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Thanks @ I'm going to start one, too!

carolm1965, you're a hoot! Sounds like a fantastic look! @@Miss Mac, I don't think about the home wrecker in my own past, or the woman he slept with, but if I ever see my ex-husband, I hope I have this same sweet weight loss revenge! Good on you!

I'd like to start coffee again before too long (I drink a cup a day, generally, but haven't since being sleeved). I used to use a peppermint mocha liquid creamer, or just 2% milk, or half a packet of hot chocolate mix. I'm thinking that coffee would be a good way to get some added Protein. Does anyone have a good liquid or powder (preferably liquid, but either is ok) that makes your coffee delicious?

Marisarose, I had the bathroom issues too. I took Milk of Magnesia, two days in a row, because it didn't work after the first day. Then I had the opposite problem. TMI I know. But now, knock on wood, I'm stable in that regard. Hope it lasts!

I've had a chance to look at the Vivienne Files you recommended, @@Sharon1964 . It's fabulous. There is a whole series on creating a wardrobe from scratch in different color families. A lot more too, but so far I've learned so much. Thank you for the recommendation!

Well, I'll start. I'm doing pretty well. I've lost 11 pounds since the surgery, 30 total. Very happy with that. I'm feeling pretty good. Still minor pain from biggest surgery site on the left, but not enough to need to take anything. Thankfully the gas and constipation of the first 6 days are gone! I started back to work today; went in for only 5 hours, and it was tiring. I have a desk job, but it's a stressful one. Tomorrow will be a full day. I know I'll get through it, but I'll probably be tired. I'm concerned that I'm not getting enough calories, and that I'm getting no veggies. By the time I get all my Protein and liquids in, I have no room for veggies at all. I'm on purees, and I am living on ricotta cheese, refried Beans, yogurt, hummus, New whey protein shots, cottage cheese blended with fruit, blended tuna, and cheese wedges. Tonight I'm going to try some veggie sausage blended with gravy. The only thing that has bothered my sleeve so far is a couple of bites of banana I tried today. It felt heavy in my stomach. I eat about 1/4 cup at a time, 5 or 6 small meals a day. I can eat really fast with no problem, so I have to work hard to slow down. My doctor prescribes two antacid pills per day, so maybe that has something to do with it. Another concern is that I could drink 8 ounces in 15 minutes if I wanted. My nurse practitioner says liquids are like that, but I will feel more restriction on soft foods. That said, I am weirdly finding it hard to drink 64 ounces…waiting before and after eating, sip sip, sipping all day, but still a struggle. How about you? How are you doing? Anyone else from early August?

I read this interesting article on the quality of different types of Protein sources today. I couldn't wait to start pureed foods partly because I'm concerned that the protein in powders and drinks isn't the same quality as that in real food. I found this article interesting, and some of the recipes sound really good, especially for those of us who don't eat meat! I can't wait to try the egg muffins. Do you think they would be ok for Stage 3 (soft foods), or will I have to wait for Stage 4 (regular foods). I actually have the same question about quinoa. I LOVE quinoa, but I'm not sure when I can start eating it again. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-best-protein-you-can-eat_55ccbcfee4b064d5910aae11?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592&kvcommref=mostpopular

@@jess9395, my doctor's office says around 120 gms carbs is ok per day, but it's the quality of the carbs that counts. What is considered low? What is your goal? I imagine quinoa would be hard to digest, so I'm definitely waiting until the regular food stage, and then I'll probably check with the doctor's office.

@@Sharon1964 thanks! I'm checking it out now.

@@pink dahlia those are great tips! I feel like I dress a little old too, and more conservative/dressy than I would want, because it looks a little better on me. I have few t-shirts or casual clothes. Oddly, I am much more comfortable dressing for work than for casual stuff, like bbq's, Disney, etc. That's when I feel the most self-conscious. Looking forward to cute jeans!

This must really vary for everyone, as I have been taking full-sized pills since my second day in the hospital, including a huge capsule to prevent gallbladder problems, which I have to take twice a day. I just take them one at a time and wait a few minutes between each pill.

@@Kfohiotime4change, congrats on those two new pairs of pants! Those milestones are so important and special! @@Babbs, I know just what you mean about wanting to look great, and sexy, but not like I'm trying to look like I'm dressing in clothes meant for a 20-something. I guess I'll have to hit the clearance racks, too. Luckily there is a GREAT consignment shop right in my neighborhood. @, I totally get the dark clothes thing too. I shudder to be thought of as the big-floral-print-fat-lady-in-the-muumuu cliche. But I totally plan to rock those colors! @@Inner Surfer Girl, @@ShrinkingPeach, and Jess, those are great ideas too. I've avoided fashion mags, because they weren't relevant to me. I think I tend toward the more boho look too, with a bit of classic thrown in, but I'm just not sure. I guess I'll have to stop ordering online (I HATE trying on clothes; it is so humiliating and depressing -- but hopeful that will change!)

Oh, second this! I did that -- big fluffy down pillow, in a bright case so I wouldn't forget it. Thanks to a tip on here. I LOVED it.

Oh my goodness! These look so good! I'm saving this recipe for when I'm on regular foods. (Probably not good for Stage 3, soft foods, right?)

@@Natasha S., throwing up blood is NOT normal. Call your doctor ASAP. It may be nothing, but get it checked out just in case.

Instead of the loose fitting pants and top, I wore a loose maxi dress that put no restriction on my belly. Glad I did. Even a week post-op, elastic hurt on my incisions.

My doctor's office pointed out that it's not "carbs" that matter so much as the kind of carbs. In other words, there's a big difference between the carbs in soybeans or a piece of fruit than those in potato chips or a candy bar. I was told to keep carbs under 120, but…see above. They said the quality of the carbs is what matters most. They also said I wouldn't be ABLE to eat enough carbs to cause any worries at this point, what with my tiny stomach capacity so early on. Of course, I do follow the mantra to always eat Protein first. I'm not a vegetarian, but have been a pescatarian (eat some fish, plus eggs and dairy) for 40 years. I have always had trouble getting enough protein (I log it every day on Sparkpeople), so I was worried about this. I'm just 10 days post-op, and just started pureed foods. I'm eating yogurt, vegetarian refried Beans with cheese, blended cottage cheese, ricotta, cream of wheat, applesauce or other fruit blended with unflavored unjury, and tofu. (You can do amazing things with tofu!) I haven't yet tried any fish or eggs. 'm not having any troubles to speak of and am hitting my protein goal every day. I'm also using protein powders and drinks. For example, every day I put 1/2 of a New whey Protein Shot (fruit punch flavor) in a 20 ounce bottle of Water. That gives me 21 grams of protein, plus helps me hit my liquid goal. The oddest thing so far for me is that plain ole H2O has always been my favorite drink -- I've never been a big soda drinker, and if I ever drank juice, I would cut it to 1/5 juice, 4/5 water. But since the sleeve, plain water tastes weird to me. So I hope you won't worry! I am finding it very manageable. And you know what else? It may be crazy or sacrilegious or something, but I WANT to lose somewhat slowly! I figure a slower loss will help with the skin sagging (I'm in my late 50s, and concerned about this). I also feel that an extra few months of getting to goal is not a big worry; after all, I plan to lose this weight for life. Unlike all the other times I've lost weight, this time I know it is going to come off and stay off! So if it takes a bit longer (and gives my skin time to catch up), I'm not going to stress out about it! Best of luck to you! Keep us posted!

I'm not a doctor and my first response is: I would check with the doctor's office regarding the liquid diet. But I'm happy to tell you my own experience: My doctor didn't require one! Just told us to lose some weight and eat a low calorie diet beforehand. I lost about 20 pounds leading up to my surgery, but most of it was in the 8 weeks before, not much in the two weeks just before. My BMI, if it helps, was just under 40. Hang in there, and keep seeking out support. It's hard at times, and scary, but you can do it!

I am a private person and do not want my photos on the internet. And I did not tell many people about my surgery (so far, in fact, only one person knows). You'll also notice that most people post here under a pseudonym. But most people also post their stats -- weight lost, days/weeks/months since surgery. I tend to believe the stats I see people posting. Why is a photo better than the stats? I'm proud of the work I've done, proud of my weight loss so far (a week post-op) but see no reason to post photos if I don't feel comfortable doing so, nor do I expect anyone else to. We each have the right to choose for ourselves what to share. Edit--To those who have shared their photos, you all look so awesome!

It's so interesting how different everyone's doctor's requirements are. Mine had no real pre-op requirement, other than 1200 calories a day or less. My post-op is: First two days: Clear liquids Week 1 (first 9 days until leak test): Liquids Week 2-4 Puree Week 5-6 Soft Week 7 Start Regular foods My doctor also allows gummy vitamins and, after a time, up to 2 diet sodas a week. (I think I'll skip the sodas; never a big fan, and don't want to irritate my tummy with carbonation.)

I am telling one person and one person only: my spouse. My family will be judgmental, and I feel that at work, my personal business is my personal business. I may tell a friend or two in the future; we'll see. But for now, I'm keeping it to myself. I lost 20 pounds before the surgery, and I haven't been to work for a while because before the surgery I took a long, extended vacation. People knew I was exercising for my trip, and they know I was planning to walk and hike a lot there, so I hope they'll assume that's why I've lost weight. I'm going to say I'm keeping up the exercising, eating less, eating healthier, and focusing on Protein, which is all true. I'll have to see how obvious it is when I don't eat much at events, especially extended family ones. At work, no one will really notice what I eat.

I was sleeved on August 5th! Thought I would share some of my experiences thus far. My surgery was the first of the day, at 8:30 a.m. It went well -- about 1 hours and 15 minutes. I was stuck in recovery until 2:30 p.m. because the resident forgot to send orders to release me, but that was the only glitch. Got up to my room, feeling pretty groggy. I did use the pain meds the first two days in the hospital -- I don't know how often I pushed that little button, but it was pretty regular. I slept a lot. My big incision on the left is still pretty painful, so I am continuing to take pain meds for the time being. If I don't have the pain meds, it's hard to cough, and it's very painful when I need to get up. Otherwise, things seem to be going great. The first day in the hospital I was allowed only sponges in my mouth for moisture -- my mouth was so dry! It was wonderful to finally get ice chips on the second day. Today, day 3, prior to being released, I was allowed some liquids, and was given some Jello, cream of wheat and apple juice. I found the jello rather painful in my stomach. I ate about 3 spoons of the cream of wheat, and was supposed to drink 60 cc's of fluids every hour. I had no problem with this at all -- in fact, I was thirsty and could have drunk more Water. My doctor also prescribes pills, so this morning I took an antacid, 2 oxycodone, a HUGE gall bladder pill, and Vitamins. I was actually really surprised; I've read that pills are hard to swallow after the sleeve. But my doctor said it's usually not a problem -- nor does he have a problem with gummy vitamins. I was able to take the pills just fine; I just timed 7 minutes between each one. Now I'm home and I'm not sure how I can get in all the Protein. My doctor's orders are simply to get 60 grams of protein each day for now, and to take an antacid, a gallbladder pill, and vitamins daily. So far I've had 1/4 cup of butternut Soup with 1/4 packet of unjury Protein powder and 4 ounces of Pure Protein Drink. I am pretty full! I will be on liquids until August 14, and then move to pureed food. My biggest problems are a lot of gas -- I've been walking since day one in the hospital, and it does seem to help. Also, the big incision on my left side hurts whenever I need to get up. So, that's my report to date. Any other August 5 or recent sleevers out there who want to share?

Tokyo, I'm so sorry you're feeling so bad. Are you taking Gas-x strips or anything like that? I'm taking one or two a day. I do have gas, but I am able to ahemmmm, pass it if you know what I mean. My doctor prescribed famotidine, which is an acid reducer. I don't know if that's why, but I really haven't had any nausea.

Wow, that is really impressive! I haven't been able to get all my protein in yet. So glad you're not in pain. If your incisions are itchy, you could try Benadryl, but it really knocks me out, for the day after I take it too. I haven't been doing any chores yet. I'm really impressed you're doing laundry etc!

Hi Karmasgotcha, I'm using unjury chicken flavored. If I mix it really well, it does blend without many lumps. I'm like you -- I don't feel very hungry at all. I'm just trying to figure out how to do all the fluids and time it so the liquids are 30 minutes before and one hour after eating. I made myself a spreadsheet/table and printed a bunch of copies out. It has all of my meals, liquids, and pills listed so I can check them off as I take them. I have a question for you about the Ibuprofen: my doctor told me I cannot take Ibuprofen or anything but Tylenol for life, due to liver or kidney issues. Does yours allow it?