MermaidInAZ

Oh you're not alone! I've thought about the same thing, too. Just picking off of the plate, getting full, and twiddling my thumbs. But the coloring sheet and crayons sounds much better, LOL!

Fair enough statement, but I know what and how I felt. I was working out at Curves Monday through Friday and I was hiking on Saturdays. So a lot of it was muscle. My arms were toned and "cut" as were my legs. I did have a belly, but it was flatter than now. Of course, this was also over 10 years ago. I'm 50 years old now, I have a demanding full time job and I have started walking to get to working out again. Remember that each body is different. You can have five women who are all 5'5" and weigh 160 pounds and they will all look different. Some will be "smaller" and some will be "thicker". Also, remember that I did set a goal weight this time around.

I didn't eat out often even before my surgery, but when I did, I preferred local or small restaurants. Not too big on the chain restaurants. However, It is good to know that some chains do offer options, Thank you all for your input!

I'll probably adjust as I continue to lose weight. My ultimate goal is to be able to get off blood pressure and diabetes medicine, move with ease, go up a flight of stairs without aches and running out of breath, and fit comfortably in a booth. I'm getting there though already :-D I climbed a flight of stairs on Friday and didn't feel so winded as before. Last week I tested a booth and I was more comfortable than before surgery. I'm just going to take it one success at a time and celebrate each one.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm very hesitant about going to restaurants after my surgery. Did anyone feel the same? What restaurants have you found to be "bariatric friendly"?

Thanks, Fluffy! I'm going to Google recipes for protein mug cakes and protein ice cream because those sound interesting and good!

I had a metallic taste in my mouth and when I did the research and on my one-month follow up my doctor confirmed it. That nasty metallic taste lasted for 3 days and I could barely eat or even drink resulting in getting dehydrated. But now I'm good and food is tasting good. But I can't wait until I can start having hot sauces again!! Hang in there, first step! You got this!

I was having issues with cold water and it turned out that I was dehydrated and my doctor said my pouch was getting "sticky" and I had a lot of thick saliva in the back of my throat. I was a mess. He suggested hot liquids and to go to the office for 4 liters of IV. A week later, I'm still drinking hot liquids (teas and just hot water), but tolerating room temp water OK. Best of luck to you!

I've been wondering what, if any, is the difference between reaching a goal weight or reaching a comfortable body size. In 2007 I lost 60 pounds (I was at 260, but felt very comfortable, strong, agile, and healthy at that weight) so I didn't really continue to try to lose more weight. Well I'm a stress eater and after losing a job two months in after I moved into a new apartment, I was stressed out and sure enough, I ballooned back up to over 340 pounds. My surgery was 28 Feb and so far so good. So I've had people ask me if I'm going for a goal weight or not. I put down 180 pounds because I want to do it differently this time. But I put the question out to the bariatric community - which did you choose and why? Did you go for goal weight or comfortable size and why did you choose that?

I was wondering if there was a February 2018 group. My surgery was 2 days after my 50th birthday and my one year goal is to go swim with the dolphins!

I have that around my neck and was told it was a sign of diabetes. I also had dark patches on my cheeks. Since my 28 Feb surgery, my cheeks have cleared up considerably and my neck is not as dark as before.

I like that and the Vitamin Water Zero acai-pomegranate-blueberry flavor. I tried the Propel but didn't like it as much. I had trouble drinking cold water last week and found out I was dehydrated and my doctor said my pouch was becoming "sticky". He suggested hot teas and broths and 4 liters of IV. The hot teas do help a lot, but now I find that ice cold water still bothers me a little. But the cold Vitamin Water Zero does not bother me as much. Best of luck to you!

Hi hazthain. I've also kept mine secret (just told family and some of my closest friends). I felt like people scrutinized what I ate before surgery and would do even more so after to make sure I wasn't "cheating" or something. I've had a couple of coworkers comment on my weight loss and loose fitting clothes, but I just tell them that it took a medical scare to set me straight on eating right and exercising. You're not alone in keeping it a secret and I don't see anything wrong with it. Best of luck to you!

Thank you Mhy and Karleena! I saw some new suggestions in your posts!

Hello. I just joined this site today because I am still figuring all of this out. My surgery was 28 February and I'm still on soft foods and liquids. I dehydrated last week and required 4 liters of IV, but now I'm feeling better. I'm asking for suggestions and ideas for foods to eat during the second month. I love to cook, but haven't since before my surgery. I would love to cook again so recipes are definitely welcome! Thank you in advance for any suggestions and ideas.