glitter eyes

I eat regular Reese's peanut butter cups occasionally. I will say that I didn't incorporate them into my diet plan until I had lost the majority of my weight and entered into my maintenance phase. I do just fine with them and don't get sick. I had the sleeve 14 months ago. That being said, I track all my food and only allow a treat after I have met my protein goals and make sure that I don't exceed my average calories for the day. Also, you may not like peanut butter cups after your surgery. It's crazy how your tastes can change sometimes. Pre op I loved loved pasta, rice, bread, chips. After surgery I have no cravings for any of those things and do not even like the taste that much. Chocolate is another matter. LOL. I didn't even like chocolate before my surgery. I just eat in now in careful moderation and it works for me!! Good luck to you. And as others have posted there are some great healthy alternatives.

My out of pocket was $500 to the surgeon and $4600.00 to the hospital- and that was with insurance and I work at the hospital I had it done at. The only good thing was they payroll deducted the $4600 over a 12 month period with no interest. I thought it was still a lot; but worth it!!

Praying for you both.

Did your surgeon give you a prescription for nausea medication? I took mine around the clock to stay on top of the nausea. Also, if you are already taking a nausea medication and it's not working call the office and have them call in a different nausea medication. Oftentimes you have to find the one that works for you. Some people get nausea from the pain meds. So if you think that is the case try taking the nausea meds about 30 minutes before the pain medication. Hope you feel better soon

Good luck to you!!!

@njmomof4kidz. It is normal. It will get easier and easier as time passes. One thing that helped me was I used a medicine cup to drink my liquids from. I would fill it up and make it last for three tiny tiny sips. This helped me control the amount I was swallowing at one time. It took a concentrated effort to get my fluids in. Hang in there. You can do it.

I too ate healthy prior to surgery. I ate around 1500-1800 calories a day and it came from lean meats, fruits, and veggies, complex carbs. I did have junk every now and then. I never exercised because it made me feel miserable- probably because I am only 5'3" and weighed 271 pounds. Even in the pre op diet phase of liquids I only lost 2-3 pounds. I had a friend doing it around the same time and she lost 25 pounds, so I was terrified it wouldn't work for me. BOOM- after surgery it was a miracle. My body dropped weight consistently. I went down to 152 in about eight months. I think like one of the above posters, my body loves staying very low carb and around 1,000 calories. I can maintain on that. Some of us just have to eat less to stay at a normal weight. So hang in there and have faith- it does work and gives your body a great reset!! It's a life changer. Good luck!!

You could always ask your surgeon to order IV Tylenol (Ofirmev). I had a few friends who had surgery before mine and they did not need any narcotic pains meds in the hospital because of the IV Tylenol. They said it worked amazingly. My surgeon ordered it for me, but when I had my surgery the hospital would not dispense it to the floor due to the high cost/availability. I could have forced the issue (I am a nursing administrator for the hospital) but the narcotics were working good for me; So I didn't get to try it. Maybe that could be an option for you.

I used listerine breath strips or the breath spray and that helped me a lot.

I didn't sleep in my bed for almost a week (guess I am a wimp). It hurt me to get in and out of our recliner too. So I slept in one of our chairs that is very comfy and has an ottoman and I was able to rest well in that. However, a few friends that had it done swore by the recliner.

Is there anyway you could heat up your lunch in the microwave at the hotel and pack it in one of those thermos that keep food warm. My daughter has one she takes to school for lunch and she says the food is still warm- not piping hot but edible? You can do it!! Keep us posted

Good job!!

I agree hair loss is crazy for some of us. I am 14 months post op and still losing and what I have left is dry and brittle. I too get all my vitamins, protein, water, take biotin, folic acid, and even added liquid silica which seems to help the most. I could live with the thin hair if what I had looked soft and healthy. I even added extra fruit and veggies to my diet. On my hair I have tried emu oil, coconut oil, almond oil, castor oil, and various essential oils. @@Babbs maybe I will try the Nioxin. I am running out of options

Like Inner Surfer Girl- I too weaned off of caffeine and refined sugar slowly. By the time I started my liquid diet I had been caffeine free for over two months and carb free except for fruits and veggies for over a month. I think that helped my liquid phase go so much easier. I also purchased a good scale, baby spoons, and small bowls and plates.

Good for you!!

Good luck to you and congratulations!!

It is really important to let your surgeon know and let he/she decide what to do. The hospital I work at does weight loss surgery. There was one girl who ate pizza during the weekend and her surgery was on a Monday. She didn't tell the surgeon and when he began working in her stomach there was still some remnants of pizza left. He finished the surgery, but she spent a few days in ICU before going home. It's better to be safe than sorry. Good luck to you!

Were you given a post op eating plan from your surgeon or nutritionist? Everyone's plan varies a little bit, but I would say NO to alcohol that soon after surgery. Your stomach is brand new and healing. I can't imagine any doctor being ok with you drinking that soon post op.

Good luck to you!! Weight loss surgery can be an amazing life changer. You can do it!!

The pre op liquid diet is very hard. I think what made it easier for me was fear. I was so worried if I cheated and something went wrong during surgery I would blame myself. Mine was two weeks liquids only. I just stayed busy and tried to stay focused on the end goal. As for the liquid/puréed stages post op that is WAY easier. Your hunger will be less and food doesn't even look appealing. When that wears off and your appetite gradually returns you weight is dropping and it's an exciting time. I used a lot of sugar free Popsicles, and broth a few times a day. You can do this!!! Hang in there. We are rooting for you. Stay busy if possible and look toward a better future. It's going to be worth all the suffering I promise!!!

I have done it both ways. In the beginning during the time I was losing fast I only weighed once a week or every two weeks. Now that I am trying to just maintain I weigh everyday. I find this keeps me accountable and if I see the number go up a pound or two I cut back for a few days or change up my exercise.

@ABetterMe1210. I had my surgery June 23, 2014. I am 14 months post op and feeling wonderful!!

I found it painful to go from a sitting/lying position to standing also after surgery. I used a small travel sized pillow and used that to brace my stomach and that helped so much. I was actually attached to that little pillow and used it for several weeks. Good luck it will get easier as time passes.

Good for you!! Wish I was brave enough to try a Brazilian wax. I just got my hairy arms waxed this week for the first time. I love it. Maybe next time I will brave the bikini area.

I agree!! This just happened to me this week too. I have tried steak several times post sleeve and could not tolerate it or any other red meat. Then, this week I cooked a steak and ate it just fine. It tasted great!! Glad you can tolerate the eggs now. Eggs are an awesome food. Enjoy!!