Berry78

Since you've been on liquids, I'd recommend your first solids are like pudding consistency. You will get full very quickly. My first thing I tried was blended up split pea soup. Was full after 2-3 spoonfuls.

I'm 8 weeks postop and could imagine starting a zumba class about now. I had a very easy recovery too.

Ok, funny story. So my first boyfriend did just this. I had just met him, and we weren't going out, but somehow the fact that he had a "vienna sausage" came up in conversation. I was a virgin, so that was an appealing characteristic! Lol!

Yes. Everyone feels fullness in a different way, but between the shoulder blades is a common area. As your stomach regains feeling, you may notice changes.. Or maybe it will always be this way Sounds like you are doing great!

First of all, congratulations on the pregnancy! It is normal for restriction to become less as time goes on (even with the best surgical techniques). None of us can depend on restriction forever. We all have to change our relationship with food, what we eat, when, and how much. The surgery gives us a jump start, but ultimately the work remains. If you can find a counselor, that could be a big help. Alternatively, there are a ton of self help books, youtube videos, and the like. I enjoy watching youtube videos by bariatric surgeons to understand more about what the surgery does and doesn't do. Dr. Duc Vuong and Dr. Matthew Weiner are both great. (Hugs) Happy Mother's Day!

Average weight loss is 15lbs each of the first 2 months, then it drops to 10lbs a month until about 6 months post op, after that it drops to 4-8 pounds monthly until maintenance is reached. There are faster and slower losers, but this is average.

Last diet I was on, I lost 15lbs in 6 weeks, and that was pretty fast! That works out to a pound every 3 days, approximately. You are losing pounds in half the time! Why would you be discouraged?

I did want to say, despite the squabbling the topic has caused, thank you for asking about this. Pizza was a super weak spot for me preop, so I'm sure I would have problems with it now too! You've been eating soup, eggs, and optifast.. You need to eat much more substantial food. Solid cuts of protein will give you some much needed satisfaction. I had a couple bites of rare steak today. Chewing for EVER, and so satisfying. Baked fish tomorrow.

You won't need much. The things I needed most were extra pillows for the bed and a selection of anti-constipation meds. Milk of magnesia, fleet enemas, smooth move tea, etc. Get a small selection of calorie free beverages and water add ins. Don't stock up on any one thing because you don't know what you'll like postop. Practice making home made broth.

Heavy is ok, just make sure you aren't bleeding too heavily (more than a pad an hour is cause for concern). Weird periods... Par for the course after surgery...

My program had me only on clear liquids the first week. Only broth for protein. Once you're getting 50+oz of fluids a day, then work on your protein. Dehydration is a bigger concern than protein deficiency this early out. Monday or Tuesday will be a good time to try milk or protein shakes, and the like. Just remember that most people have trouble meeting their goals. If you don't get dehydrated, you will be fine!!!

Well, it is kinda thick like a thinnish milkshake. The taste is a bit strong, but even though I wouldn't have liked it preop, its ok now. I've had the berry and banana. The banana is better. It takes a while to drink, but so does everything! Lol. I think of it like strong yogurt.

The one with the joey is really cute... But not the most masculine of tats...

Ok, diet help: Get on youtube and search "The Dr. V diet" watch the video. That will get you started. Dr. Duc Vuong is a wonderful resource for information. Also, Dr. Matthew Weiner has a lot of videos too. Essentially, like you have found, the surgery will only work for a limited time, then it is up to us. We have to change our minds and the CONTENT of our diets to have lasting success. If we continue eating the same things we ate before surgery, we will end up in the same shape. We have to change WHAT we eat, not just how MUCH. I tried the spinach smoothie yesterday for breakfast. I was scared! But it was good! I used a whole banana and 2 handfuls of blueberries and coconut water. So maybe more extras than needed, but baby steps! If you watch the video and wonder about protein, 4oz of meat gives 28g x 2 is 56g, then add a 15g snack (or have 2 eggs for breakfast), and you are set for the day.. Assuming a 70g/day protein goal.

Absolutely! This is definitely a head issue. Find a psychologist that specializes in eating disorders if you can. In the meantime, you need a meal plan that works for you that you don't allow yourself to deviate from. If you need help making one up, just ask.

You are only 2 weeks post op. Your body is trying to recover from major surgery! You aren't even eating solid foods yet! Of course you're exhausted! Other than walking around, you shouldn't be doing any exercise for a couple more weeks. Concentrate on taking care of yourself. Don't worry about weight loss until your tummy is mostly healed 2 months out.

Ok, so it happened. Whether anyone else did this really doesn't matter, because you need to focus on you. Do you have a psychologist that is part of your journey? You need to get control of this immediately, or the surgery was for nothing. Your head needs to be in the right place, and you need help getting it there.

Milk, if you can tolerate it, helps with acid, fluid, and protein, all at the same time. I drank a bunch of it the first month. There is a protein kefir that has 40g in a 16oz bottle... That will get you over halfway to goal right there!

Everyone has fears going into surgery. It's the nature of the beast As long as you have educated yourself about the surgery, are aware of potential risks and benefits, and have thought long and hard about the decision, then rest assured that you are making the right choice for you. For me, it came down to this: I wanted to THRIVE, not just survive.

Just because a doctor never officially diagnoses a patient with the condition doesn't mean the patient doesn't have it. Doctors don't TREAT metabolic syndrome, they treat diabetes, or high triglycerides, or high blood pressure instead.

Woo hoo!

Barring complications, you'll be out and about in a few days. Driving a week or so after surgery.

Excellent timing, indeed! I had similar timing... Was put on blood pressure meds for the first time at a preop Dr's visit 20 days before surgery. Even though metabolic syndrome is multifactoral, a doctor might use the term based on an elevated blood pressure reading combined with an elevated fasting glucose level. In my opinion, every obese person that stays that way will eventually develop the syndrome, given enough time.

An over-easy egg dropped into a cup of curried lentil soup. 16g protein.

Well, put it this way, if they find some new, shocking reason that you can't have surgery, you'll be too worried about the new problem to even worry about the operation (and you'll be grateful they found out)! But, unless you have been feeling bad, chances are excellent that everything is perfect! Good luck!