Orchids&Dragons

That's for sure. I did all sorts of "studying" ahead of time, but when it came to actually doing it for real, I was full of more questions I hadn't even thought about before.

You're welcome. Don't stress!

Wow! Look at you. Thanks for being an inspiration!

Congrats on moving up! Rule is protein first, veggies, etc. if you have room. And this early, they're really not worried about the quantities of stuff, they just want your stomach to get used to the new textures to see if you can handle them. Most of your nourishment should still be coming from liquids/yogurt, etc.

Why, thank you ma'am!

With all the weight you've lost, I don't think that's a worry On the upside, since you can get in a little more "real" food, maybe you'll be less likely to experience hair loss? That would be nice!

Don't feel bad about the size - I'm sure it's much less that you were eating before. I'm apparently a slow healer, but my nutritionist is fine with the amounts I can eat. I had about 1-1.25 ounces of fish with 1 broccoli floret and I was done. I wish I could eat a bit more, it hardly seems worth dirtying the plate! I can't do any spice yet (and I LOVE spice) and am sure that raw veggies would make me miserable. I'm jealous!

That's awesome, congrats! Hoping all goes smoothly for you!

Diet Coke - gave it up over 2 years ago. Don't trust myself to even have one at a party.

That plate of food is what my nutritionist said I would be eating at 6 months. I'm still only about 1 ounce of solid food at a time and I'm 2 months out. In the beginning, not only is your pouch small, but it is swollen. You've just done terrible, mean things to it! Everyone heals at their own rate, some in 2 weeks, some in 6. Eventually, your pouch will stretch out, but from what I've heard, to a max of about 10 ounces - way below the 100 ounce stomach you may have now.

Oh, my! Getting all hot and bothered here!

I think you could probably burn calories just looking at him!

The 3rd week stall is pretty famous. It usually coincides with the transition to soft or pureed foods. You just need to keep on doing what you're doing and it will move. Sucks, though

Besides me, I've got a husband, 3 boys between 21 and 23 plus we feed one of their friends nearly every night, sometimes two. We have 2 refrigerators over-flowing! Mostly with food I can't eat!

I love individually-wrapped frozen fish! Each 4 oz. fillet is 2-3 meals, with no waste.

I had been planning on surgery in January, but our insurance changed Jan. 1. It was covered under the new insurance, but I had to get re-approved. (I didn't have to re-do the process, but the doctor's office had to re-submit the paperwork for approval.)

I still drink a shake or protein water every day. Like Sammy, I couldn't hit my numbers otherwise.

Yeah for you! Best wishes!

Looks yummy!

Anytime someone has power over you, you feel the need to please. Right now, you are dependent on the doctor's recommendation for the surgery, so you need to please him/her. Doesn't matter if you're 27 or 72

Yogurts are super easy for snacks, also apples, hard-boiled eggs, all around 80 calories. Veggies with hummus dip, Sabra sells 2oz. singles. Edemame Turkey jerky

I liked tuna salad

I tried that, apparently pain is not enough to deter my appetite!

It was about a pound a day for the first couple of weeks after surgery, Now about 3 pounds a week. I had lost the first 9 pounds on my pre-op diet.

I added Pure Protein vanilla to chai tea for a latte - delish!