MINI-Me

I was advised to start taking iron and calcium immediately - even before surgery. I am on chewable versions of both.

Great tip! Which flavor of CL do you like best with the vanilla?

Didn't sound like it from what she explained. But, you might want to call your doctor/nut to confirm. She is having me do the 30 min prior and 30 min after as "practice" for how I will be eating shortly afterwards. Of course, I can say all this now ... check with me in a few weeks when I'm sleeved and worried about everything I do.

My nut gave intructions to sip the water throughout the day being careful to time that I do not drink 30 minutes prior or 30 minutes after eating. I did not get a restriction on how much to have at a time. She did say that it may take 30-60 minutes to drink a cup at first, but that time should go down to 5-15 minutes after the swelling goes down.

I REALLY hope that happens to me!

Hey! That's my sleeve date as well. I think that makes 5 of us now for the 27th. What surgeon are you seeing?

Sorry - I guess that wasn't very nice of me. :biggrin0:

I was told that the bubbles from the carbonation could cause pain and possibly cause damage to the healing stomach .

I'm on day 2 of the pre-op. 2 shakes (1/2 milk and 1/2 Water mixed with Protein powder) and some cucumber slices today. CANNOT WAIT for my 3 ounces of chicken and small salad tonight. LOL - And just think ... many of us are paying out of pocket to do this. Just gotta keep our eyes on the prize and try not to think about our tummies wanting more.

You definitely have to love yourself before you can go looking for love. And that means enjoying being alone with yourself. I don't know your history, but it sounds like you took a great first step at loving who you are with this surgery. That being said, don't give up on the on-line dating - especially if there aren't a lot of options for meeting men in your town. I met my husband over 12 years ago on-line (back when it was not a common option) ... We got married a year later & I can tell you it was the best thing I ever did. I found my soulmate - someone who supports me and loves me just the way I am. Of course, he's getting very excited about having a slim and sexy wife in the near future. :biggrin0: What do you do socially? Anyway to integrate your interests in ways that involve members of the opposite sex? Before meeting my husband, I was involved in a singles group at church. I went to enjoy Christian companionship, not to "troll for guys". However, I did meet several really nice men and enjoyed spending time with them. None of them ever hit the spark I was looking for, but it was fun to just have a social life.

Fantastic results!!! You have to be very proud of yourself and the choices you have made to be a whole new you. I love hearing all the success stories.

I know Edmonds is too far north for you to travel regularly, but maybe if you contacted Melanie she would have some referrals for you: Edmonds Gastric Sleeve Support Group Submitted by melaniemachado on Fri, 12/04/2009 - 3:47pm. Start: 01/19/2010 - 7:00pm End: 01/19/2010 - 8:30pm Edmonds gastric sleeve weight loss surgery support group is hosted by Pacific Nutrition and Wellness. The support group is a general support group open to all surgeries but specializes in patients who have had the gastric sleeve. The group's mission is to provide a positive, solution based group to help support people through their weight loss surgery process. People who have already had weight loss surgery and their family members are welcome to attend the group. Location: Steven?s Hospital Cafeteria - 21601 76th Ave W Time:7-8:30 p.m. Cost:Free Contact: info@pacificnutritionwellness.com

OK ... I've been reading without a response too. Just reading your experience is so helpful to those considering or newer to the sleeve than you. I'm sure others are that way too, but I can totally understand your fear of creepy lurkers - just don't consider me one, please!

Unfortunately, I had to go with the internet since I couldn't find any unflavored Protein in my local stores. If you choose to go with the internet, I can recommend: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GIUQOG/ref=oss_T15_product]Amazon.com: Optimum Nutrition 100% Any whey Instantized Whey Protein, 2.7-Pound Tub: Health & Personal Care[/ame] Best of luck. If you find something else that you like, please let us know.

Coopersmoma - Thank you for this post. (And as a MINI Cooper owner, I love the name!) I am also a lightweight with a BMI of "only" 33. Makes me laugh. They say 30 and above is obese, so I'm only slightly obese? I also have a terrible family history of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, I lost my dad last year due to obesity complications. I'm relatively healthy now, but do not want to wait for the family history to catch up wth me. Congratulations on your decision. We'll all be newbie sleeves soon! :thumbup:

First of all, congratulations on your weight loss. As far as the upper area? Personally, I wouldn't be questioning it, just be grateful. I'm not a big girl up top as it is & I am worried about how small they may get over time. My friend who was sleeved last February went from a 38D to a 32A after an 80 pound loss. I told my husband that if that happened to me, we'd have to go on a search and rescue mission. Either sometime of cosmetic surgery or a lot of bra padding! He said that would be false advertising! :001_tongue: :ohmy:

My pre-op diet started today as well. I'm doing Pure Protein Chocolate Whey Powder mixed with 8 oz of 1% milk along with a low-fat string cheese for breakfast. Lunch is another shake and cucumbers with sugar-free jello. Luckily I get to have a low-fat/low-carb "real" meal tonight. So far, the shake is good. It's actually a bit too creamy - I might make it 1/2 milk and 1/2 water tomorrow and see if that helps. The taste is pretty good though. Best of luck!

That is awesome. Keep us up to take on your training progress!

One of the reasons I even know about the sleeve is due to a friend at work. She has MS and had the sleeve last February. She hasn't any any issues and sees all of her doctor's regularly to coordinate her care. She lost 80 pounds in about 6 months!!!

I'll confess that I'm confused about my job and career. I sound like I am whining since they pay me really well and never ask for OT. But, I wonder where this job is taking me and where I will be in 10+ years.

MidwestGirl - good tips - thanks!

Well, the dehydration part sounds logical. As far as your daily "allowance", sounds like you are lucky ... my nut explained that my dr wanted me to give it up forever or at least until I hit my goal (then the hope is that I won't want it anymore). Never seems like a long time for anything. Oh well ... a small price for being healthy I guess.

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I couldn't find a direct answer in my research. First, let me state - I am planning on following my doctor's orders, but I would like to know the "why" behind the "no". I am one of the world's biggest Diet Pepsi Fans. I am talking 5-7 cans a day. I understand the carbonation being bad for the new tummy, but not sure why I've been told no caffeine. Does anyone know why we are told to go de-caf? I've been weaning off caffeine slowly (to avoid caffeine withdrawl headaches), but I miss it. Decaf tea doesn't seem as fun. (Probably all in my head!) Like I said, I will follow the plan, but knowing why caffeine is so evil would help me when I want a caffeine fix. :sad0: Thanks!

My mom is diabetic and can quickly get rash/infection from damp skin. Her doctor also recommends Gold Bond Medicated. Do you have an discharge or odd smell? If so, I suggest seeing your doctor. If not, you may just want to try the powder.

Congratulations!