marfar7

I promise, it will get better. Hang in there. It'll all be worth it one day. I was full liquids for 4 weeks and dreamed about my first "real" meal. I made refried Beans, a pinch of cheese, and taco sauce. It was like steak and lobster. I didn't realize how much I missed chewing.
Good luck! Ull make it. We all do...

Hi marfar7--good to hear from you again!
Hi washda--thanks for your reply!
And--Hi everyone else interested in Ontario/Chino & surrounding areas!
I'm out looking for venues this week and gathering information for us on our group charter, procedures, etc. I am TENTATIVELY thinking about our groups being the FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH, 9:30-11:00am (but NOT JULY 5 because of holiday). Will announce actual date/time after location is selected. Hope to give you another update early next week, if not sooner. Thanks for your patience!
Just wanted to also mention--this is, obviously, just a starting point in our establishing a lasting and supportive group in our area that everyone can count on. Some people cannot make a Saturday morning group; some people could not do evening groups; some people could only do a Sunday afternoon group; some people could only come weekday mornings. We CAN GROW and eventually have meetings at other days/times "down the road" that might work better for you. But meanwhile, we hope you can make it each month so we can grow!

I was banded for 3 1/2 yrs prior to my sleeve revision last year (almost a yr out). While the amt of restriction is similar (I can eat about as much as when my band was at it's premium (not that that was very long, actually)), the feeling u get being full is not really the same. food got stuck in my esophagus, so I felt more chest "pain" when I ate too fast or 1 bite too much. I immediately vomited (hence the slipped band) and it relieved it.
Now when I've had 1 bite too much, my stomach (basically the lower part of my chest) hurts some. But it's really hard to induce vomiting. Something thats a long drawn out and often fruitless option. So I haven't vomited much since being sleeved. U'd think I'd have learned to eat slower with my band but alas, I haven't.
So, u will have similar restriction but a different "full" feeling. Not sure if that was ur actual question or not so sorry if I didn't answer ur question. Good luck to u. So glad I don't vomit everyday anymore. And I can eat everything - everything without getting "stuck".

Just an FYI: For those of u with a Cash and Carry or Smart and Final nearby (or I'm assuming any restaurant supply store), u'll find a HUGE variety of both Torani and Da Vinci syrups (like an entire aisle). Walmart has like 2 flavors (usually vanilla and hazelnut) as do most other grocery stores. And u can get a big bottle at Cash and Carry for about $3.50. Our last trip there we stocked up and go 15 bottles (ranging from Khalua to Toffee Nut to Almond Joy). Couldn't carry all the flavors I wanted (nor do we have room to store them!)
They're really yummy in plain vanilla Protein shakes..

Just an FYI: For those of u with a Cash and Carry or Smart and Final nearby (or I'm assuming any restaurant supply store), u'll find a HUGE variety of both Torani and Da Vinci syrups (like an entire aisle). Walmart has like 2 flavors (usually vanilla and hazelnut) as do most other grocery stores. And u can get a big bottle at Cash and Carry for about $3.50. Our last trip there we stocked up and go 15 bottles (ranging from Khalua to Toffee Nut to Almond Joy). Couldn't carry all the flavors I wanted (nor do we have room to store them!)
They're really yummy in plain vanilla Protein shakes..

When u start eating solids again, u'lll actually feel full. Probly not the same u did before (I call it "Thanksgiving full") but right now the liquids don't stay in there long enuf to satiate u. I was on liquids for 4 weeks so I was literally read to eat my arm by day 10 (some people claim their hunger goes away for a long period after the sleeve, due to the removal of Ghrelin, but about 50% of us go back to feeling hungry soon after).
I promise ull notice a difference once u start eating real food. I never had a pureed period (went from liquids to soft) so I'm not sure about that step but I know after my first Tb or so of refried Beans, I felt like I had eaten half a cow.
Oh, and some people can tolerate anything right off the bat (not a good idea, however) and some have to go slowly thru the stages.When u've overdone it or eaten the wrong foods, ur stomach will let u know. And it'll take a long tiime before u go there again...
Good luck!

Just an FYI: For those of u with a Cash and Carry or Smart and Final nearby (or I'm assuming any restaurant supply store), u'll find a HUGE variety of both Torani and Da Vinci syrups (like an entire aisle). Walmart has like 2 flavors (usually vanilla and hazelnut) as do most other grocery stores. And u can get a big bottle at Cash and Carry for about $3.50. Our last trip there we stocked up and go 15 bottles (ranging from Khalua to Toffee Nut to Almond Joy). Couldn't carry all the flavors I wanted (nor do we have room to store them!)
They're really yummy in plain vanilla Protein shakes..

In my experience, in most of those places you can find wls-friendly food. Would it be something you would want to eat all day, every day? Probably not, but it won't hurt you for one day. Get a burger and throw out the bun. Get a turkey sandwich and throw out the bread. Most of those sorts of places will be harboring things like sausages, shrimp skewers, hot carved sandwiches, or salads somewhere.
To be on the safe side I usually do smuggle in some nuts and Protein bars, but I've never had to actually use them.

Just an FYI: For those of u with a Cash and Carry or Smart and Final nearby (or I'm assuming any restaurant supply store), u'll find a HUGE variety of both Torani and Da Vinci syrups (like an entire aisle). Walmart has like 2 flavors (usually vanilla and hazelnut) as do most other grocery stores. And u can get a big bottle at Cash and Carry for about $3.50. Our last trip there we stocked up and go 15 bottles (ranging from Khalua to Toffee Nut to Almond Joy). Couldn't carry all the flavors I wanted (nor do we have room to store them!)
They're really yummy in plain vanilla Protein shakes..

When u start eating solids again, u'lll actually feel full. Probly not the same u did before (I call it "Thanksgiving full") but right now the liquids don't stay in there long enuf to satiate u. I was on liquids for 4 weeks so I was literally read to eat my arm by day 10 (some people claim their hunger goes away for a long period after the sleeve, due to the removal of Ghrelin, but about 50% of us go back to feeling hungry soon after).
I promise ull notice a difference once u start eating real food. I never had a pureed period (went from liquids to soft) so I'm not sure about that step but I know after my first Tb or so of refried Beans, I felt like I had eaten half a cow.
Oh, and some people can tolerate anything right off the bat (not a good idea, however) and some have to go slowly thru the stages.When u've overdone it or eaten the wrong foods, ur stomach will let u know. And it'll take a long tiime before u go there again...
Good luck!

I was told at surgery to wait for 6 weeks before doing anything besides walking (anything upper body). Then at my 4 weeks post op appt, I was cleared for doing anything I was comfortable with.
Good luck!

I didn't like McD's before my surgery, let alone afterwards. It's funny ur mentioning this right now. Last month, McD's came out with the buy 1 get 1 free of Big Macs. haven't wanted a Big Mac in about 10 yrs. Till I saw the commercial. About a week ago, my poor hubby had to get dressed (we're usually in bed by 9) at 9 pm (cuz it's only after 9) and go get me a Big Mac. It's been 11 mths since my revision and that 1/3 of a Big Mac was yummy, not at all like I remembered it from 10 yrs ago.
Hope this isn't the start of something...
But, since u asked, I DO eat most of my fav foods (incuding pizza, tacos, burgers, fries) occasionally and a very small amt (like I can eat about 1/2 pc of thin crust pizza, 1/3 of an In and Out cheeseburger, 2/3 of a Del Taco soft taco, about 8 fries-and this isn't all in 1 meal, btw! LOL). I luv my tiny tummy and I don't want to ruin it and it's affects by eating too much/too often.
When u start sliding into a single digit pair of jeans, u really don't want to go back to a size 22 again...
Good luck!

Today, my family went to a theme park, and I decided to give it a try and see if I could fit into one of the rides since I have lost 75+ lbs. While I was in line, there were multiple people that tried to ride only to be forced off the ride when the safety harness wouldn't come down far enough on them. I was extremely nervous that the same thing would happen to me. But, when it was my turn to board the ride, I fit!!!!! Such a great NSV for me!!!!

In and Out and 4 Guys also have "Protein style" burgers which r wrapped in lettuce. Hubby gets these all the time. It's a great way to eat a burger, holding it in ur hands like an actual burger. Personally, I don't like lettuce wrapped burgers. It's not really a burger without the bun. I eat them occasionally, and I will eat about 1/3 of an In and Out. Hubby can eat In and Out about 3x a week. I like it about once a month.

To me (and I previously had a drain taken out after my gallbladder surgery 20 yrs ago) it's more 'freaky' than painful. It's almost like when u swallow a strand of spaghetti and then pull it back up. And yes, I've done it even as an adult! Had it lasted longer than about 5 seconds, it probly woulda been painful to me.
The whole 2 days after my surgery, I anticipated them removing my drain before leaving the hospital. I panicked. Then my memory came flooding back to me (kinda like labor does with subsequent babies) afterwards.
Sorry it hurt. Not sure why it would hurt. Good luck on the rest of ur recovery. Hopefully the worst is behind u.

I used to luv Fresca! I would think a splash of grapefruit in some Water, or maybe some grapefruit, a touch of lemonade, and Water?
Good luck!

Oh, and something else I just noticed: It only had 8gms of protein! Wow. usually my Greek yogurt ( I usually eat Natures Path at 120 calories for 6 oz) has 15 gms.
How can TJ's even sell this as Greek Yogurt? Seems like it should be in the dessert aisle...

I like Carbmaster also. We have it at Ralphs on the West Coast. They don't make Grek yogurt, tho, do they?
My fav is the caramel "something". Tastes like dessert. I think there's something like 4 carbs - which is excellent for yogurt

HINT: Check the nutrition facts of anything new u might buy. Just finished my Trader Joes Greek Honey Yogurt (8 oz) for a total of 290 cals. Of course, I didn't know till I finished, otherwise I wouldn't have eaten it. Even eating 1/2 woulda been too much for yogurt.
Geez, what the heck r they thinking? To make something that seems so innocent so guilty?
I will be reading labels before I buy next time...

Oh, and something else I just noticed: It only had 8gms of protein! Wow. usually my Greek yogurt ( I usually eat Natures Path at 120 calories for 6 oz) has 15 gms.
How can TJ's even sell this as Greek Yogurt? Seems like it should be in the dessert aisle...

I like Carbmaster also. We have it at Ralphs on the West Coast. They don't make Grek yogurt, tho, do they?
My fav is the caramel "something". Tastes like dessert. I think there's something like 4 carbs - which is excellent for yogurt

HINT: Check the nutrition facts of anything new u might buy. Just finished my Trader Joes Greek Honey Yogurt (8 oz) for a total of 290 cals. Of course, I didn't know till I finished, otherwise I wouldn't have eaten it. Even eating 1/2 woulda been too much for yogurt.
Geez, what the heck r they thinking? To make something that seems so innocent so guilty?
I will be reading labels before I buy next time...

I didn't like McD's before my surgery, let alone afterwards. It's funny ur mentioning this right now. Last month, McD's came out with the buy 1 get 1 free of Big Macs. haven't wanted a Big Mac in about 10 yrs. Till I saw the commercial. About a week ago, my poor hubby had to get dressed (we're usually in bed by 9) at 9 pm (cuz it's only after 9) and go get me a Big Mac. It's been 11 mths since my revision and that 1/3 of a Big Mac was yummy, not at all like I remembered it from 10 yrs ago.
Hope this isn't the start of something...
But, since u asked, I DO eat most of my fav foods (incuding pizza, tacos, burgers, fries) occasionally and a very small amt (like I can eat about 1/2 pc of thin crust pizza, 1/3 of an In and Out cheeseburger, 2/3 of a Del Taco soft taco, about 8 fries-and this isn't all in 1 meal, btw! LOL). I luv my tiny tummy and I don't want to ruin it and it's affects by eating too much/too often.
When u start sliding into a single digit pair of jeans, u really don't want to go back to a size 22 again...
Good luck!

Wow, u lucky dog. I couldn't have fruits/veggies for the first 4 weeks, and then only canned for another 4 weeks. I craved my fruit smoothie (OJ, frozen strawberries, frozen banana, pineapple and yogurt. To keep it think without watering it down with ice, I also put in 2 ice cubes of froz OJ) and thought "why not? It's a liquid and I can add unflav Protein powder to it", but then I re read my drs advisements and decided not to try it.
Ur very fortunate!

I didn't like McD's before my surgery, let alone afterwards. It's funny ur mentioning this right now. Last month, McD's came out with the buy 1 get 1 free of Big Macs. haven't wanted a Big Mac in about 10 yrs. Till I saw the commercial. About a week ago, my poor hubby had to get dressed (we're usually in bed by 9) at 9 pm (cuz it's only after 9) and go get me a Big Mac. It's been 11 mths since my revision and that 1/3 of a Big Mac was yummy, not at all like I remembered it from 10 yrs ago.
Hope this isn't the start of something...
But, since u asked, I DO eat most of my fav foods (incuding pizza, tacos, burgers, fries) occasionally and a very small amt (like I can eat about 1/2 pc of thin crust pizza, 1/3 of an In and Out cheeseburger, 2/3 of a Del Taco soft taco, about 8 fries-and this isn't all in 1 meal, btw! LOL). I luv my tiny tummy and I don't want to ruin it and it's affects by eating too much/too often.
When u start sliding into a single digit pair of jeans, u really don't want to go back to a size 22 again...
Good luck!