NazeNinja

I started with cheese and veggies. Because in soft food phase I didn't handle shaved deli meat I was too scared to try meat. Eventually I did start meat and my first was a chicken thigh. I'm not a dark meat person but since you can't drink while you're eating, you almost have to stick to the dark meat of chicken and turkey. I have also tried very very small bites of tender steak and very small bites of pork chops. The key is to chew until it's almost purée consistency and wait before you take that second bite. Good news is you will know if you do something you're not ready for. Try not to make the mistake of marking foods off completely if you try something for the first time. It could be that's it's just too soon. Best of luck!!

Everyone has nailed it. You'll be in and out. Sandals or slippers for walking, eye mask, I even took a snuggie. It was cold in my room and hospital linens leave a lot to be desired. Extension cord was the second best thing I was glad to have. If there is a certian sugar free drink mix you like take that, too. The crystal light they gave me is the one flavor I don't like (figures..lol). Wishing you a speedy recovery!! Congrats!!

I have a sit down job, I went back to work the next week. I had surgery on Tuesday went back the following Tuesday. I've had a c-section, abdominal hysterectomy, gall bladder and appendix removed, at different times, so this will compare to having gall bladder removed. It's not the physical pain that is a challenge, it's the mental pain. Just like before you had your first child, women try to tell you how much it will change your life and nothing that anyone said came close to what it really feels like; same with this. Physically it's easier than expected. Mentally harder than dealing with anything I personally have had to do. And I've had quite a life I tell ya!! Seriously though, physical wasn't and isn't the challenge. You can compare physical things to this procedure. And I may be the minority with the mental challenges of wls, and I will say, only being 7 weeks post op, it is worth it.

I had RnY, surgery was just under 2 hours. Very little pain when I woke up. I was up and walking within an hour of being fully coherent. I had to stay in the hospital 2 nights. I walked as often as I could while there, it makes all of the difference.

I see that you asked for men to reply, I am not a man...LOL...but I would like to add that the absolute biggest challenge for me has been HAVING NO CHOICE BUT TO FOLLOW THE RULES. Sounds silly, but once I realized my CHOICE to eat what I wanted when I wanted pushed me to the brink. I was morbidly obese and am so very thankful for the weight loss; however, I had medical issues with my stomach and this is the reason I had RNY. For the first few days it's a honeymoon, you're still getting used to things and trying to figure out how to get all of the required fluids in. After a week of that I found I was really mad that I couldn't eat something!! I wish it had been a requirement of my surgeon to have a full liquid diet for the 2 weeks pre-op. That could have made the adjustment a little easier.

I went on Amazon and bought a bag of "ice cream sample" spoons. That helped me A LOT to not take too big of a bite. Hang in there!! I didn't try any type of meat when I went to puree. I found even when I went to "soft foods" that I still wasn't ready for any meat. I am about 7 weeks post op now and as long as I am mindful of how big of a bite I am taking, and chewing until my jaw hurts, I can eat whatever I want...within diet guidelines that is.