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I don't really want to read posts about people's bathroom habits or throwing up, so you know what I do? Avoid them like I avoid country music!

The good news, if you want to see it that way, is that post-surgically there's a good chance you won't be feeling the hunger you are now. I spent several months not caring whether I ate or not--just doing it to get the necessary Protein. I'm kind of happy to say I'm back to being hungry occasionally, but, fortunately, I feel full/satisfied with so much less than before surgery.

Hang in there! It'll all seem worth it eventually.

My liquid diet wasn't entirely liquid--I had two shakes and a light dinner. Didn't lose any weight to speak of on it, but did lose 25 pounds pre-surgically before that. Doctor never mentioned my liver post-op.

As has been said many times before, we're all different and our programs require different things. Do what your surgical team says and be confident that things will work out as they should. It's a long road . . . but change is coming fast!

Mine was the first appointment with the surgeon, and coincidentally the highest weight ever. Definitely take credit for what you lose before surgery!

I kind of hated the first month, but it's only a month. I threw a can of beef vegetable Soup in the blender and enjoyed that quite a bit--just happy to have something not sweet. I had about half a container of yogurt every day, too. I can't recall when I started with cottage cheese, but I've had it probably five days out of seven ever since--with some fruit, it's my standard lunch.

It won't be long--hang in there!

Wow. Don't blame you at all for looking for another doctor. I hope your next one is much, much more compassionate.

I colored mine about a month or two ago, and the falling out seems to have slowed down, so I didn't notice any connection between coloring it and losing it. Definitely ready for it to get a bit thicker now, thanks!

I'll just say what others have said--the first month is not fun. And I took forever to get anywhere near my Water goals. But after six months, I can eat just about anything--just not nearly as much, and I'm well aware of what I should be eating, so I focus on the Protein, protein, protein. The other day, though, I realized that I was eating "normal" Breakfast foods--just half as much as I used to eat. Not a bad thing to realize!

Hang in there. It will get better, definitely.

Congrats! Can't wait to join you there (I'm now about 306). It's been decades for me since I've seen the 200s!

My suggestion, for what it's worth, is maybe to order Protein Shakes if you will be in one place long enough to wait for delivery. I also don't know whether you have a way to puree something (like beef or chicken soup)? Can you find broth? Cottage cheese?

36 minutes ago, Beck53 said:

Newbie here. Guess I'll just search/read instead of posting....

Not "instead of," just "before." I mean, if you have a question and there's already a thread with 37 responses, isn't that more useful than posting and waiting for a response? Honestly not trying to be mean here!

I hear you! I mean, I know my surgical team didn't mention stalls, but sheesh, people, read the boards for a while before you start posting how you've gone three days without losing weight and it's only been three weeks since your surgery! Or there's the "I've only lost 60 pounds in six months, what's wrong with me?"

Relax, people. Take a breath.

On 2/11/2018 at 11:00 AM, Tealael said:

yes you're right

I'll try to be more patient , I didn't gain it all in three months can't expect to lose it at that rate. I just HATE how expensive bras can be. I get them from Lane Bryant and they don't always stand up to washing and drying despite how much care I take to protect them (and I refuse to wear dirty undergarments ).

I'm seriously going to look into the bra brands mentioned in this thread

Sent from my N817 using BariatricPal mobile app

For what it's worth, when I wash my bras, I don't put them in the dryer--I figure this will make the elastic in them last longer.

I bought a pack of six new bras before the surgery. They still don't seem to fit around me well, but I think by the time they do, the cups won't fit me--they'll be too big. Let me just say, wah!!

I didn't have this problem, but you are definitely not alone. I read over and over that we heal at different rates and that when you try a food for the first time after surgery, it may not work at first--wait a few weeks before trying it again. I know this is miserable for you, but do hang on in there. It will get better.

I have arthritis and GERD and had the sleeve. I'm not sure I was aware ahead of time that I couldn't take NSAIDs after the surgery. I can take Tylenol, and I do, but I'm not in horrid pain except for my knees. I get the shots, which help enormously for a while, but the long-range plan is why I had the surgery in the first place--either being lighter will help the knees or at least being lighter will enable the ortho guy to replace the knees.

The bottom line, I think, is that most of the kinds of pain we have are made worse by excess weight--and, conversely, better by losing weight.

And, for what it's worth, I take prescription antacids and have no issues with the GERD.

I'll just second the advice to talk to your doctor about this. Your particular issues will affect which is the best option for you. And you will be best able to determine what you are willing to do after the surgery (and for the rest of your life).

Good luck!

I had something like four final meals: two were fettucine Alfredo, one was steak and baked potato, and one was a cheeseburger--if I'd been hungry enough, I would have made onion rings.

Tonight's meal was a cheeseburger, too, and I'd definitely eat steak again. But I don't plan on having fettucine Alfredo again. Although, to be fair, I've discovered high-protein Pasta made with lentils, so I could probably make something pretty similar without feeling too guilty!

You should have a specific list from your surgeon and/or your nutritionist. However, stage one is Clear Liquids only, while stage two generally includes Protein Shakes, sugar-free Jello and popsicles and fudgesicles, and cream Soup (without any pieces or chunks of food--blend it if you have to). Sugar-free yogurt might be allowed; check your list.

There are some on this site, plenty on Pinterest, and you can google and find sites such as this: https://www.bariatriccookery.com/

I just came across a recipe for egg-drop Soup that sounds easy. Can't wait to try it--well, after the cauliflower-garlic soup I bought ingredients for today . . . I like making soup.

Of course you can do this--you already are. All the prep work and tests and paperwork are part of the process. And losing 50 pounds? That's awesome!

Everyone is different: I didn't have pain at all, really, but my energy was extremely low for the first month. I could not possibly have worked full-time then. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Just goes to show that other people often see us more clearly than we see ourselves. I keep thinking that I don't really look or feel that different, but my man assures me he notices a difference. Still nowhere near wearing a small!

And yes: you look fabulous! Rock those leggings!

If you look at charts people more organized than I am post, you'll see that the loss almost always goes to single digits per month after the first month.

I look at it this way: if I "only" lose ten pounds a month, that's still 120 a year. I know it won't be that predictable and the first year or so is the sort of "golden" phase, but still . . . I'm appreciating what I've lost and as long as I keep it off, I'm good. I'd like to get under 200 but don't know if I really will. Still, it's all progress in the right direction. And I sure never lost 74 pounds before in my life.

Disclaimer: Not married. However, have a relationship. Sex has always been great and continues to be so--haven't really noticed a difference.

Good for you! I had cancer, too, though was lucky enough to beat it with surgery (a hysterectomy). After that surgery, the sleeve was a walk in the park!

Seriously, I've had six or seven surgeries in my life, and the sleeve really does compare with having one's gall bladder out (laparoscopically). I had almost no pain, although my energy was very low for at least a month. I also really didn't enjoy the first month of liquids and slurries and no real food, but it gets much better with time. I'm now eating pretty normally, although with much smaller portions, an emphasis on Protein, etc.

My advice, for what it's worth, is to investigate the sleeve surgery and do that if it sounds like it will help you with your health overall. Worry about further surgeries later. I'm hoping to have skin removal of my "apron"/abdomen, as I think the insurance will cover that, but I kind of wish I could do my upper arms and boobs, too. If not--well, still will be better than being so overweight.

Good luck!