SpaceDust

morgan21, I'm a month and a half out. Here's a bit of what it was for me in the first few weeks. 1st week: Clear liquids for the first 3 days, then move to full liquids, then full liquids until day 14 Very tired, and needed to take a nap most afternoons I did have a small amount of pain if I forgot and took too big of a swallow or went too quickly - in part due to the hiatal hernia repair that I had at the same time. I took pain meds in the evening and right before bed for the first 4 days, but was able to do just fine without them otherwise. I was able to get in most or all of my required liquids, but I was sipping all the time. Perfectly able to go out for little walks - I was getting around 7000 steps a day and even walked up the big hill in our neighborhood. No real feeling of restriction with clear or full liquids Came out of surgery 12 lbs heavier than when I went in - Boo! Seriously, though, it wasn't a big deal, and was gone by the end of the first 10 days. Second week: Full liquids - cream Soups, broths, whizzed up veggie Soup, Protein drinks, etc. Not so tired - I could have gone back to work at this point, but I would have been pretty exhausted in the evening so I'm glad I didn't! I did still took the occasional nap because it's good to get plenty of sleep while healing, but if I had something to do it wasn't a big deal to skip it. I had plenty of energy to walk around, as long as I paid attention - the energy would deplete pretty quickly if I pushed too hard. Still had some minor pain/discomfort, especially if I took in a little too much in a swallow, but it was quite manageable Still no real sense of restriction, Third week: Back to work - new job at new company, so no easing back into things! It went fine - this coincided with me starting soft foods, so I was having things like yogurt, cottage cheese and the like for lunch, and had enough energy to get through the day effectively. Speaking of starting soft foods - that's when I started finding my restriction. If I overate even a bite, I'd have this strange achy feeling in my shoulders (sort of like the post-surgery anesthetic gas issue, but more so). If I pushed it at all I'd also get a nasty pain right below my breastbone. Guess what I didn't do anymore after that happened a couple of times! I started to realize that I would have a tiny burp and then a little hiccup when I was full. I still had some discomfort until almost the end of my third week, but it wasn't that bad - maybe a 2 or 3 on a scale of 1-10. By the end of the week, that had finally disappeared. I'm now a month and a half out, and on normal foods. I've learned my limits and rarely get discomfort. I can eat 1-2 oz of dense protein, plus a few small bites of something on the side. I do still use Protein shakes for Breakfast or an occasional mid-afternoon snack, but my surgeon and my NUT are both okay with that as long as it's not because I *can't* eat and as long as I have "real" food for lunch and dinner. I've even eaten out at restaurants - my husband and I share a plate, or I order something appropriate from the appetizer menu. I've just resumed my gym membership and started working with a trainer once a month to keep me on track. I have been through two stalls - both about a week long, but noticeable if you are a data junkie and weigh yourself all the time If you would be bothered at watching the scale bouncing up and down a pound or two for a week or two, then don't weigh all the time. I am not more than mildly annoyed by it and knew to expect it, so I just roll my eyes and make sure I'm getting adequate protein, liquids, sleep and some exercise. If I only weighed once or twice a month I'd never know the stall had happened, honestly. Good luck!

Stalls are perfectly normal - your body is adjusting. Stick with the plan and it will get moving again. Meanwhile, do make sure you're tracking your food and properly measuring it so you aren't accidentally getting more than you thought, make sure you're getting in your protein and liquids. If you can, it's a good idea to make sure you're getting at least a moderate amount of exercise, too.

I doubt you did any lasting damage, but if you're worried call the surgeon's office. At 6 days out its pretty normal to only be able to manage a spoonful or two at a time, and any more than that becomes uncomfortable or even painful. Remember, your little tummy is still very swollen so there's really not much room in there! Make sure you go slowly, and the soup shouldn't have any chunks in it. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using VST

That's when you reach a weight that starts with a 1 :-) Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using VST

We had sushi for lunch yesterday. I ordered sashimi. Sometimes I'll order a plate of poke instead and if I'm feeling the desire I'll eat one or two pieces of a roll from my husband's plates, but mostly it's sashimi time. Yum!. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using VST

Hang in there - for now it's best to be cautious, even if you end up being one who can do the moderation rather than abstention drill. I confess to having tested the waters a little, too, but it's very much a planned thing and calculated into my daily intake, and in part it is to determine if some foods are a problem for me. So far, so good, but like I said, I think it through and figure out what I need to do to keep it all balanced and in check. Luckily, my husband helps keep me focused and will remind me if it seems like I'm about to make bad choices (no pretzel bites for me, darn it!). He is making this a team effort, which makes me feel like I have a safety net! I'm allowed a bite or two of something occasionally as a treat but only if I'm on track with my nutrition for the day and the treat is not completely devoid of nutritional value. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using VST

If your liquids are ice cold, you might find it easier to swallow them warm, or even room temperature. It may lessen the nausea, too. Also, some people have a problem with plain Water at first. Adding some flavorings like Mio or Crystal Light may help reduce the surface tension and help it go down more smoothly. I also found tea was soothing, if you are permitted to have it. Hang in there. It really does get easier! I'm a month out and drinking and eating much more normally (albeit in massively smaller amounts :-D ) Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using VST

I can put away 4-6 oz. of yogurt without any problems, and I can do 3 oz. of fish or something like chicken salad, but anything more solid or dense like a grilled piece of chicken, beef or pork I am lucky if I can do 2 oz at a time. I have no issues with liquids and can drink mostly normally (other than stopping a moment every 5 swallows or so). I'm one month out from surgery, now on normal foods and can pretty much eat what I like. I do have to be a bit careful with eggs for some reason, though! Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using VST

Exactly one month! B: Vanilla Chai made with 4 oz 1% milk, stevia, 12 oz unsweetened homebrewed black chai tea, 1/2 tsp vanilla paste and a scoop of ON Gold Standard whey (vanilla ice cream flavor). Yum! L: 1.5 oz ham, 1 T. blue cheese, 1 T. white balsamic dressing, 2 T. golden beets, 1 T brown rice, 3 slices gala apple, 1 T. cabbage (took me about 45 minutes to eat this) S: .5 oz homemade beef jerky, 1 oz parmesan (made into a crisp), 6 quinoa crackers. D: 1/2 c chili with cheese, 1/4 c "drunken apples" Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using VST

I was off almost two weeks. I could have returned on the Monday after surgery (my job type isn't very physical) if I had been returning to my old job. However, I was starting at a new position at anew company and decided to take the extra week before starting. I'm glad I took the extra week, since it allowed me to be more myself and a bit more high-energy while making those important first impressions! Also, with all the extra adrenaline pumping through me during the day and a significant mental challenge, I was pretty much worn out the first few evenings. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using VST

On myfitnesspal.com, go to the Apps tab, click on App Gallery, scroll down and click on Fitbit Tracker, then click on Connect accounts link and follow the directions. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using VST

Hang in there. You'll be feeling much better soon. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using VST