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Different stages of this journey have different challenges. One of the hardest parts of the pre-surgical phase is adhering to the required diet when you still have the ability to eat a lot of food--and you may be feeling this is the "last chance." Opinions differ on whether to have "food funerals"; I did, because I knew I wouldn't be eating that stuff for a long time, if ever again (fettucine Alfredo, for example). But I had them before I started my pre-op diet, and I lost 25 pounds on that! Take it one step at a time. You've done all the stuff you had to up until now and you can do the next steps, too. Everyone is different: I had almost no post-surgical pain, but I pretty much hated the first month of liquid and slushy stuff. Still, lost weight then. Still losing weight. Best thing I learned on this site, I think: there will be stalls. They will drive you crazy. You can try different things to get past them, but whatever you do, as long as you follow your program, you will lose weight. And have the best chance of keeping it off you've ever had! Good luck all.

I get hungry--later in the day--but there are several mitigating factors. One, I get full after a fairly small amount of food, and two, I just use it as an opportunity to get more protein in! Tonight's "indulgence" is cottage cheese and cantaloupe. Don't think eating that is going to cause any guilt!

You should definitely make an appointment and have a discussion with a surgeon. He or she will be able to answer questions and advise you on which surgery is recommended. However, I know I've seen posts on here of people with weight in your range who have had the sleeve. For what it's worth, my doctor didn't set a specific goal for weight loss for me before surgery--just wanted me to lose some, which I did. Good luck!

Sorry: I misinterpreted. Well . . . nuts! that's the first crunchy thing I can think of, given that I just finished some walnuts. Salad is good. Probably any of the non-starchy vegetables would be fine. If you're not doing low-fat, get some pork rinds? If you are not doing low-carb/no carb, some whole-grain bread for toast? I eat rice cakes for snacks--there are a ton of flavors available now (had some tomato basil recently) and you can put peanut butter or cheese on them for the protein . . .

Even when you finally get back to regular food (and it is a wonderful thing!), you will mostly want to start with soft foods--things like chicken salad or hash or applesauce. I suppose as long as you chew it well enough until it's really soft, even the chips and so on would be fine, though. As always, check with your doctor and nutritionist. Enjoy the food!

Yes, it is: everything you're having now is in the "slider" category, so it isn't going to make you feel full. Once you are on solid food, you will notice a big difference in this.

You should, of course, double check with your doctor on this, but I also suspect you'll be fine. I know I had a number of procedures and tests before the sleeve surgery, including an upper endoscopy for which I was sedated. Unless you have some history of difficulty with anesthesia, this shouldn't be a concern.

Eventually you'll be able to have snacks--just choose the right things. One of my favorite things is a handful of cashews, for example. Or eat a yogurt (such as Oikos triple zero)--I find that I can take a very long time to finish one of them even now, and back in the early stages I could only eat a half a one at a time. Or maybe a stick of cheese? You'll find things you like that won't seem strange to other people if you choose them instead of something like cake.

I had virtually no pain, gas or otherwise. The worst part for me was the first month with no solid food. I grew very sick of protein shakes. After that it got easier and easier. (And protein water was a big help for me.)

I've stalled at least three or four times in just under seven months, and at least one of the stalls lasted for more than a month. It *may* have been affected by how I was eating at the time--I've had a lot of challenges in terms of my living situation(s). But overall, if I stick fairly close to the program, eventually I start losing again. I'm sure you will, too. (And yeah, my doctor told me not to worry about my weight, just focus on protein, water, vitamins, and exercise. I weigh myself anyway, though, because that helps keep me honest!)

It is much easier not to get or give in to cravings--your stomach simply won't hold much. It's true that your appetite will return eventually (mine has). but you'll still have a tiny stomach and will be full/satisfied on very little food. Some days I feel like I'm doing nothing but eating, but then I actually calculate what I've had and it's still only about 1,000 calories (this is after nearly seven months). Today, for example, I had cottage cheese and cantaloupe for breakfast, high-protein oatmeal for lunch, and half a can of chili and some toast for dinner--yes, too many carbs. But not that much food or calories generally. The sleeve is a tool that helps you (a lot) for a year or so, during which time you can learn new habits while losing a significant amount of weight. I'm not sure how much restriction I'll feel down the line, although reports on here suggest it varies for each individual. But I'm already used to thinking about the need for the protein first (and I know I need to eat more veggies--but that's always been a challenge for me). A couple of things: don't stress yourself out trying to predict the future. Know that different people have different levels of pain, hunger, etc. Accept that the first month or so won't be much fun. Know that you can blow this if you try hard enough--but know also that this is absolutely the best chance of losing significant weight, keeping it off, and learning how to live like a "normal" person. For some positive encouragement, look at some of the threads with before/after pictures. That'll keep you motivated! Good luck!

For what it's worth, the pain after surgery was minimal for me. I hurt for about ten minutes after I woke up and then not. I know I was given pain meds in the hospital and I took some home, but after a day or two I realized I was just taking them for fun--didn't really need them. Have wayyyy more pain from my wretched knees. Usual caveat: Your mileage may vary. And, as someone mentioned, no, we're not supposed to take Advil or any NSAIDs after surgery. Tylenol is supposed to be the pain reliever of choice generally.

Is that what your plan recommends? It sounds soon to me for any solid food at all, never mind rice. At two weeks out, I was on liquids--didn't eat solid food until a month had passed. I know all plans are different . . . I also wanted to disagree, politely, with the poster who said food should not be enjoyed, just seen as necessary fuel. It is fuel, certainly, but I don't see why enjoyment of the food I'm supposed to be eating is wrong. I like cookies and know I shouldn't be eating them, but I also like cottage cheese! I enjoy eggs. As long as I'm having one or two, without the side of fried potatoes, for example, what's wrong with enjoying that? After months of not caring if I ate or not, other than the need to get protein, I'm kind of happy to be enjoying my small, appropriately chosen meals. Other than some sugar-free fudgesicles after surgery, I haven't had ice cream--but then, it's a big 33 degrees F here today, about as toasty as it's been for many months, and for me ice cream is definitely a warm weather treat. Fortunately, I like those fudgesicles, too.

Well, I might be willing to go outside and take a walk if the temperature is above freezing and the ground not covered with snow/ice!

There are several threads in which people report what they've actually eaten for meals--these threads cover a week or a month at a time, so you do get a lot of information and variety from them. I tend to have either high-protein oatmeal for breakfast or an egg with bacon, sausage, or ham. Sometimes the egg is an omelet with cheese and onion or spinach. Sometimes I have a piece of rye toast. My lunch as often as not is cottage cheese and pineapple. Dinner is more varied--sometimes fish, sometimes hamburger or chicken (one thigh is about right as a portion). I ought to eat more vegetables. My preference for a snack is cashews or some string cheese or a piece of fruit, although the latter isn't a good choice if I haven't had much protein. Occasionally I'll have a protein shake as a meal, either out of laziness or to make sure I get the protein. I have also found some high-protein pasta (made with lentils), so I've used that to make macaroni and cheese. I've found a very small serving of that is filling. I also drink protein water sometimes. You may have noticed the theme here: it's to make sure I get enough protein. If I focus on that, I don't have room for much else. I also have one or two cups of coffee a day and/or sometimes a cup of tea. I've eaten plenty of things I shouldn't have, but in general I try to stay pretty close to the plan, and I'm okay with the amount and rate of weight loss I've experienced. I don't think I'm done or anywhere near it.

You are unlikely to feel full when all you are consuming is liquids. Just wait until it's time for real food . . . you'll be amazed at how soon you feel full and on how little food. I know it's early for you both, but the first month is amazing for weight loss, generally--although I'm not sure I appreciated that, given how miserable I was the first month. I found that things improved greatly when I was able to eat again, but I'm still, six months out, consuming very small portions. Today I had a banana and a yogurt for breakfast and an omelet (ham, onion, and cheese) with some rye toast for lunch. I have not been hungry at all today. I may have a protein shake for dinner--because I need more protein. Hang in there . . . it will work out.

I'm a night owl and I do eat more at night, but I'm still trying hard to eat three meals a day and get enough protein. Putting the protein first means I simply don't have much room for other things. Most of my challenges have had to do with my living situation(s). I've moved four times in the last six months, and have lived with a friend who had massive amounts of carbs everywhere . . . bread, rolls, cookies, donuts, potatoes, rice, you name it. Then I also spent several weeks in a motel with only a mini-fridge and a microwave for "cooking." (I also had to put my scale in storage then, and it was not good.) Now I'm with a friend who eats the way I should, basically, and I'm losing the ten pounds I gained back. I can't wait until I'm in my own apartment again and in total control of what and when and how I eat.

You can check with your doctor to see if you've done anything to injure your surgery, although I think it's unlikely. It's possible that what you're experiencing is "head hunger" rather than actual hunger. Are you eating the right amount of protein? Are you drinking enough water? Do you track your eating to see how many calories you're getting each day? Exercise is good, yes, but you can certainly lose weight without a lot of exercise. You are early in the process, though, so take a breath and don't stress out! There will be stalls and times when the weight goes up instead of down, but if you follow the program, it'll be more down than anything else, and probably more down than ever before. Good luck.

Definitely don't freak out. Some people actually show a weight gain the first week because of the gas and fluids from the surgery. It's basically too early to know much of anything in terms of what to expect. For what it's worth, my surgeon told me not to pay any attention to my weight/loss, just focus on getting enough protein and water and taking my vitamins and doing exercise (my knees are pretty bad, so I don't do much in the way of exercise). Of course I weigh myself and keep track of my loss, but please be aware that this is a long haul--there will be (frustrating) stalls along the way, when you won't lose despite the fact that you are eating what seem to be very tiny calorie counts. Don't worry about the stalls, either--your body will catch up and you'll start showing losses again. Hang in there. So far, you're doing great!

Please, please, please search for "stalls" on this site or generally in reference to bariatric surgery. They are common and sometimes last for weeks. You didn't gain all your weight on a daily basis and you won't lose it that way, either. Many people do recommend taking your measurements, as even when the scale isn't showing a loss, your measurements often will. But, generally, be patient and follow your program--you'll start seeing changes again once your body has caught up to the rapid changes in your lifestyle.

You can find threads on this site from people who regret having the surgery and especially from people who have experienced regaining their lost weight. But, basically, every individual has an individual experience--and you are right, the overwhelming reaction is positive. I've read thousands of posts on this site, and the usual thing people say is that it's the best thing they ever did and they wish they'd done it sooner. Despite the fact that I'm older than most on this site, I don't say that, because the technology and expertise continually grows--this surgery wasn't common ten or twenty years ago, and I'm especially happy it was laparoscopic. The bottom line is that you have to decide what is best for YOU. Good luck!

I'd definitely suggest increasing your protein if this is a recurring issue. You might also want to consult your doctor and/or nutritionist.

I had two weeks of protein shake for breakfast, protein shake for lunch, lean green dinner, with a clear liquid diet the day before. After surgery it was three days clear liquids, then full liquids, then pureed/mushy foods . . . no real food for a month. I pretty much hated the first month after surgery, but that's when I lost the most weight.

I've been assuming I'd get the abdominal "apron" removed eventually--I have plenty of rashes and so on--and I believe my insurance will cover that. Beyond that, I'd like to have my breasts lifted and filled out and have my upper arms done, but I have no idea if I'll ever actually have the money for that. I'm looking at the Bariatric Pal's Mexican hospital, though--those prices might be something I could do. Too soon to say, though.

My doctor told me not to pay attention to my weight, just follow the rules. I understand why he said that, but seriously, this is about getting healthier by losing weight! so I weighed myself. And yes, you really have to take the long view. Right after surgery your body is going through all kinds of things, from dealing with gas and water to healing. And take seriously what you read on this site about stalls--I've had several and sometimes they last weeks. It can be discouraging when you know you aren't taking in that many calories, but you just have to wait for the scale to catch up with your body's changes. It will eventually . . . Good luck!