WithanH77

I took Psyllium prior to surgery and my surgeon told me to switch to Benefiber and stay switched because Psyllium can cause a blockage. FYI

I am 4 weeks out and having no trouble getting my liquids in, but serving size per meal is 1-2oz. I have gotten sick twice when I tried to eat over 2 oz. NO FUN!

My husband took 2 weeks off after my surgery expecting the worst, but I was fine after a couple of days. I could have managed on my own from day one, but we have 2 small kids and a small farm so it was a huge help.

I am three weeks out, and I have occasional spells of being super tired but it is usually following a day of intense exercise and activity. I try to hit my Protein goals extra hard when I am tired. I don't know if that helps or if it's a placebo effect, but it works for me.

I didn't lose in the first two weeks but I have really focused on Protein and that seems to have really helped. I also increased my walking time and that helped. I am in pureed phase and I have found if I eat protein first then I don't really have room for mashed potatos or jello/pudding. I will say I tried sweet potato and it made me sick right away, but I think I took too big of a bite.

As for books, I read Al Roker's book, Never Going Back. It was more about his lifelong struggle than his surgery. It had some recipes and sample menus. He also gained back some of his weight by reverting to old habits and mostly eating out. Your co-workers will not mind if you bring your lunch or have to buy very healthy foods. If anything I would hope they would be supportive. Best of luck!!!

I can not address the ins/approval situation because mine was super quick through UHC. I had surgery 7/7, pain was moderate to sever the first day, the next 2 days in hospital it was not bad pain was medium. 4 days out it was low and by a week I didn't need pain meds. My surgeon has me on a step up plan for food and I am following it to the letter. (Scared of getting something stuck). I did liquid, full liquid and I get to add eggs and mashed potatoes tomorrow. Good luck!!!!

I am also 2 weeks post op and my tastes haven't changed. I will say that the foods I am eating are more flavorful, but so far not in a bad way.

I was told if you want to have diet soda or any carbonated beverage, you have to let it go flat first. I am just thinking of my diet coke addiction the same as I did cigarettes. Bye Bye friend!

You are much farther out than I am, but ice and cold drinks hurt my stomach terribly. I am 2 weeks out and I have to drink room temp water/beverages or I get crampy pain, but no gas.

Hope you start to feel better. My incisions are mostly all better and I am 12 days out. You may want to check with your surgeon to be sure you are healing properly. Try not to get too down, 30 lbs down is a huge victory!!!!!! I keep looking forward and this pain will be a distant memory. Try to keep walking even if it is in the house.(which is what I am doing because of rain). It helps me when I get the blues.

I am one week post op, so I just got through what you are going through. My pre-op diet was 3 Protein shakes, and Clear liquids, no solids at all. I the first couple of days I was hungry and kept trying to give myself an excuse to cheat, but luckily I maintained. I am doing this for life, not just for now. Once I decided I wasn't eating and wouldn't be for the next several weeks, I resigned myself to finding a way to beat the hunger. (like you are now) I GUZZLED Water. I didn't eat any popsicles, jellos, or crystal light because I noticed they made me hungry and gave me cravings. I am not normally a water drinker but I was up to 96oz a day. I never felt hungry and the 2 days prior to surgery I had no problem with no Protein Shakes. Now 7 days after surgery I am doing great on my fluids intake. Good luck!!!! It will get better, you just have to find what works for you.

My surgery is tomorrow! Yay! Struggled through the pre-op diet,no cheating and proud!!