am now able to gulp again. For me, drinking things was a challenge for at least 3 weeks. I think you'll start noticing things getting easier by the beginning of December. I can honestly say that I am 95% sure that you're having a hard time because you are drinking too fast. Right now, your stomach is still very swollen, and it's not handling the gulping well. Try your best to slow down. Trust me, it is a challenge. If you knew me, you'd know that, lol! I heard that the Band is the worst option when it comes to Bariatric surgery. The reason is because, you're putting a foreign object inside your body, to wrap around an organ. The body does not recognize this, so it begins to reject it. (It's kind of like having a splinter in your finger. The skin may heal over the splinter, but you will still feel pain if the splinter is still inside your skin, because the body does not recognize it. It's basically in attack mode of an "intruder".) This isn't true for everyone, though. Some people don't have problems. (Though, 80% of the cases I've heard of have Band complications.) My surgeon is trying to get the the Band out of his practice, because he's noticed a pattern of it being unsuccessful. Most people think it's a safer option because there's no removal of the stomach. The Band is basically designed to force you to eat/drink things slowly. There's a scientific study on how eating slowly helps you maintain a healthy weight, while eating fast makes you gain. While the sleeve is also [somewhat] designed to help you change your thrifty eating habits, it's not designed that way in a mandatory manner. You'll be able to gulp drinks again. It may take a few weeks, but you won't feel this limited forever. The band is literally wrapping around the upper part of your stomach. It's making it mostly impossible for you to be able to eat quickly. This allows the food to digest slowly, therefore, keeping you from eating as much as you used to. With the sleeve, they are cutting away stretched out, irritated stomach. Even when you have a tiny stomach, it will heal, and allow itself to stretch a bit. (I kinda like to call the Lap Band a "stomach handcuff", because it's restricted, lol.) I recommend taking this opportunity to try and change your habits. Drinking fast doesn't affect your weight, so no worries there. Just try to not eat as fast, even when you're able to again.

For you to be required to go through this process tells me that you are most likely going to be approved. My surgeon told me that the only reason they make you go through such a lengthy process, is because they are secretly hoping you get fed up, impatient, and decide not to do it (because they don't want to pay for it). Don't get me wrong, the psych eval, heart test, and pre-op support group are all necessary. But the 6 month weigh-ins are basically pointless. You've come this far, so just try your best to keep going! You'll be so glad you did!

That's unusual, in my opinion. Scales in doctors offices usually have a max weight of 400 (some even go as high as 700). I'm sorry their crappy scale made you feel this way. But don't worry... To me, you really aren't that big. Be glad that you have decided to begin your journey at the time that you did. Also, another thing to consider... You are very tall. So you won't need to lose as much weight as most people. My friend is 5'10'', and at 200 pounds, she looks very healthy and curvy. Now, if I weighed 355, I would have to lose 230 pounds, because I am so short, lol.

I was in a lot of pain on the 2nd day, too. I felt like I had the flu and my whole body hurt. On the 3rd day, I didn't hurt anymore.

I don't regret it at all. At first, a VERY small part of me did, because it was so hard to swallow anything. I'm a liquid gulper by nature, so that was very challenging, since I was only able to take small sips. It definitely gets better. I'm barely ever hungry, and when I am, it's because my stomach is growling and I'm getting a headache. I barely ever have actual cravings. I've lost 53 pounds since August 4th, so I'm happy to say that this is one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I've cheated a few times because I let boredom take over. Thankfully, the cheats were so small, that I haven't gained any weight; I'm still losing weight. I noticed that food just does not taste the same. It's not as enjoyable as it used to be, and I'm glad.

When you say hungry, do you mean cravings or actual hunger pangs? You really shouldn't be feeling hunger pangs. If you're having cravings, it's most likely that you are bored or an emotional eater. I didn't start feeling hungry again until several weeks afterwards. I was on liquids for at least 3 weeks. I could not handle anything else because my stomach was so swollen from the surgery (which is normal).

I kinda miss eating a ton of food. But honestly, the benefits I'm experiencing right now make me miss it less and less. I'm happy!

Your taste will most definitely change. For me, soda no longer tastes as good as it did before I had my WLS. I didn't drink the soda because I wanted it. I drank it to taste it and see if my taste had changed; and it did. I also don't care much for most sweets anymore. Now things taste TOO sweet and I don't like that. Food in general just isn't what it used to be. Now, I can only take a few bites of something, and I usually get sick of it pretty quickly. I really wish there were a place that served extremely small portions of different things so I could have a variety, lol.

Thank you so much! I just found out I was approved when I called my health insurance over my lunch break. I'm really hoping my back and ankles get better. Congrats on being approved! I truly think you will notice an improvement on how you feel once you begin losing a good bit of weight (probably within the first few months). Good luck!

I have lost over 50 pounds since August, and I am already feeling so much better. I used to have a strong burning/pulling pain around my hip/buttock when I would walk or stand. I now no longer feel that pain. Even when I was thin, I have had ankle problems. My ankle problems began when I turned 14 and weighed 120 pounds. I think I just have bad ankles. But I truly believe that yours will definitely feel a lot better once you lose the first 30 pounds.

Meats, yogurt, and string cheese are my go-to foods.

I don't have an answer. But I swear, I was just about to post a topic about this. I need one badly. So I'm posting to follow your thread.

Alcohol affects me exactly the same way that it did before the surgery. I still cannot get tipsy no matter how much I drink. I was told that getting tipsy would be quicker since our stomachs are smaller. For me, that's not the case. I don't drink much anyway, so I don't really mind. My advice is to stay away from anything carbonated. This will cause your stomach to expand and it will probably hurt. Limit yourself and don't drink weekly.

First of all, take a deep breath! Secondly, congratulations on losing 100 pounds! Even if you did gain some of it back, just be thankful that you haven't gotten back to 300+. You have realized there is a problem, and you have done the right thing by coming here to discuss it. Proud of you! My best advice for you is to take a day to maybe purchase some protein shakes in bulk. Do you have a Costco or Sam's Club nearby? (Or really any warehouse that sells groceries in bulk.) On that free day that you have, try to write a grocery list for a week or two worth of healthy items. Sometimes, for dinner, all I eat is 2 Cheese Heads cheese sticks (90 calories each and with 6g of protein) with about 1 or 2 ounces of packaged pepperoni (16 slices are about 6-8g of protein). Some grocery stores also sell protein yogurts with 21g of protein in them. Either eat a yogurt, a protein bar, or a protein shake in the mornings, some meats and cheeses for lunch, and a small dinner (maybe some grilled or boiled chicken, or your favorite kind of meat). Protein keeps you full and helps with unhealthy cravings. Search for protein type foods. Buy cheese and yogurts, and try your best to graze those things instead of fast food. You can do this!

I think it depends. I didn't have my surgery in Mexico. But my sister stayed with me in the hospital overnight (only because she didn't want me to be alone; she's my twin sister and we are very close). It depends on what your mother would prefer to do. She doesn't have to stay with you, as long as she drives you. It would probably be best that she stays with you until you come out of your surgery, because the doctor likes to talk to family members about how things went, what aftercare needs to be done, what you need to drink, etc. If she wants to go back to the hotel, and doesn't mind letting you rest alone, then that would be fine. She is not required to stay with you, unless she prefers to.

My BMI was 46 and I was required to do a 1 week liquid diet. If your doctor doesn't think you need to be on one, then they probably know what's best. At this point, it is up to you on what to do. I think going on a liquid diet the day before surgery would be a good idea. The reason most doctors put people on a liquid diet, is because they're trying to shrink the liver in order to properly operate on the stomach.

In my opinion, the best nausea medicine I've ever taken, is Zofran (ondansetron).