AtlantaRed

How did you mix the shake? I know blenders are supposed to cause them to be extra airy and foamy. Do you have a shaker bottle? I saw one at Wal-Mart yesterday with the little wire whisk ball in it in the protein mix shelf. It was about $7.00.

At first, I was told I wouldn't have a preop. I was going to do a self-imposed 3 day liquid diet before the surgery. Now, I have to do the 2 week. I was upset at first, but I've wrapped my brain around it and I'm ready for it.

Atlanta, $18,500. Insurance is always billed more than self-pay.

I've been the same way. I really don't care if most people know. However, I'm not telling most of my family and a handful of people I USED to be friends with. I disagree with folks who say, "I'm telling everyone, I'm not ashamed of it." I don't feel like we are either ashamed or not ashamed. I feel like there are so many different factors. Most of my family haven't been very interested in my life over the years so they don't know what I have or haven't done to try to be healthy. I really feel like they don't deserve to know what's going on in my life since they haven't been interested so far! They people I have told have been very excited and very supportive, which has been very nice!

I keep telling my husband how excited I am for the surgery. I told him yesterday, "Remind me how excited I was when I start crying after the surgery." lol

I have a healthy fear if any procedure but also know that a tree can fall on me as I walk out the front door. I've gotten account numbers, passwords, etc. updated and easy to be found but other than that, I'm more excited than anything!

Hi everyone! Just by replying to this thread, you are now subscribed and should receive updates. Either me or MinWin will add new folks to the list if dates (usually MinWin these days)! Can't believe we have so many in December and some are soooooo close! So exciting!

I had no gas pain at all after my gallbladder surgery. My sister had hers out with a different surgeon and had terrible gas pain. I think it really does depend on the surgeon.

My surgeon's office bases it on BMI over 50 and/or body shape. So if someone carries therir weight more in their upper abdomen and chest, then they require the 2 week diet. BMI over 50, 2 week diet.

I think the Dec 2 group has now surpassed the Dec 11 group! Glad to have another Friday the 13th! Exactly 3 weeks until my surgery! So excited!

I agree. I like being in one place where we follow before, during and after. Also, even if someone had surgery a week before me, will still be in a similar place. All of our instructions will be so different anyway, with a large group SOMEONE will be where we are! Lol

I feel like everyone should use this forum (and thread) however works best for them! If you and/or others would like smaller more I timate groups, go for it! For myself, even though we have well over 100 December sleevers only a handful actually participate. I like coming to one place where we've all gotten to know each other. There is another thread that has been started as a "numbers only" thread where everyone can start posting weight loss as we get there. If you and/or anyone else wants a smaller group, I would make sure to make the title of the thread specific like you said, "December 1-5 sleepovers" etc and other threads accordingly. Also, there are far fewer people on the Facebook group if you're not already over there. So excited for everyone!

Oh, I disagree! No failure at all! You had no notice! I think you did great to start without warning on day 2!

Wow, I think I would freak out with no warning to start the preop diet!! It's taken me over a week to wrap my head around it and be okay with mine (I was initially told I didn't have to do one!) Now that I've moved past the disappointment, I'm excited and looking forward to it too. I already have general anxiety and have been doing GREAT until this past week. It is really acting up! Heart is pounding a lot! Can't wait until ALL of the Decembers are on the other side on the loser's bench!

That's a great plan! if I wasn't hosting, I'd love to bail this year for Thanksgiving! My doctor is pretty cute too! Very nice and I feel he has a very good resume! My liquid diet starts the day after Thanksgiving! Welcome to the group!

Wow!! Congrats on your hard work!!

Hi thick2slim! Congrats on your date! You are VERY welcome in this group for general support through the process, just wanted to make sure you knew the rest of us are getting the sleeve and not the band. Not sure if there is a December group on the Band forum, as I don't visit that forum. However, like I said, we are absolutely happy to have you here with us!!

Thanks so much for posting these pics! I've been trying to imagine what I might look like deflated, and I seem to be built about the same way. Maybe to others it may sound weird, but I will be very excited if I look like this at goal. I imagine a compression tank and decent jeans will hold it in enough to look preety good in clothes!

Found it! http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/264421-measures-measures-measures/?hl=%2Bgeek#entry2969647

I thought the spreadsheet was awesome! I could never do something like that! I tried finding the person who created it last night in order to give her proper credit but couldn't find her. I can't wait to start using it!

I have seen people say they took it to the hospital but most are up walking the halls for the gas pain before going home. An extension cord to the hospital is good for your phone charger or heating pad if you take it.

Welcome Mbindra! On a page or two back is our long list of dates, I think there are about 4 others on Dec 30, just not sure if anyone will be in mexico. Hopefully they will speak up!

I am reposting this Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that another sleever posted. I don't remember her name and it's not on the sheet, but she posted it for everyone. I can't wait to start logging numbers into it. At the bottom, there are 2 tabs. The second one has the directions on it. The numbers plugged in are mine but I think you just click in that first box on the top (follow the directions) and put your own starting weight and it changes everything for you. MeasuresBlank.xlsx

I've decided to make a poster board to hand INSIDE my closet door (so no one sees it but me!). I will take a picture once a month in the same clothes (hopefully can find some tight workout clothes that I can still put on). Then behind the picture for each month, I will write the weight, measurements and BMI so I can see them. My hubby has no idea what I weigh. My mom will help with the measurements. Even though all he would have to do would be to lift up the photo, he wouldn't. Maybe on my own computer, I will keep a weekly log of numbers, but I don't think I will need to take a picture every single week. Can't wait to get all of that started!

I got a food scale and some cute little 3 ounce "dishes" from Rachel Ray off Amazon. I figured if I was going to eat that small amount of food, I wanted cute dishes! Do you hae a blender, stick blender or shaker bottles? I've been told the protein powders don't mix well with stirring. Along with the Gas-X, a heating pad to also help with gas. A small pillow to hold against your stomach on the way home (between you and the seatbelt) and also to press against your stomach if/when you need to cough. I also got a body composition scale to hopefully show weight loss, water gain/loss and muscle gain...in hopes of helping through the dreaded stalls! Also a good measuring tape to measure different areas, again to help with the stall, to show you that you really are losing inches if not pounds! Also some Crystal light powders? Some people add those to Isopure or other protein drinks to help cover the protein taste.