Bandme1

Hi there,

Im getting the gastric sleeve as well through Kaiser. I already did all the required appointments but I need to lose 15 pounds so I have to do this pre op diet before I can move on.. Like you said its alot to swallow when you read it... but does it get easier? Do you have any cool recipes your willing to share>? and what worked best for you

Thanks

Hi!! Yeah, it does seem like a lot. It is definitely easier to pre-plan out the meals ahead of time. That way you already know what you are having. There is no guess work, there is no cheating. I have found that when I don't have a set meal planned out, I tend to want to add in extra stuff. Which is no good. lol

I did end up making a homemade chili with half lean ground beef and half ground turkey. I halved the amount of Beans in the recipe and added lots of stewed tomatoes. I have had a problem getting all my servings of vegetables in, so I actually boiled a ton of veggies (zucchini, carrots, onion, anything I could find in my fridge) in some beef broth and used my emulsion blender to make a veggie puree. I have added that puree to chili, spaghetti sauce and Soups with no issue I don't even taste them and I get my extra serving of veggies.

Also, I don't know if you have a trader Joe's near you but they have a lot of really convenient frozen chicken and easy meals that are low carb. I bought their frozen chili lime chicken burgers and they are pretty good!

For me, it's all about variety, so I've just tried to mix and match meals. You want chicken for Breakfast? Go for it! lol.

Also, I made some meatballs and I used half lean ground beef, half ground turkey and I used grated parmesan instead of breadcrumbs. I weighed them out into 4 oz. servings and when they baked, they were exactly 3 oz. each. I froze half of them for later. One meatball = one meal's worth of Protein. That has been my favorite recipe so far.

Decided to copy the June sleevers! Someone mentioned that we should have a master list of everyone who was sleeved in July just like the June sleevers. I will gladly take this on Please let me know if you need to be added to the list, removed from the list, or if your date is wrong. I will update as often as possible. I just gathered dates from posts in the July forum

This should make it easier to follow up with each other, compare progress, complain together, Celebrate together... all that good stuff For some reason, it would not let me update the original post to add any more people? It's very strange, so here is an updated list of all our July Firecrackers. Wooooohooooo!!! Please let me know if I need to add anyone or change any dates.

JULY FIRECRACKERS

July 1

Kath-A-Leena

Simply_KiZmet

ismini9

July 4

Heather H

July 5

Wendy1974

July 6

SmallerSoon

samanthafecher

Qpdsful

July 7

DawnOfANewMe

biggriz

TheButterfly145

July 8

ashleyc

Hansi

July 11

ccbcdeke

amybaby33

Texasmom65

Bitties

JayMiss

Marilynn

Jacsmom161

melissa77

July 12

Nancy Rivers

debgwoody

Tara B

kamay1234

aminahthediva73

Leslie

jencomenz

jflow75

mythreechildren2001

Bryn Dawson

readytolive

July 13

skinnyb2012

Ka-trina

dreamscancometrue

Rachel140

July 14

sweetdreams

my_year2011

July 15

Silverlining

July 18

MLD

valentine

InProgress

Jensharley

Tripletsmomma

Tee23

July 19

readyforachange38

Hanir

happygirl2011

Mercyanew

July 20

2ahealthierme

singand_dance

LeahG

jennifer6791

PollyPoo

Dee Dee

July 21

Bemabound

CaliforniaJenn

July 25

sleeve me plz

humpty dumpty

bxmama2011

msmomof3

artmama

July 26

Tipsynoodle

sugarmamma7

Papa Jack

Mommyto2

Redheadedone

Janese58

DrMommy

July 27

boots1

Ruby

Sheila

aslimmerme

firephotographer

July 28

Khy

July 29

peppercma

daviso

AutumnBlueCarmen

phardin

carolina girl

xplorurself

July 30

cutie pie

I think I'll go ahead and get that started! That's a good idea.

No food funerals for me I have been on the pre-op diet for a month now and have to stay below my goal weight or else my surgery gets postponed. And I don't want that one bit!! lol. Gotta keep on pluggin' along! We all have to keep each other updated. Looks like Kath-A-Leena is the first to go! lol. Good luck to everyone! I can't wait to hear how everyone's surgeries go!

I'm kinda wishing I hadn't thrown out all my clothes from when I was smaller. I had been holding on to them saying "Well, someday I might lose weight and fit in these again". Last year, I got disgusted with myself and said "Ugh, I'm never going to lose weight, these are just a waste of space!" and donated them all.

Well, I guess it will be good to be able to reward myself with new clothes instead of "Yay, I lost 10 pounds. I've earned myself a cupcake!" lol!

Oh wow... she sounds like the wasn't really a friend to begin with. How terrible. I guess people just become insecure and either get jealous or they think that you are going to get all skinny and not want to be friends with them anymore. If she only liked you because you could be her fat friend, that's not someone you want anyway.

I have a few friends that I'm kinda of curious to see whether our friendship makes it (my surgery is in 3 weeks). I know they like the ego boost of sitting next to a fatty. It definitely makes them look better. So we'll see how that goes.

My psych eval was bizarre. lol. I was very smiley with the lady and very friendly. She loved me since I was at goal weight. She mentioned several times that she loved that I was at goal. She asked me SO many bizarre questions like "Do you ever hear voices talking to you? Do you ever smell things that others around you can't smell? Have you ever harmed yourself intentionally or intentionally caused harm to those around you?" After a few of those questions I finally said "Wow... do people ever say yes to any of these questions?" She laughed and said "Oh honey... you'd be surprised.". lol!! I just said "Well, these questions are kinda cracking me up. I'm not nuts, I can promise you that. But let's proceed."

So my advice would be... just be yourself. At the end of my evaluation, she told me that I am as normal as normal can be (now, I don't know about all THAT... lol! ) so just show that you are ready to make the commitment and that you aren't planning on trying to test your sleeve and push the limits to see how much you can fit in it. Oh, and if you do have those voices in your head... tell them to shut up for about an hour so you can hear the questions

Congrats on taking the plunge and making your big decision. How exciting!! We are all here to help each other.

I am penciled in for the 27th. That is too much time for me to think! I keep thinking about all the what ifs.... It would be easier to get it done without time to think. Really I want it done yesterday...LOL

Khy

LoL, that's how I feel! I just want to get this over with so I can stop stressing about it and just start this thing already!

I guess this is kind of a lame group and I am the lamest. My VSG is less than a week away (July 1) and all I can do is read and re-read informative posts so I can get my mind prepared. Maybe after surgery I'll have more to contribute or complain about. Right now, I'm just so ready to get this show on the road! My 1 week liquid diet officially started yesterday. I actually started it on Monday, 4 days early. I was so eager to move things along. It's really not that bad but that's only beacause I know there's an end in sight. Of course, I did have to squeeze in a buffet Last Supper on Thursday. I came away from that kind of feeling cheap and dirty and disgusted. I'm glad I will never be able to stuff myself like a Thanksgiving turkey and waddle out of Golden Corral again. 4 out of 5 of my fellow diners really needed to look into WLS and put Golden Corral out of business.

This time next week I'll be sleeved. The fridge, freezer, and pantry are stocked with every allowable clear liquid I could get my hands on. This girl is READY.

How's everyone else doing with prep?

Congrats on being so close!! Definitely keep us updated on how everything goes. I am so excited and nervous for you. I feel like I'm doing the same thing as you (even though I'm not as close) and just reading and re-reading how everyone else coped with the recovery process, what people eat, drink, how they felt, what they were thinking. lol. I feel like I've read so much, there can't possibly be any surprises. It's good for us to feel that way, though. It makes us feel more in control.

Well, you've got this! I'll be thinking of you on the 1st. Post on here when you're feeling up for it!

This sure isn't a lively forum over here in the July 2011 board! Let's get this party poppin'! We are about to have surgery, people! Awesome, exciting, life-changing surgery! Wooooo wooooooo!!!!!

Actually, there have been a few posts over here and I guess there isn't too terribly much to talk about that hasn't already been covered on the other topics, but just thought I'd say hi and good luck to all my July people! Mine is on the 18th and it's just starting to sink in that is 3 weeks away! Wow! When is your surgery? And how do you feel about it? Excited? Nervous? Hesitant?

lol!!

That sounds like a horrible nightmare. I'm so sorry you had to go through that!! I can't even imagine!

Hello everyone,

I'm new here and just wanted to talk with folks who have had the surgery. My VSG is scheduled for July 20. I'm supposed to start my pre-op diet on the 5th of July, but decided to go ahead and start it now. Nothing but Protein shakes and fresh veggies.

I gotta admit I'm a little scared, but I hope the end results are going to be worth it. The biggest concern I have is excess skin. Doctors want me to lose 150lbs so I know I'm going to have some. Guess I'll just have to suck it up and deal with it. I know I'm sick of how much I weight now.

Any advice would be great.

TxRyno

Starting Weight: 360lbs

Current Weight: 355

Goal Weight: 220

Hi and welcome!! My surgery is scheduled for the 18th, so we'll be surgery buddies!! I had to start my pre-op in May and it's all about Portion Control, veggies and Protein. Gotta love it. I've lost over 12 pounds so far though in just a month so that's good Yay! It keeps me motivated knowing that I have to be under goal weight to get surgery. Good luck to you!!!

July 18th for me!! Yaaaaaay! Come onnnnnnn July!!

Hi Ladies!!!! Mine was originally scheduled for the 27th, but just got moved to the 18th!! I wanna join the group too!! YEEEEE!!!! lol

Got a phone call from Liz and I'm scheduled for July 18th! Just over 3 weeks away. I'm ecstatic!!

Well, my surgery date is tentatively schedule for July 27th! I will get a phone call on Monday or Tuesday if she can get me in earlier. I really wanted to be able to have surgery in early to mid July because I work 8-5 then go to school from 6-10 and school starts in August. I wanted to have plenty of time to heal before going back to that crazy schedule. So we'll see. But for now... I HAVE A DATE!!! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!

Yeah it was packed, is it usually like that? I'm doing good. Started the pre-op diet and everything else the day after orientation. The 16 lbs is since 5/29 when I started a diet on my own. I have lost NOTHING since orientation and starting the pre-op diet!! It's SOOOO frustrating. I was doing a diet with an app on my phone from 5/29-6/14 eating 1900 calories a day and lost the 16lbs. Now eating about 1200 (usually less), still exercising the same as before (an hour a day, 7 days a week) and nothing! No budge on the scale. My first surgeon appointment is 7/14, my lifestyle class is 7/13 and I start my 14 week class at Kaiser Santa Rosa on 6/30. I'm calling Dr. Im for cancellations every couple days, they said it's rare for a consultation cancellation.

I was originally scheduled for my consultation on June 30th and I called once a week to check for cancelations and I got in for my consultation way earlier. I think they may have told a little fib when they said it's rare for consultation cancellations because, think about it. They give every single person a consultation appointment that goes to the orientation. A lot of people leave the orientation thinking to themselves "Oh man, this is NOT for me..." they wait a few days to think it over, then call and cancel their appointment If you want to get in faster, definitely keep calling for an earlier appointment. That's how I've gotten through so fast. Good luck, girl!!

Northern Ca is a lot quicker than So Ca. It has taken a year for me, and that was pushing everyone the whole way.

Oh man, that is awful. I can understand why they have us jump through hoops, they want to make sure everyone fully understands that this is permanent. But a year? Wow. You should come on up here for a few months, get your surgery, then move home So how much longer do you have to wait?

I was honestly not expecting it to go *this* fast. I was expecting September or possibly even late August if I was lucky. My appointment is in a few hours, so I'll post my surgery date as soon as I know it

aren't these just shiritaki noodles? I find them pretty cheaply at my local grocery store in the TOFU and Meatless area of the Produce department.

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to check out my grocery stores!

No, No, No! I'm definatly not trying to sell anything!!! I just stumbled upon them and was wondering if anyone had tried them! Wow...

I didn't get that vibe from you. I posted the Amazon link because it was a smaller serving size. I think a few people on here may be a little paranoid. lol. Everyone I've encountered on here is just trying to be helpful, not trying to sell anything.

Besides, if you were trying to sell it, wouldn't you have said some positive things about it? Not just asked how it tastes? lol.

The pre-op diet DOES WORK!! I lost 55 lbs on it in about 5 1/2 months. I was only required to lose 20lbs by my surgeon, he about fell over when he seen me!

Kelly

that's so awesome. I remember you telling me that in the beginning when I first started the diet and it really motivated me to stick with it. It's so much easier to stick with a diet when you know you're going to get results!

I bet the surgeons don't have many people walking in there having lost TRIPLE the amount of weight they were told to! It was probably a nice surprise for them!

Congrats on getting through it so quickly! What's your trick? Did you have to do the 12week class thing they require? My aunt has Kaiser and is going through the program to get approval but she has to go through a 12wk course and lose at least 10% of her weight....

Thanks!

Yeah, like Kelly said, Kaiser in N. Cal doesn't require the 12 week course. I wasn't required to lose 10% of my body weight, BUT... Kaiser Richmond does give a goal weight. At the orientation, they gave us a pre-op diet and I started that diet the day after the orientation. I went to the store on my way home from orientation and bought all the suggested foods on the list that I liked. When I got home, I threw out all the junk food and stuff that wasn't on the list (my husband was in for a shocker when he got home! lol). I stuck to the diet and didn't cheat even a little bit. My surgeon appointment was scheduled for a month out, but I called after 2 weeks and asked if there were any cancellations and sure enough! There was an available appointment that week. When I showed up for my surgeon consult (2 weeks after my orientation) I was already down 11 pounds. Their diet WORKS. The surgeon was so happy with my results she wrote down my current weight and said "This is your goal weight. Just keep losing from now until surgery and you will be good to go". I have stuck with the diet and have lost another 4 pounds in the last week.

So I guess my "trick" is sticking to the pre-op diet and calling to check for cancellations. But you have to do both. If you call and get an earlier appointment, but you haven't lost any weight, they are not going to be happy.

So, as you can see by my signature, I have been taking the fast track through the Kaiser system! I attended my orientation on May 24 and here I am not even a month later, 14 pounds down, psych consult behind me and awaiting my case manager appointment tomorrow where I will get my surgery date. I have asked them if there is any way I can get in for surgery in July since I work full time and go to school. I would really like to have some time to heal before the school semester starts up in August. So if I get my surgery in July, my whole process through Kaiser will have been 2 months. Not too shabby at all! I guess it's all about how much you want it, how motivated you are, and how persistent you are.

So now I'm getting to the phase where I'm getting a little nervous about the surgery itself. I feel like I've read every post on this forum. lol. I know it's not going to be too terrible, I still can't help but be nervous. What's funny is I'm probably most nervous about the heparin shot. That thing looks awful! lol. You'd think I'd be nervous about having my stomach sliced and diced. No no. Just the shot beforehand. lol!!

Anyways, I'm so ready for this and I'm glad that the process is going so fast. I still feel like it's taking forever even though I know I am going through the system way faster than most. I'm just impatient I guess.

Like I said, I have my case manager appointment tomorrow where I get my surgery date!! Tomorrow can't come soon enough!!