M2G

First of all, we must have had the same idea yesterday. We had a pork loin roast that I seasoned and popped in the crock pot. It was delish! However, for sides I had broccoli and califlower steamed and my hubby and 2 girls had baked potatoes. Although corn bread would have FIT right into our dinner. lol. Secondly, I have not ever taken the time to look up corn bread on caloriecount, BUT I have a very good friend who is currently doing WW. And she went to Famous Dave's (BBQ restaurant) about a week ago. She decided to cave and eat one of their cornbread muffins. Figuring it might be 6 points, maybe 7. She went home and entered the data and came up with the shock of her life, 11 points. She was MORTIFIED (just like you felt I'm sure!) at how many calories, etc. were in ONE stinkin' corn muffin. And last, thanks for posting this, I will make sure anytime I eat corn bread that I REALLY want it and I REALLY enjoy the heck out of it, becuase it will be on my list of things to have "once in a blue moon!"

IRENE ... CONGRATULATIONS!!! I can just feel the emotion from your words about reaching this goal. I am so so so happy for you, and so so so grateful that I did not continue down the path of having a band. I thank the members of this site for contributing to my decision to have the VSG. I'm so glad you have reached this milestone and have no doubt in my mind you will reach all of your other milestones too. :Dancing_wub:

I think about 12 days has been my longest, and I'm only 3 months post-op. I'm sure there will be longer ones in store for me

What I am surpised about is how fast I can eat. I know we are suppossed to go slow, but I *hate* having to re-microwave 2oz of food. So I sit down, eat and chew and I'm done in a very quick amount of time. I have yet to "toss my cookies" since being sleeved! So I am generally surprised by that. I was orginially going to do the band and got NUT couseling about "tiny bites" "chewing slow" all that jazz. So in that respect I'm happy that the sleeve actually allows me to eat "normally" (normal bite, chew, swallow, etc.)

Welcome! I think the sleeve rocks (just my opinion!) and you will be SO happy you had it done. It sounds like you were off to a rough start last July and I commend you for following through even it seemed like the odds were against you. I agree, this forum is the best thing I found and I do attend monthly support groups hosted by my surgeon's team and let me tell you I have yet to run accross another sleever at support group, this place fills in the all the "holes" that exist in real life.

No, it was really simple, because, well, the ice cream maker does all the work. I doubled the recipe from eggface, and did 2 cups of 2% milk, and 4 scoops of Protein powder (I used Jay Robb vanilla flavor, it's sweetened with Stevia) and then about 2 tbsp. of vanilla sugar free Jello pudding mix (powdered form.) I whisked it with a hand whisk in a bowl (just to prevent lumps) and dumped it into the machine. The machine did the rest of the work. If you are going to add mix-ins (eggface uses all sorts of SF items to add to hers) you add it to the machine during the last 5 minutes. I didn't add any mix-ins to mine and just did plain vanilla. And I think the cheaper ones work just fine too, but since this was a bday gift from my hubby, I wasn't going to return it and get a cheaper one lol. He bought this one because it can make 2 qts of ice cream and he thought that would be better since we are a family of 4. The smaller ones would work just fine for 1 or 2 people, easily.

Tiffany, those are amazing! And I know this sounds crazy, but I can tell even when you were larger, you still have that same big personality. I know I always tried to "hide" behind a child in photos and to see the pictures (before) and know that you weren't hiding....aaah, does a heart good. As for the "now" photos, you look absolutely stunning. Finally that personality and body match and your smile tells the story. Thank you for sharing so much of your journey with us.

Okay, time to jump in...I keep seeing this thread and forgetting to post to it. So, the last time I weighed around 180-190 I was wearing a size 12-14. However, my surgeon set my goal weight to be 150. I honestly cannot remember the last time I weighed 150 (must have been early HS b/c when I graduated I weighed 175.) So I guess the answer is NO, I'm not looking for a GOAL SIZE, probably because I have NO idea what size I would be at 150. I guess I am following the BMI more than anything, and whatever size I happen to be at goal is it. Of course, I am a woman and I do reserve the right to change my mind along the way.

Okay I did indeed get a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker for my birthday, and today I made Protein ice cream...WOO HOO!!! I just made plain vanilla, but am excited to experiment like eggface...with all her SF mix-ins. Here is the best part....MY KIDS ARE EATING PROTEIN ICE CREAM !!!! (BTW, they are 8 and 10 years old so they "know" the difference and said they actually LIKED the protein ice cream!) Who would have ever thought??? This is the kind my DH got...if it were me I probably would have gotten a smaller cheaper one, but this one is very nice! http://www.bedbathan...sp?SKU=13627029

Now that I've used this cookbook, I actually would NOT recommend it to anyone. Truth be told, I have only made 2 recipes, but they were both not that good. :frown2: Feel like I wasted my money. :mad4: Oh well, live and learn right?

That is excellent. It sure is nice to not obsess over food anymore isn't it? Congrats on the -4...a nice little January present for you!

Woo hoo! You look amazing, and SO happy! Congrats on your big hike!

Definitely at NSV!! I know that while the scale may "measure" our loss, its harder to see our bodies shrinking until we do something like put on a pair of jeans that we have long outgrown. Such a great feeling! Congrats! :thumb:

Welcome! You will find a ton of information here, so you are in the right place. Good luck on your journey, keep us updated along the way.

Best of luck on your journey! I'm glad you are feeling at peace. That is exactly how I felt on my surgery day.

Best of luck on your surgery and the start of your new life!

I use mine and it comes in super handy when the meat is still semi-frozen. It's much better than a spatula when it comes to ground meat.

Sounds yummy! I think if I were going to make it I would use plain greek yogurt (in place of any type of mayo) to bump the Protein and also cook my own chicken for less fat.

I would do your surgery post cruise also. I did a wonderful family vacation to Hawaii 2 months before I was sleeved and yes it would have been nice to be "skinnier" but we had a great time, and I indulged in macadamia nuts every day! Also gave me some great "before" pictures at my heaviest. Now I just need to go back after I hit goal and enjoy it all over again.

Thanks Tiff! That sort of clears up how it can "test" a pouch.

Good luck!!

Oh yeah, I think we all have been there where it just seems like you can't take another Protein shake !!! I remember missing the act of "chewing"...so I would do a SF popsicle to just have something to CHEW. I'm sorry that your liquid diet isn't over for another 2 weeks (that is a LONG time to be on fluids only) but just think about how far it will put you weight-loss wise. I think I only did liquids for 10 days post-op and that was enough for me! After 10 days I was only allowed 5 foods (egg beaters, cottage cheese, refried Beans, yogurt and SF pudding) and at first I thought "woo hoo...real FOOD" and then because I had to do that for 2 weeks, they got really old really fast. Hang in there, don't worry about scaring away pre-ops...I think we all have our tough moments but it's good to share and know that you aren't alone.

From what I understand it is basically what Tiff said...designed for RNY patients, but I still wonder if it really can "test" the size of the pouch (I'm unclear on the testing part and how that really all works.) I've always viewed it as a "back to basics" sort of plan, to get you refocused. I think it is a valid plan for sleeve patients who need to break some bad habits or just need to shuffle the deck so to speak in regards to shaking up their routine. Everyone remembers how careful they were (or were supposed to be) right after surgery, so it just kind of takes you back to that place. I do think it is generally viewed as a weight loss strategy for most people trying it.

You could try this and see if it sits okay with your sleeve... http://www.food.com/recipe/carb-free-cloud-bread-411501 I made this recipe one time and it was okay (as long as I was eating it with something else, like egg beaters for example) otherwise it sort of just felt like I was eating air. lol

I do believe that everyone loses at a different rate. Granted your dr. has (hopefully) seen thousands of weight-loss surgery patients and can probably rattle off statistics and averages in his sleep, but I don't agree that your weight loss needs to be a one-size-fits-all job. I think SO much more factors are at stake than just age. I definitely don't think you should be down on yourself. I agree that it is kind of sucky that he didn't have any helpful advice and that the NUT he recommends can't seem to answer the phone. I also agree that trying to shake things up, add more solid lean protein, and increase your workouts might help jump start more of a loss. A loss is a loss, and everyone does lose at a different rate. I try very hard not to compare myself to others (it's hard, really!) and I do track my food intake, water, vitamins, and workouts, just so I know that I'm on MY plan and that is what works for me. Try different things and find out what works for YOU. But do not berate yourself or sell yourself short. Keep working your sleeve and you will see results.