auntjanny

I have not bounced back well as I compare myself to others on this forum. Bending is still an issue, and getting out of bed too fast or the wrong way can start my day off badly. I can and do walk which feels good, my new smaller stomach has been awesome and cooperative. I had the laparoscopic option and externals all healed, but the burning is becoming emotionally exhausting. Just venting. Thanks for listening. ????

I had to ask my husband "who in the world other than you could stand me?" Dead silence. He appeared to agree and feels much more secure!

Interesting topic... I find it interesting and amusing that you are speaking up for yourself and recognizing that in the past you would have chosen to eat. I would call that an NSV, for sure. I might also suggest that your replies may not be as harsh as you think. Cruel is never good, but heartfelt and honest is... As you noted, so many of us have spent so much time energy and focus on the care of others without EVER expecting anything back, and thank God, we have been given the chance to rectify this. Embrace your inner "Tawanda" (Kathy Bates, Fried Green Tomatoes reference), she will mellow out and find her groove!

When I get to the phase where I get to eat real foods, I will take my first bites from the the center of the omelet, the best looking piece of shrimp, the most tender of the steak, and the most meaty, delicious of the salmon. My rules. I get the best bites!

Yay for You!!

Yes... Cream of chicken, mushroom etc. cr of potato had lots of chunks to strain out, so maybe a cheese soup deleted with broth..,

here is the link, Brian, I wrote about seeing and then we could not find it http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=news/111667/research-needs-assess-post-surgical-depression

Avocado and cheddar cheese perhaps?

Hang in there. My recovery is slower. I just drank the last of my pain meds right from the bottle as there was less than a dose left!!! First time I have ever finished pain medications. I can't help but compare myself to others who are doing "better than me" but, cripe, I am 2.5 weeks post op and need to lighten up on myself. This is drastic. You know that and knew it going in, but until you reach the point of waking up from an irreversible situation, you truly cannot know what to expect. As folks here noted, stay hydrated. If not, you will feel sad and bad. Look at the before and after pics as someone suggested. Go online to seek out other pictures and stories. I am currently reading the blogs of Kelly Coffey (strongcoffey.com) who had the surgery in her early twenties, and had all kinds of issues with partying and now she shares her story with others. Even though I am old enough to be her mom, I have learned something beneficial with each read.

Hey hey Human, I am still new to all this and your concerns I share. Other than weight loss, I still have to find a way to healthfully address stressors in my life in a different way. I signed up for an online 4 week course. It was 97.00 and, I am guardedly optimistic it will be a great help. I chose the Tuesday night session but there is still time to sign up for Saturday's first class. If you go to Strongcoffey.com or Google Kelly Coffey you should find the info. She weighed over 300 lbs and had bariatric surgery but early on realized there is so much more to be addressed. I was impressed with the work she put into the presentation, her honesty, and insights. I think you may find some helps via her class, blog, Facebook page... Check it out. Good luck!

Normal bed is fine but, I have enjoyed a recliner when my belly was burning at incision areas and turning in bed was painful.

You are not going to care about recipes next week!!! But , I have to say, pepper on my chicken broth and strained cream soups was awesome, and a great change from sweet shakes. Get supplies together if you haven't for your first week or two home... Protein, ready to drink protein (vanilla allows the most creativity) sf jello and Popsicles, broth....my fav is swanson's Mexican tortilla which I mix with cream soups, and pepper.. Sugar free apple cider, hot chocolate, instant decaf for flavoring, freeze some banana to add to shakes, crystal light and miso, chewable vitamins You will have time to gather recipes, but mostly, you will be flavoring up your shakes ( orange jello powder and vanilla protein makes nice creamsicle when blended with ice). Pumpkin and or spices to vanilla then frozen makes a fake ice cream. Good luck and keep us posted!!

Charm, I think maybe "anticlimactic" is how I would describe my blah... There is so much build up, but there is also a lot of work ahead for me, so it feels daunting. What a nice boyfriend you have, keeping food temptations low! Continued good recovery

I think the Tylenol PMs are what I need. Did you crush or swallow the pill?

I had to go with syntrax nectar (more like a juice or crystal lite) the first week and water them down and add ice. I was able to get my water and protein in because of the thin consistency

I had/have 200 hours of sick time saved and will use all of it if I need to, before returning to work. Surgeon recommended 6 weeks off and if that is what I need to do to do to maximize the benefit and long term success, I will take a week of vacation also when sick leave runs out. While I am impressed with those that have had out pt surgery, gone right back to work, or had shorter leave from work, my set up is working well for me and with over 25 years in at same company, I have been able to use accrued sick leave for having babies, having other surgeries, and taking care of an ill spouse, and know that I will be able to pick up where I left off (no one does my job in my absence) with very minimal collateral damage. This is perhaps the biggest thing I have ever done for myself and these long boring days are helping me to wrap my head around the life changing events that began several months ago!!

I am 2.5 weeks post op. I am not back to work and plan on taking next week off also. I have the burning pain in and around incision and some back pain. I began the "puréed" foods yesterday but must rely on protein shakes for protein. I am feeling more emotional.. No regrets about the surgery, but it will be a tremendous amount of mental effort to get the new way of eating to feel normal. No naps, but in bed early tonight.

Sleeved 9/22. Started puréed yesterday which really has just been retried beans with some melted cheddar and salsa or sour cream. Just using the canned kind, and man I think they will last a week! The hard work starts now, with stopping the liquids before and after, and eating slowly. Not much gets eaten, really, and there are mind games going on. I can't say I feel "full" but I do feel uncomfortable, so I am learning to communicate with my stomach! Protein from shakes and getting water in are still big parts of my day. I think I am down at least 15. That is the fun part.

I did refrained beans today x2 and a bit of turkey chili. That is it for today. I have yet to "womit" as the Dr. says, and no slime but, this is the phase at which it starts, isn't it? Protein shakes keep hunger at bay so far

Ok, Vnessa, read all these posts, and then reread 'email again. Sorry you are hurting. Lucky, in a way that you experienced, and it was pointed out to you, that former ways of dealing with bad feelings, stress etc, are no longer an option! You are back on track by the very fact you shared your story. Cheers! (I raise my protein shake to yours)

Thanks JCP, and say hello to your awesome cat!!

The past three days have been slightly miserable but very uncomfortable due to some lower right side back pain. My "plumbing" is working but #2 functions may be becoming sluggish. I walked a mile and a half yesterday and was good with that, but sitting in a camp chair for daughter's soccer game pushed me into a pain level that I am thinking needs attention. I have over lifted...it is mindless.. I just pick up stuff and then remember weight restriction... But, can someone weigh in ( haha weigh in- bariatric joke) on feeling crummy two weeks post... Is there something back there right side lower back, that is a red flag? Thanks

Not exactly rocket science but a big ah ha moment for me. I am two weeks post op. In using the crock pot, it eliminates the pick at, taste, re-taste bad habits I have had with meal prep. As our weather gets colder, and I learn new eating habits, I am finding crockpot meals for my family is a pretty simple and safe method for me to feed them and keep me honest.

mrsK what an adorable dress!! I had not seen this topic and am embarrassed it took me a while to figured out what LBD stood for, but, I love this and the other posts!

I hover at 5'. You look amazing. I love to see what people weigh who are close to my height. If I look half as good, I will be so thrilled! Keep up the great work!