Sandra Nuelken

I am July 30 and I'm down 22 pounds. I'm still on full liquids and will start soft foods next Tuesday. I'm just looking forward to ending all the pills! I've had trouble finding full liquids that I like. Forget the watery oatmeal. Fat-free cream of chicken soup and I have become besties. I'm in my 3rd week and I keep reminding myself that the weight loss will slow or stop as that seems the trend. I checked with my doctor and he said no wine until December, so none for my birthday. Oh, pop cycles still remain my friend too. Some days I really miss the food, then I drink my protein drink and remember this is not a sprint but a journey. I'm really happy with the results and can't wait until I can move some of my fat clothes out of the closet.

Slippers and a robe so you can walk. I had no gas issues.

It has been two weeks and I've met my first "mini" goal! Yes, I've missed food but I also want this very bad. I had my follow up and staple removal yesterday and was told no wine for my birthday, in September, but a small glass for my husband's in December would be ok. I have to remember I didn't get in this weight mess in two weeks and it won't go away in two weeks. It is a journey, I know this as I made this trip with the lap band 10 years ago. I also realize when you are as large as I was no one will notice until I lose a lot! The little victories that I have noticed, both feet easily go on the scale, I can go up the front steps without pulling myself up, my knees hurt less. I will take these victories and celebrate. My husband is very supportive and I have to remember that he also has the right to eat what he would normally eat. He has stepped up and is learning to make his meals himself, that is pretty funny as he's never cooked. I am in a good place today. For those that are starting out, there are good days and there are small victories you can do it.

If it bothers me I move. I'm the one with the new eating plan he is doing what he always does. He's supportive, but dinner is eaten at the table.

It takes about 2 weeks for the hunger thing to pass. The third day was the worst. I told my husband to be mindful of me and when he does something that I think was mean spirited I spoke up. On day 4 I told him to go over and watch the grands as I was supposed to because I didn't want to be around the food. Well, he picked them up and two stuffed crust pizzas and brought them to the house. I almost lost my mind.

The first time I did this my husband traveled for work and I didn't realize how much easier it made it. Now he's cooking for himself, mostly, every night and last week he asked if I could sit with him for dinner. I told him no.

I was sleeved July 30. Came home the next day and never took pain meds at all. Now I did have an awful taste for 3 days that made everything taste bad. I think this is caused by your body being in Ketosis. I still have a problem with sleep. I am not hungry at all and Outshine pop cycles are the best!

I've only lost about 23 pounds and can tell the difference already. I came in the front door, up 4 steps, like a regular person and didn't have to pull myself up. I am enjoying every little victory.

Good luck on your journey. Mine was pretty uneventful and no pain and took no meds. Do exactly what you are instructed to do. The first week of clear liquids for me was ice tea and my protein drink. Very small portions of it. The first several weeks don't worry about proteins just stay hydrated. In fact, I thought my meals were my meds the first week. My second week was full liquids and I love cream of chicken soup. I blended it to take any chunks out and used fat-free soup. Oh, Outlast pop cycles without added sugars were a Godsend. That was a big part of my eating. From the start of my journey, the pre-surgical diet I've done well and will follow my instructions. Good luck!

Today was my first day of "full liquids" and I had a 1/2 c. of fat-free cream of chicken soup. I heard the angels sing. I'm going to try some tonight as I still can't sleep. I've averaged about 4 hours a night. Horrid dreams and just restless. Last night it took 90 minutes to go to sleep. This too shall pass.

As a former sweet tea lover drinking plain tea now especially during the pre-surgery period. Well, I added the Premier peach protein drink to my tea. Now I have protein tasty tea. Love it. It is Peach tea with protein. Will make popcycles from it too.

From the time I got my clothes off and put to sleep was at best 15 minutes and in less than 45 minutes I was in recovery. Tell your doctor you are fearful and they can make you loopy faster.

Sounds great!

My doctor said to start walking after a week, slowly at first, no gym until my visit with him at 6 weeks then to start out slowly. In fact, he said I could go into the pool at a month and kayak at 6 weeks. Moving and walking is different than going to the gym to "work out".

I'm not sure how much I can help as I've only a week out of my surgery 7/30. This is what I've found out, sometimes things taste bad because your body is going through Ketosis, burning fat, and that will give you a funny taste in your mouth making things taste different or bad. It will also change your breath so brushing or sugar-free mints will help. I take my protein Ensure Max a 1/3 container at a time. It is a couple of sips and put it on ice so the ice melts and thins it. If Yogurt fills you that is fine just make it a good one. I haven't slept more than 4 hours since the surgery and the dreams are so vivid. I'm lucky as I am retired so I can fit in a short nap. The "meal plans" that doctors give out are nice but not necessarily what you will be eating. Just make sure you have a lot of protein, keeps up energy, and fluids. I drink caffeine-free ice tea all day. Just sips at a time. When I had my lap band on I was on a protein drink in the am. Campbells Soup on the Go for lunch and protein drink for dinner for almost a year. I'd add a small cottage cheese for a snack. You seem to be doing alright just watch your protein and water. I'm glad I'm not the only one that is sleeping less.

My surgery was July 30 and Tuesday I start full liquids, my doctor includes cream soups, if spun to make chunks gone, loose grits, oatmeal, mash potatoes. Someone said tomato soup upsets the stomach. They didn't mention baby food.

Hi, I had mine July 31 too. I'm still sipping caffeine-free tea and it takes me all day to do a protein drink. I like the Outlast pop cycles without sugar added. You need to realize you don't have to eat every time your tummy rumbles or if you feel hungry. Things are trying to settle out. I sip things slowly and that usually quiet the beast. I am looking forward to Tuesday when I can have full liquids, but again I'll be careful not to add a lot of calories. This is the time you drop a lot of weight. I also find taking all that medicine to be filling as I hate the taste. Good luck and keep in touch.

Well, I'm done and 3 days out. Pop cycles seem to be the only thing I can do. I'm not hungry after taking the meds I've been given. For those of you that may think you're too old, I'll be 73 next month and wanted my life back. The last 5 years when my band failed I really started to gain weight. I'm looking forward to being able to jump off the boat and get up the ladder again. Kayaking too. Just need to get through this recovery period, I'm not a patient woman. I realize it is only for the next four weeks of the rest of my life.

Protein first the size of a deck of cards, then veggies, you should be full then. Don't drink with meals 30 min. prior to or after. Try to get as much protein as you can. Stay away from carbs and starches and sugars.

Three days after mine. Other than all of the medicine they gave me to take to keep the stomach coated and stop reflux the only thing I've eaten is pop cycles. I bought the Outshine no sugar added. They are fruit bars as I can't tolerate sugar-free stuff. They are wonderful and my best friend to take away the taste of the medicine.

The first week is just awful. It seems all I do is take pills. I have 2 four times a day, two in the morning, two at night and it is not pleasant on my stomach. I know it will get better but it seems it goes so slow. It seems like the only thing I can eat is pop cycles. I'm going to try broth this afternoon. I need to keep my eye on the goal and not the journey. Oh, my neighbor brought over pasta with homemade sauce meatballs and sausage for my husband. It smelled so very good. I could have cried.

I've got 2 drugs to take to line my stomach and one I have to dissolve in water tastes like bad chalk, not that I ate any. I'm better now after my first shower and I'm sipping my protein drink so I'm slowly making progress. I have no pain meds and I'm doing fine. I just keep saying one day at a time.

It is your journey not theirs. When you tell them say that you appreciate their input, but you are doing this for you.

I crossed over to the sleeve side July 30. Yesterday was not so good, today is better. I'm home doing laundry making my bed, this issue is nausea the only thing that has been kind to me is the pop cycles. Now sipping on protein, but the meds they gave me for the nausea is making me sick. They taste awful. Of course, I got onto the scale this morning and I gained 3 pounds. That is not fair.

Pain is bearable but the nausea is getting me down. Day 2