Hello,

My name is Monica and I am on my 3 week as well! I am so tried of liquid so it was good to be able to eat soft foods however what do we eat. I am not eat alot anyway! I pray things get better for both of us! The only thing that I am happy of is I was 226 the day of surgery and now I am at 190!! My baby girl said mom you have to make yourself eat more so you can feel better!! I want to sit down and have a meal with my family I so miss that!! Good Luck!!

Be encouraged, I am not sleeved yet and I am still trying to get approved. This is a journey and there are so many others that have gone through what you are dealing with now. Know that here you have support. I will pray for both of you. Stay positive!

I have been on pre-op liquids for 13 days now... surgery is in 10 days....and I still eat with my family. I have broth or a protein shake and all is normal for us. I think "mind over matter" is the key. I cook meals for the family..bake cakes, cupcakes and brownies. I refuse to let my changes disrupt this family. We are no different now than we were when I ate like they did. I prepared myself for this journey months in advance and knew what was coming...I don't feel left out or cheated when I see my husband (6'5 and 180lbs) eating a BBQ Chicken and Bacon Sandwich, or when I see the kids eat warm baked chocolate chip cookies. I actually look at them and think...Ewww, I use to eat that! Yuk!

I ask..."Do you know how many calories that is?"...ha ha ha! I am very aware of food and what food does to people...mentally and physically. It can control people...it once controlled me. I would binge eat at times... having a Starbuck coffee, 2 chocolate twist donuts...on the way to work and then eat a McGriddle Combo at work. Later snacking on chips or pastries before lunch. Lunch would be Chinese or Mexican food...ending with ice cream sundaes or another pastry. Gotta have dessert right? Then I'd snack all afternoon...get a treat on the way home and still have Dinner...maybe pasta and bread or fried tacos. And last but never the least...CHEESECAKE for a bedtime snack! Yep....I ate all of that in one day! I can't even count the calories or carbs in that. And I wonder why I weighed 350+ pounds! Humm...I figured out the answer.

So....now when I watch others eat like I did..it grosses me out! Food is not our friends...I look food in the face....watching Food Network or the Cooking Channel all the time... and know it no longer controls me. I control it! I decide what goes in my body now. I love to cook..so watching those TV show about cooking..inspires me to change up the recipes and make it healthier for me and my family.

Remember....and I may eat these words in the weeks to come...LOL...but, eventually we can all eat our favorite foods...we just won't eat LARGE portions. I have friends who have had the sleeve and the RNY and most are 6 yrs out now...they eat whatever they want but small portions. So...someday we too can have BBQ Chicken and Bacon sandwiches...or maybe just a bite or two..which will satisfy us completely.

Liquids are tough...but look at the reward...you are so close to the soft foods..and trust me I would love some mashed potatoes too.

I weigh everyday...it keeps me honest! Yes the scale moves differently everyday...I know somedays it is + and others is -...I just know that my body is changing and it helps me know what I need to change.

Savor this moment...embrace it and prepare for the next phase...nothing last forever! You are doing great!

God bless!

Today is week one since my surgery and I wish I could eat too. Hang in there my uncle has been sleeved since March of this year and he reached a 100 pound lost last month. I am proud of him he said prayer and patience is key in order to get through the first couple of weeks. I'm truly working on both myself. Remember it will all be worth it in the end. I'm cheering you on girl!!!!