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I didn't start puréed until 18 days out and even then could only eat a couple tablespoons and I was full for the rest of the day. I had to drink most of my fluids for the day before eating anything later in the afternoon because afterwards I was too full to drink. After about a week, I could eat puree's 2 times a day and not be too full. Same thing happened once I started soft foods. 2 tbls and I'd be stuffed for the rest of the day. I just transitioned through my stages super slow and was feeling pretty normal by 3 months out.

I just ate 2 White Castle sliders without the buns. Yum! I also eat pizza toppings and Chinese food (mostly the meat and veggies, but also a teeny bit of rice or noodles). I didn't have surgery to be on a diet the rest of my life. Fortunately I was never a bread person anyways, so taking off the bun and not eating the crust is nothing new for me.

But every doctor is different in what they Rx, so I'd tell your surgeon your concerns ahead of time.

I found that if I am truly hungry, I can eat anything and I will be satisfied. If it's more of a "I really feel like eating.....(fill in the blank)" it's probably head hunger.

What meds are you talking about? Are you on medications now or are you wondering what they may have you on post op? I was never prescribed liquid meds for surgery. I was given antibiotics, NSAIDS, anti nausea and PPIs and they were all sublingual or capsules.

Cheesy mashed potatoes with unflavored Protein powder, puréed split pea Soup and Huevos rancheros (refried Beans, egg, cheese and green chili sauce, no tortilla) were my three non-sweet favorites. Cottage cheese with canned peaches and plain Greek yogurt flavored with Protein Powder were my favorite sweets.

Could be acid...this often feels like hunger when you are early postop. PPI's or antacids could help. I was on 40mg Omeprazole, but still took Maalox when my tummy would feel hollow and hungry. But in all honestly, after 4 months my hunger came back full force and I have to eat every 3-4 hours. Fortunately a small amount of protein fills me up quick.

I am 6 months out and I would definitely do it again. The high points are too many to list...I can shop in regular stores for clothes. I feel fabulous, not only from the weight loss, but from eating so much healthier. I feel more confident out in public. The best part is I know I don't have to worry about ever being on a diet again. The low point is probably the C. diff infection I got 6 weeks postop. This wasn't a direct surgery related complication (got it from antibiotics I took for a tooth infection) but not being able to drink a lot because of my tiny sleeve complicated things a bit. I had severe diarrhea, so I got dehydrated and needed IV fluids 3 times. As for the preop and post op diet restrictions, I really didn't have a problem with any of it. It's just part of the process and if you really want it, the tiny sacrifice of a liquid diet for a month or so shouldnt be a big deal. My surgery experience was great...it was like being on vacation with my sister and I really had no postop pain. After about 4 months, I could eat anything I want and I do. I get hungry and eat every 3-4 hours. I make good choices, go for Protein and veggies first and drink lots of Water. I avoid carbs and processed food, but I have had ice cream, deserts, chips and alcohol on occasion. The only thing I've given up for good is carbonated beverages. Anything else is fair game as far as I'm concerned. I don't track or measure anything so I have no idea what my carb/calorie/protein intakes are. I take my Vitamins and I do still have one big Protein Drink (24-32oz / 30-40g protein) everyday so I don't have to think about hitting Fluid and protein goals. I have at least 7 different Protein shakes in my house and along with Torani syrups, I never get bored with the flavors. Good luck. Remember, this really is all about attitude and you will be successful and happy if you keep your eye on the end goal and don't get wallowed down on all the little things that come along.

I was required to lose 5% of my body weight on the 2 week preop (protein shakes and green veggies only). I was afraid I wouldn't, so I started 2 days early. I ended up losing 22 pounds in 16 days, instead of the required 12 pounds. Even when I saw I was past my doctor's required loss I never cheated once....I was on a roll and 10 more pounds closer to goal even before surgery.

My CRNP said not to expect solid BMs until we start eating more solid foods. When most of what you take in is liquid or puree, that's what comes out. Not necessarily. Between pre and post op diet, I was on liquids and puréed for 45 days and had normal BM the entire time. The frequency and volume changed because of how little I was consuming, but the consistency was the same. Your GI flora, GI transit time, hydration status and ability of your colon to absorb Water has more to do with your stool consistency than what you are eating. I didn't get diarrhea until my Clostridial infection 6 weeks postop when I was back on solid foods. The infection drastically changed my GI flora and colon's ability to absorb water, thus the diarrhea.

I was told unlimited green veggies with tomatoes and mushrooms tacked on the list. I did spinach, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, different lettuces, green beans, cucumbers, collard greens and kale. Veggies like corn, peas, potatoes, squash are high in carbs and were disallowed on my preop. And like you said, not only is avocado a fruit, it is high in fat. I've eaten plenty of them postop but not on my preop diet.

I get the are you sick/ do you have cancer comments all the time. Even after explaining how I lost weight (I tell most everyone I had surgery) they all want to make sure I feel OK. Once I reassure them I feel fabulous they all want to know more details about the experience and a few have even wanted my surgeons contact info to pass on to someone. They all congratulate me and recognize that even with surgery it is a lot of work and a big commitment on my part. ONE person mentioned this being the easy way out, but she was immediately chastised by everyone else in the room for being ignorant. I've never had to defend my decision. It's funny how different my feedback has been from so many others on here. I read about unsupportive friends and family and negative comments from coworkers. I have had none of that. Everyone from close friends, family members to my doctors to casual acquaintances and clients have been nothing but positive. I haven't had to hide my surgery or lie about my weight loss like a dirty secret. I guess good ol' redneck, small town, Republican eastern Idaho is a good place to live. We have better things to do than judge other people or put them down to make us feel better.

5 days but I expected that since it was 5 days after my neck fusion surgery, too. Anesthesia slows down your GI tract as do narcotic pain Meds. I took miralax day 3,4 and 5, just to help things along.

The no soda is because of the carbonation. The bubbles are not good for our sleeves....can even cause stretching from what I've read. I tried sipping some sprite once and tasted a new hard cider once (which I used to love) but the fizz was definitely a no go for me. As for the OCC surveys, mine stopped after awhile, too. I think it's part of their Center of Excellence requirements, and if there's no documented problems, they only have to followup for a certain period of time. Maybe the veterans can add more info as to whether or not there is contact further out. But if you do have issues and indicate it on your survey, which I did when I developed bad diarrhea 6 weeks out, they followed up with an email and phone call.

I can't sleep with narcotics in my system. I'm tired and relaxed, but my brain just won't shut down. Fortunately I didn't need any pain meds after this surgery.

HW 238 SW 216 CW 156 TPL 82 TGP 88 These numbers reflect my personal goal but my ticker shows my surgeon's goal numbers.

I never had anything after I left the hospital. I naturally bruise very easily so I can't imaging what a months worth would have done to me!

I was just the opposite. I felt bloated and didn't want anything pressing on my belly. I wore the loosest pants possible and no binder. I was up and walking 1-2 miles/day within 12 hours after surgery and never really had any gas pain.

Mine were never covered. Lap incisions had internal sutures (from what my OR report said, not that I could feel them) and glue and drain site had a steri strip. I was told to shower and wash lightly and let the strip and glue come off on their own. Took about 7-10 days. No submersion until completely healed. Never had any issues.

Try different protein drinks. Isopure and Syntrax have a huge line of different flavors. More like koolaid/lemonade style not just thick sweet chocolate and vanilla. Even with the chocolate and vanilla, you may try diluting them with skim milk and mixing up flavors by adding Torani syrup or Mio or Dasani drops. PB2 is great mixed in, too. I have at least 8 different kinds of protein drinks in my house right now, not to mention the almost unending flavor possibilities with the Torani Syrups and fruits I mix in. At 6 months out I still have a protein shake everyday and I love them.

My favs are mixed nuts, edamame, apples with PB, string cheese, seasoned pumpkin seeds, kale chips, and plain Greek yogurt flavored with protein powder. And I gotta admit, I like my protein shakes.

Thank you so much for your post. It is very refreshing to hear about sleeved life as far out as yours, and thrilling to hear how confident and successful you are. Congratulations with all you've accomplished in your personal and professional life.

I'm hungry all the time. Well, not right after eating, but I eat about every three hours. After I eat I wait an hour, and start drinking. I give myself a goal of "drink X amount of water before you eat again". Sure helps me to keep my fluids up! If I get busy and can't eat for 4-5 hours I'm STARVING. Just make good choices and you'll be fine. I know we aren't supposed to snack and graze all day, but that's pretty much what I do. I reached goal in under 6 months (and still losing) doing it this way so I'm not too concerned with breaking other people's "rules".

1st of all don't worry about the preop and post op diet restrictions. It's all temporary, so who cares how much it sucks. What's' a couple months compared to the rest of your life? Don't dwell in the minute to minute, day to day part of it, just remember your long term goal. Between pre and post op I was on liquids for 34 days and further restriction for another 22. I never cheated once, never whined about it, and now it's a faded memory. As for drinking and socializing, that only has to change if you let it. Your social life shouldn't be about how much food you can stuff in your face. I actually go out way more now than I did before surgery because I feel better about myself. I order whatever I want, eat what i can and take the rest home. Better yet, I order a small plate and eat off of everyone else's plate. I get a better variety that way. Last night I ordered ribs and veggies off the kiddie menu at a BBQ place and couldn't quite eat it all. I was at a picnic last weekend and had 1/4 burger, no bun, taco dip with Doritos, baked Beans with bacon, and a little apple/Carmel desert. I drank about a liter of Water throughout the evening, but I also had a glass of wine and a shot of apple pie moonshine. The biggest change when it comes to alcohol, is that I don't drink beer, and I don't drink until I'm drunk. It has taken a little getting used to being the only sober person at the party, but I'm oh so grateful in the morning with no hangover!

Gemmalicious, at three months out, why aren't you just eating regular food? Has your surgeon not OK'd it yet? By then I was eating pretty much anything...beef, chicken, seafood, pork, ham, cheese, eggs, spinach, broccoli, Beans, corn, carrots, pita bread, nuts, avocados, edamame, you name it.... (No rice or pasta). I did, and still do, have a 40g protein/ 32 oz drink everyday to help know I'm reaching goals. I'm wondering if your stall is from lack of variety (your body needs more than just protein) and too low of calories. I stalled between weeks 6 and 10 because I was sick from another medication and could barely eat/drink. As soon as I felt better, I doubled my intake and lost 8 pounds in one week.