DaleCruse

Thank you for sharing. Different insurance programs have different requirements so I'm sure this will be helpful to someone in a similar situation.

Go see your PCP. Tell that person your intentions ahead of time & ask what paperwork or other information you need. That person should be able to get you started. Good luck!

I took less than a week off before returning to my office job. I had surgery on a Friday just before a holiday weekend so there was minimal impact. Good luck!

That was the case for me at first. Dense proteins like scrambled eggs, lobster, shrimp, etc., definitely take more work for me.

THIS. ^

What about oatmeal or grits?

Each person is different. I had no stomach pain or excess gas. However, I've had more acid indigestion than some others. Good luck!

I agree with you. That's my experience. I got to a point that alcohol wasn't affecting me. That was dangerous. I'm still learning to deal with that. Alcoholism among weight-loss patients is a very real danger. Good luck!

Soft "meats" or soft "proteins"? If it's the latter, consider things like cottage cheese, beans, & peanut butter. When my nutritionist suggested soft proteins, I suggested foie gras & oysters. She didn't like that answer. :-)

Sounds like you're doing everything right. Keep going!

You're in one of (if not THE) hardest parts of this journey. My surgery was almost three years ago but I still vividly remember my liquid pre-op diet. I felt like I was drowning in hunger. The thing that got me through was diverting my attention. Indulge in a favorite activity that isn't eating & lose yourself in it. This phase is hard, but you're going to get through it. You can do this. Good luck!

In my opinion, yes. There is no one "right way". What doctors & nutritionists tell us will only take us so far. The rest is up to us. Don't worry too much about your surgical team's approval now. They can't undo your surgery now! :-) Good luck!

You're reading a lot of varying timelines. The second day I was home from the hospital I got on the treadmill. I started at a very easy pace, for maybe 10 minutes. The next day was 11 minutes. Twelve the next. Ab work later. Discover what you're safely capable of. Start simple & forgive yourself if you aren't ready. Good luck.

Around the two year mark is when I started slowing down & regaining also. I'm almost at year three & I've regained more than I care to admit. My best advice: Nip this in the bud asap. Once you start regaining, it becomes a slippery slope. Good luck & feel free to connect with me if you want to trade stories & encouragement.

Good for you! I experienced the same thing with a mayo-based dip.

I've been very lucky. I've never felt nausea & have never thrown up. In the nearly three years since surgery I've had acid reflux many times, but have yet to throw up. Worrying about something that may or may not happen is just torturing yourself. If you feel nausea, you'll treat it. If you throw up, you'll clean it up. You're going to be okay.

I increased my activity a little but didn't suddenly go wild. Good luck!

Looks great! Good idea!

I start every morning with two scoops of Isopure espresso flavor & water. Tastes great & has a little caffeine. I mix that up, hop on the treadmill, & begin my day. As I write this, I just finished. Great way to start the day! Good luck!

You're in one of the hardest phases of this journey. Every one of us has had a bad night or more. You're going to get through this. Tomorrow is another day.

You'd have to work pretty hard to not lose weight if you follow the pre-op diet.

Really good advice from Introversion here. To the original poster, don't worry about what other people lose. Don't worry about "normal". You can't control either of those. Control what you can control, which is what you put in your mouth & how much you move. Travel your own path, not someone else's. Good luck!

"Is this normal?" might be the most-asked question on this forum.

Breathe. We spent so much time & energy on what we perceive as the end result of this journey: Having the surgery. The reality is that surgery is really the start of your journey. Surgery is a one-day event in this journey. The real work happens after, when you have to live the rest of your life post surgery. Breathe. Place your focus on the right thing & enjoy. Good luck.

Isopure is my favorite.