You should try and get 50g minimum. And, I would question the reason your surgeon does not allow protein shakes. I suspect it is because he does not want you to drink your calories, but even if you had "half" of one, that was say 20g, it would help tremendously in getting to that 50g, and only be about 100 calories. I definitely recommend protein shakes, and lots of vitamins....it will boost your energy. Otherwise you may feel tired and not want to exercise. ~Kim Open VBG 9/1/04 -39

I just read Casey's post, and I couldn't agree more! You are doing a phenominal job, and quite honestly, I find your success inspiring! Keep up the good work, and try to keep the negative junk at bay. Julie

Hi Gloria, I think you're right, a lot of lurking, but not much posting. Good to hear that things are going well for you. I am only 12 days out, so I am still very much at the beginning of this. I look forward to the days when I can have the foods that you mention! Right now I'm still on the pureed stuff, which is ok. I've been living on cream of wheat, pureed creamed soups, cottage cheese, pureed chicken, pureed ham, 1 oz. of pureed liver pate', (tasty, but not something I plan to make a staple in my diet), yogurt, lite applesauce, etc. I went back to work for half day on my 10th day out, not because I had to, but because I felt good enough to. I will admit that I was surprised that I slept most of the morning on Saturday and Sunday. So I guess even though I feel up to it, perhaps I couldn't foresee the fatigue factor. I'm surely not up to any 16 hour days!!!! Hope you have a great week, Julie

I wish I had the criteria that you requested. I'm only 12 days out, but I can at least comment on people! They simply don't understand all that you have to endure to get where you are today. I know that it is easy to just say that you have to ignore it, but you already know that you have to do just that. For whatever reasons, there have always been (well-intended?) people who have sabotaged our efforts --I'm sure if you think about it, you know who they were/are for you. Unfortunately, there are those among us who just can't "get it" unless they have experienced things for themsleves. Compassion and empathy doesn't seem to come easily for all of us. So yes, I think I can say that all of us "have wanted to slap the heck" out of these people. You certainly aren't alone there! If it is any comfort to you at all, your story is inspiring! I hope to be among you in the years to come with the same fears once I am at goal weight! Right now it is almost too hard to imagine weighing what I should. But I CAN'T WAIT to get there! It's helpful to hear both the good and the bad about getting there, and I thank you for sharing! Best of everything, Julie

I seem to be vomitting a lot - at least 1 time per day. I don't vomit after I eat all the time - I feel fine and then about 2 hours later I get really sick and have to throw up - any advice?? I doesn't seem to matter what I eat the only thing that I don't throw up is soup and I am 8 weeks post op today. I have lost 43 lbs and Dave has lost 95 and he is 12 weeks post op ! Also, my incision still leaks does anyone have any experience with this or ideas about how long the Dr says it may be 3 months it may be 6 months - the leaking is very ahrd when I am teaching - I can't leave the room to change pads on my stomach. Thanks for any advice. Taryn