Before and After (So far)

I just wanted to share my before and after (so far) pictures with everyone. I started the process at the end of October going to my surgeon's office and meeting with the Nutritionists and Exercise Physiologists, and getting a Psychological evaluation. I was able to loose 31 pounds on my own before surgery on March 14.

The first 2 weeks of my post surgery life have been rather uneventful. I have been off of work and have just been hanging out at the house and taking it pretty easy. I do go for a walk outside most days as the weather has been simply AMAZING (up until the past day or so, it's turned a little chilly here in PA). I lived on a "full liquid" diet which wasn't so bad (until the very end).
My Full Liquid Diet options included:

• Protein Shakes
• Pre-Made Protein Drinks
• Sugar Free Pudding (thinned out with milk)
• No Sugar added Yogurt (thinned out with milk)
• 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom (thinned out with milk and strained)...these were truly a life saver as it was the one thing that didn't make me gag at the end of the 2 weeks!
• Cream of Wheat (thinned out with milk)
• Skim Milk
• Any sugar free drink (Crystal Light, SF Kool-Aid, water, etc.)
• Decaf Coffee
• Sugar Free Popsicles

The first week I was having about 1/2 a cup of a "full liquid" as my meals (protein shakes, pudding, yogurt, etc...anything a little thicker with some protein) and I drank "clear liquids" in between. The 2nd week I was able to increase up to a full cup as tolerated (but I was only able to finish that much a few times).

Today (or probably yesterday the time I get this up), I was able to start Phase 2 of my recovery period, Pureed Foods! I was actually really looking forward to this for several days since my liquid diet was starting to make me feel sick towards the end. I realized today it's really not that exciting LOL.
My Pureed Diet options include:

• Any low fat, sugar free (or only 4grams or less of added sugar) foods are able to be pureed
• All of the items listed above are still allowed
• Baby Food
• Fat Free or 1% Cottage Cheese
• Scrambled or Poached Eggs
• Ricotta Cheese
• Pureed Soups
• Mashed Potatoes (but I should stay away from these as much as possible since there is no protein in them)

Some of the things I have pureed have been ok, but others, not so much! I did have some baby food today and once I added just a touch of salt and pepper to them, they were ok. I don't think I want to stick with those though. I just bought a Magic Bullet so I am looking forward to making my own pureed foods instead.
I am eating 1/2 a cup of food/meal and still having full liquid snacks so that I can get in more protein. Since today was the first day on this phase, I did have some difficulty getting a full 1/2 cup down. They did say that is ok and actually quite normal at first. I will be on this phase for 2 weeks before I get to move up to "Soft Foods" - Yay!
I start back to work next Monday and I know that is going to be a whole new challenge of being able to fit in all my meals and fluid throughout the day. As a retail pharmacist, there is not much down time in the day and I struggled with even being able to eat (or drink) most days before surgery, but that is simply not an option for me now!

I go to the doctor on Friday and I will find out how much I have officially lost then!