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I'm reading a book called The MagicalArt of Tidying or something similar to that and have started implementing it. Started with my clothing. As I was going through my clothes I realized that most of the clothes I had were purchased simply because they fit. One of the premises of the book is that we should only own things that "spark joy." I ended up getting rid of 2/3 of my clothes. It was so freeing. Now when I'm shopping I'm only buying things I just love. Also I felt so old in my old clothes. Now I'm feeling so much younger. No more old lady clothes for me! Mich W Hw 223, SW 217 CW 179.8 GW 135

I was just sleeved last Monday. Definitely stock up on Protein Shakes- I like premier brand 30+ grams of protein in an 11oz container. They have 5 flavors. The problem is though is I NEVER would have imagined how hard it is to drink after surgery. At 1 Week, I STILL can't manage 64 oz of liquid day- I barely get 50 they tell you to sip sip sip, and I understand why. They say you can only drink an ounce or 2 at a time, they are NOT joking! I can drink about 75% the size of a bathroom Dixie cup- beyond hat, I feel pain- like a heartburn. That's when I know I have to wait. I was on clear diet for 2 days- I got isopure drinks from GNC - they are 40g protein in a 20 oz. bottle. I could only finish 1-1.5 in a day. They are very sweet ( do not get coconut)- they leave your tongue feeling gritty - strange I know..... but high protein. my doc called and asked how I was doing- I said I have problems meeting the water quota- they said for first few weeks that is Normal, just try for as much as possible. Today is 8 days post op- the 11 oz premier protein container takes me about 5 hours to finish!!!! Granted I do sip water in between. my biggest suggestion- get all CHEWABLE pills. I have a combination of both. The problem is some of the pills are large- so I drink some water to swallow. The pill and the water pretty much take up 1/2 of my pouch!!!! So when I need refills going to get all chewables. On the full liquid, I am allowed blended soups.... if we go out, I dip my spoon and lick it to prolong/slow my eating somewhat. After about 10-15 dips, I am full! 1 bowl of soup = 4 meals for me. Take it home and put the remaining in an ice cube tray. WHen ready to drink, pop 1-2 cubes in a small cup and in 1 minute my soup is done! the pre-op diet was the hardest part. good luck to you

I had similar experiences when I started eating solids after surgery - it improved over time. Four months out and no more gurgling!

I can speak to the calcium carbonate versus citrate issue. It's not about where it's absorbed it's that carbonate needs an acidic environment to be broken down efficiently. If you take acid blockers or have less stomach acid produced because of less stomach, citrate is optimal. Of course individual mileage may vary. I had some issues with my parathyroid glands (which regulate blood calcium) and had to have three of the four removed. My endocrine surgeon made the normal recommendation for his patients and gave me lots of calcium carbonate... I wound up with tetany from low blood calcium and it took a long time for us to get it regulated again post op because we didn't take into account the lower acid in my stomach to break down the carbonate. I had a bone density scan (typical when you have parathyroid issues) and we found a ton of undigested calcium carbonate showing up on the scan in my intestines!

Atkins low carb 1st phase 20 grams of carbs, water and walk.

Are you still drinking your Protein drinks at least once a day? That has high Protein in it. I'm over a year out and I still drink 1 Premier Protein drink once a day. Not the powder form, but the ones in the carton. Are you tracking what you eat and drink? MyfitnessPal is a great app for that and that way you can see how much caloric intake you're having a day. There's a science to success, but you have to do the work and tracking tracking tracking is key. Every nibble, bite, lick, drink...

Definitely a no no. The pre diet is to shrink your liver before the op and alcohol will have the opposite affect. It could even prevent you having the op. Might have to wait a couple of months p.

You can't sleep so much that you aren't up drinking. Keep on pushing the fluids, take a sip every 5 minutes. Measure your consumption. Set alarms to wake you up from naps. If you aren't getting at least 40oz a day, you'll likely end up at the ER or clinic for IV fluids. Toy around with the type and temperature of your drinks.

The diet right after surgery will be hard. Clear liquids, then full liquids, then puree, then soft foods. My dietician said half a cup of food per meal. 1000 calories per day is the goal. 80 grams of protein per day is the goal plus 64 ounces of water. I will be honest with you, it is very difficult. I am a food addict and it has been very hard. I miss all my old foods. having said that I am glad to see the pounds falling off.

Yikes, my incisions did not look that red around them....you should call your doctor. I did experience similar stuff though only a week out...felt this like burning and pulling pain, could barely sit up and down and laying down and getting up was terrible...it felt like I was pulling stitches too. Just take it easy and be as gentle as possible when moving but you should reach out to your surgeon's office and ask if that redness around the incision site is normal...I had glue not stitches on the outside and it just looked like tiny scabs where the incisions were...