JoiaRox

Thanks so much Rebecca! Looking forward to trying them

Congratulations, and welcome! Although a road trip is doable on Day 4, PLEASE know that you will be tired, low energy, etc. - and you'll need to prepare and plan for how to meet your liquid and nutrition needs while you are away! As long as you aren't planning an skydiving, or tons of walking, you'll be fine. Be sure to get out of the car periodically, though, to walk around - that's quite a drive!!

Had surgery June 7th and have been stalled for 2 weeks. TWO WEEKS. ::sigh:: I still get on the scale every morning. But, I guess an addiction to the scale is better than an addiction to food! Just wish my addiction would bring some happiness, even though my brain is fine with what's going on!

Yup, every doctor is different....consult with yours!

My carbonation is only restricted for the first thirty days, although I'll go super slow with a Diet Coke if I'm not too scared to try it then!

Everything varies by surgeon & insurance - from pre-op testing to post-op diets to procedure. Never fear, just keep doing what you're told!

Haven't heard back from the message I sent the OP yet, so I may be the odd woman out too (if someone private messaged here instead of replying here)! I'm happy to split the bars and, because I'm in a good mood, I'll pay all of her shipping costs to both of us!

Stage 2 for me was anything that didn't require chewing. Most days, I'm eating Greek yogurt, fat free refried beans (sometimes melt some fat free shredded cheese on top), mashed potatoes (not often - they're not the most nutritious pick!), turkey chili w/no beans (higher protein)...

I'll try them!!!

Don't know, but I have the Chocolate Splendor and love it, for what it's worth! Just finished some Chicken Soup as well (blended it with Cream of Chicken soup) - yum!

Sounds like you need to spend some time looking on the inside for what's going on...some ideas: 1. Track your food (use MyFitnessPal or similar free program online) to see what you're consuming, if you're not already. You MUST eat enough calories or your body won't lose - funny way of thinking, I know. Print out reports of your habits (or bring them up on your phone) to take to your doctor/NUT to discuss what you're doing and what you could be doing differently. 2. Focus on high Protein, at this point. If it doesn't have a good protein number, it doesn't belong in your mouth. You are HEALING - you can't afford to eat stuff that may go down easily or be a former fave food if you're sacrificing nutrition. 3. Get off your ass. Yes, I know that's harsh - but why choose to be weak and make excuses? Be stronger than your excuses. GO FOR A WALK. If you have a smartphone, download the "Couch to 5k" app to help motivate you toward a goal. Set a goal yourself outside of that - even mini-goals (i.e. take 10 minute walks 3x/day) are important. Share your goals with your support network (family, friends, Facebook, etc.) and Celebrate your accomplishments with them. SO MUCH of this journey is in your head - you have GOT to start conquering THAT, in whatever way works best for you, before you can expect results. Sure, the sleeve is a fantastic tool that forces a behavior modification (i.e. smaller portion sizes), but you've got to make the right choices in the kitchen AND the gym (figuratively - many don't "work out" at the gym) if you want to see results. This surgery was NOT a magic wand. If you were led to believe that, that's highly unfortunate. Take charge of this journey - because it's YOUR journey. No one else can do this for you!

What's stopping you from getting all of your Protein in? And, protein itself won't cause you NOT to lose weight - you need to make sure you're getting your fluids & Vitamins in, as well as your protein, to aid in healing and muscle rebuilding. THAT'S most important at this stage in your recovery process. Once you're healed, the weight will start to come off - it can't help itself!

I felt good at Day 6 (able to drink 24oz of Water in an hour) at my first pre-op appointment. Took my kitties to the vet on Day 7 (with my boyfriend along for the ride and to lift the kitty carriers). Went to a former boss' retirement party about 80 miles from my house on Day 8. I was exhausted quickly with all of these activities and continued to nap, sip, nap, sip. I returned to my desk job on Day 10 (including a 3+ hour commute)...and was flat wiped out by the end of that work week. I'm now 3.5 weeks out and my energy is still not what it was pre-op, but I'm sure part of it is the low calorie consumption! I will say, too, that I've been told I had a speedy, textbook recovery...and I still take it easy on myself every day. I know I'm not fully healed yet (the purees are a constant reminder!) and I know that I won't be for awhile. Like I said before, it gets infinitely better every day. Take it easy, take care of yourself and don't rush the process - long-lasting consequences can happen if you don't get your rest, fluids, Protein, etc. Your body will guide you

Breathe...it will get better, every day! Soon, this immediate period of post-op recovery will be a distant memory and you'll be elated when you step on the scale each week!

I asked at my most recent appointment (I'm 3.5 weeks out) and was told "I don't care how many calories you consume, or how much weight you lose! I want you to meet the protein, fluid & vitamin goals and heal!" The tool isn't fully healed, yet, so work on your minimum goals and the tool will be ready to rock before you know it!

Chew, chew, chew and go slow! It doesn't hurt, per say, but you will feel your stomach adjusting to the consistency. I can now eat purees almost like a normal person, but I've been doing them almost 2 weeks now

I'm 3.5 weeks out and stopped to buy Prevacid on my way to work yesterday - although my acid reflux isn't as bad as it was with my slipped LapBand, ain't nobody got time for this!

In all seriousness, I just did a Google search on the mortality rate - websites vary, of course, depending on where they draw their data from. Any surgery bears a risk, from basic complications to death. I trusted my surgeon completely, and was well researched and prepared before I committed to this. That being said, I've been in the WLS community for awhile now, having first had a LapBand installed in January 2010 (removed in March 2013 and sleeved in June 2013). I am an active blogger with many friends and family members who have either the LapBand, Gastric Bypass or Gastric Sleeve. While I know of one person who's had complications, I know no one who has had fatal issues with any WLS.

I'd guess that if someone had passed away from the surgery, they wouldn't be able to respond here...

Most gas stations, Wal-Mart, etc. all sell e-cigs (Blu and nJoy, to name a couple of brands) - go buy one now! No excuses!

I've thrown up twice post-op...once from a multivitamin my tummy didn't like (that reaction happened quick!), and once last night from drinking a larger sip of Gatorade G2 too soon after eating some refried beans (also a relatively immediate reaction). No bueno!

In my experience? You know instantly. The "rumbly" stuff is your tummy digesting the food! The "rumblies" diminish as you get farther into the journey

If I knew then what I know now (including the information gathered from the medical community)? I wouldn't have wasted over 3 years of my life with the LapBand. I'd be thin and healthy already from having gotten the sleeve done!

Ask your doctor if s/he's okay with electronic cigarettes! I quit smoking using these, with my doctor's blessing ("vaped" in the hospital in my post-op recovery room) using liquid nicotine. Every doctor is different, but both my surgeon and PCP are quite happy with the switch. I'm 3.5 weeks post-op now and have had a textbook recovery, all while continuing my nicotine habit.

I had to do two visits - one for a chat, one for tests. When I got a copy of the 6-page report? I laughed and posted excerpts on Facebook. My friends/family were telling me that they could have given the diagnosis for free