NJMOMof2

I was able to sleep on my stomach once the drain was removed. My back was so sore for sleeping on my back, propped up. If you dont' have a drain, try it! When I did puree, I had black Beans with cheese and sour cream. It was delicious. If you have a magic bullet, put the beans in that and then add cheese before you microwave it. I also had refried beans, mashed potatoes with non-fat dried milk to add Protein. Another good thing was ricotta cheese mixed with some sauce and spices. Cottage Cheese, if you like that too. I had to get away from the sweet taste from the shakes. My favorite was I broiled some salmon, put in magic bullet and then chewed like crazy. Seems gross but it wasn't like babyfood, just chopped and the salmon is soft. You can also do the same with chicken but add a little broth when grinding. I then added some cheese and baked it. Before you know it, you will say, "Damned, I'm glad that's over!" LOL

I am so impress by your clarity!! I was so drugged up that I didn't know my mom visited me in the hospital!! Keep up the great work and remember, it gets better every day!

I am shooting for 100 pounds in a year! That would put me at goal but I am happy with my weight loss in 12 weeks. My doctor said I am "ahead of the curve" regarding weight loss. I know that people who weigh more can lose alot more weight in the beginning. Good Luck

I had the SAME problem in the beginning. I would get full feeling and gas pains mixed up. Until I was further out and the gas while eating went away it was easier. I am 12 weeks out and know I can not eat more that a half cup of food at once. It does get easier. Funny thing is that it took about 10 weeks for the hunger pangs to go away.

WOW...you got me there. I was thinking if u were pre-op you may not make it to surgery!!! LOL

Unlike with the band...I can eat whatever I want!!! There is no food that makes me sick and so horrible food stuck feeling. In 12 weeks since the surgery, I vomited ONCE at that was my own fault. This is a much more NORMAL way of life. I don't even have reflux, which other people say they have. I am telling you that as a former lap band recipient, you will be so happy you made the decision. Every time I put a piece of food in my mouth, I felt fear with the band. It's a terrible way to live. Good luck and you will feel great!

I had the band out for a year before I had the sleeve but my friend had the band and sleeve done at the same time and had no problem at all. We both were told by my doctor that there was a chance of an open procedure but it all worked out well. I know you really want to get it all over with but the most important thing is to heal properly. When I got the band removed, I felt totally fine in a few days. So if you need 2 surgeries, you won't really have 2 big recoveries...only one!! The sleeve recover is more involved than the band but it is soooo worth it!

For some reason, stores aren't carrying the liquid tylenol. You are fine swallowing the pills. I wouldn't take on an empty stomach or take them with a glass of milk.

I never ate pureed meat either. I just had shakes, oatmeal, refried rice, cheese ect. I just couldn't' do it either! Don't worry, pureed won't last forever

I started my journey on January 3, 2011. After a short and terrible experience with the band I was very reluctantly sleeved. To make a long story short, I had the band for only 3 months and had a major slip and after agonizing pain, had it removed 3 days shy of 3 months. I started my new journey at 245. Today I weighed in at 192!!! I am not going to lie and say it's been easy. My biggest problem in the mental part!! I was an emotional wreck after the surgery with major regrets. I then had big problems eating out because it would literally make me angry that I would order a meal, take a few bites and be full. My EYES and HEAD wanted me to eat the entire thing!!! Though the help of a friend I met at a support group and my sister-in-law (who had gastric and is doing great), I worked through these challenges. I know to order food that reheats at home well....(no salads when I am out!), I take it slow during meals so I can eat my food the same time everyone else eats an entire plate....and I keep thinking of how 'lucky' I am to be able to get about 3 meals out of one meal!!!! I went shopping today because I have NO clothes!! I fit into a regular size large shirt and a pair on size 16's from the junior department. There's no "W" after that 16!!! Even more amazing that after taking my kids to the movies and Friendly's last night I woke up and WEIGHED LESS!!! That would NEVER have happened before!! It took longer than most but I can now say I am very happy I make the decision to do the weight loss surgery route again.... Thanks for reading!!

Thanks for the coupon code!!! I just ordered 3 bottles of the sugar free torani!

The lady who runs theworldaccordingtoeggface.com uses them in all her shakes too. She has a ton of recipes on the website. Good Luck.

I am going by my BMI to be in the "normal" range. To get there the most can weigh is 145, so I set my goal weight for 140, which still seems almost surreal to me (coming from 245)!! A dream would be to weigh in the 120's

You're feelings on both ends are perfectly natural and I think you are approaching it in a very good way, listing the fears/benefits. I have a very bad issue to anxiety/depression and I asked my doctor to increase my meds before surgery and it was the BEST thing I ever did. The pain meds, anestesia do a lot to your psyche and it's good to be prepared. The great thing though, is that it's all TEMPORARY. I was feeling PERFECT after 4 weeks but it took a little longer to deal with confidence is eating out in social situations. Being involved with a support group is extrememly helpful in that situation! Good luck. you will do GREAT!

WOW...that's an awesome price for the Botox...I got a price of $300 for the forehead area. Where do you live?? I may drive there! LOL

I hate to say this but every time I see someone on these boards who is having problems and not feeling well, it seems their doctor or nut already has them on full or mushies too early in the process. I know there are a lot of people who started full liquids or mushies with no problem too, but you know everyone is different. My doctor specifically said to only have clears for the first 10 days because up to 2 weeks is the risk for a leak along the staple line.... Tiff always give good advice and obvioulsly with where she is in her weight loss/maintaining...she is doing the right thing.. I would personally suggest to stay away from canned, purreed, salty foods this early out and stick to broth. I used unjury chicken soup and I really found it gentle and easy on the stomach. Good Luck, it will get better.

Wow...that's rought to be having those problems that far out! I was on regular foods at 5 weeks. I hope you find relief soon. GOOD LUCK!

Cottage cheese, refried Beans, soft cheese, baked potatoes with sour cream, mashed potatoes, ricotta cheese, eggs--they KILLED my stomach though, yogurt, Peanut Butter, cream of wheat Cereal, grits, oatmeal and any pureed Soups, pudding, popscicles. You can add dried nonfat milk to the soft foods to boost the Protein and it doesn't have the weird taste and smell that 'unflavored" (yeah right) protein has...... I pureed my chicken then sprinkled cheese over it and baked it. Wasn;t too bad! If you puree chicken, be sure to add chicken broth.

I had surgery almost 12 weeks ago and have NO reflux and don't take a PPI at all. I think it depends on your anatomy

I heard the smaller the bougie the more of a chance for reflux. My doctor uses a size 40 bougie and I have NO reflux at all. I had to take some prevacid a couple days after surgery but that's it. a can eat about a half cup of dense Protein and I am filled for hours. I got hunger pangs but at around 9 weeks post-op, they went away With that being said, I heard there is a very very minor difference in the sizes (we are talking millimeters.....the thickness of a dime) Good luck and do your research. you don't need GERD to get worse!

Thanks for your information. I am so concerned about stretching my stomach. I can eat about 1/2 cup of food right now and I am happy with that. i don't want to gain this weight back. I am only 11 weeks out so I am still in the 'new' phase!

4 days out and back to work???? You are are a superwoman!!!!

It will get better! You barely meet a sleever on these boards who...after they have healed, regret surgery. There is also unflavored Protein called "Beneprotein" It's pretty good and I think is more "flavorless" than unjury. The cheapest I found it is on www.medco.com Good luck and I promise....IT WILL GET BETTER