terry1118

When you puree in a blender you need to add a liquid or most things will be too dry. Try adding chicken broth to chicken and beef broth to beef. Water, dressings, sauces, soups or gravy to other foods depending on flavors you want. It usually makes more than you can eat so freeze the extra in ice cube trays, pop out cubes when frozen and store in freezer bags. Then thaw or microwave to eat when you want it. (I used to make my own baby food when the kids were little) For a frozen treat this summer, try mixing sf pudding or Greek yogurt with added Protein powder, pour small amounts into Dixie cups, cover with plastic wrap or foil, insert popcicle stick through wrap (it holds stick upright), then freeze. To eat dip in hot water to loosen from cup and... Voila! Enjoy! When your doctor clears you, you can add chopped fruit or whatever. Get creative! You can also just freeze sugar free drinks like crystal light to make the popcicles.

I tried tofu once years ago and didn't like it - so bland. I'll have to give it another try. How much protein does it have?

Same here after my shoulder surgery. After any surgery requiring anesthesia and intubation your throat will be irritated. Perfectly normal.

My surgery is next Thursday, May 30. I can't wait to get it done and get my recovery over and done with. I'm looking forward to putting into practice all the things I have learned. I want to feel better by the end of June when my son comes home on leave. He's a marine and just finished his first deployment. I haven't seen him in a year! I want to host a big family cookout so everyone can see him again. This weekend I will be stocking my pantry for both my needs and my husband's. That will be followed by a cleaning frenzy and complete grass cutting (normally my job because I enjoy it - it takes about 2 1/2 hours). I'll get my bag packed and study my WLS manual. Today I bought new pillow cases for the pillow I'll bring with me to the hospital. I am hoping for an uneventful surgery experience with a speedy recovery but I'm mentally prepared for complications. I have all my notarized legal papers in my folder just in case (though I have no real fear of their necessity - just covering all the bases). I can't think of anything else I'll need to do except take care of me! Ready... Set... Thursday I go! :-)

I hope you get some relief soon...

Congratulations! Sounds like an excuse to go shopping! :-)

Thank you so much Dorian! How is your back? Any relief or improvement?

It must be hard to have to work in an environment like that. That was my biggest fear when I rejoined the workforce after 20yrs, that I would end up with a bunch of catty women. I am most fortunate in that with the exception of a single person, I really like and get along with my coworkers. I had to choose support people at home and at work. These are people who are aware of what's going on who can help me and encourage me through the early stages. At home it's the obvious - my husband and children. At work I have my manager, who had WLS surgery and already is big encouragement to me. I also have my immediate supervisor and a close coworker/friend who will cover for me if I need to rest, eat, drink, or dump. I feel fortunate to have so many good people behind me. :-) There are some people who don't know. After surgery I don't really care who finds out. It'll be done and they can just deal with it. I just didn't want to be discouraged or badgered beforehand.

I think that depends on the office. My doctor's office made all my appointments to accommodate my schedule. They just told me when and where to show up and mailed me instructions, if any. From seminar February 13 to surgery May 30. The only reason my surgery wasn't last month was because the required educational workshops were already full for April. Definitely a stress-free process. :-)

In my workshop last week they discussed body image, how we perceive ourselves. They said many people who lose weight cannot get used to the idea of being smaller. In their mind they are always big. I am the opposite. In my mind I am small. I didn't become heavy until the birth of my twins 27 yrs ago, when I was 26 yrs old. Before that my weight ranged from 110-120. Afterward, my weight went from 175 all the way up to 230. (I'm 5ft tall) In my mind I picture myself the way I used to be. It's always a total shock to catch a glimpse of my reflection in a window or mirror. I think 'Oh my God! That is NOT ME!' I am horrified! It really HURTS my mind to see me like that. And there have not been any photos taken of me in YEARS. I simply have not allowed it. If anything ever happens to me my family will have no photos of me at all. Losing weight for me will make my outside match my inside again. I look forward to welcoming 'me' back.

Looking forward to losing the back and knee pain the most...

Sounds like pretty soon there will be no more size16, too! Way to go!

What date are you? I'm Thursday May 30. I don't feel the least bit nervous, just anxious to get it done so I can start losing!

My husband, kids, and a few coworkers know. My husbands family, all tall slim Norwegians, are negative, judgemental and opinionated. Ditto one coworker. No thank you, I'll pass on negativity, at least until the deed is done and I'm feeling well enough to defend myself, if then. I'm not ashamed of my decision, I'm just avoiding negativity from people who need learn to take care their own business before they start to meddle in mine.

Mine says EVERY overweight person has a fatty liver. During surgery they use a paddle-type tool to lift your liver out of the way to get at your stomach. If you liver is too fatty it can get nicked during the surgery. A lot of programs require a liquid diet 1-4 weeks before surgery to reduce the fatty liver size. Some don't require it at all (like mine - surprise!) but I never asked why they wouldn't. Is it because maybe my liver isn't too fatty? I don't really know. I'm still doing it for ten days - it can't hurt!

Here I am!!! Terry1118. Glad you found me! :-)

I was told that the fastest weight loss was in the first three to six months, then gradually slowing down until tapering off at the twelve to eighteen month point. You can maximize your weight loss by increasing exercise during the first six months when the weight is practically falling off. This also tones out-of-shape muscles that also add to a healthy appearance. Increased exercise, combined with low appetite and low food intake make this the most successful phase of the weight loss journey. Exercising now will hep you develop good habits for a healthy future. I was told that if you don't work on good exercise and eating habits the weight will gradually come back... The last thing any of us want!

How do you feel 2 1/2 weeks out? That is when I plan to return to work, barring any complications. I work in a bank. My first day back will be normal workday but the day after I start training on our new system. I already informed them that I may need to get up and walk around a bit now and again so they said they'll put me in the back of the room. I'm curious about what to expect at that point. Will I experience pain at incisions, gas or bathroom issues, fatigue, or anything else that may bother me during the three long days I'll spend in training?

I have only told my husband, my kids, and some coworkers. My husbands family are very judgemental so they don't know. Ditto one coworker. I will happily share after the surgery when they have no choice but to accept it. I can do without the negativity beforehand. It is a personal decision.