Nancy Rivers

Congrats on getting a date! Good luck!

Good luck tomorrow!

I haven't been sleeved yet, but you may be entering a stall. Things will be all right though. Make sure you get all of your fluids in - they are vital to loosing the weight from what I have been told.

Congrats! Sounds like things went smoothly despite the pain and nausea. Hopefully those improve quickly for you.

I'm attempting to start journaling the food I'm eating and calculating Protein, fat, carbs, and calories. Already today I discovered that I believe I will need to get a food scale as a couple of the foods I was trying to look up gave serving sizes in ounces - even though I was counting out pieces (blueberries, grape tomatoes, baby carrots). Does anyone use a scale for measuring their food? If so, which one?

Glad it went well for you and you're feeling good. Congrats!

Welcome to the forums. You'll find a lot of information around here - and a lot of support too.

Doing a quick google search shows a few out there - some have reviews. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Congrats on the surgery! Glad to hear things went well and you're on liquids now. Thanks for sharing.

Congrats! Here's hoping for a quick appt with the psych. and a good eval from it so you can have your surgery.

Congratulations! Enjoy the real food again!

Looking good! I know you don't consider it a success yet, but I think 70 pounds lost forever is a success! Just keep building on the success...

How wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us. You look awesome!

The post-op diet that I have has for the soft/mushy stage: chicken, tuna, egg salad (made with low fat mayo or plain yogurt) lean ground meats or poultry soft/moist fish eggs 1% or fat-free cottage cheese low-fat cheese bean Soup (without meat) soft cooked veggies soft and/or peeled fruit There's also a note that veggies and fruit are only to be added if Protein goal is met of 60-80 g/day)

I just realized a few minutes ago that I actually had the post-op diet from the doctor already in the informational packet that I got from the initial meeting. Full Liquids on my diet will include everything from clear liquids and the following: any strained/blenderized soup (low-fat bean soups preferable over cream-based soups) 1% or fat free milk fat free pudding (made with 1% or skim milk) Protein supplements cooked cereal-blended oatmeal, cream of wheat (made with 1% or skim milk) fat free, sugar free yogurt 1% or fat free cottage cheese blended egg beaters (real eggs are on the soft/mushy stage) Too bad I don't have the pre-op diet list...

Hi. Congratulations on making the decision to have the surgery. Check out all of the boards on here - there is one specifically called "complications". I have also been watching some You Tube videos. Very illuminating. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply. I hope my gas production goes down too.

I was wondering if any one was really "gassy" before the surgery and how did the surgery impact that? I have always been rather gassy (both ends). Now I understand that some people experience gas after the surgery, but I wonder if anyone had bad gas before the surgery and what happened afterwards.

Congrats! There is a post in one of other forums on how to do the ticker: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/13516-ticker-tutorial-for-vst-lbt-with-pictures/

So I made my first ever smoothie today. Used some unflavored Protein powder (and, no, I can't taste it), Fage 2% Greek yogurt (I know why it's a substitute for sour cream), blueberries, milk, ice. I think I needed to use more ice or milk or add some Water to it. Smoothie is good - but really thick - like normal yogurt. However, I really can taste the sourness of the Greek yogurt. I know others have sweetened it with SF syrups. However, before I buy big bottles of this stuff, I was wanting to try them to see if there are any flavors that I won't like. Does anyone know of where I can get samples of the SF syrups? Thanks.

Congratulations! Way to work the sleeve!

Your body needs food about every 4 hours or so to keep going. Most nutritionists/doctors suggest eating 3 "meals" and 2 or 3 Snacks throughout the day so that you are eating something about every 3 to 4 hours. This is necessary for your body to not go into starvation mode and start storing any calories that you may take in - no matter how healthy those calories may be. Keep in mind, restaurant portions are often more than double the "normal" portion that we should be eating. That's how a few of us have ended up being obese. (I know that's how it happened to me - I ate out all the time.) The key is moderation and not to over-indulge. Eating small amounts of food several times a day helps in that regard.

I haven't been sleeved yet, but what you are feeling is completely normal. Many people here have had nerves before the surgery and have had the second thoughts. I don't have a date yet, and I am nervous and am constantly second guessing myself. Just remember the reasons why you wanted to have this surgery. Chances are good that you have been trying to loose your extra weight many times in the past, so you know that just simply dieting won't work. The sleeve is a tool that you can use to help you loose the weight forever by assisting you in changing your "bad" habits into good and healthier habits. It's not a magic bullet, but I suspect you already know that. You have made a commitment to change your life and become healthier for a reason. Remember that reason. Keep repeating your reasons to yourself over and over again. It really does help with the nerves. I know it helps me. By the way, congratulations on making the decision and getting to this point. Good luck with the surgery.

A friend of mine who smoked went to his PCP and got a prescription to help him stop smoking - it really worked for him. I've known others who have used the OTC Patches and have had success. My parents quit cold turkey when the price went up too high for them about 20 years ago. Check with your state health department - they might have some stop smoking programs that can help you as well. From what research I have done, every surgeon will require you to stop smoking prior to surgery - so it's not just your surgeon. Sorry, I've never smoked, but I know there are options out there that will help. Good luck!