Hi Pamela! In my second week I started full liquids (puddings, yogurts, cream of wheat, etc) and have had trouble sometimes getting anything to go and stay down. It feels like it gets stuck in my chest and won't go down. I feel like I have heartburn and need to burp, but I can't burp without food (and snot-like stuff) coming up with it. I've come to recognize those feelings though and now I have a way that sometimes works to make the food go on down. I stretch as much as I can stretch and take several deep breaths and I can feel the food shift (sorta feels like something draining) and then most times I can get through it without losing the food. It's been a miserable process though. I talked to my surgeon this past week about the diet and exercise class I'm in in college and asked her to release me to be able to do most exercises. She says I can do most things, just not too much torso activity yet because at 4 weeks post-op we are at the height of scar tissue and swelling. She also said that through about week six (sometimes longer) most people will have some trouble with food staying down because of the swelling in our bellies. We just need to hang in there! I can say, that even through the roughest of times these past few weeks, I'm STILL so glad I had this surgery. As we all know, THIS TOO SHALL PASS whenever we're struggling. It won't last forever. Just remember that and you can get through it. As for the weight loss--it will come. I've reconciled myself with the fact that weight loss is weight loss, even if it's just a pound in a week sometimes. It's going to come off and we'll all feel sooooooo much healthier! Hang in there and don't give up!! God bless you!! Brenda

here goes! pre-op 317 lbs (didn't have to do liquid prior) day of surgery: 317lbs surgery date: 8/22/07 right now: 295 total so far: 22 lbs i'll take it!

LOL I guess I am lucky....but I have been someone that could lose pretty fast..till it slowwwwwwwwed down! I can just see as next year at this time looking good wondering what the hell we were thinking about!! Pamela

Hi Linda. I buy my B12 at GNC.. they are cherry flavor and you just disolve them under your tongue. My other vitamins I buy at http://www.bariatriceating.com. I buy the chewable calcium citrate and my multiple vitamin there as well. They sell vitamins from Bariatric Advantage which my surgeon seemed to like when he checked the labels out. I find that the chewable are best for me because they taste great and I'm more apt to take them PLUS it's almost like a treat. -Marianne C.

About now you're in ICU and not feeling so great Tammy but by the time you read this you'll be home and feeling a LOT better! Welcome to the LOSERS BENCH! Keep in touch when you can and are up to it so we can hear all about it! Hugs, Marianne C.