former_vbg

I might suggest for those of you who say you are able to eat more than 2 to 4 ounces at a time, especially if you are early out from your surgery is that you try to focus on eating DENSE Protein. That would include broiled chicken, tuna (very little mayo to mix it), steak, salmon, fish, etc... Try not to add sauces or other things that sneak in calories or carbs. Yes, it will make it "slide" down easier, but that's the point. If it slides down easier it is not going to keep you as full as long. You will then be less likely to eat stuff you shouldn't.
Find some dense Protein you like and try to make those things your first menu item.

Well, as of this morning just 7# til I hit my final goal ladies and gents! It's been weird but every # loss after 130# has just been surreal. I don't ever even remember seeing the scale in this series of numbers. It probably happened sometime in 6th or 7th grade. I steered clear of the scale for the most part as a kid. It would just make me more depressed and then I would go eat more. Pretty stupid, I know...
I so love being thin!!! I so love wearing size 3/4 jeans, or 5/6 depending on the maker, size 8 petite business suits. Now where is that magic wand to make the loose skin disappear. *** KAZAMM **** LOL!!!

Ok, hoping this is my last challenge!!
Current weight- 128
Labor Day Goal weight- 120
That will be my final weight I have been working to achieve since I started this journey almost a year ago. I'm pretty confident I should be able to achieve this within the next month- let's hope anyways. I will be seeing my baby brother (15 yrs younger) August 11th, haven't seen him in about 2 years. He's been in law school very busy, graduated this past May. We live 8 hrs apart, and are meeting up near Des Moines for a National car racing event he attends every year to hang out.
Nobody in my family knows I had surgery, and due to the distance I live from all my family, I haven't seen anyone since last Fall. They did notice I had lost weight and thought I looked good then. Boy would they be shocked if they saw me today.
I plan to play a little trick on my brother by spotting him before he sees me and doing a "walk by" from behind him to see if he recognizes me- don't think he will. Then, do a turn around a few feet past him and say, "Hi stranger!" Just so I can watch his reaction. He is going to be just amazed!! Can NOT wait!! The only thing that would make it more sweet is if I had someone to video the event. LOL I may try to arrange that if I can find a stranger willing to do it for me since we will be at a big car event... How fun!!!

I just want to say that I'm sooo sorry for all you're going through. God bless you for doing it all. That must be a lot and I can't imagine what that's like. I know this is your business but I do have to ask why your daughter doesn't pitch in more with everything. She could do some things to alleviate the stress. I mean, you said you had to cook AND clean it all up? If you were my mother, I'd at least offer to do the dishes and wipe off the table. Your daughter must be a grown woman since she has children :-). She really should help you out some and give you some relief. It's the least she can do for a strong, caring and loving woman like yourself.
I hope you don't mind me saying that. It's just that I know I would never let my Mom cook AND clean up the mess when I'm living in her house. I would also offer to help with my Grandmother. I know it's your family and your life. If you are okay with her not pitching in more, then that is definitely your business.
I just want you to know I admire your strength. I hope you feel like it's okay to ask for help. And I want you to know you will be in my prayers. You are stressed out and had some bad carbs. Don't beat yourself up for it. As far as getting exercise--have you tried an exercise bike? I don't know how that would work with your back but they do have the bikes with the back seat rests. I think they are called recumbent bikes. Anyway, all the best to you. I hope it works out!

Ok, hoping this is my last challenge!!
Current weight- 128
Labor Day Goal weight- 120
That will be my final weight I have been working to achieve since I started this journey almost a year ago. I'm pretty confident I should be able to achieve this within the next month- let's hope anyways. I will be seeing my baby brother (15 yrs younger) August 11th, haven't seen him in about 2 years. He's been in law school very busy, graduated this past May. We live 8 hrs apart, and are meeting up near Des Moines for a National car racing event he attends every year to hang out.
Nobody in my family knows I had surgery, and due to the distance I live from all my family, I haven't seen anyone since last Fall. They did notice I had lost weight and thought I looked good then. Boy would they be shocked if they saw me today.
I plan to play a little trick on my brother by spotting him before he sees me and doing a "walk by" from behind him to see if he recognizes me- don't think he will. Then, do a turn around a few feet past him and say, "Hi stranger!" Just so I can watch his reaction. He is going to be just amazed!! Can NOT wait!! The only thing that would make it more sweet is if I had someone to video the event. LOL I may try to arrange that if I can find a stranger willing to do it for me since we will be at a big car event... How fun!!!

I haven't heard anyone mocking anyone. Some were just having a little humor. I haven't read anything her telling her that she needs to divorce her spouse. What they have been saying is that if someone isn't treated with respect, then an end result might be a divorce. I for one, recommend marital counseling, but it was stated that the spouse doesn't see he has a problem, and that's it's her issue. I read these posts as support and validation for how the person is feeling at the time. They're all valid. JMHO.

I am not calling BS on them wanting to be healthy. We all want to be healthy. I am calling BS on them acting like a big motivator isn't just being smaller and looking better. While having that health threat dissolve away is a great motivator, so is a shrinking bum. Obesity is a major health issue, but you know what, it is also a major social issue. While I have only struggled with my weight from a health issue for a couple of years, I have been impacted socially my entire life. Here is wishing you an avalanche of health, energy to burn, and a cute butt!

Haha I love this post! You're so right! I'm having this surgery for many reasons, but a very important one is wanting to be a normal sized girl. I keep picturing myself in outfits that I've always wanted to wear but have been to big for all my life. Even at my smallest when I was in high school, I was still a size 12 (sounds tiny to me now, but I was the fat one then too.) Just 2 weeks, my younger sister (who is skinny and has always accommodated my larger size in car seats and airplanes) was having to squeeze into the middle of the seat between my mom and me, and I made her a promise that after my surgery, I will make it up to her by sitting in the middle seat for the rest of my life, lol. I seriously can't wait for that to happen!

I'm so close to goal. The last 10# have been a little challenging. I've just been so anxious to see the scale start with a "12.." #, I couldn't believe it when I stepped on the scale today and saw this for the first time since I have been in probably 6th or 7th grade!!! Truly amazing!!! The scale was 129.8, but hopefully by morning it will be down a few more ounces to lock that in solid!
Just 9# to go!!! I know that maintenance is going to be a challenge, but I'm ready!

I have done best with my weight loss when I keep my carb count under 20, the most I ever consume is 30 carbs in a day. When I really want to amp up my weight loss or get out of a stall, I take the carb count down to zero by eating lots of dense Protein (chicken, salmon, beef, tuna, etc).
That's just me though. You will have differing opinions on the carb count thing. You will want to experiment what your body responds to and use that as your gauge.

It took almost three long months to understand the sleeve is a tool and if u don't do ur part it will not work.......good luck and keep trucking girlfriend.....

This is a great thread - there is NOT a one-size-fits-all solution to weight loss or there wouldn't be a single obese person in the world. I like seeing not only experienced vets chiming in with what they suggest but also seeing pre-sleeved folks here educating themselves on life after the sleeve.
This is what the community is here for. I wish the OP the best - she got dozens and dozens of great suggestions here and I hope that something clicks and becomes the answer to help her reach goal.
It can be done. Just another reminder that there isn't a time limit. Your sleeve is not a pouch that stretches easily or malabsorption that stops working after a year. It's there and even if it takes far longer than you want to reach goal, know that you have the power and the tool to get there if you keep trying.
Best!
~Cheri

Was reading on msn.com this morning and clicked on an article on various things to do with tuna. Most of them are just different variations of salads, but I liked the one that talked about making a "tuna burger" almost like making meatloaf in the sense of putting various vegetables mixed into the tuna and then forming a patty which you cook like a hamburger. Looked really yummy, gonna have to try this.
http://www.delish.co...recipes#slide-7
Turn a can of tuna into a zesty tuna burger with this quick recipe. If you can't find good whole-wheat hamburger Buns, whole-wheat English muffins are a great substitute. The burger mixture might seem a little soft going into the pan, but once the first side is cooked, you'll be able to flip the burgers easily. Serve with steamed broccoli or sweet potato fries.
** I think we might want to do without the sweet potato fries though.

I'm so close to goal. The last 10# have been a little challenging. I've just been so anxious to see the scale start with a "12.." #, I couldn't believe it when I stepped on the scale today and saw this for the first time since I have been in probably 6th or 7th grade!!! Truly amazing!!! The scale was 129.8, but hopefully by morning it will be down a few more ounces to lock that in solid!
Just 9# to go!!! I know that maintenance is going to be a challenge, but I'm ready!

Couldn't agree more. It's that basic human need to feel normal, wanted and that we "fit in". Even though I'm just 10# from goal I do struggle a little bit with this believe it or not. I look great with clothes on- don't get me wrong, I'm THRILLED beyond belief on that note. It's when the clothes come off that reality hits each and everytime. Going to have to work on accepting what I have done to my body until and/or if there is a time that plastics will be an option.

You realize what you did, just get yourself back on track. Like MinaT said, try not to put yourself in situations where you are going to struggle like this. I realize that may involve changing some family outings but it is temporary and hopefully your family will support this while you are in the early stages of this journey. It is so critical for you to adhere to the Protein first regimen right now. You can do this.

It should continue on as the same insurance carrier which means there should not be a need to resubmit anything. I did insurance for several years and once the terminated employee accepted COBRA it was almost as if they were still an employee with the levels of coverage that they got.

Did you send this to them via a method that requires a signature? If not do.
Rewrite or amend your letter to begin with "Remit with out any firther delays all recored oertaining to all treatments, meetings, discussions, prescription, etc to (include all doctor information)" stop here and put a signature directly below this - with identifying information they would use with you, an address would be best. Tell them, up front, it is a time sensitive task, and a deadline that the other doctor needs the informaton. Tell them to either fax it and forward you a copy of the fax, or email you and cc you in the email...give them strict instructions to include xrays, tests from any facilities they have, etc.
Turn them into the state medical board if they do not comply...if your state has a penalty for failing to do this in a particular time, make yourself aware of it.
Good luck.

Until I have a handle on my emotions and especially so soon from surgery, I avoid things that are going to cause me anxiety or emotional outbursts which will cause my family any sort of emotional turmoil too.
I am not the only one going through this process. Both my husband and son have had to suffer along with me. If I get upset, they get upset. Even my own father feels uncomfortable eating in front of me and causes him anxiety.
I avoid putting myself into situations where it will cause me to get upset, so I don't upset them. It's not their fault that I decided to have the surgery and they should not have to pay the price for it. I'm a popcornahaulic, I always have been. I haven't gone to the movies yet. I will when I know I can handle it.
It's not that I'm avoiding life, I'm avoiding putting myself in position that could cause me to become emotional, therefore sparing my family my emotional angst.
It's not easy, but I have started serving my family foods that I used to enjoy and that I can't have. One more day until I start pureed food. It's been a long 5 weeks plus 2 weeks of liquid pre-op shake. 7 of liquid....but it's worth it.

Call your insurance company Monday morning, find out if they have all the documents needed to process your request. I have to admit I micro-managed that process, and I know my Dr.'s office didn't like it- but I didn't care. It was my life, my surgery and my journey! I've seen wayyyy too many times where the Dr.'s office didn't follow up to be sure that the insurance company received the request, or that they submitted everything required turning into delays or even worse denials because the request had to be re-submitted- effectively starting all over again.
Maybe there isn't anything you can do today, but I would make that my first order of business tomorrow IMO.

That taking up space thing has become a really big issue for me. I am so aware everywhere I go that I am bigger than everyone else. I can't stand sitting in a chair and feeling like I'm so squished. More than anything, I want to be able to snuggle with my DH on the couch, not take up the whole couch. And while this may all seem like we are being shallow or vain, really, all these things; not fitting, not feeling like we belong, not being able to buy clothes, all affect our emotional health. That is just as important as our physical health, which is driving this whole process. Absolutely no apologies owed or needed from everyone. We've spent our lives on that, and it gets us nowhere.

You are absolutely right in everything you said. I say that as someone who JUST in the past couple months is able to say I can wear size 4 slacks and size 5/6 jeans and let me tell you- it is absolutely freakin FABULOUS!!! That moment when you realize that you need yet another smaller size and you question in your head, "how can that be...?" and then try that smaller size in the dressing room and you want to throw a party bigger than New Years Eve right then and there, shouting from the roof tops that YOU MADE IT!!! I say this, because that WAS ME!! Unfortunately, I was shopping alone as I usually do, but it was still great! And, you know what, I did call friends and they celebrated right with me!!!
Everyone will have their own goals, but I sincerely believe it is ok to want the things you mentioned. Being able to slip into tight spaces because you are so petite. That sliding past crowded seats to sit next to the empty window seat won't bring sighs of despair from those you have to glide past, but rather maybe a few glances at your slimming figure!
You go for it! Enjoy it and Celebrate IT!!!

Call your insurance company Monday morning, find out if they have all the documents needed to process your request. I have to admit I micro-managed that process, and I know my Dr.'s office didn't like it- but I didn't care. It was my life, my surgery and my journey! I've seen wayyyy too many times where the Dr.'s office didn't follow up to be sure that the insurance company received the request, or that they submitted everything required turning into delays or even worse denials because the request had to be re-submitted- effectively starting all over again.
Maybe there isn't anything you can do today, but I would make that my first order of business tomorrow IMO.

I agree with your post. I had a similar conversation recently about how young women should love themselves and focus on their personalities more than what their bodies or clothes look like.
Well, the truth is, we all need substance behind the sparkle. But let's not lie to ourselves: people viewed as fat or unattractive, or unfashionable because they're wearing frumpy clothes don't always get the chance to show how well their personality shines.
Maybe it's a sad statement on human nature, but all too often I was told things like, "I wish I could date a girl just like you" when there was no reason that I wasn't available...I just didn't look the part. Fat people get friend-zoned or ignored much more easily, and it's a rare person that looks beyond the body that they might find less than appealing to the person inside.
Just my opinion and experience, of course.
~Cheri

Thankfully I had saved all my clothes from losing weight 7 years ago. So, I have slowly whittled away my huge stack of 20-12 size pants. Well, the stack is all gone. I can still wear the 12's but I went to TJ Maxx (love this store) to look for new jeans and every pair of pants I tried on were size 10. I have NEVER worn size 10 my whole life. Those are size 10's I have on in my profile pic. What a victory.