JerseyGirl68

Congratulations! Good luck for a smooth recovery!

I would try some warm liquids, de-caf tea/soup and see if they go down easier. Your stomach is swollen, the heat may help. I also used a heating pad and took tylenol (crushed or liquid) that seemed to help so much more than the pain medication I was prescribed. Good luck, it will get better over the next few days.

Fantastic post, Cheri.

How far out are you? I had some tenderness a few weeks after surgery, but I really couldn't call it pain. Is is constant?

Best of luck to you today and for a smooth recovery!

I was sleeved 12/11 and was told stick to walking, riding my recumbent bike until my next followup at the end of this month.

Yea!!! Congratulations, you're on your way!!

AWESOME!! Way to go!

YEA!!! It is coming up fast! You do have a great attitude, and that will definitely help you through.

I remember that call too! Congratulations!! And good luck for a quick surgery date!

I pureed chicken salad and put a tiny bit of cranberry sauce on top, a meatball with a little sauce. Refried Beans w cheese. Egg salad. I thought the smooth texture would bother me, but it didn't. I was happy to have all the flavors I love. I also echo trying the Ricotta bake. YUM. Good luck .

Fantastic! Congratulations!!

Down 5 pounds in less than a week is a success and a great start. You are still swollen and recovering from major surgery. I came home from the hospital 4 pounds heavier than I went in from all the fluids they pumped into me. Give it time, and try not to focus on what you can't have. This is all temporary and a means to an end. Getting past the head hunger and cravings is challenging and you have support here. You can do this, keep remembering all the reasons you had this surgery, I'm sure they far outweigh cravings you may have now. Focus on getting in your liquids, that will help with losing too. Here is a link to LilMissDiva's Do's and Don'ts. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/23246-gastric-sleeve-surgery-dos-and-donts/ You can do this! Take care and good luck!

I agree, healthier does not have to mean bland or bad tasting. If you have not already, check out theworldaccordingtoeggface.com and emilybites.com Chock full of great recipes for every stage. Great tasting and you can alter as you need. I just made the lasagna cupcakes the other day and they were awesome. No sacrificing taste at all. Good luck!

I loved the Gas-x Strips, but if the gas is not in the stomach, they won't do too much. Walking/moving in general will break up the gas. I also found a heating pad to help. See if different temperatures of your liquids help. Warm liquids always went down much easier in the beginning for me. Congratulations! and Good luck!

I think you keep doing what you are doing. Keep reading up, get all the reliable information you can. Talk with your surgeon. Build trust in your doctors and the process. Vent when you need to, this forum is chock full of successful sleevers. Yes, you will come across those that had complications, but that is the reality or any surgical procedure. It is just as important to know the possible risks involved. Only you will know when you are comfortable enough to move forward. Good luck!

I seemed to have less of a tolerance for milk after surgery. I switched to Smart Balance/Lactose free and it has gotten much better.

I didn't.

I ordered from the Torani website, but I've seen them at WalMart.

Awesome! Congratulations on your success so far!!

I had my Gall bladder out the month before my sleeve surgery (my first surgery/first time in the hospital) and I found the two recoveries (pain) to be very similar I actually thought my sleeve surgery was easier. I felt I was more mobile after the sleeve. I of course had dietary restrictions but other than that I would call them comparable for sure. Good luck!

The first few days were the toughest for me to get in the water and protein. It felt like all I was doing was drinking. Warm liquid went down much easier and I found a heating pad helped when I was sore. I had a very easy recovery and by day 5 I felt completely fine and could drink with no problem. Good luck!

These are the diet stages given to me by my nutritionist. Stage 1-5.pdf Stage 6-7.pdf

Call the coordinator at your surgeon's office and see if they can clear it up. Otherwise, a call to your insurance company will definitely give you an answer.

I think sometimes the mental loads we carry is heavier than the extra weight. Congratulations on taking care of you. You are certainly a wonderful model for your children. Continued success to you!