No game

You cannot feel a void, as I think everything just settles nicely back into place and no phantom limb syndrome.. The pain that you feel is mostly from the incision sites. Now your stomach will be making all sorts of noises but for the most part is numb, that's why it is so important to measure liquids and proteins carefully. You will not feel fullness for several weeks sometimes.

Hi shay, I guess it really depends on what kind of a person you are.. I've seen people here like the ladies and gentleman above (and me) that need no help whatsoever getting in and out of bed can be a pain (literally) so as indigo said above staying propped up helps.. I am very independent and didn't want any help so I sent my husband back to work the day I got home.. Didn't need him to sit around the hospital either. I like my pain by myself Now I've seen some people that like the care and company. Some even need help with showers and going to the bathroom... And that's ok too if you like that sort of thing. But it's very doable on your own unless you have unforeseen complications. Of course if you are taking pain meds you can't drive for the duration so take that into consideration. Make sure you have everything you might possibly need for at least several days. Including lots, and I mean lots of varieties of flavored waters, water flavoring drops, teas etc.. And whatever is on your approved list

You get full very fast....

Lol!! I hope you are stuffed from that cake I'm going to try and fast tomorrow on my regular day.. I think it will be ok we really don't have any big plans outside of our little foursome family..

I would advise everybody here to not advance yourself... It's best to follow your post op instructions, they are there for a reason.

Are you taking a ppi for acid? In the early days most of us get a lot of acid that feels just like hunger.

These are very good for bariatric patients.. They are high protein low fat and calories and tasty. I have to hide them from my kids and husband!! http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001CU0N7C/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1387821076&sr=8-4π=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

Looking at your profile picture I can see why someone would say that.. You don't look like an obese person. Most people will form opinions based solely on outward appearances.

Yes, I feel pretty good about (so far) getting through the holidays without gaining! I mean that's a first....

I'm at the point that if I lose a pound or two it's a good month!

Not being a smoker I can't say for sure how that feels but yes cravings.. Think about how most of us eat (Americans) it's mostly driven by cravings and temptations... how many times do or did we eat because if true hunger? We are conditioned to think we "need" food constantly! I was at the mall a couple of days ago.. Walked past the food court and the mixture of smells were intoxicating (I'm over a year out) I wasn't hungry but instantly my mouth and head were. I wonder how many there eating were eating because of true hunger? My guess was that it was out of head hunger or habit. It's funny that something like shopping can't be fine without a meal thrown in.. Head hunger is a powerful and tricky thing. That is where the work determination and willpower come in

Same here sassy It's the luck of the draw.. I can sadly eat a few sweets with no ill effects. Oh well.. Willpower it is

Hi First, this behavior is the first steps of bulemia and getting into the habit of chewing food and spitting it out can lead to a very serious eating disorder. After WLS we are already dealing with changing the way we relate to food, so we want to instill good habits all along the way and avoid the bad ones as much as possible. Second, there's a biological reason not to do this too. When you smell food and when it enters your mouth and you begin to chew, the body goes into Prep Mode to receive food. Your salivary glands produce saliva, your pancreas produces insulin, your liver produces gastric acid and your brain begins to calculate how much nutrition you're about to receive from the food you eat so it can keep track of it's daily needs/calories --- the body is a well tuned machine and it knows how to deal with food when it knows it's coming. But then you spit out the food. Your body still has excess saliva, insulin, gastric acid and it can't figure out why it didn't get the nutrition it thought it was going to get so the brain accountants go nuts. Excess insulin in your body causes your appetite to increase so you'll eat more food to soak up all that extra hormone. Excess gastric acid in the stomach -- now released at the Y of your common channel -- can cause indigestion or heartburn or ulcers. And those brain accountants are now doing some creative math to recalculate the nutritional value of food because it thought it was going to get a certain number of calories, but none came, so next time you try to eat that same food the brain thinks you need twice as much to get the same nutrition as it thought it should have gotten last time. So not only is the whole "chew and spit" habit a training ground for bulemia, it's also a way to tease your body into thinking it's getting food when it really isn't. Bulemia is a very serious illness and not something you want to play around with. From the unknown sleever.

It's best to start working on those emotional attachments right now, in these early stages because as the days weeks and months pass it will get easier and easier to eat more and "eat around" your sleeve. As for the purée stage I would not suggest skipping it when the time comes for you to be on it.. I know you said your wife did ok and some do. But some don't and it's just best to follow your doctors orders. Really the purée looked a bit funny but when I finally got there? It was a welcome change and was warm savory and satisfying. And there was no worrying about doing something that might be harmful to my healing stomach

Nice progress girlie

We are drinking protein to help maintain our muscle mass (what little we have anyway) Do what you need to do

You are doing fine as you are.

Just a note. The body can only utilize around 30 grams of protein in any given meal... So when drinking these high protein concoctions try to split it into two meals..

Costco, you can't go wrong with premier protein shakes sold there. 30 grams of protein, pre made and shelf stable.

Good stuff! Yep betcha that will be the best tasting

Either are fine as long as you find them palatable... I hated canned or boxed broth or stock because it was so bland or overly salted so I made my own chicken broth by boiling chicken pieces with some salt pepper and a few other spices. Just make sure it's good because it will be a important those first days, as it is one of the few savory things you can have.

You can do it! I find that hot teas are nice too... There are so many good flavors out right now because if the season I just bought pumpkin spice and sugar cookie flavors from the regular grocery store

Jane I know the to many drinks and living in the moment thing all to well.. But yes just take care today and don't think about making any decisions on a hangover. And yes when we get blotto the whole next day is recovering and shameless flashbacks of the night before! My sister in law and I have been up and down I'm our weight every time we see each other. I think this surgery would be a great tool for her and I'm really hoping her insurance covers it so it can be an option.

Lol @eggnog flavored protein drinks!! Good luck, I know it will be a bit of a challenge this time of year for sure! But just know this "diet" is so different from any diet you have done before and will be the first step to a happy healthy life by this time next year

Good day to all