Hey all, I'm Ray, and I'm on my way to RNYGB. I've been creeping up the scale from 235lbs in 1995 to a bulging 415 at the beginning of 2011. High BP, borderline diabetic, loving food, life was good. Of course, then life expectancy for males in my family was around 62, and being 52 now, my retirement plan was to work until I literally and actually dropped. However, life puts important people in your life that can change your perspective, and that happened to me: Kellylynn. So I began to get selfish. I decided that I wanted more time on this rock, to lengthen my trip on this rock, and to do that. I needed to care about myself and my health. So, I saw the Docs, got some tests, added meds, and listened to the same old spiel about balancing those food groups and exercising towards the golden prize. However, the deep, dark, recesses of my mind continued to rule the delicious and comforting roost. I needed a tool, something aggressive, something my mind had little say so, so I decided to get radical and choose to pull the rug out from under my thunder. I'm choosing the bypass, gastric style. After tons of input, learning I could reduce or eliminate my current and future obesity-related ailments, I began my journey towards 5 tiny incisions and an even tinier stomach pouch. And, as I knock out the requirements of tests, probes, education, psychoanalysis, and about 23 lbs of initial dietary struggling, I draw nearer to a referral to a surgeon who will alter my digestive system to literally FORCE my mind out of the drivers seat. And, to be honest, I'm more than a little scared. Yeah, I'm pretty heavy, and that weight continues to take its toll, but I work, I'm active, I'm living a very happy existence, and I'm about to toss the biggest monkey wrench into my own biological gears. Fear creeps in, and my mind is trying to talk me out of it. My mind knows quite well what is about to happen, and it wants me to stop, teasing me with visions of many delicious things and countless hours of comfort from the fullness of wonderful flavors and sensations. But, as I write this down, I shall tell my mind to mind it self. I choose me, a better me, a better and healthier life, and I shall risk much, to lose more, and end up in a winning position. I just hope that position is not spent bent over a toilet seat...

Correction. Can not tolerate liquid yogurt. Makes me ache. Might be the small amount of sugar. Silk is good, as is applesauce, oatmeal, and cream of wheat. Tomato Basil soup is a go, and I will delve into Split Pea soup for dinner. Still enjoying the Popsicles, pineapple-orange-strawberry Dole juice is my taste buds new friend. Soft foods to start Wednesday, and my mantra will be Mashed Potatos! Mashed Potatos! Mashed Potatos! (hopefully)

Try mashed cauliflower I hear it's awesome and better for you than potatoes! I Have a recipe god it

For it and it tastes similar to potatoes according to others who have tried it

Yes, please. I'll take that recipe, or a link to it. Thanks.

I heard cauliflower, broccoli and the likes give you bad gas.. I'd be careful if I was suffering from gas anyway..

You guys are doing so well.. I still have trouble finding foods to eat

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All good suggestions and precautions...

I'm still on clear liquids- only 5 days post-op soon I go to full liquids and that is at least one week before I go to puréed foods

Sounds very much as my diet schedule. I move to puréed foods on Wednesday. I just made an appointment with my cardiologist for June 25th to reevaluate my blood pressure meds. I hope your initial liquid regamine has gone well. I'm going to take advantage of the gym here in San Luis Obispo to do a little cardio, treadmill, elliptical, bike. My clothes are getting very loose... Hurrah!!!

Correction. Can not tolerate liquid yogurt. Makes me ache. Might be the small amount of sugar. Silk is good' date=' as is applesauce, oatmeal, and cream of wheat. Tomato Basil soup is a go, and I will delve into Split Pea soup for dinner. Still enjoying the Popsicles, pineapple-orange-strawberry Dole juice is my taste buds new friend. Soft foods to start Wednesday, and my mantra will be Mashed Potatos! Mashed Potatos! Mashed Potatos! (hopefully)[/quote']

I lovemash potatoes. Looking forward to soft food. I can survive on Water snapple and mash potatoes yummy

First day of soft food diet. What a wonderful day. I got re-aquatinted with 2/3 of a hard boiled egg at breakfast, 1/4 cup cottage cheese at lunch, and 1/3 cup delicious mashed potatoes for dinner. No rejections, all accepted with my tiny new pouch. Plus, I put 1-3/4 miles on the treadmill this evening, and I'm tired, but feel good about it. Small steps, big changed, positive results. It's all good...

Is that all you were allowed to eat?

Good job ray! I started full liquids today so runny cream of wheat for me- yummy

At this level, the soft and puréed meals, it was recommended by my doctor that I consume 3 meals per day, each meal fitting withing 1/3 of a cup maximum. This is allowing my digestive system to acclimate to the re-introduced foods, while minimizing the stretching of my new pouch, as well as training me to get accustomed to eating smaller portions. I thought it would be impossible to get used to eating such small amounts over the course of about 30 minutes per meal. Thankfully I am getting used to the new regamine, this from a person,who just a month ago, would consume an entire family size meat-lovers pizza in a 30 minute sitting, chasing it down with 2 liters of Pepsi. No one is more amazed than I.

Good job ray! I started full liquids today so runny cream of wheat for me- yummy

Congratulations! I'm so excited for you. Just a note: steer clear of the SpongeBob Square Pants chocolate Lagoon Cream-of-Wheat. I really enjoyed the fruit flavored packets of oatmeal, the first batches I puréed further in my Magic Bullet. I was sad when I didn't respond well to the liquid Yogurt, but when we return to Fresno, I'm honing to give it another try. It's just so yummy. My Pregresso Tomato Basil Soup became my instant pizza-flavor replacement during the full-liquid stage. I've got 2 weeks on the soft & Puréed foods, and I'm at a very satisfied level.

Good for you Ray!!!!! I'm just surprised because my doctor started me with more food , not much more but more and it's bothering me.