Amanda 3.0

It was a wonderful experience. Dr. Cribbins has been great. I highly recommend! The hospital was also a very good experience. The nurses were great and my husband was made very comfortable while he stayed with me the whole three nights.

I can do Friday, Monday or Tuesday. Right now my schedule is pretty open. I found your thread by searching on "Plano" so only now do I realize you posted this in the June 2012 sleevers forum. Maybe it would be good to have a get-together for anyone in the area? Years ago, when I was considering the lapband (didn't do it), I attended a lunch and there were folks in all stages of their progress. It was nice to see so many different situations. If we had a group of people in different stages, we could also share resources. An example might be clothes that are outgrown (undergrown? lol), or maybe we've bought too much of a product, or we don't like a product, we could bring it for someone who can use it.

What was different about yesterday that you felt the urge to graze? I think it is helpful to look at what was going on inside. I had been doing great and then I found myself eating when I wasn't hungry - when my husband is out of town on business! I know I have to come up with an alternate plan now, when he goes out of town on business! Also, I decided those foods that are tempting needed to go. It looks like you have children, so it may be a little tougher for you to get rid of certain foods. But, can you perhaps get your family to eat some more nutritious crackers, other than the goldfish (D+ health score)? There are some really, really good and satisfying crackers out there, although they cost more. Dr. Kracker makes some that have a B- health score. They are more substantial and one may fill you up better than going back for more goldfish, which probably end up being a slider food. But also take comfort in that, while it wasn't a great thing to eat those foods, you didn't eat as much as you might have before! You'll get back on track in no time!

I would love to get together with some local people. I have been to the local support group at Presby Plano (and LOVE Carmen), but would prefer to get together in a less formal setting, and I would LOVE to meet up for coffee or lunch, or even with our significant others for dinner. I have thought of throwing this idea out there, glad you did. Thank you. My name is Amanda Married for 11 years Have a stepdaughter, 17 I live in McKinney I am a stay at home wife at the moment, trying to find what exactly I want to do. Also, I travel quite a bit. Age 47 Sleeved at Presby Plano in December 2011

Well, it is a definite adjustment, but life does go on. I am just six months out from my surgery date, but I am on my third annual "5K" which is mostly upstairs. It is billed as the 5K that feels like a 10K. I drive two days to get to the event, but I love it so much! It sounds like you have great goals and a good start to those goals.

Why do you want to do a food funeral? Do you think you won't be able to eat certain things? What do you think you will miss? I read all the forums and thought I might not be able to eat steak after VSG. I didn't have the luxury of time for a food funeral, as I was informed of my surgery date within the two week pre-op diet. I was obedient because this surgery is so serious and I trusted my surgeon. I am able to eat steak now, although very limited quantities, Please don't assume you need a food funeral because someone else thought you should. It is that much more weight for you to lose, and it delays adjusting your mindset by that much.

Describe your pre-op diet?

I would chalk that up to Americans and their out-of-whack ideas of portions, plus the popularity of review sites like Yelp. People will write a terrible online review for a restaurant unless they get "big food", regardless of quality. More is better. Could the waitress have thought that more food = better tip, or better review? Soup and rice cost next to nothing, but probably make a good impression on most of Americans. I have no desire to ask for a card or use a card. I just want people to respect my wishes and trust me when I say everything is fine. Come to think of it, there was a time where we shared an entree, and we both received salads and sides, and it was irritating because we were asked about it ahead of time, and I declined the salad. There was no charge, but why not just listen?

I haven't had many comments at all. I can think of two incidents in the past six months. I do go ahead and order a glass of Water since most of the time I am going to get one even if I say no. Yesterday, at brunch, I did see the waiter's eyebrow go up when he saw how little I had eaten, and he did ask if my meal was okay. Another time, a waitress was quite alarmed, thinking I didn't like my curry (which was the best, ever). When they ask that, I tell them it is "delicious" or "perfect" so that they don't keep on about it, which has worked so far. I'm sure I'll get a super pushy waiter one of these days.

I wouldn't bother either, but if you do I hope you get the $23 version and not the $1,000 version! lol I wore the gown(s) they gave me. I had my favorite pajama bottoms that I put on underneath. As soon as I got my IV out, I put a tee shirt on (for the last night). My clothing didn't bother my incisions at all. For the amount of time I wore a gown (two nights) I would just as soon wear their gown. You might get blood on it anyway and want to change to something clean. Then, you'd be back to the hospital gown anyway.

I like the vanilla Muscle Milk Light, but it does have a sort of "super sweet" quality to it. The cartons that I get at costco (I am cheap) have 20g Protein. Out of the vanilla ready to drink products, it has been the best until I noticed yesterday that Premier Protein recently changed the formula on their ready to drink vanilla (which I previously hated). I bought and tried the new Premier vanilla and I think it is much better than the old formula, less gritty by far. So, if you tried that before and didn't like it, you might wish to try the new formula. The manufacturers of Muscle Milk also make a powdered product under the brand "Cytosport". I buy this at Costco (comes in large bags) and add it to coffee for 27 g of protein. The Cytosport mixes very well with hot or warm coffee.

Yes, you really have to try quite a few to find what works for you! A lot of people like the Premier Protein ready to drink product (30g protein per serving). I have been able to drink these all along (I am six month post-op). I would try to find them in small quantities at the grocery store or perhaps a supplement store to try before buying too many, but if they work for you you can get them in chocolate and vanilla and costco. I used to hate the vanilla, but saw that they have a new formula and so I bought some yesterday. Much better, less chalky. There is a powdered product by Cytosport that is sold in chocolate and vanilla at Costco. It comes in a bag and has 27 grams of protein per scoop, and it blends very well with coffee. I used to drink the unjury but got tired of it. It was great for a while, but I would just caution against overbuying any one product. This stuff is not cheap, and our tastes change with time! Good luck finding what will work for you. It is out there!

Perhaps she is due for a growth spurt? I would certainly not emphasize an actual "diet" with her. You don't want to make her obsess about her weight. Perhaps load her up with unlimited vegetables with a little olive oil and salt/pepper (without butter or cheese sauces) and limit the entree sizes? I have been making unlimited vegetables at dinner, but no seconds on the Entrees, and portion control is enforced on that. I think portion control is what is out of control in many cases. Kids sometimes think they need to be stuffed before they quit eating. Can you involve her in making her school lunch? That way she will feel she has a choice in what she eats, and will probably be more likely to eat it. Also, if you send lunch, how is it that she is eating 800 calorie school lunches instead? She is only ten and you should be able to tell her she is not allowed to have school lunch at will (let her eat school lunch perhaps once a week or every other week). I do think you really have to keep an eye on them. My stepdaughter was making lunches and I heard her talking to my husband about being "OCD" about slicing cheese, and the cheese slices had to be perfect before she put them on sandwiches. Well, I watched her once, and she was slicing off and eating several ounces of cheese - as in hundreds of calories(!) - just while making lunch. I told her that she was officially "cured" of her "OCD" or she would not be allowed in the kitchen anymore! But, my husband never noticed this! I would definitely watch the portions of all foods, and especially unhealthy foods (salad dressings, cheeses, etc.) and emphasize the lean Proteins, vegetables and fruits. I hope you can help her out. It is a fine line with the kids, especially the girls. They can easily develop problems if they feel criticized about their bodies.

Your weight loss will stall, at least once. Don't worry about it, just do what you know is right. I have been stalled for a while now, as far as weight, but my pants keep getting smaller anyway!

The bolded statement hits the nail on the head. I react the same way. When I eat out of emotion, it isn't about the taste. It is about that verified chemical heroin-like high many of us get from eating. That is what we need to address and it is hard as hell.

I finally put a photo of ME up as my Facebook profile picture. Oh, and I bought WHITE pants this weekend and they look good!

Don't worry too much just yet. Time seems to help a lot with tolerating things. Give it a few days and then try again?

I didn't have time for any food funerals/last suppers. I was approved, and then due to wanting my surgery before the end of the year, I didn't even get my whole two week pre-op diet in. The scheduler called me, and said your pre-op diet should have started YESTERDAY. So I didn't get to go for steak for my birthday dinner, etc. I was pretty sad because I thought there would be so many things I could never eat again - like steak. But being thinner would be worth it, so I was very obedient on the diet. Well, guess what? I was eating steak at three months out just fine! Of course it is a just little bit, but it still tastes great. There is very little I cannot eat. I think that is the norm for people six months to one year out, if that makes you feel any better. You aren't really giving up anything, in the long run, except perhaps bread. You mention you are an emotional eater, as many of us are, and that is something you will need to address. If you eat this way for the next three months until your surgery, and you gain, your surgeon may not go through with the procedure. You may want to touch base with the surgeon's office just to be sure. Good luck!

I have a cup of regular coffee (with caffeine) every day, usually about 12 ounces in my shaker cup. I add a serving of Protein powder, either chocolate or vanilla, and that is my first 27 grams of protein for the day. I do not add any cream or sugar/sweetener. My surgeon is fine with caffeine. I was even allowed it in the hospital, although I could only take a few spoonfuls.

If I were participating in a forum of mathematicians, and someone pointed out that my formulas were wrong, I would be grateful for the correction. I don't understand why some people don't even try to use correct grammar. No one is asking for perfection, but it seems like people might care enough to strive for excellence, or at a minimum, clear communication. Proper grammar isn't something that we use for ourselves. Grammar is like etiquette in that it is something one does in consideration of other people. We all make errors, but when the completely wrong words are used, why be so defensive? I assume that people are posting on this forum for the purpose of sharing their thoughts or receiving advice. Why not make it as easy as possible for fellow forum participants to understand what you are trying to convey? I understand that the only thing in common is that we are participating in an internet forum, and that we will have a wide range of maturity levels. Just as a bunch of random people in a room will not all get along, neither will a bunch of random people on an internet forum. I do find it incredibly immature to be so defensive about correction.

I totally agree with you. Medical billing in this country is a big joke and sickens me. I am still dealing with my medical bills for my surgery in late December 2011, which was pre-authorized. It's funny that for my sleeve, insurance was billed about $10,000 per day for the hospital stay, and that is what insurance paid. Everyone else got a fraction of the billed amount. For my husband's back surgery just two years ago, the billed amounts exceeded $250,000 and everyone received a fraction. And it is a complete wildcard what the uninsured would ever pay. Maybe they should just never walk again? It's terrible.

Skinnyagain, I just wanted to let you know that you are inspiring. You got back on track! I am so glad you eliminated your diabetes. That is incredible in itself, but when you first started this discussion you had also lost and kept off 40 pounds and that is also great. We have all lost weight but gained it back. That is why I value every lost pound, even though I wish I was further along by now. At least I haven't gained it back and I really don't think I can at this point, but I won't be testing that theory. We have remarkably similar stats. I am also in the Dallas area, but north.

My best friend of 20 years came to visit me, and I let her take my photo. That is a HUGE NSV for me. I know I am not where I want to be yet, but I was so happy to see my friend, and also I was wearing a size medium top and size 12 jeans.

I have untagged every photo of myself on Facebook over the years. Yay for you for being brave at the graduation!

I wish I knew how to post the photo! And, I wish (kind of, maybe not) that I had a before photo. Thanks for your encouragement, Neese!