MINI-Me

I too couldn't get past the smell and taste of Protein powders. What FINALLY worked for me was the unjury chicken Soup. It's a little salty in flavor, but none of the issues I had with other Proteins. It is 21 grams of protein. I also use [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Instantized-Protein-2-7-Pound/dp/B000GIUQOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1276226079&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: 100% Any whey Protein: Health & Personal Care[/ame] and add 1/2 scoop to my yogurt and or sugar free Cocoa powder. I cannot taste it at all and it boosts my protein by 8.5 grams. Good luck in finding what works for you. I know it was a struggle for me and many others.

So, I'm getting ready for work this morning & kinda got frantic. I tried on one pair of pants - too big. Tried on another pair of pants - too big. Went to the smallest ones I have and thought "whew! this works". Typical morning - rush, rush, rush. Drop the youngest off at daycare & drive into work with my hubby (we work at the same company, same building, same floor - LOL). Thursday are free coffee days in my department, so my hubby always comes by to chat. Yeah right - we all know he wants free coffee. Part of his "charade" is to stop by my desk. He walks in my office & sees me standing up. He's like "What are you wearing? Those clothes are falling off of you." I was crushed. I was like "it's all that would fit". He says back "Those do not fit. You need to show off how you are looking, not hiding behind those clothes. At lunch, we are going shopping and buying you some clothes that fit." Luckily, there is a decent thrift store near work, so we went at lunch. The pants I had on were 12's. I went over to the 9/10 section, held up pants and went "no way" ... but, decided to try them on anyway. Every single pair I tried on fit!!!!! Some were too short or I didn't like them when I got them on. But, THEY ALL FIT! Some were even a bit loose. I can't remember the last time I fit into 10's. Maybe for a week or two in my twenties, but that's it. WHAT A DAY!

Jillian - Glad to hear that you are feeling better and that you had a wake up call. One of the best things about this group is the tough love and the responsiveness of the people here. Please take our comments and suggestions in the way they are intended - we do care. Please take care of yourself. Keep in touch with us & we will help where we can. But, get that therapy started immediately. Sending cyber hugs your way ... you can defeat this & be the healthy you that you want to be!

I just love stories like that - good caring staff and doctors make such a difference. Glad things are going so well for you. Are you doing ok at the hospital by yourself? Make sure to track your meds and walk, sip, walk, sip. Congratulations!

Congrats to all of you on successful surgeries. It's good to have company on the Loser's Bench!

I would not be concerned with those stats. 1 issue out of 1000+ procedures sounds reasonable. Of those non-sleeve procedures, how many were DS?

Hopefully you are doing better now. Please don't take this as slamming you - I mean it with the best of intentions. But sweetie ... that is a lot of food to be eating so soon after surgery. (At four months out, I don't think I could even consume jello, a couple of yogurts and 1/2 a protein bar in the course of an evening.) It could be that your stomach is rebelling from the volume you've pushed into it while it is still swollen and healing. If you aren't better ... Do you have a coordinator or number to call for your surgeon? If not, you should consider going to the ER. You could have some issues that need medical attention. Best of luck. Let us know how you are doing.

You will ... the sleeve is such a great tool!

Thanks Bambi. WOW! You are doing a great job as well. Congrats right back at ya!

Some say that Day 2 is worse than Day 1. If you can stay and have someone monitor you & help with pain meds as well as your walking schedule, I say go for it! Congrats!

Best of luck Beth. If we can help answer any questions, just ask away!

I almost spit my drink out laughing so hard!

Surgery plays havoc on the body, particularly our cycles. I wouldn't be too worried, but it might not hurt to play a call to your GYN just to see their thoughts since you have the implant. Keep us posted.

I did mine as outpatient and had no issues. Talk with your surgeon and see what he says. If there are complications, there should not be a problem with him admitting you & your insurance should pay for the bed with complications. If your surgeon is insistent on a 2-night stay & insurance says outpatient (assuming no complications), your surgeon's office should be able to get you a quote on the hospital charges. Maybe you could pay that yourself?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Let us know how things go.

You said it! Fortunately, we have a covered porch so my husband can be found grilling in the sun, rain or snow (I usually give him a coat along with the meat on the snow days! :biggrin0:) We did Ribeyes on Saturday - YUMMY!

I was fine having someone there to support me by bringing things and tracking my medications the first few days. I'm not sure how much you have to lose, but that may impact your healing. Have you talked to your surgeon about recovery and his recommendations?

While I agree with what you said, I'm going to play devil's advocate here. I'd like to know what everyone is doing to ensure they don't fall back into bad habits and regain? (Just like all of us Career Dieters have done in the past.)

Saw this too late to chime in before you headed to surgery. Let us know what you decided. I also live in WA - if I can offer support, let me know.

Starting Weight: 203 This Morning: 151 Goal #1: 155 - Met this goal 5/22/10 Goal #2: 145 - Getting closer!!!! Goal #3: 135 (What I was my senior year of High School!!!!)

Thank you. Yes, it does feel good!

That's my plan! Thanks.

I am so sorry that you are feeling so discouraged and disheartened. Have you taken measurements? If so, are you seeing inches lost? If you haven't ... take them NOW! You will be amazed at the changes that occur in just a few days/weeks. What does your surgeon say? Do you have a nutritionist?

It sounds like you are talking more about the DS than the Sleeve. I've never heard that Sleeve patients only absorb 10% of the fat. And my surgery was less than 1 hour.

Nice job! Do you mind sharing your workout regime?