VV2010

Bernadette - You look amazing! Congrats! I am so inspired - thank you:)

SamieTeacher - It looks like all the teachers are doing this for spring break huh? You will do great! We'll be thinking of your tomorrow morning! Best of luck:)

Mary - We are going to have to meet up with you sometime in Atlanta. We'll keep updating:)

Fabby50 - Yes Slimdiddy and I have known each other since freshman year of college - so about 20 years we've spent dieting together if you can believe that - this REALLY IS OUR YEAR! Thanks for the good wishes!:thumbup:

Thanks everyone for the good wishes!

Hello everyone! Well, I hope the hardest part is over. Slimdiddysleeve and I had our surgeries yesterday morning. We slept most of the day except for very frequent visits from the nurses and our doctors. This morning our bandages were removed and we are finally on ice chips - these have never tasted so good! We've also been disconnected from our IV's so that is making our every 30 min walks much easier. :001_rolleyes: I am sore, but not in a ton of pain at all. It is mostly the gas that is bothering me but that should get better with the frequent walking. As some of you already know Slimdiddysleeve and I have been friends for 20 years so doing this together had been wonderful! It's so nice to have someone here that completely understands how I feel.:thumbup1: We will continue to update....I think I hear a trashy magazine calling my name right now. Thanks to everyone for your support. This board has been wonderful. In fact, when Dr. Alvarez asked us if we had any questions before the surgery yesterday, we could barely think of any due to all the research we've done on here:) VV2010

Hi everyone - Before you read this, please take into account that I have been on a liquid pre-op diet for 2 1/2 weeks, I cracked a tooth this week and had to have a temp crown put on, and Aunt Flo is on her way into town.....I am a bit emotional............ I have been so excited up until tonight when I received a call from my brother in law. My sister had told him about the surgery, but hadn't told him it was going to be in Mexico until this evening. My surgery is on Saturday. I feel like I did my research and have picked the best surgeon for me. I have also asked my PCP for her support. She said that she would follow the US protocol as far as follow up. She was thrilled for me. That being said.....his biggest concern was what if something happens after I return to the US- an infection or blood clot or something else? What if your insurance company finds out you had surgery out of the country? They may not pay for your follow up. I told him that they won't approve the surgery no matter what. I am a teacher, a state employee and weight loss surgery is not ever covered by our insurance. I know other people have had complications on this board and haven't had a problem receiving follow up care. Can anybody comment on this? I would like to know your experience or any advice you have. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of GA. Wiping up the tears, VV2010

Wannalise - I really hope you are feeling better. It can only get better from here, right? You are in my thoughts:) VV2010

Ryansgirl - HOLY COW!!! Good for you! Congrats on your great success! I have looked at your pics and I am so inspired:) I can't imagine how much better you feel now - I can't wait to be in your position. My surgery is just a week away. Thanks so much and I hope you have something special planned to celebrate - you deserve it! VV2010

I can't wait to go through this whole experience with you SDS! You are the bombdiggity! I know we will be great support systems for each other:) Love ya! VV2010:lol0:

Thanks so much for your response! So I understand what high quality protein is after reading your answer. I'm still a bit unsure about what you would consider a low quality protein. Would this be ANYTHING that just has a few grams of protein like a shake or "real" food? Thanks so much for your help!

Yipee for you Wannalise! I got so excited when I read your post - I can't wait to have that feeling next week when I leave for Mexico. Best of luck to you! VV2010

I just wanted to share that in case someone out there was having the same doubts as me. We are all good at so many things, why beat ourselves up because we aren?t that fantastic at ?food???? [/font] Cottoneye - I can totally relate! I am in the middle of my 3 week pre-op diet. I have had a few minor slip ups which I beat myself up about....then I talked to some friends about it. They reminded me of the extreme difference between normal eating and this pre-op diet. I was able to forgive myself and move on. It has taken me SO LONG to get to mentally be ready for all of this, but I am there now! I have said many times in the past few weeks "This is something that I just can't do on my own and I am getting a tool to help me with it." Saying this out loud has been helpful. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and we are often very hard on ourselves. I wish you the best of luck! VV2010:thumbup:

congrats on your progress! WOW! I am heading to Dr. Alvarez in about 10 days and I'm so excited!

Thanks FWL!

SDS - So glad you are on here:thumbup: Yes I WILL be strong the next 16 days - can't wait for this big adventure!!!

Thanks educationrulz I bet you are absolutely right - you must be a fellow teacher in ATL? Let me know if you come across any support groups in our area.

Jen - You are definitely not the only one - I promise! I just started my liquid diet but I was seriously on the "gravy train" for months before. It really was gross, but I can't deny that I ate like I'd never eat food again. Some things that have worked well during my pre-op diet are:

Hi - I am on day 5 of my 21 day liquid pre-op diet. I completely cracked today and cheated when I got home. I just couldn't face any more shakes, broth, juice, Jello, etc... This is the first time I have doubted that I have the willpower to follow through with this huge change for the rest of my life. I am trying to look at this as a little bump in the road, but I am really beating myself up about it. I know that this is more mental for me than anything, and would love some advice from anyone who has experienced this. Thanks so much! VV2010:confused1:

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I have been experimenting with all of the protein samples I've collected. I tried mixing the Unjury unflavored protein with Propel or Crystal light and it worked just fine. Hope that helps:)

Tiff - Thanks so much for sharing your journey. I have really enjoyed reading all your posts. My surgery is less than one month away and you are a real inspiration!

Thanks Dr. Jossart!

Hi Dr. Jossart - I posted the following question on the Protein thread and nobody has been able to answer it: I am trying to do some research about Protein shakes and have gotten some mixed messages on the blogs. Some people say that the body absorbs only around 50% of the protein in these shakes, but other shakes with a particular digestive enzyme absorb 80-90% of the protein. I would love to know what you think of this and if it is indeed true. Thanks so much for your help!:thumbup1: VV2010

My surgery is in April and I had my last diet coke on Saturday:) It took 6 weeks but I slowly weaned myself off of it. This addiction no joke worried me more than the actual surgery! This has been a 20 year addiction. Since I did it slowly, I haven't had any headaches and I am now drinking one hot tea per day to get a little caffeine. I have also treated myself to a few drinks like Propel, which I don't typically splurge on. You can do it and you are smart to start now! One thing I did in the beginning was to stop buying 2 liter bottles. That way I knew exactly how many DC's I was having each day. Good luck!:thumbup:

Thanks Midwest Girl - I am excited to try these! I am about 5 weeks away from my VSG:)