As much as I adore my snowblower, I'm over the snow.  Can't wait for the early spring flowers!!

Since we know that the protocol followed by every surgeon is different, you really need to put this question to your surgeon.  He or she is the only one ultimately qualified to answer your question.  Whatever the direction is, you need to follow it, and only it.  It doesn't matter what other people were permitted to do -- you have to mind what you are permitted to do.

Just for a basis to compare, I had no pre op diet.  I chose to eat light the couple of days prior to surgery.  I couldn't have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery -- that was the extent of my direction.

Yea you!  Rock that kick board!!

My uber dry skin has pretty much gone away post op since I drink so much water (72+ oz) daily.  Try that approach, and just maybe a not so expensive lotion -- I like Jergens.

Thank you to my secret santa for the collage frame.  I'm taking it to work today to see if I can get it to stay on the panel of my cube.  Then, I can do some wall tidy-ing!

I've got mine, and my recipient has posted that she has hers.

Fresh and canned pineapple have not been a problem for me.  Chew well!

OK, a little tough love here:

1.  Do NOT stray from your prescribed eating plan as it's for your own good.  In other words, suck it up and follow your instructions.
2.  How do you really know it's not head hunger?  Are you just rationalizing because you were a night eater?  I always leave the floor of my house where the kitchen is right after I clean up from dinner.  That's how I refrain from eating at night.
3.  Drink a lot more water!  Every time you think you are hungry, go for 8 oz of water instead.
4.  Remember, you will not be on a restricted diet forever.

I am a side sleeper, and had no restrictions on how I could sleep.  It boiled down to when I was comfortable enough that way.

I also use water to moisten things.  Works great on turkey and chicken.  Just a few drips from the faucet right on the meat does the trick for me.

YES!!  You WILL hurt yourself!!  Suck it up, and stick with the plan your doctor prescribed.  It's not forever, and you will survive.  Look to your future of health -- not the immediate of the holiday today.

When you are home, do you measure religiously?  If you do, it will help you develop a sense for what you need to consume when you are not home.

Another thing that has helped me a lot is to use salad plates, not full size dinner plates.  A salad plate looks a lot fuller with bandster portions.  A full dinner plate will guarantee you are eating more than you should be.

I especially like Bette's list -- very to the point.  I will also add that I have a FAB-O surgeon who is supportive and constructive.  I don't feel frightened to go in to see her, and feel like she is 110% on my weight loss team!