randalljohn

I will be one month post-op on Saturday. Doctor said everything looked great when I went to see him two weeks post-op and I had no problems with nausea or throwing up. He said that I could start soft foods and even regular food as long as I chewed it up really well-- and that my body would tell me if I'm doing too much too soon. I have lost 34 pounds so far, which is great. I think I have been trying to eat too many normal foods and I'm just not ready yet. But I really am craving real food and I do take the time to really pulverize it before I swallow. The frustrating thing for me is that it isn't until 15 or 20 minutes after I eat that my body tells me that I over did it--- while you're eating, it seems to be going down great, but then later-- I am feeling like I need to throw up--- and sometimes do. I know I just need to back off of the regular foods and do more liquids.... and add the real food gradually. I never thought that I would miss eating so much-- I took out my mother-in-law and my family for Mother's Day to one of our favorite restaurants which was really difficult.... My old self would have devoured everything on the plate, but I was only able to enjoy a few bites and my 15 year old son took care of the rest This is teaching me a lot about my food addiction. I look forward to the day when I can eat normally and enjoy small portions of the foods that I love. I am interested in hearing your comments! Thanks, Randall

Just had to vent. I am craving real food so badly! The first few days after the surgery were a breeze and I was actually enjoying Jello, broth, then yogurt, pudding, etc, but now I am really sick of it! I know I have to see it through and I will, but the lack of variety is very frustrating. I want to eat something with texture!!

I am one-week post op. You must follow the post-op diet to be successful and not damage the surgery site as it takes time to heal. I won't say that I don't crave foods that I can't have, but I am not having hunger pains at all. In fact, I can't really believe how wonderful and filling that chicken broth and sugar-free Jello can be. There are things that my family is eating that really look delicious to me right now, but I am not about to screw this up.... it wouldn't just be cheating but would be medically damaging at this point. One day, I will be able to eat reasonable portions of the foods that I love. As I have seen said many times before, "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels." There is no way that I would call this an easy process. Those that say that you are "cheating" by having this surgery must think that it's not difficult. ANYONE would lose weight following this structured diet. It is the reduced calorie amount that is causing the weight loss--- not that your smaller stomach makes you magically lose weight. The surgery changes your hunger which will give help with your willpower to accomplish what you couldn't on dieting alone. Don't give up! I almost backed out of the surgery myself because I kept thinking "i should be able to do this on my own", but I've never been able to. Now that I have had the surgery, I have the strength and willpower to stick with the plan. Good luck!

how much weight have you lost?

I'll probably have my wife hide our scale. I can see it may be an obsessive problem for me!

thanks for mentioning "My Fitness Pal"-- this is going to be an awesome tool. I was concerned that I was eating too much, but this is showing me exactly where I am in regard to calories and protein. Everyone should use this -- especially in the first few months after surgery.

Good luck! I hope everything goes as well for you as it has for me, so far! Keep us posted.

I LOVE the gummy vitamins. I also take calcium citrate in gummy form. Feels like I'm eating candy ( which is mostly true)-- vitamins in a candy base.

i almost hate to post this because I see so many posts from people who are stalled or disappointed that the weight is not coming off as soon as expected. I know for those people that it will eventually happen, because you can't eat as little as we are eating and the weight not come off eventually. So far, I have lost 19 pounds since I weighed two weeks before my surgery. I didn't have an extended pre-surgery diet--- just one day juice diet prior, but I had lost a few pounds before the surgery date. I have had no nausea, have not thrown up once and had no real issues to speak of. The worst part of this was the barium swallow test at the hospital I know that everyone says not to weigh yourself every day, but so far, every day shows a drop.... so until that stops, I'm going to keep checking. I was so afraid that this wasn't going to work for me, but I am thrilled so far and sticking to the diet has not been a problem, though I have had to stop watching "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" -- and the Big Mac commercials have never looked so delicious as they have the past few days. I am liking the EAS Protein drinks and the Designer whey Protein To Go Drink Mixes ( the orange and lemonade favors). These are really good and have 10 grams of protein each-- just mix with a bottle of Water. I do find them a little bland so I mix a little Crystal Lite with them to give more flavor. I hope everyone will have the same success that I am initially having.... and that you'll all be there to encourage me when it stalls!

THANKS! When did you have your surgery, Tmorgan?

congratulations! Had my surgery five days ago and so far, everything is great and i know I'm not supposed to weigh myself everyday, but I can't help it. And I am losing weight every day. I know that will stop at some point, but right now it is very exciting.

The EAS drinks are pretty good. They are comparable to the taste of SlimFast. Granted, it's not the best thing in the world, but it is certainly not unpleasant to drink. I like to put it in the freezer for a while so that it gets a little slushy.

I thought the broth I had in the hospital was awesome! I guess I was just starving. The broth i've been getting at the grocery store doesn't compare.

Bread has always been my downfall. If I can't ever eat bread again, it will be a blessing!

Had mine April 19th! So far, so good!

The bus ride is not the issue. It's how you're going to feel walking around EPCOT all day. It is a huge park and is spread out ( lots of walking ). It makes even healthy people tired. You may want to tap someone in your party to cart you in a wheelchair (which you can rent) or you can rent an ECV for the day at the front entrance.

Interesting! I didn't know this was a side effect. I told my son several times yesterday that he smelled like his clothes were sour, but everyone else thought I was crazy. And my wife had bad breath last night and that is really unusual ( but I smartly didn't say anything). So maybe it is just me!

So glad I saw this. I am running a low grade fever 3 days post-op and was concerned. Hopefuly it will stay low grade.

Got home from the hospital yesterday and can't believe I feel this good already. Went to church today, came home and walked a half mile. I am still sore-- especially when I bend at the waist, but am not taking any more pain medicine. Not really hungry right now either. Don't know how I'm going to get all the Protein I need in the first part of the diet--- tried a protein shot today and it was really nasty. I'll find something that tastes good, I'm sure. Thanks to everyone for their support the last few days!

Just wondering how long should I expect the muscular pain and soreness/tightness from the surgery to last? How long did it take you to feel "normal"? Thanks!

That's great! I just returned home from my surgery and hope I have some positive results to share like yours!

Had my surgery yesterday and everything seemed to go well, Had the barium swallow this AM to check for leaks and there were none, but the barium was not flowing well from the esophagus to the stomach. Doctor said nothing to worry about...that it is probably just swelling at t surgery site and will improve. They will keep me an additional night and will see how I do on liquids today. I'm trying not to worry about this, but it is disappointing. Anyone else experience this issue? Th Thanks!

Thanks for the replies. I have been on the liquids only yesterday and today and have had no problems throwing up-- not nauseated at all so everything seems okay. My surgery was Thursday and I'm still at the hospital, but should be discharged any time. I feel really good today and it feels good to get up and walk around. Plan on trying to walk a lot when I get home.

I have been drinking fluids all day with no issue and I definitely know they are reaching the stomach because it is gurgling so much. So I guess it was the swelling of my stomach or the tissues around it that caused the issue with the swallow test not showing what they wanted. My abdomen is pretty swollen. I didn't think I would leave the hospital looking fatter than when I went in, but with the swelling, that's they way it is All in all, everything has gone well. I am in more pain that what I was expecting, but nothing like having a kidney stone ( compared to that, this is a piece of cake so far).

Approved and surgery scheduled! I am so looking forward to good results. I know it won't be easy, but I am so thankful to have found this support forum. None of my family has ever had a weight problem and would not be supportive of what I'm doing. Their advice to me has always been to "push away from the table." They really don't understand how hard it has been the past 15 years to fail so often trying so many things.... diets, hypnosis, adipex ( which made me feel like I was having a heart attack), etc. So, I'm not telling them what I'm doing. Thankfully, my wife and children are supporting me 100%. So glad I have found this site and can learn from other's experiences. Good luck to everyone on their journey! Randall