TransitionKate

Hi Kristin, I am 25 days, post-op, from getting an Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty done at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. Dr. Victoria Gomez was my surgeon. The procedure took 90 minutes total, and I only stayed overnight in the hospital. The recovery pain was manageable (I slept off the anesthesia, and the nurses came in every couple of few hours to administer fluids and pain meds). Since it was an endoscopic procedure, they warned I would have a raw throat or pain swallowing afterwards....but I didn't. Not in the least. I think that speaks to how good of a surgeon Dr. Gomez is. Day 1 & 2 post-op, minimal pain...managed with some Rx drugs they gave me to take home. Day 3 - back at work. Seriously. I've been very pleased. What AMAZES me is not only how so very little food fills me up now, but how I have little to no hunger. I've read that after a couple of months, my hunger will come back, but I'm telling you, it is the most freeing feeling. Food doesn't occupy my every thought any more. It's a non-issue. And tell you what, so is my grocery bill. Please let me know if you have any questions about the process. I'm happy to share. ~ Kate

I'm supposed to be on a full liquid diet right now, but oy, this is hard. Protein shakes are making me want to gag, but even if I grin and bear it, I can't get a lot down because I start to feel so full. I am totally not accomplishing my goal of 60-70 grams of protein a day - not by a long shot. Broth is disgusting, too. So I'm living on Fairlife milk, blended with a little bit of protein powder, decaf hot tea, water and SF jell-o. This is my life. So many forums and other things I've read on websites say that the soft food stage can start on week 2. But I messaged my bariatric counselor at the Mayo Clinic and they said, no - stick to the plan - 2-3 more weeks to go on liquids. So - me, being the queen of rationalizing anything - think that I should stick a little toe into the water and start to dabble in soft foods/purees/mashies. I mean, at the very least, in order to help me reach my protein levels. I'm thinking a spoon full of hummus on one day, maybe some blended - very small curd - cottage cheese the other. And I also think this would help with my constipation. I'm not going because there's probably nothing in my system to even make it! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.