JerseyGirlShirl

What kind of "stop signs" does everyone get? I'm just a little over one week post-op, and third day on Stage 2 (pureed foods). I think some of what I'm experiencing --- yawning, a sharp shoulder pain, and/or feeling my food travel down --- may be signals. I've been very fortunate to not have any nausea or vomiting (so far), but I am uncomfortable --- I think I should've stopped eating sooner than I did (this just happened once, with my dinner of pureed scrambled eggs and ricotta cheese). Do you stop eating at the first twinge or get a few more bites in?

Thanks, everyone, for your replies! Today was the first time I've almost overdone it; I had two bites too many, and ended up being nauseaous and feeling like an elephant was sitting on my chest. I'm noticing quite a bit that I'll start yawning or sighing while I eat, too. Part of me really has to get beyond the whole, "I went to all this trouble to cook and puree for one measly bite?!" thing. I feel like the Queen of Leftovers! I can't wait until I'm out of the puree stage, though. Hopefully one more week (my next appointment is on the 8th)!

Has anyone ever tried the recipies on the Eggface blog? (I think the web address is http://www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com ). They all look pretty good in the pictures, but do they taste good? Her idea for using a Bento Box for lunches is really good; I'm on the lookout for one locally. I'm jumping ahead a little bit (I'm getting sleeved this Friday, so it'll be a while before I can experiment with recipies) but I'm just curious. Does anyone have any other good resources for post-WLS meals? Thanks!

Thanks, everyone! Once I'm cleared for food, I'll try her recipies. (Had my surgery last Friday, still on Stage 1). The ricotta/pepperoni cups look soooooo good! I've also been finding some good things on Pinterest, too. I'm going to start collecting recipies and create a binder/cookbook for myself. It's weird; you would think at this stage that I wouldn't want to look at food and recipies in case I become tempted, but I'm really not! It's almost like my stomach and my head are finally in sync. At any rate, blogs like Eggface have made me kind of care more about my food, and actually want to take the time to make thngs instead of the old habits of reaching for whatever. And it shows that you can eat real food after surgery. So many people think you can't eat "normally" after WLS, and it's just not true. Makes me almost want to start blogging again myself lol!

Hi, everyone! I also have fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, and also live with a number of herniated discs and bone spurs in my back and neck. I'm having my surgery on Friday (11/14), and I'm also expecting a Five-Alarm Flare afterward. My surgeon is okay with me using my pain relievers once I get home (Percocet, Flexeril, and Voltaren Gel) as needed. I've spoken to my surgeons and others in the Bariatric Center, and they have many patients who also have fibromyalgia. According to them, the majority have had some relief as they lost the excess weight. I don't expect a full remission of pain, but I'm hoping it gets significantly less than it is now. Exercise is made difficult with my chronic pain, and even more so with my asthma. Right now the only exercise I get is walking the dog (short distances only). I'm hoping to be able to do more as I lose the weight, though. I totally understand what you all are going through! You're not alone; best of luck to you, @@bobbyswife!

Oh, wow, I thought I was the only one who worried about this! I'm due on Monday, and my surgery is Friday (the 14th). I'm praying I'm on time (and therefore just about finished by Friday) but, being the poster child for Murphy's Law, I wouldn't be suprised if it waits until Thursday or Friday to show up. Good 'ol Aunt Flo, always showing up at the worst times lol!

Hi, I'm Shirley. I'm 42 and never married. The me underneath the weight is a girl who loves God and creating art. One of my dreams is to be able to make a living as an artist. Which is why I work full time as a bank teller lol. I love Contemporary Christian music, Pure Flix films, NCIS, and old episodes of Northern Exposure. I'm a total book nerd, as evidenced by my book hoarding. I've struggled with my weight for most of my adult life, and as a result, my life always seemed to be on hold. You know, "I'll meet the right guy when I lose weight", "I'll find a better job once I get down a few pounds". I'm an introvert by nature, and the weight gave me a convenient excuse to just exist rather than live. In a way, I feel like having sleeve surgery is like hitting the reset button on my life. It's a second chance. And I don't want to waste it.

My pre-op diet the week before surgery is basically a protein shake before each meal, sticking to protein and veggies. I have a short list of things to choose from, though; stuff like oatmeal, V8, Greek yogurt, sugar free apple sauce, chicken, egg whites. I've been on what I've been calling the "pre-pre-surgery diet" since my first nutrition appointment, which is basically low fat, low carb, low sugar, and high protein.

unjury is really good, but only available via their website (as far as I know). I've been using Isopure since running out of the Unjury and it's pretty good. I don't notice any Vitamin taste to them. I'll also make a "dessert" out of my evening shake by adding extracts or sugar free flavoring syrups (got the "recipies" from Bariatric Foodie's Protein Shake book, but I also experiment on my own). I found a bunch of sugar free syrups at the Home Goods/Marshalls in Holmdel recently, but you can find a ton of flavors on Amazon (Torani and DaVinci brands). Even a tablespoon of Jello sugar free/fat free pudding can doctor up a protein shake. And PB2 helps, too.

November 14th My date was pushed back a week due to a conference that my surgeons are attending. Bummed me out but everything happens for a reason. It still doesn't seem real. All this preparation and it still sort of feels like a dream or something. But I'm excited!

After a little bit of research Retro's out. More bad reviews than you can count due to fraudulent billing practices. Planet Fitness may still work... a lot of reviews mention that they're treatment of the obese and disabled is top notch. That goes a long way in my book. Thank you for replying!

Hi, y'all! I'm giving some thought to joining a gym, and I'm wondering which one is better... There's a Retro Fitness about five minutes from where I live (Old Bridge/Matawan NJ area), and a Planet Fitness about 15 minutes away in Hazlet. I'm basically looking for a gym that I'm going to be comfortable going to, not one where I'm going to be made fun of, you know? Thanks!

I still kind of miss the area but it isn't the same. Totally changed from when I was a kid (SWMHS class of 1990). When I was a kid my pediatrition was in Perth Amboy, across the street from the hospital. Dr. Maktel died in 1991, though, his practice is long gone. I hated going over the bridge, coz I knew I'd end up getting a shot lol!

I have Dr. Strom...I like him alot, although everyone so far has been super nice. I had my first nutrition with David yesterday. He was nice, too, but almost seemed a little unsure at times. Honestly, I wish my primary care physician's employees and nurses were as nice! My PCP has one or two excellent employees while the rest talk about patients behind the glass lol! I missed the last support group so I'll be at the September 11th one.

I turned 42 last month and was hit with a stark realization: I'm only eight years younger than my father was when he died. He was also obese, and died at 50 from heart disease. I don't want history to repeat itself. I think since hitting my 40's I've grown up a lot; I was always the proverbial late bloomer. My weight hinders so much....I don't want to wake up one day and regret never finding the right guy, never doing the things I want to do but can't at this size. Lord willing, my 40's will be my Butterfly Decade- time to break out of this fat cocoon and fly