JoJoWazoo

Hi EsoKev! I started this journey a year ago in late May. I felt overwhelmed to say the least. I know it seems daunting, but with time it will become second nature. As for chewing all those times, it's nearly impossible for me to chew that many times. I think the aim here is to eat slllloooowwwwwly. I had my surgery March 30 and am in the puree stage. What is there to chew, right? I think the whole objective is to eat slowly, put your fork down in between bites, enjoythe flavors. Just take your time. I've learned the faster I eat, I get this full feeling which is really uncomfortable. If I slow down it feels normal. The water thing is still the hardest for me. 64oz seems like a lot, but it isn't to me. I've always been a water drinker. My problem it picking the glass up and taking a big gulp or two. What I did was I got a little 1 oz plastic cup. (I got several from my dietitian) I dipped an oz of water and sipped it. After a few days, I got the water thing down. I don't understand you not drinking between meals. You should be sipping water all throughout the day. I've even read some people have to set an alarm to remind them. I miss my straw though! As for crushing pills, see if they have your particular meds in liquid form. I crush my pills and mix them with some sugar free pudding (except for time release pills, they should never be crushed) After a while it does become your new normal, second nature. Browse this forum. The answers to almost anything are here. My dietitian suggested "Weightloss Surgery for Dummies." They have it on Amazon. 's pretty good and even has recipes for later. The most important thing is to get in your required protein and water. I had a few days last week where I felt super hungry. They say it's in your head but I felt actual hunger. I started making my jello with a little less water so I can cut it. I ate more jello to satisfy my hunger and it worked for me. I think boredom makes the initial time worse. I got to where I take the dogs for a long walk, every coupleof days we go walk on the beach. It makes me feel better. Go 'window' shopping, just not at the grocery or candy/ice cream stores. 😁 Hang tight. The recovery is not too bad. The best thing you could do is walk that forst day. Walk as much as you can without over doing it. You've got this. Don't give up. I'm almost 4 weeks out. I weighed 339 at my first consult. I weighed 314 on the day of surg. And I weighed in at 289 yesterday. It works. Don't give up. You'll lose weight just being on the practice diet. I hope this helps a little. I wish you all the best. Joann

Wow Diane1! YOU ROCK! We had 7 in our family back in the day. I did have some good intentions to cook. I had my sleeve done on March 30, I went home on the 31st. April 2nd, my daughter and her best friend came down with the kids for spring break. I had made a pot of sauce and meatballs because my 10yr old grandson and his best friend (the son of my daughter's best friend) loves, loves, loves them. They went grocery shopping and bought paper plates, bowls, everything but the silverware. My husband was off for 3 more days to be with me so soon after surgery. I took it easy and even went to the beach 4 days after my surg. I feel great. I have bursts of energy to get a few things done. I hope you're feeling great too!

Oh Gingerly! L@@k at you! How awesome. I hope you feel as wonderful as you look! 😍

PS. I hope your family will all pitch in as a great sign of support for you. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm so thankful my husband is cooking for himself these days. I keep thinking about all the stuff I cool and love. Food beat me down before. Now I'm in control and I'm beating food down. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Haha, yeah, crickets, leaves and moss is not my idea of fun! Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I hope it gets better for you, TexasMommy80. I think it's going to get better for us all when we get past the healing stage of this surgery. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I told my surgeon I think he left all of the epsilon cells. He laughed and said it was all in my head. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I've been drinking >64oz water. I take 40mg protonix daily. I feel like I'm broken! 🙄 Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Me too. 3 weeks out. The dietitian told me it's in my head but I'm 57 and I'm pretty sure i know what hunger pangs are by now, surgery or no surgery. I've been on pureed diet for 1 week. I just don't feel satisfied. At all! [emoji53] Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had the sleeve. Actually, my oldest son has viral cardiomyopathy and spent several months at Shands. Dr. Aranda and the cardiology unit staff have all been magnificent. He now has a VAD and Dr. Freeman did his sleeve a little over a year ago to lose weight for a transplant. It's been slow going for him. I just saw Dr Ayzengart yesterday for my first follow up and it went great. I'm down 14#. The staff on the surgical floor are all awesome. I received top notch care in the beautiful, spacious new building. Kyle is awesome, too. You can see he loves what he does! I send him an email with a question and he promptly answers back. The surgery went well. A cake walk compared to my 1st c-section 36 years ago! The worst part was the ride home upon discharge. I live in the panhandle. About hour 3 I was miserable with gas. I mean, by time we got to Carrabelle, i had to get out and walk but my level of miserable(ness) was too far gone with gas. My chest hurt right up into my shoulders. The last 70 minutes was just excruciating. When I got home I could barely walk, I hurt so bad. Other than that, all is great in my world. My point is, you can be very proud to work for such a magnificent organization. I worked in healthcare my whole adult life. That to me is important. Thanks! Congratulations on your surgery. I hope you continue to do well. All the best, Joann L. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Linita, I had my surgery March 30 at Shands. Dr. AYZENGART performed my gastric sleeve. He is in with Dr. FREEMAN. They have an awesome team who work well in tandem. Shands is a teaching hospital. All of the residents assigned to my case and came and introduced themselves and answered my questions. The whole experience was wonderful. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Rocket & Neon Star, I actually had my gastric sleeve surgery on my 57th birthday, March 30. I weighed 380 at my heaviest about 5 years ago. I got very sick and have been on varying doses of prednisone. Due to my comorbidities, I had my surgery at a great teaching hospital in Florida about 5 hours from my home. I weighed 314# pre surg. I had my 2 week follow up yesterday. I am healing well and easily getting my water and protein requirements daily. I weighed in at 297#. I have advanced to the puree stage and am tolerating it well. The surgery was pretty easy. I had 2 c-sections to campare this with. For me, this was a 4 on a 1 to 10 scale. Pain was well controlled with the meds they gave me. I was walking a few hours after. I had terrible abdominal gas which walking helped a little. I was discharged the next day. The drive home was excruciating after about 3 hours. Gas built up and built up until I was miserable. The pain went straight up into my chest and shoulders. Otherwise, everything went very well. For my future health, I believe this was a great choice for me. I recommend it for everyone it will safely help. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app