thatwasyesterday

4 months out and still no lettuce for me. I have had a little better luck with tiny slices of cabbage. My sister is 10 yrs out and she can barely touch lettuce still. So, kale steamed in chicken broth is my new best friend. Goes down easy and even my picky eaters will eat it.

We love the Nature's Way Meta-Boost in Strawberry (drugstore.com). Trader Joe's Chocolate is pretty good also.

I hear your pain and can only imagine how hard this has been for you. So, I am only 2 months post op, but my sister is 10 years post-op and she has been drilling into my head that you must drink 64oz of Water day, and that in all her years of posting on the forums, every person who has ever stopped lossing weight is not getting enough water. hoping that this might help get you on track.

Day 2 was a nightmare but just a dim memory by Day 4. My doctor (Dr Pompa in TJ) told me I would feel much better each day but it was hard to believe at that moment. I actually went walking thru the mall with my mother for 2 hours Day 4 to kill time. Try to remember to take just 1 oz at a time in tiny sips ( I used a baby food spoon), then wait 20 minutes if you are feeling sick still. Good sleep and walking will be key to your recovery and mental health. When in doubt, stay with Clear liquids (Water, chicken broth) until your stomach is stabilized. About once a week, I have felt overly confident (generally late at night) and taken a bite of something I should not have and up it comes a few minutes later. Hang it there- this is the best thing I could have done and even at my worst (day 2) I don't regret it.

I had my surgery with Dr Pompa on January 2nd, 2013. I paid $6500 for the whole package. Airfare was additional. I took my mother with me- she was very nervous that I was going to Mexico for the surgery, but I felt confident as I had really done my research- looking at surgery outcomes, surgeries per week, which surgeries, surgery time, recovery time, training, fellowships, etc. So, my experience with Dr Pompa and LIMARP was beyond my best expectations. Here is why- she has a private hospital with 6 rooms, state of the art surgery and support equipment, soothing environment, but (and here is where she is different from other doctors) she has a MD on site, in the hospital 24/7. MDs, nurses and support staff are there during the day, but at night, the MD was the one changing my IV, giving me meds, emptying my cath bag, etc. The whole staff felt like a cohesive family, everyone spoke english, and just could not do enough for my comfort. This is the kind of care you can only dream about in the US or a larger hospital. When they told me on Day 2 that by Day 4 I would be bored out of my mind and want to go shopping, my mother and I looked at them like they were crazy. I was barely walking to the toilet! Embarassed to admit it but by Day 4, that is exactly what I did and walked around the open air mall for 2 hours with no problem. Another plus was that her commercial building is linked to a very nice hotel so my mom stayed in the hotel at night instead of a recliner in my room and then when I transferred on day 3, I just rode the elevator and walked to the lobby in my bathrobe. (by the way- night gown was easier than PJs and a robe was important). Tthe hotel staff were so nice that they did not bat an eye when I walked into the restaurant in my bathrobe and politely seated us. When it was time to order, the waiter immediately offered me clear broth and Jello. They also keep this on the room service menu if you don't want to go out. My mother had a "regular" morning waiter who kept his eye out for her and checked in with her. Finally, my mother was so impressed with the facility, she interviewed the plastic surgeon and has plans to go back next year for a face lift and take my sister for a breast lift. I am hoping that I will be ready for a tummy tuck by then.