FutureSylph

I was forthright about it. Don't know if he would have noticed otherwise.

Welcome, Steve. I didn't have much success with the pre-op diet (kept "cheating" because I was so hungry and miserable), but I got through it eventually -- and so will you. Best of luck with your surgery!

Hope you feel better soon. I'd be in a bad way if I couldn't drink coffee.

Terrific milestone! I'm so happy for you, @Spinoza.

Right now I'm getting my exercise by dancing in front of the air conditioner. Crank up the Bob Seger and let 'er rip!

So glad to hear you're feeling better!

That looks fabulous, and just right for these brutally hot days.

Absolutely. That feeling of not recognizing yourself and your life anymore can be hugely disorienting, and can lead to really unhealthy coping mechanisms if you don't address it.

Nope. One of the (admittedly few) benefits of being older is that I gave up my perfectionism years ago, and am much happier for it. You do what you can, blow off the rest, and learn to dust yourself off and climb back on the wagon when you fall.

Best of luck today!

I wish I hadn't stockpiled so many protein shakes/drinks based on my pre-op tastes. They're nasty now.

Lots of recipes here: https://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

I remember that feeling so clearly. (My surgery was delayed multiple times due to pandemic issues.) Hang in there.

Check with your surgical team, of course. I found that a baby spoonful of applesauce helped pills go down.

I'm with @Arabesque on this one. Even if caffeine is on your plan, why risk it the first time when you're out with friends? Could be absolutely fine or could be an embarrassingly bad idea -- much safer to find out in the privacy of your own home.

Yeah, sometimes when people scurried out of my way, I wanted to assure them that obesity isn't contagious.

Yep. Hope you feel better soon!

Automatically heading for the disabled stall in restrooms, before remembering that I fit in a regular stall now.

Congratulations on your surgery! A whole new world awaits.

Absolutely normal. Just white-knuckle it through the first few weeks (I recommend trying various activities to distract yourself), and I practically guarantee that a month from now, you'll feel a lot different.

Peeled cucumber slices might be worth a try.

I have lots of baggy skin, but I don't complain about it, much less have regrets. I think of it as battle scars. As long as I win the battles (and the war), I'm thrilled to wear the results.

Luckily, puppies and walks are a natural combination. Good luck!

Mine is Steve, recently promoted from Baby Stevie since he quit being so temperamental those first few weeks.

Take an insulated lunch bag (with freezer puck) in the car, packed with a spoon and containers of hummus, Greek yogurt, applesauce, cooked baby carrots, or whatever other soft foods appeal to you. Problem solved.