Tracy46545

Erin, What a sweet ispirational idea! This site is FULL of just the thing you're looking for...just peruse the various forums...I'm pretty sure no one will mind if you cut and paste as long as you give credit to the author.

Well done GonnaLoseWeight!!! The tool helps...but YOU did the work....take the credit, enjoy your success and let it put in you a resolve to finish the battle!

My one and only New Years Resolution is to start college Jan 17th and NOT drop out for any reason. No matter if I have a health crisis, a financial crisis or a total mental dumb-out.

Dark Dove chocolate is very much on my diet plan (after post op recovery). It has so many health benefits. However, just like the nuts, cakes etc...it all needs to be kept in strict control. A treat "now and then" isn't going to kill your weight loss. NOT exercising to burn off the extra calories is what kills your weight loss!

Hey...those happy dances can burn alot of calories....we should all be "happy dancing" every day!!! Congrats!

That's what I had to do too Teshanelson1. I put away every dime I could and saved and scrimped and borrowed. Thankfully I won't allow a guy in my life that doesn't pay HIS own way....so I don't have to support a man that way and I have no children to support either. Some of the money had to be a credit card advance and you know those fees and percentages are high for that..but I determined that I was worth it. My committment to myself is that if I go in debt now....I would return to college to finish my bachelor's degree so I could earn more money in the future. I had surgery (revision from lapband to VSG) on Dec 14th and I start classes full time on Jan 17th. Now mind you, I'm no spring chicken..I'm 49 1/2 yrs old returning to college and I'm also working 48 hours a week, but it will be worth it. FOR BOTH of us!

I wish they had the "Click" product at MY Walmart! ... I just ordered some online...whew....over $20 for 14 servings...but I have to remember that it's high Protein as well. If you don't mind me asking Stoongal...how much was it at Walmart?

Since Stoongal referenced Cornell Weight Loss Center...I thought I would look up what they had to say. Again....please follow YOUR surgeon's post-op orders but if variance is allowed, Cornell has a nice plan. Very helpful ideas, food logs, etc. Here is the link: Enjoy! Click here: http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf

I looked for the Gingerbread Spice celestial seasonings tea.....didn't find it....boo hoo! I'll keep looking and will put my friends and family on alert to search for it..lol

Katrina, the committment you've shown PRE-op will serve you well when you're post-op! Congrats on sticking with it!

Remember that a balanced amount of HEALTHY carbs are vital for our good health. What could you add in that wouldn't: spike your blood sugar slow your weight loss set off cravings be junk carbs with no nutritional value Try adding a V-8 or some other vegetable juice. Vegetables have healthy carbs for energy.

JudyJudyJudy, Swai is a very mild tasty fish, suitable for people who don't really like fish. (I think it's milder than tilapia). I find it at Krogers all the time for $1 per 4 oz filet and fix it all sorts of ways. Probably my favorite it to salt and pepper it, bread it with grated Parmesan and broil it until done (7-10 minutes) in my little toaster oven. Using the parmesan cuts out the carbs in a "breading" and adds some great flavor. I've also simply sauteed it in a bit of Olive Oil Pam in a skillet on the stovetop. It's very flaky and is easy to digest. It might help when you don't have shrimp on hand.

Yogurt and some type of soda crackers. Stay hydrated no matter what!

TwoBlueCats, I'm on day 7 and experience only mild soreness, certainly no pain. I think you should call the doctor.

I've been to Dr. Aceves twice for surgery, as well as my sister having surgery by him the same day as my first surgery. Both Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos excel in compassionate skilled care. The staff is very responsive to any needs you may have and their on-site patient coordinator, Yolanda, is a gem. I was there last Monday for my revision surgery from Lapband to VSG. I went totally alone, not having a family member that could go along and the friend that was planning to help me got terribly sick with the flu. I still went for surgery and I never had a doubt. From the moment I was picked up at San Diego Airport until the moment I was returned I knew I was in safe hands.

Wisconsin_Gal, Just keep sipping a variety of things. I'm drinking broth, lower sugar fruit juice, low sugar Gatorade, Crystal Light, water, hot tea, Protein drinks made with water (this helps the most with a feeling of fullness). It's a short phase, meant for healing so we don't stress our staple line or force the stomach to contort in order to digest foods. We can make it!! (I'm just a few days ahead of you...my sleeve was done on the 14th).

Just a quick comment for BoredOnceMore......if you're planning a high carb food like Malt O'Meal for your first mushie please be prepared for that to trigger a carb craving that will be fierce. If you can control it, fine....but I know that Cream of Wheat is a trigger food for me and I have to really prepare for it as an indulgence! One way to help offset the high carbs in Malt O'Meal or Cream of Wheat is to stir in one or two beaten egg whites as it finishes cooking. This adds Protein, really almost no flavor and just makes it creamier. Good luck either way!

TwoBlueCats, first I'm dying to ask what your screenname means...... and ....I had surgery the same day as you, I didn't even get weighed prior to surgery unless they weighed me while I was in the bed unconscious! So I don't have a clue and I'm glad. Until I'm below 219 this is just regained weight that I'm re-losing. My acheivement will be when I can step on the scale and have it say less than 219. Until then I'm just working the plan, doing the exercise and working my way through my closet full of smaller sizes! I'll start celebrating when I have to go buy something to wear!

Hey all, I have been posting here for a few weeks...(I tend to jump right into forums like these). I figured with my surgery date less than 2 weeks away I better tell my story now. I work as a private duty in the home caregiver for an alzheimer's patient. I am the case manager and senior caregiver, working 48 hours a week on average. I handle all his doctor visits, liason between the doctors and the family, and manage the scheduling, payroll and household staff. I had a lapband placed in Sept 2006. At one point I was up to 1.75 cc in a 4 cc band and life was good. I was managing my portions, losing weight, feeling good. That all changed when I took my first plane ride. I spent a week not keeping anything down except the thinnest of Protein shakes. At that time, my after care doctor was a five hour drive away. It was difficult to get off work or get coverage for my job so timing of getting an unfill was always a problem. I got a slight unfill after this first "too tight" episode and things seemed to settle down for a month or so. I had another trip coming up that required air travel so I went to my aftercare doctor and had a smidge more taken out just to be sure. They took me down to 1 cc in a 4 cc band and checked my restriction under fluroscopy. Everything looked fine. I flew, had trouble again, returned...spent a miserable week...and went back to the aftercare doctor. They checked under fluroscopy again and took out another .25cc. Ok...relief.....briefly. Another trip just before Thanksgiving in 2008 (air travel again) and it put me over the edge. This time I was vomiting blood, sleeping sitting up in a chair ...(yes, at my friend's house while on a "getaway" weekend.) We'd go for a walk and I'd have to retch into the bushes five or six times in a 3 block walk. When I got home from that trip I insisted on a total unfill. I spent the holidays rebuilding my strength and hydration, and gaining 8 pounds. January 2009 I went down to Mexicali to accompany a friend who was getting the sleeve. I had Dr. Campos give me a conservative refill under fluro, 1.3cc, hoping to find that elusive sweet spot again. Returned home, 2 weeks later had to have it all removed. Total unfill again. Mind you..I'm following the entire "bandster plan"...small bites, chew 9000 times, no liquids 30 min before or after meals etc etc... In late February I tried again....this time working with an aftercare doctor in my home area...(only 1/2 hour away..YAYYYY...I had hopes this would improve things). He gave me 1 cc, I drank 6 oz Water in his office (no fluro, it's $650 there). No problems....at first. I lost weight, got back down within two pounds of my lowest weight before the problems all started. I had a trip planned (driving this time) and had him remove just .25 to reduce any chance of "travel stress syndrome" issues. Ok...so now I'm at .75 in my 4 cc band. Tolerated my trip, no major problems. Late May 2009...and the same symptoms from Autumn 2008 rear up again. Vomiting everything, bloodshot eyes from vomiting every meal, constant belching, scalding acid reflux, eating PPI's like candy, swigging Maalox straight from the bottle and using up a bottle every two days. I chewed more rolaids, tums and papaya extract than a competive Chili eater! Aftercare doc #2 put me on Kapidex....minimal change. In June of 2009, I couldn't take it anymore. I got a total unfill and started checking seriously into the VSG. My acid reflux symptoms would totally disappear when unfilled at least. The last several months...despite being totally unfilled, I often feel restriction, still occasionally vomit and experience constant belching which frankly wears me out. First thing out of my mouth in the morning is a belch, I go to sleep belching. Wake up in the night belching. (needless to say...it has all but ruined my sex life!). I'm self pay, the band isn't even paid for in full yet and now I'm coming up again with $$$$$$$$$$$ to pay for another surgery. Thank god I've remained employed through this tough economy but there is no job security when you work private duty for an old person. (they could "go" at any time). I've really had to crunch numbers, rob Peter to pay Paul and put myself into credit card hell which I only can hope to recover from as my energy and health returns. Which brings me to now... It has taken a major cooperative effort at work to cover my shifts so I can be gone for surgery and recuperation time. I will travel alone to Mexico but feel very comfortable doing that. I have utmost faith and trust in the compassion and expert care I will receive and am at peace with my decision. My only fear is that something has been damaged inside and the revision won't be possible. However, I know that if anyone can do it....Dr. Aceves can. One way or the other...at minimal...this band is coming OUT! I will return to cold snowy weather but I have a team of friends that have promised to shovel walks for me while I recuperate. My neighbors are the best! December 14th is my day...keep me in your prayers and thoughts. That's my story...and I'm stickin' to it!

Good to hear that I might enjoy my Midori Colada once a year like always...lol

Thanks for checking on me Lan2K, How are you doing? managing any new foods yet? I find it very bizarre that I've gone 6 full days on clear fluids. Apple juice, SoBe Water, low sugar gatorade, Crystal Light, tea, chocolate unjury, homemade broths....I feel absolutely no hunger or cravings. I remember when recovering from having the lapband installed that I cheated and had a tablespoon of lowfat cottage cheese on the 5th day because I couldn't stand it anymore. Maybe it's just more important to me now, maybe I'm really ready...or maybe the VSG works entirely differently. All I know is it's working for now and I'm thankful. I return to work tomorrow, we'll see how that goes.

Well I'm gonna get "flamed" for this response, go ahead, I'm prepared. Judy, Lets be truthful here. You've been "cheating" on the post op diet since like...day two. You talked/bragged to me about it in the chat room and realized I would not congratulate you on your choices and left. If you're not willing to follow the post op diet that your doctor recommended...don't bitch about not losing weight! There's no cause for alarm...you're simply not following the plan. You're leapfrogging ahead and then not happy because your plan isn't working. This forum is for support....not enabling someone to risk their health and patting them on the back and saying "do better tomorrow". Get real with yourself, return to basics, meaning....follow the post op diet and you'll lose the weight. It's boring, it's monotonous, you'll have cravings, you have to activate some self-control...but just do it. Perhaps now you'll see that the DOCTOR recommended post-op diet is effective for reasons more than just the healing process! It's where that first truly impressive weight loss happens. I truly am sorry to be harsh. If you were following your doctor's orders I would be the first to research everything I could to help you find the key to a "stall". But you can't expect to break all the rules and still lose weight like the ones that follow the rules. Consequences follow actions....you're not losing weight because you chose the wrong actions. I'd like to be encouraging at this point, but I'm sure I've already made you mad by speaking the truth. However, I do think you can resume a steady weight loss by returning to the post op diet FROM THE BEGINNING, which will help ease the carb cravings, detoxify your system and get you started back to success. Good luck,

I'm on day 6 Sarita, and heading back to work tomorrow. Feeling no hunger issues currently and tolerating the Protein drink varieties I have. I'll be ready for new flavors and textures soon, but I can wait. Congrats on the walking to market. It's great to feel more active!

Sounds like a great recipe Sarita...comfort food! I didn't sleep well last night..which really surprised me. Here I was, in my own bed with my great assortment of pillows...and I couldn't sleep! I think I was over-tired. Oh well, nothing of greatness to do today...I could run to the store for some things..but also can make it without them. I might just vegetate today and continue to unpack, do laundry, straighten the house and cuddle my critters. Tracy

I always just used my Body Fortress or Unjury Chocolate protein powder, and added a tsp of Medaglia D'Oro instant Espresso coffee powder to it. I stir both into cold water and then warm it gradually so the whey protein doesn't chunk up. 30 seconds at a time, stirring well in between until it's the temperature I want. I make a 12 oz mugfull at a time and it starts my day off with a nice warm drink that gives me a protein and caffeine boost.