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I know! I also found the food in Rome somewhat lacking in the diversity I'm used to in large cities. It was delicious, sure, but I didn't see a lot of ethnic cuisine choices. On the other hand, I was only there for a few days. And this was long before my surgery. Enjoy Paris!

I have no idea if this is a case of cause-and-effect, but I ran into a former coworker at the doctors' office; he's quite heavy and has struggled with losing weight. Someone else later told me he was going to have the surgery . . . he's one of the very few people who remarked that I looked different (at about 60 pounds lost). But he hasn't communicated with me at all about his decision. Either way--I'm happy to think he's going to take charge of this problem. He's young, he's smart, and he's nice--he deserves the best future he can have.

The truth is that it's a temporary change unless you make it permanent. Sure, you'll have restrictions from the sleeve for a while. But you can make unhealthy choices and gradually eat more and more. If you lose a lot of weight, you can eventually regain it--and more. There are days when I know I eat more than I should. I get full quickly, thank goodness, so it's still not that much compared with pre-surgery days. And I'm still losing weight, but I also have a long way to go. And in case it's not clear--no, no regrets here about the surgery. Only about some of my own choices since--although objectively I've done well, there's always room for improvement in my behavior. That, ultimately, is key.

I'm kind of on the other side of this. I post pictures on my profile. When someone without a picture gets in touch and starts a conversation, I kind of want to see a face. I have no idea if the person I'm talking to is someone I'd ever be attracted to, on the one hand, or, in fact, if he's a real person or a scammer. A picture helps answer those questions. Looks aren't everything, but they are one of the things.

I don't really want to read posts about people's bathroom habits or throwing up, so you know what I do? Avoid them like I avoid country music!

The good news, if you want to see it that way, is that post-surgically there's a good chance you won't be feeling the hunger you are now. I spent several months not caring whether I ate or not--just doing it to get the necessary protein. I'm kind of happy to say I'm back to being hungry occasionally, but, fortunately, I feel full/satisfied with so much less than before surgery. Hang in there! It'll all seem worth it eventually.

My liquid diet wasn't entirely liquid--I had two shakes and a light dinner. Didn't lose any weight to speak of on it, but did lose 25 pounds pre-surgically before that. Doctor never mentioned my liver post-op. As has been said many times before, we're all different and our programs require different things. Do what your surgical team says and be confident that things will work out as they should. It's a long road . . . but change is coming fast!

Mine was the first appointment with the surgeon, and coincidentally the highest weight ever. Definitely take credit for what you lose before surgery!

I kind of hated the first month, but it's only a month. I threw a can of beef vegetable soup in the blender and enjoyed that quite a bit--just happy to have something not sweet. I had about half a container of yogurt every day, too. I can't recall when I started with cottage cheese, but I've had it probably five days out of seven ever since--with some fruit, it's my standard lunch. It won't be long--hang in there!

Wow. Don't blame you at all for looking for another doctor. I hope your next one is much, much more compassionate.

I colored mine about a month or two ago, and the falling out seems to have slowed down, so I didn't notice any connection between coloring it and losing it. Definitely ready for it to get a bit thicker now, thanks!

I'll just say what others have said--the first month is not fun. And I took forever to get anywhere near my water goals. But after six months, I can eat just about anything--just not nearly as much, and I'm well aware of what I should be eating, so I focus on the protein, protein, protein. The other day, though, I realized that I was eating "normal" breakfast foods--just half as much as I used to eat. Not a bad thing to realize! Hang in there. It will get better, definitely.

Congrats! Can't wait to join you there (I'm now about 306). It's been decades for me since I've seen the 200s!

My suggestion, for what it's worth, is maybe to order protein shakes if you will be in one place long enough to wait for delivery. I also don't know whether you have a way to puree something (like beef or chicken soup)? Can you find broth? Cottage cheese?

Not "instead of," just "before." I mean, if you have a question and there's already a thread with 37 responses, isn't that more useful than posting and waiting for a response? Honestly not trying to be mean here!

I hear you! I mean, I know my surgical team didn't mention stalls, but sheesh, people, read the boards for a while before you start posting how you've gone three days without losing weight and it's only been three weeks since your surgery! Or there's the "I've only lost 60 pounds in six months, what's wrong with me?" Relax, people. Take a breath.

For what it's worth, when I wash my bras, I don't put them in the dryer--I figure this will make the elastic in them last longer. I bought a pack of six new bras before the surgery. They still don't seem to fit around me well, but I think by the time they do, the cups won't fit me--they'll be too big. Let me just say, wah!!

I didn't have this problem, but you are definitely not alone. I read over and over that we heal at different rates and that when you try a food for the first time after surgery, it may not work at first--wait a few weeks before trying it again. I know this is miserable for you, but do hang on in there. It will get better.

I have arthritis and GERD and had the sleeve. I'm not sure I was aware ahead of time that I couldn't take NSAIDs after the surgery. I can take Tylenol, and I do, but I'm not in horrid pain except for my knees. I get the shots, which help enormously for a while, but the long-range plan is why I had the surgery in the first place--either being lighter will help the knees or at least being lighter will enable the ortho guy to replace the knees. The bottom line, I think, is that most of the kinds of pain we have are made worse by excess weight--and, conversely, better by losing weight. And, for what it's worth, I take prescription antacids and have no issues with the GERD.

I'll just second the advice to talk to your doctor about this. Your particular issues will affect which is the best option for you. And you will be best able to determine what you are willing to do after the surgery (and for the rest of your life). Good luck!

I had something like four final meals: two were fettucine Alfredo, one was steak and baked potato, and one was a cheeseburger--if I'd been hungry enough, I would have made onion rings. Tonight's meal was a cheeseburger, too, and I'd definitely eat steak again. But I don't plan on having fettucine Alfredo again. Although, to be fair, I've discovered high-protein pasta made with lentils, so I could probably make something pretty similar without feeling too guilty!

You should have a specific list from your surgeon and/or your nutritionist. However, stage one is clear liquids only, while stage two generally includes protein shakes, sugar-free jello and popsicles and fudgesicles, and cream soup (without any pieces or chunks of food--blend it if you have to). Sugar-free yogurt might be allowed; check your list.

There are some on this site, plenty on Pinterest, and you can google and find sites such as this: https://www.bariatriccookery.com/ I just came across a recipe for egg-drop soup that sounds easy. Can't wait to try it--well, after the cauliflower-garlic soup I bought ingredients for today . . . I like making soup.

Of course you can do this--you already are. All the prep work and tests and paperwork are part of the process. And losing 50 pounds? That's awesome!

Everyone is different: I didn't have pain at all, really, but my energy was extremely low for the first month. I could not possibly have worked full-time then. Your mileage may vary, of course.