BerryChic

I really like the Ensure High Protein ready to drink shakes (Milk Chocolate flavor). 210 calories, 25g protein, 5g sugar, 2.5g fat. They are a little pricey at 10.99/4 pack. But, they taste just like chocolate milk and go down very smoothly- not gritty and no aftertaste. They are easily portable and don't need refrigeration (although I like mine cold). They also have dark chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors but I have not tried them yet. I wish I would have known about them during my liquid phase!

I think I had a small slice of pizza at 5 weeks post op (Just over 8 weeks now). I know I could not have handled it 3 weeks post. I remember seeing my family eat pizza at that time and thinking, "OMG! How can they eat THAT!" LOL. I was still feeling quite bloated and nauseated then. When I did have pizza I enjoyed it, but haven't felt the need to have it since. When I smell it, I want it but then I eat something else and I'm fine. I think it is a completely normal reaction to hunger in general. I'm still figuring out what this new "hunger" sensation feels like, since it's not the same as before surgery. Anyway, don't beat yourself up about it. I don't think one slice of pizza is the end of the world. Just consider it part of the learning curve and move forward! Best to you

You might want to check with your nutritionist about INCREASING your calories, you might be in starvation mode and need a jump start.

Treated myself to one sugar cookie today. It was good but I honestly thought I'd enjoy it more. No desire to have another one.

I certainly don't feel hunger the way I used to, it is a different sensation altogether. I didn't figure that out until about 5 weeks post op. But, it does return.

Well, I am back from visiting my daughter in Florida. I must admit I was concerned about making the trip only 7 weeks post-op, but it went just fine! (except on one occasion when I ate too much too fast) In fact, I had the best NSV to date. I didn't need a seatbelt extender on the plane for the first time in 15 years!! And, I could actually move down the aisle of the plane without bumping any seats or passengers. I didn't even need to turn sideways. I couldn't believe it! The reality of how this weight loss surgery is changing my life hit me like a ton of bricks and I was so thankful I did it! It's things like this that the forever skinny people just can't possibly appreciate, but I'll never forget it

Mixed light Miracle Whip, a little celery seed and onion powder with my tuna.

I had uterine ablation surgery in May 2012 so I hadn't had period bleeding for over a year. After I lost about 30 pounds I began spotting particularly after sex or during my period time. My OB-GYN said this is to be expected as tissue changes occur.

Wow! How great is that!

I ate about 1/2- 3/4 cup at a time depending on the consistency. You might want to try low calorie, low fat sauces to puree or eat with meats. Also, chicken or beef broth help to smooth it out. Spaghetti sauce is great to puree with chicken and add some low fat mozzarella cheese melted on top.

Yes! Heating pad saved me the first week.

Boy does this sound familiar! This feeling will eventually pass. I started feeling better when I went on soft foods. 8 weeks out now and I am so glad I will never have to re-live that first month again- it was the hardest for me. If you like chocolate milk, you may want to try Ensure High Protein shakes- milk chocolate flavor. They come pre-mixed in a 4 pack with each bottle offering 25g protein, only 5g sugar, 2.5g fat and 50% of RDA of Vitamins. They go down very smoothly with no after taste. They also have vanilla, strawberry and dark chocolate flavors but I haven't tried any of them yet. I wish I would have known about them when I was in the liquid stage. Give yourself time like laura-ven said and don't compare yourself to others. Everyone is different. Even though I feel good most days, I still get really tired doing some routine things like going grocery shopping. I just figure my complete recovery will take as long as it takes, so I take it one day at a time. Relax and heal- good luck!

At 8 weeks post op I've lost 44 pounds and am thrilled. Even if I never lose another pound, I feel and look better than I have in 15 years! I weigh myself every day , but I don't let the scale discourage me if I gain a pound or I'm in a stall. My first stall at three weeks post-op lasted 16 days. I began to get very frustrated, but then I read about the 3 week stall and realized that if I eat according to the meal plan (which includes eating OFTEN and ENOUGH food and fluids) the weight has no choice but to fall off from a physiological standpoint. It may even be necessary to INCREASE caloric intake at some point to get things going again. Also, if you are a woman who is not menopausal, you need to factor in the monthly weight fluctuations due to Water retention and other such things you would deal with even if you were at goal weight.

I was never a highly emotional person, but after surgery I found myself to be an emotional mess (Depressed, sad, angry, etc)! Didn't know what was wrong with me, but after reading some posts on this forum I learned that your body is being flooded with hormones (particularly estrogen) from the fat cells being broken down for energy. I was assured that this would subside after about 4-6 weeks and it did! Everything made sense to me after factoring that in.

About 30 pounds.

Unfortunately, it's just going to take as long as it takes. It's different for everyone, but I really started to feel better around 6 weeks. 8 weeks out now and still have days where I don't feel very good. The first month was rocky, but I noticed I felt a little better every day. My joint pain has completely disappeared and my HBP meds were reduced. I was told that at 3 months you really feel great. I still don't have that tremendous energy that others have spoken of and I look forward to it. Take it a day at a time and remember the symptoms are temporary, but the results can be permanent. Hang in there and give yourself time to heal

I was so bummed to see my period resurface a year and a half after having uterine ablation. I was so thrilled that the ablation stopped the bleeding completely. In fact, I haven't been able to tell the doctors when my last period was because I never really know. Well, that has all changed, dammit! I have lost 42 lbs. and have bled for the full 5 days this week! Fortunately, it was light but disappointing since I have enjoyed its absence tremendously. Just a small price to pay for feeling so much better after losing the first 42lbs. Can't wait for the next 42 lbs. to drop! Keep up the great work

I thought my moods were stabilizing now that I am 6 weeks out, but boy did I have a day today! I also have not been eating right the last couple of days so that could have something to do with it too. Hang in there

Next week I am leaving for a week long vacation to visit my daughter at Disney World. I have been there many times in the past but I am concerned about managing the rigors of traveling at 7 weeks post-op. Any ideas or recommendations to prepare for such a high energy trip? There will be airports, restaurants and a lot of theme park stresses such as 6-7 miles of walking each day and lots of standing in line. All suggestions appreciated

I remember having the sensation of wanting to chew. Once I was on purees, this was somewhat relieved. The first month was tough as I moved through the eating phases. I agree with going slow on the eggs. Eggs are the densest protein and can hit the new sleeve harder than you might expect. I did not tolerate them very well at first.

I found this post really interesting because I still have not come up with an answer to "Are you glad you had the surgery done?". Even though I have had few complications and great results so far, my answer usually starts out with, "Wellll,...." But I have to say I felt this was the last resort for me to get some kind of normal life back. A friend of mine who is a recovering alcoholic and AA group leader has said that an alcoholic/addict will ask for help once they get to the point that they are willing to do anything to stop from feeling the way they do. That any other existence is better than the one they are living in. That is probably the closest description I have heard to what made my decision to have the surgery. I woke up one morning and was just sick and tired of being sick and tired, realizing that ANYTHING would be better than where I was at and I was willing to do anything to bring about that change. But I also know that nobody can make the decision for us. Countless doctors and well-meaning friends and family had tried for years to convince me. But I had to be ready and I was willing to accept all the risks that came with it. I think it is reasonable to assume that your co-worker went through a similar experience, so please don't feel responsible for her situation. I do hope that she gets through her challenges soon and her pain is abated. Please keep sharing your story, keeping in mind that it will be their decision. You may even save a life someday.

Yep! Especially if I overeat. My family can't understand why I don't want to sit at the table with them after I have finished eating. I just want to sit back in the recliner and rest for 15-30 minutes while my meal makes its way through my sleeve, then I feel OK. I've tried to explain it to them, but they just don't get it. I hope this stops soon, I'm just over 5 weeks post op.

I will confirm everything TurnThePage has said. Stay on pain meds as long as you need to every 4-6 hours. I took pain meds every 4 hours religiously to stay ahead of the pain because it is much more difficult to manage if you wait until it gets so bad. By then end of the first week I didn't need them anymore. The only cure for the gas pain is walking and passing the gas so it is out of the belly and body cavity. My gas pain lasted longer but it was localized in my back and shoulders. That lasted about 2-3 weeks. The heating pad was a lifesaver for me the first week. Just over 5 weeks out now and no pain at all. I didn't believe it at the time, but in a few short weeks you will be feeling much better. Hang in there!

Had same thing about the same point in time. It may be gas still left over from the surgery or your nerves reconnecting and responding to the healing process.

Almost 5 weeks out and I had regular Coke because nothing else would settle my stomach that day. I loaded a glass with crushed ice so that the soda went flat first- very important step! Then, I didn't actually drink it, but ate the Coke flavored ice with a spoon just like mom used to give us when we were sick as kids. It worked!