CristinHope

If you were able to handle steak, I think you will be just fine! My surgeon told me to save steak for last because it's often the most difficult to process. He recommends waiting until month 3, at least. If you didn't have any problems with that, I bet you'll do great with bell pepper! My soft food phase ended this weekend, as well. My new items were some grilled chicken and a low-carb tortilla. Both settled with no problem at all! I am going to be making some salad tonight and don't expect any problems. Every body is completely different. Some people have lots of problems post-op with sleeve tolerance and some have none. You won't know until you try but I'd bet you'll be fine!

Same here! My Soft Food Phase ends on Sunday. I've been very fortunate thus far and haven't had problems with my sleeve. Hoping that continues on into the next phase!

I’ve been completely transparent with my decision to have surgery, for several reasons. It took me almost 3 years to make the decision to have surgery because I bought into the lie that weight loss surgery is the easy way out and that it’s something shameful. I was afraid to ask anyone all the questions I had because of fear of judgment or ridicule. When I finally realized that the only thing I was scared of was admitting to myself that I NEEDED the surgery, my mindset completely changed. I would have been given anything to have someone that I could have talked to during those 3 years, who could have helped me on my journey. So I’m sharing everything with anyone who wants to know. I post about it on my social media, my family, friends, and coworkers all know. I am NOT ashamed and, more importantly, I want to help other people. I’ve had 3 different friends start down this road since I started sharing my journey. This was the best decision I ever made and I won’t fuel the negative thoughts or judgements of others by keeping quiet about it. I am PROUD of this decision.

If you're willing to travel, Midsouth Bariatrics in Memphis has a Fast Track program for self-pay patients. Dr. George Woodman is an exceptional surgeon with incredible outcomes and the facility is a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery. He offers an all-inclusive cost for self-pay patients that encompasses surgery, follow-ups, etc. I believe the cost is about 15k.

Yes! Search "Shelly's Ricotta Bake" on Pinterest. I used lowfat ricotta instead of full fat. It was SO GOOD. Also, I'm a huge fan of Starbucks Egg White bites.

I was sleeved 11/6 and I am down exactly 20 lbs since surgery. I'm down more than 60 lbs since starting this journey earlier this year. My post-surgery progress has been slower than I'd like, I've had two really prolonged stalls (10+ days) but I keep telling myself consistency pays off. I've got to increase my exercise, I know that'll help a lot. I've had a very easy recovery (minus the first week) though so overall, I am really happy!

I was in a stall for almost 3 whole weeks. Then, it broke without me changing anything. Just keep doing what you're supposed to do, the stall will end!

Every surgeon is different. My program was 2 weeks of full liquids, 2 weeks of pureed, 4 weeks of soft.

I start soft foods tomorrow (on my birthday!) and I legitimately asked to have the ricotta bake for my birthday dinner! I am looking so forward to no longer having to blend my meals. I also miss eggs and am excited about having that again. Baby steps, small bites, and chewing forever, of course!

I’m on puréed until Thursday. My surgeon requires 30-40 grams of protein and I am getting 40 a day consistently. I really think the hydration may be the culprit. I’m drinking about 48oz a day and it’s clearly not enough. I’m exercising and even did 2 hours extra this weekend to try to break the stall. Nada. I see my surgeon again the 20th. I’m just gonna do my best to increase water and see what happens!

I'm in a stall and it's really starting to frustrate me. The scale hasn't moved at all in 10 days. I am 4 weeks post-op today. I know that I need to increase my water, I'm really trying! But how am I consuming less than 500 calories a day and not actively losing? I know it's all part of the process but it's getting me down.

I suddenly had bad pain about 12 days out and it lasted a couple of days. It was most noticeable when bending over or laying on my side or stomach. It startled me too because, like you, it was new pain that I hadn't been having. But it only lasted a few days and all is well again!

Yes! It’s been awful. I think dehydration is definitely a part of it. But even increasing water didn’t fix mine. I bought a tongue scraper and a mouth rinse and it’s helping a good bit and I’m brushing 3 times a day. It’s helping but I still wake up with YUCK mouth.

No, it hasn't caused any issues. It's my favorite thing to take for these issues because it's flavorless and not harsh at all. No painful cramping or bloating or anything.

As far as your TMI question, it was a full WEEK for me. I started drinking Miralax at day 5 and had to do that for a couple of days. Just a warning, this issue can continue longer than immediately post-op. I've never had a problem with this at all but I'm 3.5 weeks post-op and I've had to take Miralax seeeeeveral times.

Same boat here! I have always LOVED coffee. My first job as a teenager was in a coffee shop and I've been addicted since! I switched to decaf about a month before surgery so that I would still be able to enjoy coffee post-op. Except, SURPRISE, it now tastes terrible to me! I am 3 weeks post-op today so that may change with time. It still smells so delicious but I've tried it about 5 times since surgery and it just tastes bleh. Also, the protein shakes that I loved pre-op now make me gag and the ones that were my least favorite now taste the best! It's so crazy! Hoping maybe the coffee will get better with time because it still smells heavenly but my tongue is just not into it anymore!

I'll be 3 weeks out tomorrow. My surgeon wants me to eat at least 6 times a day. I am not quite there yet, it's usually more like 3 or 4. But I am able to eat between 3-4oz at a time and have been focusing on protein. I feel really fortunate that I don't have any issues with keeping things down or discomfort eating or drinking. Like Paddyski, I think I am at my first stall BUT I know it's temporary and I'll just keep pushing on! Good luck to everyone who is approaching their date. This is the best decision I ever made!

I am on puréed presently, as well. A really easy thing is to purée some chunkier soups. Those give you some protein and veggies. Low-fat small-curd cottage cheese, low-fat ricotta cheese, mashed cauliflower, thin grits or oatmeal, oven-roasted butternut squash, baby food (you laugh but it’s convenient!)....That’s about all I’ve got, as far as suggestions!

Hi fellow 6ther! I’m doing very well! My incisions are all healing perfectly, I’m pain-free (with the exception of occasional sharp pains when bending over), and I’ve had no complications thus far. No nausea, thank goodness! I’m tolerating puréed foods well, can never eat more than 3-4oz at a time, usually not that much. I am still drinking one protein shake a day to help get my protein in. I can drink liquids normally now so have no issue staying hydrated. Like you, I rarely feel hungry and usually eat something just bc I know I am supposed to. Overall, I’m very pleased!

I had my two week post-op appointment with my surgeon today. I’m down 15lbs since surgery and am cleared to start puréed foods! I’ve just had my first couple of bites of a puréed soup, here’s hoping I tolerate it as well as I have everything else!

My surgeon is very strict about this. No alcohol for a minimum of 6 months and no carbonated beverages PERIOD. While I don't think a glass of champagne once a year will derail me, I'm in no hurry to break the rules. I tried things my way and obviously that didn't work out so well since I needed gastric sleeve surgery. I realize it's still early in the game for me, I'm just now almost 2 weeks post-op. But I'm not putting myself through all of this to not give it everything. I love wine and enjoying cocktails with my friends. But if I don't get to do that for a while, it's not going to kill me. If I don't succeed in my weight-loss, THAT will kill me. I think there's a fine line. I realize I still have to live my life but I acknowledge that I'll be living it differently than before. I have to.

That's great to know! I've been FREEZING! And I'm usually the girl breaking out in a sweat and having the fan running 24/7! Yes, I was a huge fan of the Premier Protein shakes pre-surgery and now I can't tolerate them. I am drinking EAS Advantage shakes and am happier with those!

I was sleeved on the 6th and I can honestly say that I haven't been hungry once. The post-op fluids are easier than pre-op, in my opinion. I understand, I was having doubts right up until my surgery actually happened. Just tiny ones but enough that I was in pre-op holding thinking "Am I sure this is necessary?"....and the answer is yes. It was absolutely necessary for every single reason you already listed and more. Food, and worse, my weight were controlling my life. This surgery is the tool to help you regain that power. You'll do great, just stick with it!

I was sleeved on the 6th and I returned to work on the 12th. I work at a desk job though, so I am able to be pretty comfortable. I was in a fair amount of pain until the 11th and was really concerned it was going to continue but it's like a switch flipped and the last few days, I've just been sore and not in actual pain. Walk, walk, walk. It is what helped me the most!

Officially one week post-op today! No nausea or vomiting thus far, yay! Pain now just discomfort. Two weird things that I’m noticing though which make no sense to me. Firstly, ever since surgery, I CANNOT get warm!! I am someone who has always been extremely hot-natured and was like my own little heater. Now, I’m freezing cold allllll the time. Secondly, things that I enjoyed pre-surgery, I am not enjoying afterwards. Example: Decaf coffee. I have always been a coffee addict! In fact, I was dreading being on decaf versus regular. I weaned myself onto decaf two weeks before surgery in preparation and still very much enjoyed the taste. I’ve tried it twice since surgery and took a couple of sips and wanted no more. Also, the protein shakes that were my favorites pre-surgery I can barely tolerate now and I’m drinking the ones I didn’t really like. What gives!?