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I would begin the night on my back, then wake up on my side with a sore tummy. I found putting a not too firm pillow on the side then sort of rolling on top of it really helped the soreness. I tried to get the pillow so that it was just under my tummy, not my side. I also found sleeping on my right side was much more comfortable. Hope this helps.

My doc said 4 months before any alcohol. Every surgeon is different tho, some people have to wait a year. While I probably will enjoy an adult beverage every once in a while, they are just empty calories. For me, hitting my goals are more important than a beverage, even if I do miss them.

Please do! Thanks :-)

I have the same cookbook. So far I have only made the spinach and cheese quiche and the chicken w mushrooms and they have been good. My hubby even liked em :-)

I put unflavored Protein (it's a lie, but tolerable) in SF/FF Jello and pudding. It was the only way I could have survived. Hang in there, it gets SOOOO much easier when you hit purée/mushie stage. You can do it!

I've been eating cooked asperagus and I was sleeved a month after you. Just make sure it's cooked thoroughly.

Way to go! You look awesome!

I and the on Q and regular IV pain meds. Not sure which was more effective but I would def have it put in if I had to do it over. Bring on the pain meds!!! While in the hospital anyway:-)

I had not planned on telling my classmates, but the cats outta the bag. I am a junior in a very small program at my college. There are 22 juniors in the program, we are all in the same classes, they were gonna notice. I had told 2 people in my class, my closest friend, and the girl who was sleeved last year and has been helping me with the process. Well first day of class she asked (as I was walking in the door) how my surgery went and how much I had lost. Everyone heard it and I was mortified. Then they all began asking questions, saying how good I looked, and all sorts of supportive stuff, well except for one girl, she made a catty remark but poo on her :-). Im glad that everyone knows now. With that being said, the only person in my family that knows is my father. Everyone else would be completely unsupportive and just talk sh@t, which I do not need. I have however told ALL of my hubby's family, they are awesome.

I was sleeved a week after you were, 12/12/12, and I am the cook for my family, too. I don't know how restricted your diet is but I can certainly taste my cooking. I make a lot of the same dishes as I used to, I just tweaked them. For instance I switched spaghetti noodles (yes I've eaten my homemade spaghetti) for spaghetti squash. No one was the wiser, and the meal was now sleeve friendly.

I stopped taking my birth control pills a few days before surgery. Figured the first few weeks after were going to be a no-go and I wouldn't feel up to anything anyway. Plus my dr said no pills. When did everyone start taking their birth control pills, or did you ever stop taking them?

I was thinking about switching to a diaphragm (old-school, I know) for a while. With all of the estrogen our body dumps after surgery I don't want to add even more hormones. Plus I only have to remember to use it right before the main event :-)

I am a big fan of Truvia, too. To me it has the least "chemical" taste of all of the sweeteners.

I had my hubby hide the scale and only let me weigh once a week.

I started driving about a week out.

YES!!! My ears have been clogged since about a week post op. it's not so much my nose, just my ears, left ear being more predominate. I figured I was the only one like this. I have no idea how to treat it tho. Hopefully someone else can tell us! So far it has lasted about 2 weeks for me.

What kinds of protein are you trying to eat? I was sleeved 12/12/12 and usually do one protein shake in the morning and 3-4 small meals of soft protein the rest of the day

I quit in September when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer. I had been smoking since I was 16. I used the nicotine lozenges. They sell them at walmart near the pharmacy. They really helped with the cravings, and they were tolerable tasting. I didn't want something I liked the taste of, wanted something I was ready to get rid of. I weaned myself off of the lozenges over the course of a month.

I am always cold, and I live in South Texas, too! This weather has me bundled up like an Eskimo! I wasn't expecting this sort of weather and was looking forward to walks around the college campus close to my house. So much for that idea! This sort of weather just makes me want to curl up on the couch with a blanket and take a nap. What part of TX are you from if you don't mind me asking?

Ok, for the record I have not eaten bacon. Yet. But I will, one day. I love bacon. I was sleeved 12/12/12 and am now onto the mushie/soft phase of my diet. I'm doing good on my Protein and Water intake, I hit my goals most days. I do however have to force myself to drink the Protein shakes. I have tried countless ways of "fixing" them, have 5 different brands, etc., all to no avail. They are gross. I know that they are necessary, so I do drink them. I would prefer not to, and I know, in time, I will be able to get all protein in on my own. This leads me to my question. How and What are you able to eat to get in all of the protein necessary without shakes?

I refuse to waste anymore money on shakes. Thanks for the suggestion tho!

Thanks for all of the ideas!

My worst days were 3-5. I was fine when I left the hospital the day after surgery. It was day 3 thru 5 that I felt the worst. Walking, a heating pad on my abdomen/shoulder and sticking to my pain meds really helped get me over the "hump". 13 days post op I felt good enough to host my 20 crazy relatives for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. This too shall pass:-)

I had my surgery 12/12/12.

I think the majority of us will experience hair loss. There might be Vitamins, minerals, supplements, tiger blood and dark magic that may help manage it, but I think some loss is inevitable. On the positive side, I think I'm going to have fun with all sorts of diff wigs