When I cannot get pills down, I take them with a teaspoonful of applesauce. I do split them if they are large and if the doctor says it is OK to split them.

All the programs are different, some people have protein shakes right away, liquids were never a problem for me but you just sip initially because of the restriction and swelling.

I also had no issue with cutting pills in half, it's what my doctor recommended - cutting them in half helps get them through the initial swelling and restriction, it's ok once you swallow them that are the same as if you didn't split them, in fact that's a good thing! The only thing I would recommend is confirming that your particular med is not impacted if you cut it in half (i.e., having it in two pieces impacts how it's metabolized). I think that's only an issue with time-release meds but I am not a doctor or pharmacist!

Be sure to follow your plans rules on the food progressions and don't be afraid to go slower if you need to (but don't go faster, they have the stages for a reason).

Good luck and don't stress too much before Tuesday; you'll be on the other side of surgery in no time!

You are not alone. There are so many like us.

May I make a suggestion? There's a book called WLS For dummies by Marina Kurian, MD. She's the surgeon who performed Al Rocker's surgery. It gives all the information regarding the different types of WLS (good and bad aspects), diets, what to look for in a surgeon, insurances, etc.

Hi there,

I speak from understanding the point of view of your wife. My wife had bariatric surgery and although she hasn't lost weight yet, I've seen pictures of her at 100+ pounds less and it scares me.

The fear is there for a few reasons. Will she still love me since I'm chubby and she's not? Will she think less of me if I don't lose weight? Will she love me if I'm not needed to help her do things that she couldn't do before? What will it feel like to grab a boney arm or feel her ribs? Will I be attracted to a gaunt face post-surgery? If I'm not, how do I adjust? I met her on a big person's dating app, is it fair that she chose to change? Is it okay to feel upset?

That being said...I know she loves me and we will be together forever. She isn't going to leave me for some hot guy even though I'm afraid she might be tempted. All of these issues are mine and mine alone. I am not a bad person for having these feelings. I would be making poor choices to take my feelings out on my wife. She knows I feel insecure for the first time in our relationship. I'm choosing to get counseling to help me better understand how to deal with my insecurities and create a deeper, loving bond with my wife.

Your wife needs to do the same. Her feelings aren't wrong. They are based on her experience of life. What she chooses to do about them determines how you should move forward. Yet, I encourage you to give it time and get her into counseling asap. There's obviously issues she hasn't resolved and she needs help.

Good luck to the both of you,

I tend to hoard food also. It's my comfort. I'm working to get away from that. Seeing lots of food sitting on my open shelving is inviting old patterns to return. For this day, I'm retraining my brain to watch TV, go for a walk or perform self care tasks like doing my nails, shaving my legs, or a quick facial.