NikiS

Congratulations and here's wishing you a speedy recovery!

I am definitely losing more inches than weight these days. Like you, some of my pants simply can't be worn anymore because they are way too big - and that feels great!

I don't see the post of the sample diet. Can you please re-send.

I've eaten french fries, chicken fingers and fried chicken before. Grant it, they were bites and not whole orders of food, and nothing happened to me. I wasn't uncomfortable at all but it's not something I see myself doing again any time soon. Also, and this may sound weird but all of the fried foods that I tried all seems super duper salty. They were purchased from places that I frequented in the past and I doubt if they changed their recipies but it was way too salty for me. That alone if enough to make me stop eating it/them.

I am only 7 weeks out and it seems like I've been eating regular food for quite some time. Me and the mushy phase didn't work - mind tricks - LOL. Shrimp and fish are wonderful starter foods. And believe it or not, chicken goes down pretty well. It's very filling and a great source of Protein. Because it is a dense food, like me, you'll probably stay full for a long time. I'm sure whatever you decide to venture and try will be fine. Remember to take your time. Sometimes I find that I still eat way too fast and that can be unpleasant. All the best and let us know what you decide to do. Enjoy! Niki

I have gone out a few times and I too have gotten an appetizer as my meal. Even though it's only a little bit of food, I still have leftovers to bring home which isn't a bad thing.

You look amazing! Congratulations on all of your hard work and on your success!!

I'm a little over 6 weesk out and I sometimes get this same pain except mine is usually under my left rib cage - right now it's on the left side of my abdomen. It's not daily and it doesn't have me doubled over, it's just annoying. I notice when I don'r drink enough liquids or if I eat too fast the pain occurs. Walking definitely helps. All the best!

@BigManIndia and Missjanab - congratulations to you both. That is simply amazing. it's only a total of 30 lbs for me and it's been 6 weeks. Guess I shouldn't say "only" huh?! LOL!! Anyway, congrats on all of your hard work. It's really paying off.

Congrats on your surgery. I'm sure you won't see this post for a while but still... I had a slight delay in time but nothing like yours. I was scheduled for a 7 AM surgery and was told to get to the hospital at 5:45 AM. I had on my hospital gown and waited from 6 AM until 8:45 AM when they wheeled me into the OR. It was around 9 AM when I was put under so only a 2 hour delay. However, 2 hours later I was in recovery and here I am 6 weeks out.

I too am 6 weeks out but I am no longer on mushy foods. In fact, I never really did them. Bad right?! It was easier for me to do the greek yogurt and eat fish (talipia). I tried puree-ing meats and...yikes! Anyway, in answer to your question, I was told at some point I would be able to consume 6 oz comfortably, but this would take some time. Now for the crazy part, at 3 weeks out I could eat the entire 6 ozs of Chaboni Greek Yogurt - go firgure. I even told my doctor this and he told me yogurt is a slider food. It goes through the new stomach with ease. The 6 ozs that I'll be able to eat will/should be a meat (first) vegetable combination and I'll probably be around 9 months out. Keep in mind, each doctor is different so some people may already be able to eat 6oz with ease.

Congrats on your surgery! You're well on your way. I agree, for whatever reason I am able to get down a lot of hot tea - much more than cold or room temperatured water. It's still early so the weight loss may not be as evident but trust me, it will definitely start melting off and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the results. Get ready...

Sad to say I have yet to measure out any of my food. Like you I don't know how much I can officially eat, but I have pushed the envelope several times. Things that I don't think should fill me up as much as they do, do and then I'm miserable. However, when I eat carbs, it seems to take longer for me to get full...go figure. No worries though. My intentional bad carb eating days are behind me. Getting a food scale is on my To Do List. So is measuring out a serving. Calorie dense foods that are great sources of protein are shrimp (1 large is 9 grams of protein), and talipia. I think 1 piece or a serving is 90 or less calories and 20 grams of protein.

Don't worry, your energy will return. Your procedure was less than 2 weeks ago and your body is probably still in "what in the world just happened" mode. I promise...it'll get better. Each doctor gives a separate set of instruction. My surgeon tol dme to take Vitamins as soon as I got home - which was 1 day after surgery. Also, when I am my most tired I seems to give up a pound or two. It's a little too early for you to seek Protein from other sources. Definitely stay hydrated and drink all 3 of your shakes each day. All the best, Niki

I hope everything works out for you! Don't give up and be encouraged! All the best, Niki

Christmas of 2010 I got my mom a pair of dress pants as one of her Christmas presents. She couldn't fit them and in all of the Christmas rush and confusion, I couldn't find my receipt so I just kept them. You know how you have that pair of pants or that dress and you don't get rid of it/them because they are your "one day I'll be able to get into that" item. Well, just on a whim, last Friday I tried on the pants and although the scale has been moving at a snails pace not only could I fit the pants they were loose!!

@Newleaseonlife, thank! I'll try that site to see if they have anything here in Philly re: walks/runs/exercise.

CONGRATS!!! It's such a get feeling to having new found energy in addition to the weight loss. Keep up the good work.

I saw a few protein bars at 7-Eleven this weekend. They ranged from 28 grams to 32 grams of protein. There was this one bar - I wish I could remember the brand - but I do know it was 32 grams of protein and 340 calories. I haven't tried any bars yet but I'm certain I will in the near future.

Steve, I say take a deep breath, dust yourself off and try again. There are a billion Protein shakes and juices out there. You'll find something that agrees with you. Like you, in the beginning I was hungry all of the time. I think my change came on week 3. Suddenly I felt restrictions and wasn't able to take in much. Another thing for me was this, I confused thirst with hunger. If I felt "hungry" but sipped instead of ate, I was cool. It's been less than 2 weeks for you and your nerves are probably still numb so your restiction factor hasn't kicked in yet. Also, a lot of us have had things that we shouldn't have had. I read a post where someone said 3 weeks out they ate a half of a bacon cheese burger and a bowl of chili from Wendy's. Each person is different. Some people can barely tolerate Water let alone pork skins. Definitely don't kick yourself. However, you don't want to do anything to cause yourself damage to your new tummy. All the best, Niki