turtlebutt825

I've been overweight my entire life. Done the merry-go-round of yo-yo dieting. And I struggled with bulimia starting at the age of 13. 4 months before my 20th birthday, I sought out counseling for my eating disorder, and came clean to my husband and my family. After months of counseling I realized my body wasn't getting any healthier, and the warped mindset I had/have from my years of distorted eating were making it impossible for me to adopt a healthy eating style, all I would do is diet for a couple of weeks and fall back into old habits. On top of all of that my husband and I had been trying to conceive since we got married (2 years ago) and were having no luck.( I am thankful now that I wasn't able to conceive because my mind was not in the right place.) Anyways I had gone to talk to my OB/GYN about our difficulty conceiving and she assured me that it was because of my weight, and that is how I got put on the pathway in February of this year. On August 26th 2011 my life was forever changed. This year I celebrated my 21st Birthday (Nov 18th) 53lbs lighter than I was on my last bday. My sleeve has given me so much. It's helped me (well that and counseling) to realize that I don't need food to comfort me and the detrimental cycle of binging and purging is absolutely worthless. I feel good about being able to nourish my body. Something I have never seen in what I eat. I eat food for it's nutritional value to my body, not because I have a hole inside that I am trying to fill. This was my first Thanksgiving where I was truly able to enjoy the company of my loved ones and not be focused on having to empty out my stomach so I can fill it again 3 more times. I'm no longer self conscious about eating in front of others, and I just feel like the whole world has opened to me. I never would have been to this point without the support of my husband either. I'm not saying that the sleeve "cured" my bulimia, because I still hear that nasty little voice in the back of my head on occasion (particularly lately since my weight loss progress has slowed a bit). But I am saying that it has given me the self restraint to not give into my defeatist alter ego. I will forever be grateful that I was given this chance, because for the first time in the last 8 years I have been able to live my life without fear of food. And that to me is absolutely priceless. Sorry for the book lol.

Well that's normal to only be able to eat 4-6oz of food. 3 oz of shrimp and I'm stuffed.

You guys are all welcome to join, the more the merrier!!

Oh ok, I'm already using MFP and it says that I should be getting about 1450 cals a day, but maybe I should schedule a visit to the nutrition clinic.

Once you make it through the first couple of hell weeks sweetybabs you will be completely and utterly in love with your sleeve. I know I am lol!!

Lol I didn't even know chili's had something called that, I haven't been to that restaurant in years haha, the closest one is like 2 hours away. I named them that because my hubby is super picky and only likes popcorn chicken so I named them chicken crispers so he wouldn't see them as nuggets and refuse to try them. (I know he's ridiculous but I love him lol)

Even those of you who are pre-surgery can check in, let us know where you are in your surgery journey and something interesting about yourself!

Congrats and Welcome Summer!! Feel free to post it up on the discussion board. I would really like to make our group more active!!

Thanks! I know the pathways program can be a little frustrating, but if you're anything like me, it will seem like it's d....rrraaaaagggginnnnngggg by lol. But once you're actually in that hospital bed, you're like OMG it's finally happening!!! Lol! Best of luck to you!!! Do you have a surgeon yet, or have you just been to the seminar?

ice cravings or spice cravings?

So my hubby totally loves these and so do I!! It's a great way to get your faux-frying skills on!! What you need: 2 chicken Breasts (or 8 oz worth) (Cut into your choice of tender size) 1c Original Panko Breadcrumbs 1 Packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Seasoning Barbecue Seasoning (to taste) Onion powder (to taste) Garlic Powder (to taste) Ground Black Pepper (to taste) Kosher Salt (a big pinch) 1 egg Optional: You can use a cookie cooling rack to bake your chicken on and it allows it to get completely crispy on all sides, even the bottom!! Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In one bowl beat egg. In another bowl mix together breadcrumbs and all dry ingredients (I keep it in a tupperware so if I have leftovers it doesn't get wasted). Place some of the breadcrumbs on a plate. Place chicken bits in egg to coat and shake off excess. Roll in breadcrumbs, and place on cookie rack (or cookie sheet). Repeat till all pieces are coated in crunchy goodness, adding excess breadcrumbs to plate as needed. Place chicken in oven and cook for 15 mins (flip halfway throughout if using cookie sheet, no need to flip if using the rack) Set oven to broil and broil your crispers for 1-3 mins depending on how brown you like them. Remove and enjoy!!! I like them plain but you can serve with lowfat dressings, or low sugar bbq sauce! Let me know what you guys think :smile1: Recipe yields 4 Post Op Portions 1 serving is 2 oz of chicken and nutritional facts are as follows (according to mfp recipe maker) Calories: 208 Fat: 4 Protein: 15 Sugar: 1 Carbohydrates: 24

I just turned 21 on the 18th, and although I drank pre op (shame on me yadda yadda) I was so excited to celebrate my rite of passage by going to a bar and ordering a cosmo haha. Two hours, one cosmo, and a lemon drop later my hubby was dragging me out of the bar because I was sloshed!!! Haha, and the sad thing is, when I was pre op I was perfectly capable of taking down 3 or 4 shots with my hubby before even feeling the buzz!! So yeah just be prepared you will be a complete and utter light weight!!! But think of it this way it's less money you gotta spend to get your drank on!! haha