KathyM

First of all BIG hug!!!!!! I am so sorry that you are struggling. I can't imagine going through all of the big life changes that you have in such a short time. I can relate to what you are saying about losing your coping mechanism (food). I was talking to someone the other day and told them that this surgery had kind of taken the fun out of eating for me. It no longer feels comforting to stuff myself. I actually kind of miss stuffing myself on pizza - sounds kind of dumb, I know. My husband of 25 yrs left me for a newer model and both of our kids are now in college. There are lots of evenings when the lonliness could easily drive me straight into the chip bag. This doesn't even come close to having a spouse pass away, but I do know how mean lonliness can be. I am proud of you for deciding to talk to someone about what you are feeling. You are in your 40's and have alot of life ahead of you. You are also on your way to a healthier body to live it in. I sincerely hope you can find peace in your journey. I think there are many here including myself who would love to be there to support you. Don't hesitate to lean on us - you are part of our family now

I used to be the same way - come home from work and drop onto the couch for a nap, then toss and turn all night and wake up feeling awful. Now.....I don't need a nap, and I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow at night and don't wake until morning and I feel great!

Those are all such awesome ideas and you are so fabulous for thinking of him that way!

chilo - DO IT!!!!! You will totally love it!! I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and when the music started, I thought "oh man I am so screwed!" I am soooo out of shape and can hardly exercise without feeling like I am going to have a stroke, but you know what? I made it through the whole hour! And it was so fun! And when I walked out of that studio to my car, I had a big ole grin on my face because for once in my life I DIDN'T QUIT!

Dave - Zumba is kind of like latino aerobics on crack lol. It was sooooo much fun and I had absolutely no freaking clue what I was doing! But.....it was an hour of exercise, most of it cardio lol, can't ask for better than that. :001_smile: If I can still walk and go to work tomorrow haha, then I am going to go again on Saturday. Blackberry - I am not anywhere near graceful for a ballet class - but I hope you enjoy it!

Wish me luck! I am actually going to do it! I am taking my first Zumba class today - hope it doesn't kill me!!! lol

I would rather watch the lawn boy

Globetrotter - I didn't really come home with any clearly defined guidelines except for the first few weeks. I do remember Tiffykins saying that at a year out she was eating about 1200 cal/day, I was just curious where I should be now? I am comfortable with how I am losing, so I must not be too far off track. How long ago was your surgery?

I am just over 2 months postop and was wondering how many calories a day I should be eating? I haven't meticulously tracked my food for a few weeks like I did in the beginning and sometimes I feel like maybe I am eating too much, so I tracked what I ate today and it was 665 calories. Too much? Too little? Is it okay? :001_tongue:

Mansart - I haven't been able to find any Protein drinks that I could stand so I have just tried to make sure that my food really counts - I eat protein first, then if I have any room lol I eat veggies, carbs etc. I love tuna, chicken, fish, shrimp, eggs, refried Beans (yes I know they are carbs). Since I have been on "food" I have eaten an egg every day. I have a tiny skillet lol and I scramble one egg and put a little bit of salsa on it, or I keep a dish of hard boiled eggs in the fridge and I like to cut one up and put a little bit of fat free miracle whip with it to make egg salad. It took me a little while to be able to eat a whole egg, but now it is no problem. I know that protein drinks are probably the best for you, I just couldn't do them. Hopefully you will find something that you like. K

I got waxed a week ago lol, it was quite an experience lol. But I found a wonderful salon and the lady who did it was soooo nice. Made an appt for another visit in 6 weeks. :thumbup1:

I drove an hour home from the airport 3 days after surgery. I stayed one night in the hospital. I didn't need anything for pain the day after surgery. I didn't have any pain with eating (started on cl liquids), though I definately know it if I overeat now! lol I think my tummy was a little swollen for about a week. Can't give you any help with Protein drinks, I think they are all gross and don't use them.

I totally remember that, I couldn't stand myself when I woke up in the mornings! So almost to the mushy/soft stage huh? It will feel so good to add in some new foods. My first outing was mashed potatoes and gravy from KFC and it was heaven! Before that I didn't even ever really eat at KFC lol. I also loved a scrambled egg with a tiny bit of salsa on it - still eat that and I am on regular foods lol. If you need any suggestions for food, don't hesitate to ask, lots of people on here with really good ideas.

Eating and chewing actually help get rid of bacteria in the mouth, so if you aren't eating much - especially early on when you are on liquids or mushies it can be worse. It will get better when you get to the stage where you are back on regular food. In the meantime, lots of teeth brushing will help. I would suggest chewing gum if you can do so without swallowing it, lol and please don't yell at me for saying that! haha - I know it isn't recommended because they don't want you to get gum in your stomach, but I haven't ever actually had a problem not swallowing my gum.

Lisa Lu No one should scold you for what you eat. Those are your choices and there is no reason in the world why you shouldn't have whatever you want. The difference between now and pre-surgery is that you can't eat too much of it. So have what you want girl, you are doing great!! You are only a mere 20 lbs from your goal weight and that is awesome!!

I had the VSG

I am definately in the same boat! Guess we are all in the same boat. Must be a big boat.

The stall is normal - it will pass. Mine lasted 2 1/2 weeks! I have actually found that increasing my calories can sometimes get me losing again - I think your body gets kind freaked out at times and then your metabolism slows, for me adding in a few extra calories seems to help with that. I know exactly what you mean about taking that one bite that is too much - it's a killer isn't it? I have also learned not to eat for a while before I go to bed or I will have problems with reflux.

I had surgery in Mexico in July with Dr. Almanza and haven't needed any follow up care at all. I feel better than I have in years. My patient coordinator was a putz but is no longer working for them. I actually had a new patient coordinator from there contact me and tell me that if I ever had any questions or problems to call her and she would help me. I have emailed her a few times with questions and she has always answered the same day.

Yoplait Whips yogurt in the freezer - just like eating ice cream!

Ugh! I lived on Crystal Light preop and for the first few weeks postop and now I can't even stand the thought of it - and I have about a million of those little singles in my cupboard!

I am soo loving my sleeve! I finally beat a 2 1/2 week stall and am back on the losing road again. I have lost almost 50lbs all together, 33 since surgery. My face looks different, my arms are less thick, and I'm getting some impressive batwings haha. my boobs are like roll up windowshades lol, but my butt is holding on for dear life!! My shirts definately fit better and are even loose, but dang if my jeans aren't unimpressed with my weight loss. I read all of these postings about jeans falling off of people, but not me! A little frustrating, but I am still really happy with how I am doing. I just LOVE getting on the scale and watching it go down a little at a time! :biggrin0:

I don't have any problems with mushrooms, but I seriously can't do pineapple juice - something that I really love. For some reason it doesn't set well with me at all! Weird how some foods do that.

You look AWESOME!!!!!! Doesn't it feel great? :biggrin0::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Lisa - keep your chin up, you are doing great! I'm not sure what your mom's motivation for her comments is but it really doesn't matter. What matters is YOU! If your nutritionist has told you that you can advance your diet, then do so!! You can't stay on clear liquids for the rest of your life and that is not how this works anyways. I too was excited about every new food that I have been able to add in. When I was on full liquids, I used my Magic Bullet and pureed Campbell's chunky soups - I could only eat about 1/4th of a cup at a time but the taste was heaven! Someone else told me to buy the Yoplait Whips yogurt and put them in the freezer - it's just like eating ice cream! Good luck baby, you are on your way!:biggrin0: Kathy