Marty McSkinnystein

I did Optifast years ago and loved it. I made so many different concoctions with sugar free syrups and ice and lost lots of weight. Drink tons of water. The bars can be dangerous. Ooh ooh I remember what I did. I took and bar and sliced it into many pieces and put it in the freezer. When I wanted a snack I took out a frozen piece and it was great (like a little peanut chew)!

I'm newer than you. I'm not going to say I'll never eat baked Lay's again. BUT...this past year (my fattest year) I had baked Lay's with lunch all the time and convinced myself that they were baked so I was cool. To me, they're a gateway drug. So I will try not to eat them. Bread is my favorite food group so I'm going to be faced with that problem soon- not sure how I'll handle it- some people do open face with wheat bread or low carb tortillas to get more valuable calories than chips or just a few I guess. Again, no judgement here as I'll have the same dilemna soon.

My first thought is I haven't had any bad experiences and only support here and I can be quite sensitive. But just the other day I just talked with a friend from here on the phone and we both said if we ever messed up bad we probably wouldn't say it here. So that kinda means I do understand. I guess some people fear that if they say "Don't worry. Everyone makes mistakes, just get back on the horse" that they'll be giving permission for everyone to "break the rules" and put many reading at a big risk for complications. It's a big world and just like at work and in the world you don't always don't along with everyone or respect some, same here. We'd expect/hope for only acceptance but I guess it's not realistic from every person. I'm not going anywhere. But I wish you luck and hope you find a place that suits your needs. Maybe you'll come back sometime.

Oh. I thought maybe she was having food dreams and hoping someone would drop some yummy food in-- like a baby bird.

I was sleeved on July 16th. I'm happy, feel positive and haven't had any complications. I started pureed on Monday. Even though I never was a cook before I made that Eggface ricotta bake and it's awesome. After that almost month (including liquid pre-diet) of liquid it's great to have a little substance. Overall, I feel motivated and happy with my weight loss too. Ooh and today was my last shot in the belly (to not get blood clots)!!!! I wish everyone struggling good luck and hope that everyday gets better and better. I'm sure it will. Keep remembering how great you'll feel physically just moving around and not saddled with all that weight.

I was hoping I left just enough space! haha- fun fun fun!

I did ask if I could see pics. or video of the surgery. They didn't/couldn't do it. I do have the cast of my jaw from getting dental stuff done but that's a little different than an organ.

I had mine with the gallbladder also worked by a sculptor and glossed over with a shiny gold metallic paint. It's mounted over the fireplace. JUST KIDDING!!!!!

OMG, I am so not a cook- you have it made! Almost every recipe and food has something that can be converted into something we can eat- and love. I think we love it more because we're actually appreciating it finally. I am so incredibly grateful to be able to help you and listen having been in your shoes and knowing how much support is needed. I have people ahead of me in the process who really helped me through. Anytime!

Go the World According to Eggface blog. Tons of recipes. I just made one for the pureed stage. I just did all my pureed shopping yesterday. Lots of canned meat to add mayo to and bullet- chicken, Beans, chicken salad, eggs, crab. Also I found this humous with avacado and I put a lit sour cream hummadahumma!! AWESOME. I only ate that because I figure my calories are so low at this point more carby stuff won't kill me and I wanted some tasty stuff. Later, I'll pull back on mayo and sour cream and OBV. guacamole.

I'm at 2 weeks after surgery and I just had something allowed at pureed stage. It's called Shelley's Ricotta Bake and basically is the insides of lasagna. I am just like you--- can't imagine not having EVERY part of a meal...from bread to soup to meat, starch etc. However, there's like a switch after surgery- for example this thing I just ate- fabulous, (but I burned it ) I just knew I couldn't eat that much. I put like a "normal" serving on my plate (which was dumb) but I have this built in thing now that just says STOP and I honor it. It's not the same anymore. You really don't want to keep going. And I don't mean the word pizza doesn't conjure up happy thoughts but ...here's how someone said it to me- You know how after Thanksgiving meal you look around and appreciate how amazing it was but.there's no way you could eat another bite.. that's how this feels. I can't tell you how freeing that is. I know what you're saying, trust me--- we probably all do. There comes a point when you know, I just can't live like this. I just can't continue to let food be what I live for. How will I replace it? Not sure but I can't do it anymore. Done. And I've had barely any pain, no complications and am gaining more strength every day. I wish you luck!!! Keep writing.

How wonderful! And inspiring!

Today is my first day of purees as well. I had an appt. and then went shopping. I think I got every possible thing that can be mushed today. I'm so exhausted from the shopping I can't even begin to cook the things I had planned..the ricotta bake, the cauliflower cheesy bake thingy I've read about...ect. etc. I did eat (suck on) one of those laughing cow cheeses...YUMMY!!! It was awesome after about a month of liquid. I hope everyone's healing well. I really don't feel like I had such a major surgery. Lara, It takes time for the insisions to look great probably. Mine aren't bad- although I don't know what to compare them to. You could do stool softener. Good luck!! P.S. Where's your tickers people?! I'd love to see as we all go down together.

Yeah, I have the generic of Prilosec. I believe it's over the counter too- which in your case means you could have it today! Good luck!

I'm on an acid reducer/PPI and haven't had heartburn or anything. Did they put you on one?

2 more days!!!! I can't wait!! Thanks for the ideas. With the liquid diet beforehand, it's been about a month of liquid. Do I sound a little excited? :lol: :lol: :D :D

Cool!

I love Oh Yeah shakes and Pure Protein- 32 and 35 grams of protein (only 2 grams carbs). I get them at Vitamin Shoppe. They're expensive- about $3.00 each but in the beginning you're getting almost all your protein in with only 2 shakes a day that way. Premier Protein is good too (BJ's, Costco)

It figures my "big" questions always come at or close to 5 on a Friday and I don't want to bother anyone at the surgeon's office if most here say it's not a biggie. Not sure if this is a problem. In 3 days I start pureed (OMG- cant wait for the ricotta thing!!). So I dug out this amazing blender for Protein etc. shakes I bought years ago and whipped up a concoction- vanilla RTD shake, some greek yogurt, ice, pumpkin pie spice, tsp. of Peanut Butter and a 1/4 a banana. It has been (haha- 2 hours later) amazing! But... as a was gulping (for some reason liquids go down fine- I know I need to slow my roll) I tasted a piece and realized banana has these tiny pulpy seedy pieces. They were extremely fine and did get pulverized through the blender. I had lots of it already. The thing that freaks me out is one day this week someone said something about accumulated stuff like that getting stuck in the staple line and causing an infection. Do you think I have anything to fear? I've been so "good." I read about people going to soft foods almost immediately and can't understand that, however that makes me think if they "made it" doing that-- I'm probably fine??? Also, I'm not having any liquid restriction so this shake was really a lot --- since I didn't feel a need to stop how did you know when to? Calorie wise I'm still prob. around 500 a day but getting in at least the 70 grams and all liquid- easily. Thanks for any knowledge or even if you know a place on here that explains this process a little more fully.

Well it definitely was too much to drink- and I had my first bout of being uncomfortable last night. The shake filled me from 3pm until like 10 at night. Way too much stuff in it in general and didn't know when to stop. As far as the ready to drink- it was a Pure Protein that has 35 grams of protein and 2 of carbs. Is that not allowed in your program? (And just know I'm not being defensive or starting something- a bit paranoid with all I read today- coke thread..haha). Peanut butter- agreed- that was probably the thing that pushed that much too big shake over the edge. Like I said, that "seeds gathering at the staple line and causing an infection" someone said scared me. I tasted these tiny "chunks of seed"- I guess the middle of the banana hadn't been as finely mixed as I thought. Well that's over and I def. won't make/drink such a big shake again. Yikes!

Target? I'm looking too. I went to Bed Bath and Beyond to buy what I saw online (really nice!) but you have to order.

Hey buddy, great first blog! Our surgeries being only a day apart--- I also am looking forward to becoming a baby--- this infant stuff...pfffft.. dying for a mushed egg! You're doing awesome and I'm looking forward to seeing all your progress.

No bad stuff here either- minimal pain, no nausea or vomiting. Without surgery I would have inevitably had bad stuff- but make sure you understand what it's all about. Good luck!

In that case I'll take a double!

There's a long going thread under general discussion with polls about this. Most who stay on their program haven't it seems (they may yo-yo with a few lbs.). Good luck. I just got sleeved last Monday and feel fine.