JoiaRox

I also own a small thermos - it was perfect for purees at work!

I love my BariWare lunch box (bariware.com) - it's perfect for bringing a variety of foods to work in small portions, yet all in one container! I also love my shaker bottle - perfect for days I want to bring protein powder with me, then add water later.

You overcome the fear by researching and trying to get all of your questions answered through your doctor (when possible). Complications do happen, but are rare. I chose to have a positive outlook and accept what was coming, because getting sleeved and losing the weight had a much lower risk of harming me than carrying the excess weight did. I'm now almost 7 weeks post-op, had a speedy textbook recovery, and am slowly, but surely, losing the weight!

Taking Vitamins when you're not getting all of your nutrients from food is always a good thing - surgery or not. Most people don't eat a balanced diet, which is why the Vitamin market is such a big business. Having said that, I wasn't told to start taking vitamins until I was post-op.

At 6 days post-op, you're probably burping to rid yourself of excess gas from the surgery - and "eat" what?! 6 days out, aren't you still on some sort of liquids? You'll start getting the "full" signs when you're on to more solid foods in a few weeks.

Mmm...now I want some chorizo.

To be honest, I had some experience with restriction and full signs with my LapBand as well. Although that experience was less than stellar, my current doctor (the one who diagnosed my slipped LapBand, then sleeved me - NOT my original asshat of a doctor who banded me) doesn't believe that anything I did caused the slip. So, sneeze on!

Those are definitely full signs - as to the danger of stretching your sleeve once you've reached that point, I'd say no! Consult with your doctor at your next appointment about this, as everyone has different opinions. My full sign is the hiccups - when I get there, I probably had one more bite than I needed to, but I'm not throwing it up and I'm waiting before drinking liquids. Not sure if the person you're referring to is on this forum or not, but beware of those who think they know everything - they usually don't. My experience has taught me that everyone has internalized their own experience, doctor's advice, research, etc., but that only YOU and YOUR DOCTOR need to be informed about your journey. No one else's experience, knowledge (or lack thereof) makes a damn bit of difference. Besides that, the jury really is out about whether or not you can physically stretch your sleeve. I'm sure many people will comment here, convinced they know one way or another, but keep listening to your body and do what YOU need to do for YOU. In the end, you're the only one you have to be accountable to!

Anything I want to eat, just small portions. Of course, I still focus on getting protein first - and then I'm usually full!

Sleeved June 7 and I've lost whatever it says down below in my ticker...minus 10 pounds for what I lost on pre-op . I'm on normal foods now, just a lot less of them!

I've been using straws since early post-op...no issues with gas, drinking too fast, etc. Again, my doc is fine with straws. Seems to be a surgeon preference rather than medical fact!

No difficulty at all, because I haven't and was told by my doctor that straws are just fine. Thus begins another great straw debate on VST.

I told my students that I had brain surgery initially - they bought it, but I eventually talked more openly about my surgery (LapBand back then). In the end, it didn't matter to me what my high school students thought or tweeted about me - goodness knows they had enough "ammo" pre-op!

If night eating is your main problem, choose not to eat after, say, 8pm every night. Water only after that time, then go to bed!

I hear ya - I suffered for over 2 years myself! "Soft food syndrome" led me to regain a lot of what I had originally lost, as I convinced myself that I "needed the food." I am LOVING this new life!

Half a strip of bacon!? Good lawd, girl, why are you so stressed about that?! It's good protein! I'm one of the sleevers that firmly believes in NOT dieting for the rest of my life. I generally track my protein, drink my water and take my vitamins...that's it! The weight will continue to come off...even after eating half a strip of bacon.

Each new phase was scary for me, too (6 weeks post-op now). Just take small bites, chew well and take your time. You may find that you can eat less of the more solid foods, which is exactly what this tool was intended to do! No need for fear and trepidation - you got this!

I had my LapBand out in March and was sleeved 6 weeks ago. On doctor's orders, I'm now able to eat anything I want - and the restriction is incredible!! I do not regurgitate every solid food I consume (the only thing that's come up is vitamins, and I quickly switched brands). I have tried small portions of the foods I had severe issues with (bread, lettuce, etc.) and can handle them like a champ! The restriction I have now is EXACTLY what I wanted in the first place...you'll love your new life!

I can't remember a time in my life pre-op where I lost 29 pounds in two months...especially knowing I'd be keeping it off, for sure! Celebrate your victory and STOP comparing to others!

Agree with what someone said above...I was told I need a minimum of 70g/day and that calories, carbs, etc. are irrelevant at this point. I was also told to try to get my protein from food OTHER than protein shakes, as I can handle liquids like a champ now. When I choose a more solid protein (i.e. chicken, tuna), I can eat much less and still get my protein needs taken care of. I only have a protein shake now on rare occasions, and I'm 6 weeks post-op.

FYI - I was amazed at my 6 day post-op checkup when I told my doctor that I had consumed 24oz of water in the hour drive to his office. I thought that was a lot for someone so recently out of surgery. My doctor didn't bat an eye, and applauded me for having an easy time with liquids.

Absolutely. Not only is your stomach farther along in it's healing than it was in the first two weeks, but you aren't consuming solid foods yet. Trust me, each new food type introduced WILL bring you restriction. I'm 6 weeks post-op now and eat MUCH less food in one sitting than I did in the earlier days - that is, of course, when I choose solid foods like chicken!

My doctor always recommends low carb as a way to drop weight quickly (not long term) - go for no more than 50g/day and that should do the trick! Incidentally, that was my pre-op diet...I lost 10 pounds in 10 days.

Although I'm also thirsty after eating, I'd rather choose to let my food "sit" and digest. It keeps me full longer, which is exactly the reason behind this rule.

My boyfriend and I each have the FitBit One - we love them! I had mine since before surgery, however, and it was very helpful in keeping track of my calories burned so that I could have a deficit in my calorie intake. Post-op, that part isn't necessarily helpful (I'm not eating anywhere NEAR enough to be concerned with a calorie deficit), but I still appreciate knowing how many steps I've taken, floors I've climbed, etc. - it keeps me motivated and moving! It's also neat to see my sleep cycle and how much "true" sleep I get! I also own a bodybugg, but switched to the FitBit because it (a) has no monthly subscription cost and ( syncs with MyFitnessPal - bodybugg has a horribly lacking food database.