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Awesome!!

I never can keep my stories straight, so I tell anything to anyone...

Just a few notes on some of the changes I've noticed in myself over the last 9 weeks post-op. 1. I eat when I'm hungry now, don't really look forward to the "full" feeling or have a "taste" for anything in particular anymore - lovin' it. I use to get these overwhelming cravings for a certain taste (especially Whataburgers), they're gone now. 2. I do enjoy what I eat and sometimes I still catch myself trying to eat just one more bite, but I know I'll be feeling sick if I do. It takes time to learn the new "full" signals. 3. I feel satisfied and I get a small thrill seeing how little I actually eat now. Although sometimes, I catch myself trying to finish that last bite - even though I'm full. I've learned to leave it on the plate. 4. Once my staple line swelling went down, I was able to increase my eating to about 4oz per meal, and did start feeling more "normal" after the 2nd week, but it wasn't until about week 6 that I was back at my old energy levels. 5. I can eat pretty much what I want and walk away without gorging myself. I have always been able to take or leave stuff like cakes and cookies. Rice, pasta and potatoes were (I almost wrote "are") my thing. But I can easily pass up most starches now. Although pasta triggers my hunger cravings and I have to stop myself from overeating and making myself sick. 6. My feelings or attitudes has changed incredibly about food. Don't really care about food anymore. I have no "flavors" I desire. So I eat my own concoction of shredded grilled chicken, re-fried beans, cheese and salsa almost every meal - for the past month. 7. There isn't anything that I "want" to eat anymore. I am so happy with my restriction and I don't miss anything, no food cravings, nothing I miss. And there is no food that I couldn't eat at the 3rd or 4th week. It may cause some stomach upset, but if I eat it slowly, I can eat it if I want. However, I do miss being able to chug 16oz of icy cold Crystal Light. 8. I can still eat spicy foods (curries, peppers, etc). I eat salsa almost daily and I found this sweet/spicy dip made with Greek yogurt that I like - very warm. I find it weird that the thing that bothers my stomach the most is healthy fibrous foods, like grape skins, bananas, apple peels, and pineapple.

Check out my latest video for this exciting announcement! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXurQmN6IXE

Your milkshake experience sounds a lot like dumping syndrome. Probably too much sugar for your system to handle!

This was a one of the greatest descriptions of what you can expect to feel about food after surgery that I have read so far! Thank you for sharing this. I pray that my recovery is the same and I feel the same way you do about food after I have my surgery. It really give me hope for a more "normal" life after vsg.

A bougie is guide that is used to help the surgeon size your new stomach. Once you are under sedation, the bougie is passed down your throat and into your stomach. The surgeon cuts your stomach around the bougie. Typically, surgeons now use between a 32 and 40. The smaller the number, the smaller the guide's circumference. Early out, surgeons used bougies as large as 70. There is a huge amount of controversy about bougie sizes. But bougie size is not the only factor in determining how large you stomach will be. Some surgeons oversew the staple line. Some cut closer to the bougie. Some people have longer stomachs. All these factors affect how much smaller your stomach is. And your stomach size is not the only factor in your success. How compliant you are with your program and how resistant your body is to losing weight are important aspects to consider as well. The pic I've included of bougie sizes is one that periodically makes the rounds on this board and others. If you want more details on bougie size and it's effect on your success, read Carmelita's blog entry on this over on Obesity Help: http://www.obesityhe.../2011/03/31/-2/ Lynda

Thanks for sharing, I too am 6 months out. my biggest hurdle is chips. Nevet ate them much before, but sure sit and eat a half bagg if I let myself. I noticed after my surgery i craved more salt than i ever had, so I have to be careful.

I hear you!....Im going in Monday....Nervous and excited at the same time.

I know how you feel. i am having surgery one week from today and last night i did wake up in a panic. with a million questions...........will i always have to sip my water, will i alwyas have to chew my food 25 times before swallowing.........will i be able to eat regular food after a while. am i going to be able to get all the water and protein down after surgery. i know that i am totally making the right decision, i guess it is really the fear of the unknown. good luck to us all!