Wonder WomanNJ

I too started them a little over a month before my surgery date. You will find that they give you good energy and your hair and nails grow a lot too. I use the same ones probably through mail order with a copay. Good stuff.

Check out pinterest for some good ideas. For example, here is a link to my board where I post all recipes I like and have tried most of the ones that I am allowed. I will be 2 months 2/21 and am on stage there where I still can't eat Pasta, rice, beef or pork. Have fun and get creative! https://www.pinterest.com/thepartygods/healthy-eating/

My mother particularly is very judgmental but she's so anti-fat that she was on board with me getting it done and VERY supportive. HOWEVER - now every single conversation starts with "how are you doing on your diet? Are you eating everything you're not supposed to be eating". So much for supportive, right? #annoyed

I have fibromyalgia which isn't classified as auto-immune but the symptoms closely mimic RA. I can tell you that I have never felt better. I was sleeved on 12/21, I've lost 30 lbs. and I feel great. I do experience some neuropathy at night - but not too bad that it keeps me up.

I'm just curious - did you all have gastric sleeve or something else? I had 5 "little" incisions covered with tape and they dissolved on their own. The tape came off 1 week after surgery and the scars are barely noticeable now. I didn't realize they performed the same surgery with staples/stiches.

So I was sleeved on 12/21 - I am now in phase 3 of my diet. I find that I'm hungry often and my capacity definitely is allowing me to eat more food. I am really good about tracking my food to make sure I am getting my Protein in take but have to wonder, am I eating too much? I am taking in between 600-800 a day. Never reaching 1000. What is everyone else doing?

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the tips. My nutritionist never gave me a calorie count, but I was just wondering. I am also using the Baritastic app and it helps to keep track of my Protein. My fat and carb intake are kept low and my Proteins I'm trying to keep between 80 and 100. They want me at 100 and sometimes I reach 90. Not so much other days. Thank you all for your help.

thank you very much!

I am writing about this because I want to know if others experience hunger the same way. Pre-surgery I would get a hungry sensation. Nowadays, it's almost like a pain, gassy feeling in my stomach. I can't explain it. Does anyone else experience "hungry" differently now? I am 5 weeks post-op.

I'm so sorry for you. I can imagine how you must feel but remember why you chose to have the surgery in the first place. Let that be your fuel for success. We all have a journey - for some it was easier in retrospect but we all have a story and this is yours. Be your own strength. Yes you CAN do this and if you really want it - you will, too! I believe in you. xoxo

yes, exactly. Like you, I need to EAT NOW when I get hungry or it is accompanied by a feeling of light-headedness and fatigue. Go Figure. Like you, I wasn't expecting to "feel" hunger, let alone hunger pains but I guess we will get used to it.

You and I had surgery the same day. I've lost 25 lbs and too felt that it was not enough not because of the number but because I've had a stall for the past 3 weeks! My nutritionist told me to make sure I get my Protein and I have been doing that but nothing. I'm not eating a lot so at one point, it has to come off, right? LOL Hang in there!

What wonderful news! Good for you and enjoy the high you're on. You're less than 3 weeks from your surgery date - amazing!! xoxo

That is awesome! I'm happy for you. I was super excited to get sleeved also - I practically skipped into the hospital - no lie! I went through a short depressed state and now I'm excited again because at 4 weeks, I can finally see the results and people are noticing. I feel good and you will too - proud of you!

I'm so sorry you are going through this but can so relate. I too had the feeling of remorse. Those first couple of weeks are the absolute worse but I promise you - it gets better. You know, I think I was a lot more of a food addict than I thought and I think that the reason I was so emotional about it was because I was mourning the loss of food in my life. I know it sounds corny, but there is something there. Food was my best friend, my companion, my soul mate. LOL However, you slowly start realizing that it also consumed your life. I'm at week 4 and I feel like the surgery was an eternity ago. Hang in there and just follow the instructions, it gets better! xoxo

@@xoxococojay I will inbox you.

Uhhh - I have no advise for you. I just wanted to empathize with you. The liquid phase was the WORSE for me. By the end of the week - I was ready to stab someone (not literally, of course) LOL Hang in there - it passes soon.

@@Tufflaw I'm at my soft food stage also and this is really helpful - thank you! I'm getting so bored with my food choices. LOL Also - has anyone heard of or tried Ezequiel Bread? https://www.google.com/search?q=ezekiel+bread&biw=1280&bih=561&tbm=isch&imgil=BDHBIKexfQIeoM%253A%253BVrWoF6PZ1Q2JdM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.foodforlife.com%25252Fabout_us%25252Fezekiel-49&source=iu&pf=m&fir=BDHBIKexfQIeoM%253A%252CVrWoF6PZ1Q2JdM%252C_&usg=__Hoq-et7RE7C_Xd9ndV9qNpkjSqo%3D&ved=0ahUKEwj9p_PissnRAhWg0YMKHTOPA44QyjcIlgE&ei=DCt-WP3xE6CjjwSzno7wCA#imgdii=lWjhDerkzSlSqM%3A%3BlWjhDerkzSlSqM%3A%3BRZI27Vgq8MfakM%3A&imgrc=lWjhDerkzSlSqM%3A It's supposed to be better for you than wheat bread or even all grain. I'm not there yet but I heard this is a good carb option. THoughts?

Mine was approved in less than 2 weeks. I want to say maybe even a week - but don't quote me on that.

Good Girl - I was going to suggest Crystal Light. Pre-surgery I would drink almost a gallon of Water per day, before 6pm. NOW- I can't stand the "taste" of water. The crystal light really helped to get me to drink it. I also drink Peppermint tea when I need something warm, that helps. Good luck.

@@Vee16 thank you - that sounds delish!

I have a friend who is tossing the idea back and forth - she says she's scared that something will happen to her on the operating table....because of her weight. I ask - aren't afraid something will happen to you because you're not taking care of it? She's my best friend and so I can tell her that. Understand that the process that leads up to surgery is one filled with many, many, many tests. Cardiologist to make sure your heart can withstand the surgery, pulmonologist to make sure your lungs can withstand the surgery, gastric guy - psychologist and I think I'm forgetting another one. Not to mention the series of blood work you get. Rest assured that if the doctor's didn't think your body and organs could withstand the surgery, they would reject you. I think the most important thing is finding a surgeon you are comfortable with. You will make the best decision for YOU and your family. Whatever you decide, most people on this forum are a great support!

@@Kaylamh you're lucky - my NUT said NO meat yet. Every plan is different I guess, right? I do make my Beans with a little meat in them and I have had some soft chicken in Soup - I was able to stomach it. I feel as though beef is going to be one of the last things I try.

Don't let anyone rain on your parade. You're doing amazing things for yourself and for others by sharing your journey. Understand that when people feel the need down play another's success it is usually because of their own insecurities. You can please them all babes, just keep pleasing yourself and your doctors. It's all you can do. xoxo

The baked Beans out of the can aren't too good for you but you can make your own and puree them, that is what I do. You can also make lentils in the same fashion. With the beans though, puree manually using a strainer so that you don't get any of the skin which in my head, can pose a potential problem. It makes a nice paste. You can also have yogurt, bananas (smashed), sweet potatoe, ricotta cheese and cottage cheese. I too experimented with lean chicken and turkey slices and it goes down well. LIke the other users have said, don't experiment with too much at one time.