Butterthebean

I licked Doritos during my 2nd week post op but didn't chew them. I needed the taste of something that wasn't a Protein shake. But I just read a book called "The First Twenty Minutes". In it, they talk about a study where 3 groups of test subjects rode exercise bikes for a while. One group was allowed to swish flavored Water but could not swallow. The flavored water had zero calories. One group swished unflavored plain water. The last group swished a sports drink containing dextrose and fructose...in other words, sugar, so it had calories. None of the riders swallowed anything. But the group that swished the sports drink with sugar rode farther with less effort. In other words, they were somehow ingesting some of the fuel (sugar) from the drink even though they didn't swallow. So be aware that "some" of what you're chewing is not being spit out, especially sugar.

The first time they got me up to walk after surgery I got the hiccups almost immediately. Other than drinking that barium stuff, that was the worst part of my recovery. It's all that gas they pump into you. Hiccups are just your diaphragm spasming. You could try a heating pad on the upper abdomen, it might relax. And keep walking.

Where are you on your post op diet? For me, I was starving on the liquid phase. I started feeling better once I got to solid foods. Plus, the foods you eat play a role in hunger as well. When I first started eating again, I was eating mashed potatoes, grits and macaroni and cheese regularly because they were on my soft foods list. But those are all starches and simple carbs and they only increased my hunger. I switched to chili and egg salad because they are all Protein. It made a huge difference. The farther away I get from those starch eating days the more control I have over cravings and hunger. I still get hungry and I have always felt like I had a higher than normal capacity for food post op. But now I can predict when I'm going to be hungry because it's very consistent. It's also not overwhelming. I feel it, but if its not meal time or I'm not near food, I'm okay.

A lot of people like the Quest bars because they have more protein (20) and only 3 net carbs (due to the high fiber content). I personally have not tried them yet but I just bought a box from Amazon.

They are tasty, but check the carb count. What is it, about 24? Thats too much.

I started doing the C25K about 4 months ago and I'm loving it. It really helps to build you up gradually. I also really love my Brooks Beast shoes. Great shoes for us heavyweights. I think I remember reading that one of the causes of shin splints was overstriding. I was taught that your feet should land directly under your hips when jogging, not out in front. I took me about 4 days of running to figure out a proper pace for me. Once I did everything fell into place. If you're that sore you should back off just a bit. Dont over do things or you could end up injured.

That's a great list. And while nobody is perfect, the fewer of these mistakes you make, the more success you're going to have.

Shrimp kabobs on the grill are awesome. I usually grill some for Thanksgiving.

Posing in front of the mirror.

After you are fully recovered there are very few things across the board that you can't have. But your weightloss honeymoon will only last so long so you should take full advantage of it by cutting out all those things you mentioned. Once you reach goal, having the occasional 1/2 cheeseburger isn't going to hurt you.

You are half the woman you used to be....way to go.

It's only going to get better each day. Sounds like you're recovery is going great. Soon you'll be running 5Ks.

I'm 5-1/2 months out. For the last 6 weeks this is exactly what I've been doing. It sucks. I just decided to concentrate more on performance goals (like running) and less on the scale. Plus my clothes are still getting looser.

Having a child is a strong motivator to live and to be healthy. No one can deny that you take a gamble either way, but you have to decide which risk is greater....possible death on the operating table, or a shortened life span due to obesity. Following the pre and post op diets will certainly reduce (but not eliminate) your risks of complications.

Why don't you want to take the meds?

Frasier?

Just let it happen. If you hit the 3 week stall, it will only stress you out more. Just enjoy the process and let your body heal while you work on new healthy eating behaviors.

Very soon you will be cooking meals just like you always have, you will just choose different types of foods (it's to be hoped). You will also have more leftovers for "afterwards".

Escape Pod pretty much said everything I was going to say. The restriction will be way more noticeable by the time you start solid foods. Don't try to find it now. Your stomach needs time to heal, this is not the time to test it. The feelings of hunger can be attributed to head hunger, thirst or acid....as has been said. Many people go through this. Take comfort in the fact that you are not nauseous or hurting. Things will get much better very soon.