DeniseM

I don't consider bacon to be a soft food. I waited until I was on a full/regular diet before trying bacon.

I lost 19 pounds in two weeks doing low carb and then liquids for the last two days before surgery- I was also shocked! BUT, I had really good motivation to stay focused on my diet and I didn't cheat at all. I wanted my liver to be as small as possible to give myself the best shot at no surgical complications. Previously, when I had done low carb (or any other diet) it was a miracle for me to go three days without cheating on my diet.

At my five week check-up my doc told me that she wanted me to work out so hard that I was dripping in sweat and gasping for air! LOL. I hired a personal trainer, and he has been happy to oblige....

Walking is good- the squats can be very dangerous so soon after surgery. My doc told me that I could do nothing except walk for the first four weeks, and no lifting anything over 10 pounds.

I did the same thing with a bite of potato salad at one week. Luckily I realized what I had done before I swallowed so I was able to spit it out. It is crazy how some things like tasting what we are cooking or just nibbling become habit. Now, I have the opposite problem because now I can taste what I am cooking, and I still find myself calling for my hubby to taste for me.

I drank a lot of mint tea the first week- it really helped with the nausea I had from the meds. I still drink it at least 2-3 times a week.

I buy all my vitamins on www.amazon.com they have a huge selection, and I get free shipping since I am a Prime member.

I get a ton of recipes from Facebook- if you search for Paleo you can find tons of pages that post almost daily recipes.

Just make sure you tell the surgeon and anesthesiologist when they ask- be honest. You can NOT get in trouble for drug use with your doctor- it is confidential. I highly doubt it will interfere with your surgery since you have stopped, but they need to know, especially anesthesia, because of possible drug interactions.

The reality is that in the beginning, we all lose weight due to the physical restriction of the sleeve. However, there comes a point where the sleeve will no longer be as effective at weight loss or maintenance as diet and exercise is. I have put significant effort into changing my relationship with food and embracing exercise. I still have work to do- my old habits still creep up every now and then and I find myself repeating old behaviors that I am trying so hard to replace with better choices. I understand and accept that the sleeve is basically temporary but my lifestyle is what is going to make the permanent and life-long change that I am looking for in my life. I understand and accept that I might struggle with my food addiction for the rest of my life, as any alcoholic does. But I also knew that I only had a 5% chance of loosing more than 100 pounds on my own, so for me, the surgery was necessary. Now, as I continue to struggle, I only have to deal with the food issues and temptations, and not the constant shame and guilt I felt at being 340 pounds. So even though I might always struggle, I won't struggle with as many things, if that makes sense.

After VSG I had one incision that was like a knife in my side for two weeks, and I needed narcotics for a full two weeks. If not for that incision, I would have been on Tylenol only after the first few days. After I had my gallbladder out two months later, I was off the narcotics and using only Tylenol in four days. It is really hard to know how you are going to feel since we all have different pain tolerance. But, they do give you plenty of pain meds so as long as you do not let your pain get out of control by waiting too long to take your meds, it should not be that bad. For the first few days, take your pain meds round the clock, and set your alarm. For instance, after my GB surgery I was taking Percocet every six hours, so I used an alarm clock to remind me to take the pills so my pain was never more than a 3 or 4 out of 10. I learned this the hard way with my sleeve because I did not do that and the first week, there were two times when I did not take my meds on schedule, both times during the night, and I woke up with pain at like 9 out of 10.

My hubby and I were huge foodies, and one of our favorite things to do was try new restaurants and new foods. Since my surgery, I have seen a change in his eating habits in that he is making better choices and eating less. I don't eat many carbs anymore, so he has stopped as well. I see him eating more salads than he ever did. I have never talked to him about this because this is my journey and he doesn't need to loose weight, but I have been surprised and happy by the changes that I see him making. So for us, my surgery has had a positive impact on his eating habits.

You should ask your surgeon/NUT- I was told no raw fruit until week 4, and I would count raw juice as raw fruit. You also might want to try the fresh OJ now with the Protein powder to see if you even like it- I hated Protein Powder mixed with juice, I could only tolerate it mixed with milk. Personally, I avoid orange juice of any kind because it gives me heartburn now after my sleeve and it never bothered me before.

I am 5'8 and my goal is 150 or a size 6/8. My surgeon's goal is 175. I was 120 when I graduated from HS 23 years ago so I know how my body will be. I don't want to be as skinny as I was in HS, but at 150 I would be a size 6 or 8 which is my personal goal. Maybe I will get there, maybe not- time will tell.

I have very sensitive skin as well. I had internal sutures and Dermabond, no staples. I broke out everywhere that there was tape or adhesive, but I took Benedryl to help with the itching. Once the Dermabond came off at about two weeks, I stopped itching, but the first two weeks were bad when it came to my skin. My doctor also gave me a prescription strength hydrocortisone cream, which helped, but I still itched myself raw in a few places.

They might have changed the link because I can't find it either, but this link has a description of the items and their nutritional content. http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/wellbeing/healthy-eating/panera-bread-launches-super-healthy-hidden-menu.php

I had borderline hypertension, and my blood pressure is now in the normal range. Although I was not diabetic, my fasting blood sugar had been creeping up to the high 90's (over 100 is bad) and is now back in the 80's. My cholesterol which was normal at 175 before surgery was 142 at my last visit! In addition, I had been suffering for several years from chronic back and knee pain which is now almost completely gone. I also have more energy now than I have had in several years. Having this sleeve is one of the best decisions I have made.

My doctor said no NSAIDS, only Tylenol or Percocet for me. This is definitely a question for your doctor since we all are different.

I started pureed food at two weeks, soft food at three weeks, and regular food at four weeks. Once I was on regular food, I ate a bunch of different things to see what I could tolerate, and had no food issues whatsoever, which has been really great. I can remember being on liquids and dreaming about my first real meal, and I'm sure it was great, but I cannot remember it now.

My stats are on my signature and ticker. I am 5'8

I still hiccup every day, especially when I am full.

My number one addiction before surgery was Starbucks, and now after surgery I have tried several times to finish a tall drink and cannot, not even my all-time favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte. I get about halfway through and I just lose interest. On one hand it's a good thing because I certainly don't need the empty calories but the ex-coffee addict in me just wants to cry! I have also stopped craving chocolate which I used to eat every day before surgery. Now I seem to crave salty things, so I have a handful of pistachios which is much healthier than a handful of M&M's.

My hubby and I went to a Brazilian steakhouse for our anniversary and I paid $25 for just the salad bar, of which I probably ate 50 cents worth (about 8 shrimp and a small spoonful of chicken salad was all I could do). Sigh. It was my first buffet since surgery since I hate to pay for food I am not eating. But, it was our anniversary and my hubby did his very best to eat enough meat for both of us.

I have been happily shopping my little heart out and taking advantage of sale racks and buying stuff that fits me now and smaller stuff for later.

I was 320 on the day of my surgery. My surgeon thought I would lose more with bypass but I was not interested in that because of the higher risk of complications and I did not let her push me into it. I have been SO happy with my results so far- no regrets!