Orchids&Dragons

That's great that you have many of the obstacles out of the way. This surgery is 20% stomach, 80 brain, imho. I'm glad that you already have a therapist to work with. I'm not sure what the timers are for?

Wow, that's awful. I hope the doctor can fix you up. ((hugs))

Spend the time getting ready--- Stop smoking, if you smoke. Wean yourself off caffeine and carbonated sodas. Start walking to get into the routine. Start collecting/trying out bariatric-friendly recipes. Start attending support group meetings. They are a great source of information when you're pre-op. See a counselor to help you start working through food issues. There are loads of things you can do to help yourself be successful. The earlier you start, the better. Good luck!

I get MickeyD's unsweet tea all the time. So I sure don't want them closed down!

That's kind of what I was thinking, but wanted to get a consensus. Thanks!

Ours was no drinking 30 min before or 30 after and limit eating time to 30. That's so you don't stretch out a meal for an hour and a half just to eat more.

If you're on regular foods diet stage, do you observe the 30-30-30 (or 20-20-20) rule when some of your meals are liquid? i.e. You have some meals of solid foods, but also have a shake for breakfast. Do you not drink for 30-minutes either side of the shake meal? I'm asking because I'm good about real "mealtimes" but if I drink a Protein water on my way into work, I tend to immediately make a cup of tea when it's gone. So, I was wondering if I need to set my timer after the Protein water.

Congrats! Stick with your doc's diet plan and hopefully the 6 pounds will drop off quickly!

Your doctor should give you his specific requirements. In general, it is clear protein drinks, water, decaf non-carbonated beverages, sugar-free popsicles and/or sugar-free jello.

Really, I thought it was pork! Although, the cheek part doesn't bother me at all. Muscle is muscle.

Beware the hormone shifts. They can be insane after surgery. Some are caused by the surgery, some by losing fat (which stores hormones). On top of that, there are a lot of mental issues that you will be processing like your changing relationship with food, body image issues, changing relationships with friends, etc. Many of us find it helpful to meet with a counselor after surgery for a while to help with all this stuff. If not a therapist, maybe a pastor or someone similar. Although it does help to meet with someone with either bariatric or eating disorder experience, imho. Good luck and keep posting here. You will get a lot of support.

OMgosh, you have NO IDEA how far these forums can go into TMI territory! You're not even close to the edge!

Yes, ma'am!

Have you started new vitamins, by chance?

Did they tell you why?

Dill pickles! You just made my acid-y throat burn with just the thought!

Quite a few people have posted that their doctor told them not to weigh for the first month because it can be so discouraging. Too early for despair, things will pick up!

The meetings I go to are open to anyone, no matter where you had your surgery. Maybe you can find one near you.

Excellent! good luck!

If you are allowed sugar-free jello - eat it without chewing very well. The lumps slide down into your stomach just fine, but they take a little longer to break down and can give you a bit of a "full" feeling, or at least not an "empy, echoing cavern" feeling. Good luck, this gets a bit easier over time as you develop some distance between yourself and food.

I don't know who your insurance is with, but in my case, it only took a few days to approve after they got it. (Cigna) Good luck!

((hugs)) Hope you feel better soon.

I didn't have stapes, just super glue, so can't answer to that part. But I think it actually helped the incisions heal by pulling everything together so that there wasn't a pulling tension on the incisions.

You're not done 'til you say you're done!

Congrats! Glad your surgery is behind you! Now the fun begins!