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I created a blog entry with the same content below here, but I feel like no one ever reads BP blogs, so am posting in the forums for good measure. Sorry for the dupes! Also sorry this is so long! ---------------------- It's been 3 years, y’all. I’m a 5’2” female and was 235 lbs & 45 yrs old at the start of the 2 wk liquid diet. Didn’t lose any weight prior. I was on high cholesterol and blood pressure meds, diagnosed with fatty liver, pre-diabetic, peed every 20-30 mins, and snored like a freight train (so said Mr.) Day of sleeve surgery: 223.2 lbs No recovery issues, but I became dumper on sugar (still am). I got off my meds, eliminated liver and diabetic diagnoses within a month. I can hold my pee like a superhero (including not having to go once during a 9 hr flight pre-covid!), and I sleep so silently that Mr. admitted to checking on me during the night in the beginning to check if I was even alive. I ate VERY little during weight loss phase compared to most, but it worked for ME…I didn’t suffer any medical/nutritional issues nor any angst throughout. I tracked everything I ate/drank, weighed myself every morning and took my measurements every Wednesday (I STILL track and weigh daily - its just habit now -, but no longer take my measurements regularly) Reached goal of 127 lbs 7 months after surgery. I had zero stalls. I had a tummy tuck, arm lift and breast lift at 14 months post op. Lowest weight: 109 lbs (this was a month or so after plastics, but quickly gained back to 115-ish) I’ve basically been 115-ish +/- 5 lbs since a couple months into maintenance. Weight this morning: 116.0 lbs even. Happy place is below 120 and/or that my clothes still fit, LOL. These days I exercise semi-regularly, running minimum 5km 2-3 times a week supplemented with the occasional 20-30 min strength training sessions at home (I continue to hate strength training exercises but consider it a necessary evil), and various other for-fun cardio activities. Part of me wanted to get back to higher exercise levels so I can get the “fitter” look I had back then, but I long ago reconciled myself with the fact that I don’t want it THAT badly. Maybe someday I may change my mind, but I’m cool with it for now. I average 1800-2000 cals a day. I drink alcohol and carbonated water on the regular, use straws, chew gum, drink coffee, and eat popcorn, fried foods and carbs. I love desserts. At 3 years out, my restriction is still in effect and could probably eat about 1-1.5 cups of food in volume at one sitting before I need to tap out: some things I can eat more of (salads) than others (dense protein & fluffy bread). I will barf if I eat too much or too fast. I have energy for days, and am more than satisfied with how I look and feel. Life is good. Had my 3 year follow up last week and I continue to be the picture of health, and my surgeon asked again if I wanted to be on a poster. Ummmm, no thanks. Regrets? ABSOLUTELY ZERO. Well, except maybe that I didn’t get a v-shaped tummy tuck incision vs the straight line one that I got. Just means that I can’t wear higher cut bikini bottoms without my scar showing (see the last pic in the collage below). But I mean, really, I’m just nit-picking at this point. This forum has been a constant in my life for the past 3 years, and I’ve made some great connections and some actual REAL friends. Its really nice to engage with others who know what the eff you are talking about, even if its just about food porn and clothes sometimes, lol. Hugs and Congrats to those who made it to the other side with me, and Hugs and Good Luck to those on their way.

Yes, I definitely want to get some more exercise in once I am able to eat more. Right now I struggle getting enough to eat and drink. I had my surgery at JourneyLight in Cincinnati, OH.

Me! 🙋‍♀️ Surgery scheduled for 12/6. Have to start my pre-op liquid diet on Thanksgiving. I guess I can sacrifice one holiday! Excited to finally move forward but sometimes reading some of these boards end up making me feel more nervous!

I'm sorry you're struggling with these things, but I think this is all completely normal. Some folks who have VSG do not feel hunger for a period of time, but many people do. Neither is right or wrong, its just due to each person's anatomy/surgery/surgeon, etc. Similarly, cravings are completely normal and people feel them to varying degrees at different points in their journey. At one month out, I know your options are limited, but maybe you could find some substitutes? Look for a good protein powered in a flavor you like, sugar free jello or popsicles might be a good option, or try a sugar free drink mix (crystal light, mio, etc.). As for hunger and weight loss, are you hitting your protein and fluid goals? If so, how much of your protein is coming from shakes/powders and how much is coming from food? Following your programs plan, you might want to start aiming to get as much protein as you can from your food intake and slowly decrease the supplements, as they won't fill you up and keep you full nearly as long as more dense protein sources. Additionally, increasing your protein and hitting your fluid goals can also help with weight loss. Ultimately, follow your plan and contact your surgeon/dietician if you need additional support. That's what they are they are there for! But you're on the right track and its still super early in your journey. Be patient with yourself and trust the process!

I'm so jealous! I can't wait to eat again! Haha. Today is my last day on clears and tomorrow I'm good for full liquids. I know I can't eat any of it, but everyone's food has been smelling so good and making me miss eating ANYTHING. I'm very excited to have a little yogurt or oatmeal! That incision (where they pull your stomach out) is the worst for me too! All the others seem to be fine. I don't even feel them anymore. I also had a hernia repair during the surgery, so internally I'm super sore. It's not as bad as I expected though. I had a c-section with my son, and I feel like that recovery was agonizing in comparison. I have a post-op appointment tomorrow, so I'm going to mention some of your suggestions to see if I can try them too! All suggestions are definitely appreciated. We're in this together! Meg xoxo

Aaah. The fun & games of how we all differently react to surgery & heal. My back went into spasm too so I know what you’re feeling - every position caused pain. Mine was because I had pain from swelling on swallowing so I was holding tension in my body causing the spasms. A heating pad should help & a pressure point massage from a physiotherapist if you can get one. The pain meds should be managing the surgical pain. If not, speak to your nurse. The back pain was gone in a day, surgical pain was almost nothing by day 4. I didn’t have any gas pain. I did have the sudden & completely unexpected bout of diarrhoea on day 3. Just once but that was enough. Yikes! I still gurgle - my own personal poltergeist in my tummy. It’s doing it now 😂. It does get better but it is scary at first because you don’t if what you’re experiencing is right or wrong.

This makes me so happy. I have a whole list of goals written on my white board (in purple marker, hence their name as Purple Goals) and one of my Purple Goals is no seatbelt extender and being able to put the tray all the way down. I usually try to fly up front, but I might take a short flight (maybe to Sacramento) to see whether I have achieved my Purple Goal. I won't ever fit in the seat, of course, because I still have Atlas shoulders, but the seatbelt and tray table thing is possible.

When I moved on from the liquid phase I started with Oikos Triple Zero yogurt, farina cereal with almond milk, sweetener & cinnamon. During the soft food stage, I added scrambled eggs. When I moved on to the modified regular diet, I had eggs with other cooking methods, high protein/ low carb bagels with light cream cheese, oatmeal with mashed banana or sweeter & cinnamon. I have also had protein waffles & pancakes with sugar-free syrup. I recently purchased the keto bread from Aldi and had that toasted with egg & cheese for the first time today. I often still start the day with a protein shake, just to make sure I get that protein in. I think I want to start making smoothies with some fruits, veggies, & added protein now that I am getting close to 3 months out. I hope you get some good ideas! It is helpful to hear what others eat!

Hi Folks! Today I am 5 days post op (Sleeve on 10/1). I was discharged Sunday night, reluctantly, but discharged I was. Fluid intake was and still has been difficult. While my abdominal area heals and my stomach inflammation goes down, introducing liquid is painful. When I say it’s a JOB to meet the 60g Protein/64oz Fluids goal I’m not lyin! Where’s my check!?!? Lol The gas has finally started moving and thank the lord I managed a poop 🤷🏽‍♀️ Today. Everyday gets a little easier. The more I get up and move the more I see improvements. I don’t have a ton of energy yet, but I know it’ll come. Those prepping or you fortunate ones with very little prep, keep your head in the game. Nerves are normal and this is about taking care of YOU. Sure, there will be moments when you wonder “what in the **** did I do!?!”, but it’s a scattered thought and won’t stick around. I was a nervous comedian down to the last drop of happy juice that knocked me out. I had the entire OR Prep floor rolling. My husband kept telling me to shut up because me on drugs is NSFW. 😂😂😂 Anyway … good luck. And quick question. Anyone else find it easier to sleep sitting up post op? If so, how long did it last? Picture of 3 of my 4 pups at my side since I got home.

I haven't had surgery yet, but I've seen the surgeon, the nutrionists, and had some of the insurance required tests already. I still have a few things to do, but the surgeon said he thinks I should be able to have it in November. So wouldn't you know that the moment I commented on one of the posts here about unsupportive boyfriend MY husband decides that he does not want me to have surgery. First he said he is worried something will happen to me, then he says I can do it by exercise and diet, and then today he said that he met me heavy and he wants me to be like how I was when we first met. Honestly I think he is worried that if I get thin that I will leave him, which I would not leave him but he told me that he will not support me on my decision to have it. He said we will get a divorce. He had already told me that he would not take to me or pick me up from the hospital and that he wouldn't take care of me at home, and I needed to call my sister to come and do it all. It is very odd because we have been together 12 or 13 years, married for ten of those years and he has never been that way with me. He says he loves me but he sure isn't acting like it. I think in the end he will go along with it but for now he has really upset me. His parents said they would help me when it comes time for my surgery. Each time I drink a shake he asks me why I'm still doing that diet. I just tell him it's because it's easier than eating at the moment. I guess I should mention that I've already lost some weight and now he is heavier than me.....not by much but he knows I'm going to keep losing and he is struggling to lose it, but he has started to the gym and hopefully he can lose it and won't feel so insecure. I really do think he will change when it comes to surgery time, but for now I'm just dealing with him nagging me about the diet and exercise. I'm all about exercise, but I'm healing from some tendon surgery so I have to wait until after my physical therapy for my whole body. Has anybody else had a spouse that didn't want to support their surgery in the beginning but changed their mind later?