Before I gave birth to my 18 year old, I was 150lbs. I was hawt, all the fellas wanted me and it was all good. I gave birth to my oldest in 1996 and I never, ever saw the scale say 150 again.

By the time I gave birth, I went from a size 8 to a size 16. Bear in mind that I have no one to blame but me. I was practically known by every staff in Cheesecake Factory.

I waited another 12 years before I gave birth to another baby. By this time, I had become pre-diabetic, had obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure and all sorts. At this time my 5'2" frame was holding a morbidly obese woman who is now 230 lbs. I had back and knee problem and had become depressed from being in a crappy marriage. I had a third child and ballooned up to a size 18.

Needless to say, I got up and dusted my shoulder to say enough is enough. On May 6th 2013, I started the process. Many will say I BS'd a lot because I was scared about what I was about to embark on but I was relentless and forged ahead. It took a year to get my act together but I eventually met all the criteria and Early in June 2014, I got word that insurance had approved my Gastric Bypass.

For someone who did not drink Water and had the eating habits of a child, it has been a tough journey. I gave up regular soda and drank the zero version. I was able to lose 10lbs pre-op. I had my surgery on 6/16/14. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days because my White Blood Cell (WBC) was high. I was finally allowed to go home and it has been very hard. I can't seem to eat much so fulfilling my Protein intake has been hard. I am getting better though. I have lost 7lbs in 6 days and I am so elated. I was 220.9lbs on 6/16/14 and as of today (6/22/14), I weigh 213.4lbs.

Congratulations! Your making the changes I hope to make in the next few months...I'll be looking for your updates. We CAN do this! Beth

Congratulations! Your making the changes I hope to make in the next few months...I'll be looking for your updates. We CAN do this! Beth

Well I am rooting for you. It will be fine.

Congrats to you!!! We had surgery on the same day and I, too, struggle with the protein shakes! I can't stomach them and am nauseous frequently :/. Good luck on your journey!

Congrats to you!!! We had surgery on the same day and I, too, struggle with the protein shakes! I can't stomach them and am nauseous frequently :/. Good luck on your journey!

So how does one deal with the shake issue? At this time I am not getting even half of the required protein intake. I can't really drink much. However, crystal light and I just became best buds. I can tolerate that and sugar free Popsicles. What kind of surgery did you have? My back is killing me and I just cannot seem to get it together. Well since we got our surgery the same day, I will look to you for advice.

Congrats on your surgery! You're only a week out now so don't stress too much about protein. Get in as much as you can and you'll be able to get in a little more each day. Make sure you're getting in as much water as you can, crystal lite does help.

I'm not sure if you're on Clear liquids or full liquids -- I was clear liquids the first week and couldn't get much Protein at all because all those just tasted nasty to me! It was so much better the next week when I could go on full liquids and get the premade shakes or use the powders. So far, my favorite is unjury chocolate Supreme (even had some with PB2 powder in it - yum!). I also like the Syntrax Nectar's that I've tried (the Cookies and cream was pretty d'lish!). And I've learned to love Greek yogurt. Since this stage couldn't have chunks or fruit in it, my NUT told me to add some sugar free Jello. It gives it a little more texture and tastes like there's some fruit in ther.

I moved onto pureed and this stage is pretty good so far -- I love refried Beans anyway.

Next week -- soft foods!!!!

I'm only 1 week ahead of you all (6/7) and I can say it definitely gets better. I only got a total of about 100 grams of protein the first week because I landed back in the hospital with pneumonia and I could only get one Protein Drink a day, but I lived through it. Like the other poster said, just try to stay hydrated and keep working on the protein.