JCP

Totally normal! Don't worry one minute about it. You feel like crap. You will for a while. Then it gets better. Then more better. And the weight is coming off. You sleep better. Your clothes are too big. You have a spring in your step. Yep, your relationship with food will change a lot. But you will not miss it. It's like somebody hit a reset button for you. Trust us. It's tough but oh so worth it.

You are experiencing an emotional trauma and you have not recovered from the physical and psychological trauma of this surgery and major life change. Be good to yourself. Cry it out. Rest and sleep. I am so sorry for your loss. God bless.

I took a bite of noodles. Never again.

I had a pulled internal stitch so my main incision was pretty painful. I took liquid Hydrocodone at bedtime the first two weeks and sort of propped myself up with pillows. At three weeks I could sort of lay on my side by leaning on a pillow. At four weeks I could sleep any way I wanted.

That's hilarious! So far I haven't had any funny experiences but I know at some point it will happen. Great story.

I am 10 weeks out today and still struggling with water. I used to love water. I chugged ice water all day. Now I can take 3 small sips and I have to stop. After a few minutes I can have 3 more sips. If I take 4 I get nauseous. I think I am just having a hard time getting in the habit of a few sips every few minutes. Does it get easier at any point? I wish I could drink it like I used to.

Oh and your sense of taste may change! But it is temporary and look at the bright side! It will give you even less incentive to want to eat. So force that protein and water down and know you are making great strides on your weight loss.

I was in the hospital for 3 days on morphine. I know it hurt some but I was walking as ordered and drinking fluids. Once home, I was on liquid Hydrocodone and boy did I need it. I did not expect that level of pain but here is the thing: some people have a lot of pain, some have very little. It will depend on your surgeon and your body. The gas is uncomfortable but mine was gone in a week. The main incision (where they remove the stomach and is normally the most painful) was dramatically improved at week two. And thank God because that bugger hurt. But Ann is right. Even if you are one who has a lot of pain, take those pain meds and rest. It is temporary. You will get through it. And you will lose a lot of weight. So keep reminding yourself of the prize. It's why we are all here. It's a hard surgery but I promise you will look back and be glad you did it.

I take celebrate chewables after I eat something. Then I brush my teeth. They are ok but not my favorite taste.

Don't discount the fact that when you were heavier, you felt exhausted, and likely defeated and depressed. When you begin to feel better physically, your mood and outlook can improve. That is my experience anyway. I feel hopeful and proud of myself for the first time in a very long time. Don't fret over what was. Embrace the present and look forward to your bright and healthy future.

I read posts on here every night and hounded everybody about getting all my screening appts as fast as possible. Go to support groups if you can! It's hard to wait but before you know it, you will be in pre-op with an iv in your arm.

Most things I try do not work. So it is eggs, sliced deli turkey, ground turkey, cheese, tuna, some soups, unsalted nuts, yogurt and fruit smoothies, and protein shakes. (Gag) Sometimes I want something like a small steak but beef just kills me. I think I won't be eating that anymore.

My Nut said her recommendation of 60-80 for me is based on my caloric needs. She said I can have more but they are calories my body will not need unless I am doing weights. (Which I plan to do in time.)

85 for me. Sometimes it feels like lots more! I miss gulping cold ice water.

Oh wow!! Stunning!

1. My winter coat that I could not zip last year now overlaps in the front. 2. Had my first session with a personal trainer tonight. Was so worried! But she is very supportive and we are starting out very slow. 30 mins of slow cardio, 30 of very light resistance. A hot shower, in bed, feeling very relaxed now. All in all, a good day. Pretty darned good progress for just over 9 weeks. Love this surgery!

Puree: scramble eggs with some fat-free refried Beans, your favorite cheese, and salsa. Solid: brown ground turkey, boil fresh spinach, drain both and mix with cottage cheese, marinara, top with shredded mozzarella and bake till browned. Pasta-less lasagna. Soup: skinless chicken, diced celery, carrots, and onions, bay leaf, can of chicken broth, and Water. Simmer till all is tender. All of these are low fat. Salt and pepper to taste.

I have a pretty swimsuit hanging on my wall. Saggy skin be damned!

It is super hard to sleep. Do not be in pain. Ask for pain meds to take at night if you are not taking them. You are in the middle of the hardest time. At 14 days, my pain lessened and I felt better. But it took 30 days to really feel better, physically and emotionally. But then comes the solid food battle... What works, what doesn't. Keep your eye on the prize. By Christmas you'll feel a lot better. In three months you will have lost a bunch of weight and will really be rocking along. Be good to yourself while your body heals. Rest as much as you can. And don't worry. What you feel is normal.

I thought I had made a mistake, too. Between the pain, then the nausea once I started eating, the hormonal changes, and how my crazy taste buds changed and food was revolting... ACK! But I am 9 weeks now and so much better and know I did the right thing! Believe in yourself! You will make it!

My husband ate two 6-inch subway sandwiches for lunch Friday. I couldn't believe it!

I never noticed until this surgery how inundated we are with constant food advertisements and how food-centered we are as a society. In Houston, it seems there is a restaurant every three feet. At work Friday, platters of cupcakes for a birthday followed by lunch at an Italian restaurant. (Didn't go.) On tv, ad after ad for bowls of Kentucky fried chicken chunks with mashed potatoes and gigantic hamburgers. Good grief! I am physically revolted when I see these images! I'm so thrilled to not feel those cravings anymore but it sure makes me realize how indoctrinated we've been all our lives...No wonder obesity is such an epidemic! I thank the Lord for my surgeon and the opportunity I have now to leave that behind.

I'm thinking about taking up embroidery or crochet to occupy my hands. Plus reading more and less tv!

One month out is still very hard and I can't imagine being at that point with your strenuous job! Bless your heart! Please ask your doctor to order some labs. I was not getting enough nutrition in and became very anemic. Plus dehydration makes you weak. And also, there are hormonal changes that can cause you to feel really messed up. I cried a lot! And my nausea got bad about then as I was going back on solid food. Just please know this is temporary. Take your supplements, do your best on protein and hydration, get as much rest as you can, and you will be feeling much better soon. Promise.

I've averaged 5 lbs a week. I wanted to lose 50 by year end and am at 47 lost now so am encouraged. Feeling pretty good. Starting to work out. Trying to eat healthy as much as possible. Overall, pretty positive.