ProudGrammy

@GotProlactinoma drinking problems are a bummer many OP are in that situation but, you are one day PO with the sleeve give things a chance to improve. i see you are a smartie pants!! you know to drink warm water, room temp to maybe help you drink better things will improve!! keep pushing the fluids - "God Grant Me Patience, Just Hurry About It" drinking is very, very important good luck newbie kathy

@Mrfeelgood i think about 98% of OP believe you. Why wouldn't they?? there were 2-3 people (i think that questioned your weight loss. that was so crazy!!) please continue to stay on the board- don't listen to people that don't know the difference between fact/or fiction!! newbies et al can learn from your success it made me sad that you felt you did/do have to explain yourself you lost 96 lbs - why would anyone question this amount?? no need to explain yourself I did see your initial post where you showed different pictures. I saw your handsome face in the navy uniform when you were thinner to the present pictures of you weighing a little more- if someone/anyone on the board insults you - or anyone else - make your one response - if they want to continue their rude comments/ remarks - that's their business - you take the high road!! you are doing terrific!!! keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life good luck - kathy congrats

@BigTex hi Tex WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME and WELCOME!!!! listen to all the comments from OP, suggestions, and experiences. at the end of the day - listen ONLY your doc/NUT (and me too of course) you'll learn the important water rules you must follow - you must eat protein (lots of it) always watch your carb intake - there is a great place to enter your food on the board. MFP (my fitness Plan)this will show how much protein, carbs, veggies and calories you are taking in. NEVER compare yourself to anyone (people have been shot for less!!) ie don't compare your weight to others, how long/short it took them to lose weight - you are starting your new life in sleeveland from being a newbie/"middle be"/ to GOALEE!! then you are done with your story, right ??? wrong - your journey will continue and continue throughout you healtier, happier, longer, life - they call it................... MAINTENANCE!!! you'll do great!! I know it, i can feel it my bones good luck kathy

@Stevehud i've watched you grow "up" from 408 "down" to your present weight of 168. GOAL i read and enjoyed your blog!! come back here more often. newbies especially would be helped by your words. btw - we both were sleeved on 12/15!!! you in 2014 , me in 2011 GOAL since 2012 catch me if you can!! continued success !! You deserve it!! kathy congrats

@Jessie_5 sorry, don't know a percentage of people who were denied Never give up if you are denied There is an APPEAL process from the board i've seen on occasion, some ppl were denied 2 or 3 times before approval persistence , determination, patience is name of game all adds up to success!! Buttttt - don't look for trouble hopefully all will go well the more health problems the better!! sounds crazy, but it's true for approval!! fingers crossed for quick approval good luck bud Kathy

@Half-Tum @FamilyGuyNJ @boldnewginger @tomi71 hey dudes/dudette you all look great!! keep up the good job!! kathy congrats

?????? kathy

welcome to the wonderful world of WLS enter at your own risk!!!!! we "usually" don't bite LOL read the boards. books & U-tube good luck bud kathy

@chamilton0323 hey Tex I take many pills 2x a day i always took them with water - sometimes had that gag feeling one morning i took my vitamin (and everything else) with my protein shake. it went down sooo well - smooth - no problems- that's my advice for the day. try it, it might help -couldn't hurt good luck bud kathy

@Kawkab if you do have heartburn now, maybe you should have gastric bypass, or another WLS (you shouldn't have heartburn then) maybe talk to doc more - he already told you he doesn't think sleeve is best WLS for you - butttt, its your decision - i know your WLS is less than a week away, take your time - then make your choice. in the long run, its up to you!! as far as being excited/scare - extremely popular emotions that many peep go through. good luck bud kathy

@rayb70 welcome newbie GNC Total Lean Shake (swiss miss) pre-mixed btl - easy peasy!! 170 cal - 25 gr protein - sugar 2 gr fiber 3 gr carbs 6 my NUT told me to subtract sugar from carbs, soooo carbs are only 3 gr check with your NUT - nuts say different things good luck bud kathy

@Joe's wife that's great!! read your earlier post telling about DH surgery glad everything went well. tell joe, this beginning part of his journey, might have bumps in the road, everything usually improves. DOS 12/15/11 57 years OLD present 63 years YOUNG!! good luck to you and Joe - for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life you both deserve the best kathy

@itstime4me123 you are 9 weeks PO it's never too late to start taking your measurements. i'm sure you realize that, and you are now measuring frankly, i don't think it's ever too late to start anything in life. You are aces that you suggested/reminded people to take their measurements. congrats on losing 47 lbs!! keep up the good job kathy

@sophie66 you've lost 225 lbs!! holy moly . be proud! buy an appropriate bathing suit from a link posted above - they look nice. - it is hard to put yourself out there in the public - but you can do it!!! better to have loose skin than all that excess weight - anybody you think is staring or something - screw them!! they might not even be staring at you - it's just that you might be self-conscious enjoy the water and life!! keep up the good job -kathy

@Gjdf52 DOS for sleeve 12/15/11 (medicare did NOT cover sleeve) A few months later, my state of NY did accept medicare for payment for sleeve luckily after much "discussion" with empire (my secondary insur) from work i was approved for sleeve, no co-pay hope all goes well for you good luck kathy

@New Beginnings 78 (aka Tex!!) you DID hit the lottery!!! required days of pre-op?? some don't have any pre-op diet others will vary anywhere from 2, 5,7,+ days - your doc will tell you good luck speedy recovery kathy

@jazzy0917 don't know your starting weight, or your present weight but i know you are doing terrific, and your future "shows" you will continue to lose more and more weight. keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier longer life!! you are aces bud kathy congrats

@swizzle i robbed the bank naw, i would never do that!! LOL DH and i are very frugal/thrifty/CHEAP!! we constantly add/save our money, 401K etc. we also have money put aside for a rainy day or PS, whichever comes first!! LOL many people live paycheck to paycheck economy being what it is, can be hard to save money - esp. when you have family/kids/ bills, bills, and more bills!! - you can have PS in the future with saved money/finance etc - right now, continue to eat well - and get healthier and happier you are doing terrific with your weight loss good luck bud kathy

@jazzy0917 i'm gonna slap your handLOL don't down play your success whether you lost 45 lbs or 4 lbs, look at how far you have come, glass half full or half empty, you choose!! doing great - you are aces keep on keepin' on!! kathy

@mi75 hi girlfriend nice to see you again glad you are getting a fresh start. never too late did DH have surgery too? or is he needing to lose weight also? whichever, it's great to have a "partner in crime" "trying" to get back to bariatric based diet:" " do or do not"" there is no try," - Yoda new day - you are starting again, and will do great good luck kathy

@KateBruin the above is good enough reason for me(reducing complications by not drinking) like you said " They do emergency surgeries on people who just ate or drank." it's true - they have no choice -don't think it's a little BS being told not to drink prior to surgery - unless BS stands for "be safe" good luck for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life @Joe's wife you are right many OP/insurance co. consider WLS elective - it most definitely is not!! i never "elected" to gain and gain weight, then lose the lbs" - but be unable to keep the weight off good vibes being sent to your DH (you too of course)! speedy recovery kathy

@Joe's wife i wasn't allowed to drink after midnight. WLS was 7:30 in the morning. no problem not drinking) was asleep anyways LOL) anyone having any surgery, will be told not to drink or eat.prior to surgery, you could vomit during surgery.i couldn't have water after surgery either, in case i needed to go back into OR they gave me swab with water on it, so that eased my dry, dry lips good luck to DH i can tell you will be there with help and a smile during recovery - and the rest of his life good luck bud kathy

@faithmel i'll go along with OP and say the protein water is ok. buttttt... I drink GNC Lean Shake 25 gr protein pre-mixed btle - um, um, good!!! really tastes delicious - only way to fly in my opinion. Swiss Chocolate is what i love. drink and then drink some more. At 6 weeks i had to go to hospital - i was dehydrated. had IV put in with ??? and stuff (electrolytes??) it was on valentines day! DH brought me flowers!! i gave them to nurses so YOU drink, and drink and then drink - do as i say, not as i do!! speedy recovery good luck kathy

@teacupnosaucer down 70 lbs total you are lookin' and doing great!! wonderful job!! my sleeve was done 5+ years ago 11/25/11 (about 3 weeks pre-op) 2/17/13 after pic - (need to update) present - still look cute as a button 105 lbs down- GOAL maintaining, i do regret not being able to see my weight loss over 1rst year about pics - "do as I say, not as i do!!" LOL keep up the good work kathy congrats

@James Marusek hey guy thanx for running this list again newbies et al appreciate VETS like you that help them with info you said ---“Ty” is also an abbreviation for “a total stud with a massive carrot”.] (never knew or heard that one congrats on all your NSV's down 117 lbs almost 4 years PO GOAL!! maintainning and of course being such a nice guy kathy