TakingABreak

I did fine with ground beef. My first food into soft food stage was meatloaf. You won't know until you try it. I do recommend getting the leanest version possible, and rinsing the meat (to get the excess grease out), if you grind it up.

^^^ I second the FairLife Milk. I drink a glass a day, min. Its fairly low cal for 13 grams of protein per cup.

I wore tampons at my highest weight, and never had a problem inserting them, in the right position of course. If you can wear tampons, you can do the Nuva Ring. There is zero difference in difficulty level or comfort. In fact, I can't feel the ring, at all. Worth a shot @saygrace.

^^^ I agree. I've heard too many stories of people I know who've had complications. @saygrace I did the Nuva Ring because I had RNY, and the doctor says it bypasses the digestive system. No problems and I actually love the ring. I started wearing the ring mid Feb, one month after surgery.

You are probably out of surgery by now, so instead of best of luck, I will say, Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Its funny, because I called them to schedule my 9 month check up...I assumed that I would need to get labs done. They said they only do it for 3, 6, and 12 months. But since I missed my 6 month... they aren't interested in doing it at 9 months. *shrugs* I honestly don't understand the thought process...Oh well.

Refried beans Cottage Cheese Soft scrambled eggs with shred cheese (mashed very very small and soft) Greek Yogurt Blended Soups Egg salad with Greek yogurt Mash potatoes (if allowed on your plan) Blended veggies Very soft and blended meatloaf I kind of blended the soft and purred stage together because I'm really affected by texture of things. But a lot of what you can eat can be blended or mashed to give the purred consistency. Don't be afraid to reach back out to your NUT if you are unclear about what your plan allows.

You should absolutely be proud of yourself for coming to these realizations. Honestly, I had to change my relationship with food. I had to think of food as a means to an end. I don't allow myself things that are super yummy (if I do, its rare). As an example, I bought these protein muffins months ago.... and still haven't brought myself to eat them. They aren't bad, in fact, the sell them on the store here. BUT, I know in my heart... they may taste too *good* for me and it could lend way to other things. I also have replaced food with other forms of enjoyment or distraction. I kept a clean house prior to surgery. But my house is immaculate now. I'm always getting up and doing something to keep my mind off things. Its about knowing you have a problem, and fighting that problem every day. Sometimes you lose, more often than not you win. But eventually it becomes normal. Your thought process changes, and its not such an up hill battle.

A newborn Giraffe. Getting pretty close to potatoes that the average American eats each year.

Thank you I missed my 6 month appointment with Dr. Rantis... life happened and I couldn't fit it in to spend the day traveling. So I'm scheduled to go back in October for my 9 month. I hope he's as pleased as I am!

Thank you!

I've lost as much as I should weigh now.

This post is such an accurate representation of why this surgery is only a tool. We can cheat and we can sabotage. Many people don't admit that they can just wait those 30 mins to eat more. Thank you for your honesty. I would have to agree with @Orchids&Dragons advice. The minute my food comes, I ask for a to-go box. I also clean up food right away after cooking. I've said this from the beginning, that its depressing to me to go out to eat because I get to enjoy 3-5 bites, and then I'm full. It's frustrating when you actually enjoy food, and perhaps like me, a foodie. I like to eat. I never ate because I was bored or because I was stressed. I actually LOVED eating. So for me, it's so much more mental than physical. I've had to overcome a lot of bad habits and mental struggles.

Yay! It is here! Good luck! You will do great. I’m here for you.

Thank you! You are such a sweet heart and you always make me smile

It was almost a week before I had a BM, and it was also AWFUL. I took MOM (milk of magnesium) to get one going. At first it was very hard and firm. But then once the first bit was done, it looked like a month's worth of poop came out in one visit to the bathroom. I swear, the pre op diet doesn't completely clear you out.... Once you get going, you'll tend to learn your new BM habits. I used to go everyday, sometimes 2-3 times a day. But that's because I was eating for 2-3 people. Now, I go usually every other day. I start to get concerned if its been 4 days. Remember, you eat less now, and our BM will change. Try to incorporate some fiber (so long as you aren't constipated) and listen to your body.

Oh, and if you are coherent in the operating room (unlike my loopy butt!) then be prepared that it is overwhelming. There are a lot of people in there. They will just start prepping you and moving your body parts. Strapping you onto the table, so forth. Hopefully, you have good ones who communicate, but I think they behave like robots sometimes. They won't undress you until you are already under, so don't worry about modesty. Also, it is like a ice box back there. It will be freezing, but they will cover you with heating blankets.

Congratulations! I arrived at the hospital and checked in. I was taken back to the room (by myself at first) to get dressed into a gown, give my urine sample, and get settled in. Then, once I was "ready" they brought back my husband and mother. They waited with me until it was time for them to get me. I wasn't cathed so they did ask me to go again prior to wheeling me back. I was given some oral medication that I had to take with a drop of water, and some medicine in my IV. Just remember, it's a lot of waiting. Usually they want you at the hospital 2 hours prior to when your surgery is scheduled. I was the first on the board for the day, so I actually went back earlier than anticipated. However, if you are mid morning, or mid day.... it could be a long wait. Right before they took me back, they gave me some anxiety medication which HELPED a ton, highly recommended. Honestly, it kicked in by the time I got to the operating room. I barley remember getting onto the table, so forth. It's not like the movies either, they don't tell you to count backwards... I don't remember falling asleep. I don't even remember them telling me that it was time to go to sleep. When I woke up, I was all by myself. I knew this going into it that no family was allowed into recovery. That was a bummer. Being as though I was being admitted, as soon as I was out of recovery they wheeled me upstairs to my room, where my family was waiting. The surgery itself was 2.5 hours (I had some bleeding issues) and I was in recovery for 2 hours.

My program discouraged both carbonation and straws during the healing process, which can be up to 3 months. I use a straw every day. No discomfort on my end from excess gas.

^^^ Also my situation.

I have PCOS, and struggle with excess hair on my face. I have not noticed any extra areas popping up, like I would prior to surgery. However, the existing hair has not changed. the only difference may be that it grows slower. I may only have to take care of it every 3-4 days vs. every other day. I have a friend who does laser treatments, and has said that she had good results. Not perfect though. She said it feels similar to getting a tattoo, but that it gets better. She said in the beginning, as the hair is longer/thicker it hurts worse. She told me the biggest draw back is that you have to let the hair grow out for them to laser it. What's WORSE is that....then it continues to "fall out" essentially after the treatments, so the hair gets super long and unsightly before its gone. She didn't seem to have much redness or irritation afterwards, but she always did it when she had the afternoon off work. Me too girl, I actually put this on my allergy list because it was so bad. And I never felt like it did anything for my PCOS.

Thank you, it does get very emotional looking back.

Agreed! It truly is wonderful. I haven't weighed under 200 since I was a freshman in high school. I don't even know what my "woman body" looks like at a low/normal weight. Excited to find out though

I've heard of people that are closely monitored and get completely off their insulin or diabetic medications within the first six weeks. It really truly depends on how bad your diabetes is. Have you been able to use diet to lower your insulin in the past? If this is the case, you stand a stronger chance to get off of it sooner. Just be very mindful to check your blood sugar, more often, than you would now. This includes during the pre op diet.

Thank you & Congratulations to you as well!