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Excellent Helen! What a wonderful feeling that must have been.

I remember how good it tasted to have something to actually chew. It also took me a good long while to learn to slow down and recognize my full signal, so you are ahead of me there. Congratulations on graduating to a new food phase!

Sweetie, you will be there before you know it! I started out in a 22-24 in the beginning of July, today I just bought my second pair of size 8's (although they are both very tight), but wear mainly a 10/12 bottom and large top. Have fun shopping!!!

Congratulations Ange! I don't know how I missed this. I hope you are doing well. Keep us posted, I hope to get pregnant so I'd be very interested in how things go for you.

Beginning at 17 days post-op, I had a stall that lasted 13 days (I thought it was only 11, but actually went back to count and it was 13). Towards the end it got kind of difficult, but I did stop weighing myself daily and that sort of helped. Good luck...it will pass eventually and like VA said, take measurements.

Chancie, what a great idea! I too find myself needing a little more accountability and will join in with your Monday weigh-in if you don't mind. I can't wait for you to be in onederland...you have worked so hard and come so far! You are a wonderful inspiration for me.

When I first began solids, I could eat around 2 oz. (sometimes less, sometimes more, depending). My program really stresses only eating 3 meals per day with two snacks (they want those to be protein supplement drinks). I would usually do a yogurt or protein supplement for my first "meal" and then have 2 other meals during the day. I would sometimes have another snack like protein bar or popsicle, it would just depend.

You should call your surgeon. I was cleared for full exercise at one month post-op, but I took it easy with the weights (used 3 lb ones) until 6 or 7 weeks post-op. Now I do remember feeling really tired after exercise in the beginning, which was new for me...usually exercise energized me, but I'm now back to normal in that regard. On the other hand, I've read where surgeon's allow patients to do exercise, non-strenuous, earlier (I think the elliptical might count as non-strenuous??). Good luck, but even if you need to wait, it's not too far off.

I'm so happy you're back, I missed seeing your posts! Congratulations on the 6lbs! I need some of your will power, I probably would have been all over that bacon:-)

I was told absolutely NO fruit with seeds. I had to wait until I was cleared for regular food to have any. I even had to watch that with yogurt. They were worried about seeds getting stuck in the staple line, don't know if this is really as big of an issue as they made it, but I of course listened to my doctor. I'd be curious to see what yours says.

Congratulations to both of you! It will be here before you know it.

Yay for you! When I had 20 lbs. left to lose I decided to try and do it by eating a sensible, balanced diet like a healthy, fit person (versus the low carb/high protein I lost the first 70 lbs. with). My weight loss has definitely slowed down (1-2 pounds per week) so I might go back to the low carb diet just so I can accelerate these last few pounds. I too, just WANT TO BE NORMAL. Good luck!

Good for you AJW! I just had my labs done too, but there are a couple of levels that are too high including my cholesterol. My new goal is to have perfect labs next time.

Good luck! I'll be thinking of you.

Congratulations! I seem to get a little more excited from losing sizes than pounds.

I didn't experience this, but wanted to let you know I'll keep you in my prayers. I'm glad that the VSG had no complications.

I didn't really have a strict pre-op diet, but I did do low carb/high protein for a month and followed it pretty well (although I did have a few "last meals"). It was much easier post surgery to control hunger and cravings versus pre surgery. As for needing to reschedule surgery, you should probably talk with your surgeon...they are all different, mine had me do a 2 day clear liquid diet before surgery. Good luck!

I had a lot of difficulty getting in my Protein during my first month post-op. The first one I found that I could stomach (actually it upset my stomach, but I liked the taste) was Chike Orange/Cream (something like that). At first I actually added in a half cup of no sugar added vanilla ice cream and sugar free orange and vanilla syrup...it tasted like a cream cycle. At some point in my second month (I think) I found Inspire Sangria over at bariatriceating.com. I have found that I can sip it on my 45 min-1 hour commute to work. Good luck! I remember that time as just trying to do my best, it did get much better and although I'm not perfect now at 4 months out, I do a lot better.

Welcome Katrina! Have you had your surgery yet, or are you still waiting? A 38 lb. loss is great! I hope you enjoy this site, I have found wonderfully supportive people who have plenty of knowledge to share.

I am trying to think about what I was eating at that time, and I think that was about it. I had my surgery at the end of summer so popsicles and some protein ice cream too. You may want to post on the food forum and ask for other suggestions. The good news is that this phase will be over soon and you will be able to have mushy/soft food and there is A LOT more you can eat. Good luck!

Welcome to VST! Has the pain increased or gotten worse since speaking with your doctor? Take a look at this link: http://verticalsleevetalk.com/post-operation-vertical-sleeve-gastric-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/936-signs-leakage.html As to the rest of your questions, I'd stress to follow your surgeon's directions. Your stomach is swollen and healing and I believe (can't really remember) I was told it takes up to 6 months to heal completely. If you are following the post-op diet, which I'm sure you are, you have to lose weight. Your calorie deficit is plenty low enough to take off pounds. I was told to wait 2 weeks before weighing myself, but could only hold off for 9 days. When I was still on liquids, I really couldn't wait to have food again. I think what you are going through sounds pretty normal, but we are all different, so if you are concerned check in with your doctor. Good luck and keep us posted. The people on this board are very supportive and helpful.

Dalite, I remember having those same feelings right before surgery. I wish you well on your upcoming surgery and will be thinking of you.

Ashley, I want to wish you luck on your research and journey. The sleeve was not the surgery I started looking into, but in the end it was the best one to fit my life style. I have been very happy with my decision and hope that you will reach a decision that is best for you and your family. When I found the surgeon who I would be using, I too was a little worried because he had only done around 50 sleeves (and he had had one complication). If I wanted my husband's full support though I needed to use a surgeon who was fairly local and was covered for complications (I was self pay). I had to respect these limitations because I did not want to put our entire savings into jeopardy if I did end up with a complication. Fortunately I found my surgeon to be very knowledgeable (he was the second one I had been to) and had a lot of experience with the bypass where he had to perform staple lines (and I read somewhere the bypass staple lines were a little trickier, not sure if that's true). I am not advocating one way or another, but just find a surgeon you can trust. Again good luck, and keep us posted!

I went through something similar--feeling both sad and frustrated as my relationship with food had to change. I learned a lot about myself and how much I used food to comfort myself for physical and emotional pain relief. Now just a week shy of 4 months post-op (not that long out) I'm starting to feel a more normal relationship with food, I'm assuming the type that normal people feel?? Good luck in this transition process!