You made it longer than I did! I was about 4 days post-op when I started craving spaghetti (damn commercials!) I looked in my kitchen to see what I could make with flavor besides broth (I really spice mine up!) I found a can of refried black beans and decided I could "whip" these into some kind of "shake". Basically, I made a thin (strained) soup out of the beans with taco seasoning and cayenne pepper. It was so good.

I am on liquids for 4 weeks; much longer than most people's posts that I have read. It seems like most are on liquids for 2 weeks. I am 12 days now, but I think I will be able to make it until the next phase without a problem. I use all kinds of flavorings in my shakes; unsweetened Torani coffee syrups, unsweetened instant puddings, cinnamon (like a teaspoon!) a drop of peppermint extract (especially good with chocolate!) I also learned if I add baking cocoa to my chocolate shakes they were richer tasting and very good.

Thanks for your post... It put a smile on my face. The nice thing is... I discovered my taco/bean concoction will be good as a "gravy" on other things, too. One day when I can eat real food again, I will put my bean "gravy" on a frozen burrito. That burrito will taste much better, look better too, than that white, naked thing that usually lays on my plate with salsa.

Oh I remember these days......I am just days shy of 8 months out and the best advice I can give you is stick to the diet! Do what the doctors plan says. You have the rest of your life to eat and I promise it gets better everyday. I look at it this way....you had surgery to assist with getting it under control....take this time to get your head in the right spot. Because as we all know this is a mental game.

I have always felt like I had a ticking clock above my head and I had until the one year mark to get to where I want to be. I know that sounds silly but I have spent my entire life overweight and this is my chance. I am 6 pounds away from my ultimate goal and happier than ever.

Remember that this is a tool not a cure. Congrats on taking this step and just think of where you will be in 6 months! So excited for you!!!!:bigsmile: :drinker: :flowerforyou:

I feel exactly the same way. I am a few days short of 7 months out from surgery, and I still stick to the plan to a T. I also made a commitment to myself that I would stick with the plan for the whole first year post surgery, and then see where I am at. I feel, and my surgeon agrees, that this first year is the time when you can get optimum results by really sticking with it. I haven't strayed from my surgeon's plan because I want to get the most out of this procedure that I can, and also, he gave me this plan for a reason. He knows what works and what will make me successful. I know what I signed up for, so I am ok with going along with the plan!

I bought a juicer and that has helped me get through this shake phase. I start mushies on Weds and I can't wait. Cottage cheese will never have tasted so good! The fresh juice is such a treat and a great way to get some natural vitamins instead of choking down another shake. I have a shake for breakfast, juice for lunch and then a soup (Opti-fast) for dinner with tons of water in between. That juice is really delicious...