NancyJerry

You've been given some very valuable advice. As everyone has mentioned it depends on "you." If you go, hopefully you have a doting boyfriend willing to haul everything you need (even if you feel good DO NOT LIFT) like your chair, Water, etc. I think I would have had a hard time sitting up-right at that stage and I too needed to wear just yoga pants, but at the same time, I'm a teacher and was back to work 10 hours per day by then. It's so hard to say. Like Ashely said, take your pain meds - don't be a hero and wait until you are in pain. Whatever you do #1 congrats on your surgery and #2 enjoy yourself!

I made it early! Weighed in at 168 for the past 3 days, so I'm claiming it!! A little early - but Happy 4th of July! I'm not making a new "goal" per se, but just looking forward to see where I actually end up by the 4th of July! Happy losing everyone!

Oh WOW! Good for you! I know how hard it is to watch others indulge; some days are a breeze and some days are like torture. The good news is, if you can work past some of your head hunger you'll have more breezy days than torturous ones!! Give yourself a good pat on the back and good luck on Monday. Keep us posted!

Joey, at 3 days post op if you are getting in your water and protein ( or most) by the end of the day then IMO I'd say you are right on track! It's ok if you are not terribly hungry right now, it'll come back!

It took me a week or almost two before my sleep habits became normal again. I had to sleep sometimes in my recliner sometimes in bed propped with a ridiculous number of pillows. It should get better soon! Hang in there!!

You'll get a lot of opinions on this topic! What people can tolerate after surgery really varies. My NUT said to "work up to" 50grams within the first 4 weeks. I was fortunate and able to get 50grams in my first day home and within a couple of weeks able to easily get in 70-80. I'm now 3 months out, as long as I'm thoughtful about what I eat I get 80-120 daily. This is so true!! During my pure liquid phase I used products made by Health Wise -hot chocolate and hot tea were awesome. But Premier Protein shakes offer 30 grams of protein in 11 ready to drink ounces. Love them! Good luck!

That's hysterical! If only there was a "sign" of when to retire our clothes (OH! That was one!!) Hahaha! Enjoy your smaller size! I've gone from size 18 to 12's being loose. What a feeling!!!! :-D

Wow! That is maddening! I'm shocked that the Lasix isn't working- I hope you get relief ASAP!! Good luck!

I dropped a 1/2 size and went from a wide to average width! The best part is that constant pain that I used to be in prevented me from wearing cute shoes and now - 95% pain free- I can wear just about anything! Something to look forward to for you!

Wow! Sounds awesome! Will you come cook for me?? LOL! How fun that you and your husband both have the sleeve - I mean I've got great support but to have someone who "gets it" from the inside would be awesome! Thanks for sharing!

MY FAVORITE - Best bang for your high protein, low cal option is PREMIER ready to drink shakes. I get a case of 12 from Sams Club for about 18 dollars.

Updates are good. Sounds like you are on a good track and in a good frame of mind. Good luck to you!

When was your surgery? How many calories per day are you eating and in what quantities? Even though I was walking every day, it took weeks for me to work up a decent amount of stamina and endurance. I'm better than 3 months post op and am just really able to get into my old exercise routines. I dare say, most people experience hair weakness and loss. The general consensus is (and my NUT agrees) that you'll thin out for 3-5 months between 3 and 5 months post surgery. Getting your Protein in, and supplementing with Biotin and Zinc are doctor's order for me. For better or worse, sounds like you are right on track! :-D

Leighx, Of course you know there can be complications with any surgery. If you look for it, you'll find people that have gone through horror stories. I've had many procedures in my life that haven't "worked." I had In-vitro and 4 miscarriages (my friends all got pregnant the first time), I had a bladder sling 1 week before my sister (her's worked perfectly, mine did not), I have periods from hell that never stop and so got and IUD that stops "most" peoples' periods (guess what? mine did not) - don't even ask about my bunion surgery! LOL. This is NOT pity-me parade, just stick with me here. So when I went to have my surgery, I was so scared (certain really) that I would be that ONE PERCENT of people with complications. I just knew it wouldn't work for me. When I woke with gas pains (because you will have these and nauseous - which you MAY be), I figured this was it and I'd made the biggest mistake of my life.... Here's where the story gets good, I got home and within a couple of days I had ankle bones!! YES - I said ANKEL BONES. I was so excited to have the edema go down in my legs and feet. And I could WALK, and I STOPPED hurting! My feet, my legs, my knees, my back. Within a couple of weeks I was already happier and healthier than I'd been in a very long time. I'm now more than 3 months post op and I RUNNING. I started the Couch to 5K program, I joined a gym and I can do things my body has refused to let me do before. I don't need daily naps, I'm happier to be around. I can go into stores and by a LARGE shirt and know it will fit when I get it home without trying it on. I could go on and on, but people here have already done this - find the good! If you still want this and need this, then please spend some time searching success stories and find the reasons to have this surgery, not the reasons to not have it. IMO you'll be much calmer about the whole thing! :-D Best of luck to you while you make this decision!!

Susie, I love reading these too! I can relate to many of these too! Congratulations to you!!

Welcome! Your dedication pre-surgery will really help you post-surgery. Can't wait to see your progress!!

Lot's of inspiration here! Praying for you!!

Relax and try not to rush this. There will always be the next thing you "can't wait for" (moving through the food phases, losing another clothing size, getting to a certain weight, etc. It's a long process/journey/experience. Take it day by day without too much over-thinking! Good luck to you - you'll do great!

If you didn't hurl you did great!

The Celebrate Company is an A++ company. If you can afford and tolerate their products they are wonderfully and thoughtfully created for people with our needs!!

I had my surgery done here in the middle of Michigan with an EXCELLENT surgeon. I had a drain tube for a total of 8 days. IMO, people tend to advocate for what they went through, so being true to form, I have no regrets for having my drain tube. It was crazy easy to take care of and like Karen mentioned, having a visual as to how my incision was healing was very comforting. My first days I had a brighter red-ish color and about 30cc's per day. By Day 8 the drainage was more like a light blush color and only about 10 or so cc's. The drain tube reminds me of the bulbar end of a turkey baster with a plug (like you find on inflatable toys). It collects the extra drainage and when you empty it, you unplug it and squeeze it out. Easy and clean!

My only advice is to not hurry yourself through your food phases. Or as you are advancing stick with boring or bland foods In the end it helps you to only eat when you are hungry and to not over eat because you aren't very excited about your food. To be gentler to my system I just used Ramon Noodle seasoning packets (through away he noodles) for my Soup. I truly believe moving slowly through the food phases helped, almost cured, my head hunger! The progression my doc had me on was slower than most. Couldn't even have fish or eggs or cottage cheese until week 8. At times I just wanted to advance anyway since it looked like everyone else did and tolerated the foods just fine, but I made a commitment to my doc's plan and I'm so glad I did.

Yup. We can dump. Usually sugar induced, but for me it's rich-foods induced. When I was still in the clear liquid phase I tried straining Progesso chicken Soup just for its broth and holy man did I get SCK! Sweating, chills, nausea. Sugars only bothered me a little bit very early on (didn't try any until around 4 weeks post) but now a s long as I eat a good meal first either I don't want that sweet treat anymore or I only have room for a few, satisfying bites.