JackieOMonroe

Ahh. Thanks for the fast reply, Alex!

There are many many MANY surgeons listed in the drop-down for the surgery information section on our profiles, but my surgeon isn't listed. He's done the sleeve surgery for a handful of us here on VST, although he is primarily known for his lap-band work. Is there any way to have him added? He's Dr. Ariel Ortiz with Obesity Control Center in Tijuana. Here's a link to his information on the OCC website.

http://obesitycontrolcenter.com/surgeons/surgical-team/ariel-ortiz/

Thanks Lorraine!

I make Greek yogurt (also called Lebneh or Labneh by my Lebanese in-laws) by taking a 32 oz. container of nonfat plain yogurt and straining it overnight using either cheesecloth or a coffee filter in a colander. Pretty much like part 2 of your recipe. You can use any brand of plain yogurt, even the no name cheapy, just make sure Gelatin is not listed in the ingredients or it won't set. You'll end up with about 16 oz of yummy Lebneh. I've never tried to make from scratch, thanks for sharing your recipe! Will have to give it a shot!

That could be a good way to save some money also. I may try that! Thanks for the suggestion.

Great recipe! Did you get a chance to calculate the nutritional value of your homemade batch?

Sent from my iPhone using VST

The nutritional information will vary based on the milk used (2% in my case). The values will be similar to commercial yogurt made with the same type of milk you use. When I was researching this project, the general consensus was that there's not a huge difference in the nutritional value of yogurt and the milk it's made from.

As far as strained, greek-style yogurt - densely packing it in that way increases your Protein per serving, but without greatly increasing your calories. This article is FABULOUS at explaining the difference between regular and strained yogurt, and the nutrition that you can expect from each: http://health.usnews...-more-healthful

A 6oz serving of 2% plain homemade yogurt will have roughly 120-130 calories and 9-15 grams of Protein, depending on how well strained it is. Straining will also lower the carb count and the increased protein keeps you fuller longer.

Great question! I hope this helps!

My husband and I are both sleeved and we spend a TON of money on greek yogurt. My fridge is always full of cups of Chobani and Fage. About a week ago I discovered that you can make yogurt at home, so last night I did! And it turned out PERFECT. You don't need any special equipment or machines. I used our dutch oven, but any heavy bottomed pot will do. The directions look long, but it pretty much makes itself once you've warmed up the milk. It is the definition of something that a lazy non-cook can make. I got the recipe from this website.

http://www.happysimpleliving.com/2011/03/06/make-your-own-homemade-greek-yogurt/

STUFF YOU NEED:

• 1/2 gallon of dairy milk (I used 2%, but you can use milk with any fat content. Pasteurized milk works perfectly, just be sure it's not ultra pasteurized.)
  
• 2.5 tablespoons of plain yogurt with live active cultures (This is your starter. It can be regular or greek yogurt and it can have any fat content. I used 0% Yoplait plain greek yogurt because it was the cheapest I could find with live active cultures.)
  
• Candy thermometer or cooking thermometer
  
• Cheesecloth (or a clean t-shirt, or pillowcase, or muslin)
  
• Heavy bottomed pot to heat the milk in (Or crock pot, or double boiler, or dutch oven, or even your microwave. Not even kidding)
  
• Towel
  
• Colander/strainer
  
• Oven
  

MAKING THE YOGURT:

• Turn on the light in your oven. This will make it just the right temperature for yogurt magic to happen.
  
• Put 2 tablespoons of milk into a bowl and mix in 2.5 tablespoons of your starter yogurt. Set it aside.
  
• Pour the rest of the milk into your pot and heat to 180-185 degrees fahrenheit. Stir constantly while heating to prevent your milk from scalding.
  
• Once milk reaches temperature, pour it into a glass or ceramic (not metal) dish and allow it to cool uncovered to 105-110 degrees. This step is why I used my dutch oven. It's enameled, so I didn't need to transfer the milk into another dish. It was perfect for incubating my yogurt.
  
• When your milk is at temperature, thoroughly stir in the starter that you set aside earlier.
  
• Put the lid on your dish, wrap it well in a towel, and stick it in your oven. Leave it in the oven with the oven light on for 8-12 hours.
  
• After 8 hours, stick a spoon in and check your yogurt. It will probably be set (mine was). There will be yellowish liquid on top, but that's just whey Protein. You can stir it in if you like thin yogurt or pour it off. At this point, you're done. Chill it in the fridge, and use it in any way that you you always enjoy yogurt. I love thick yogurt, so I'm going to do a couple of extra steps.
  

TURNING IT INTO GREEK-STYLE YOGURT:

• Refrigerate your yogurt for at least 2 hours. I didn't stir in or pour off the whey, I just stuck the whole pot in the fridge and let it chill overnight.
  
• Line your colander with 4 sheets of damp cheesecloth and set it into a bowl. The bowl will collect the whey that strains off the yogurt.
  
• Pour the chilled yogurt into your colander, cover with saran wrap or leave uncovered, and place it in your fridge to strain. Every hour or two, check on the consistency of your yogurt and pour off the whey that has collected in your bowl. Throw the whey away (hehe, whey away), use it to make bread, or even feed it to your dog (apparently they LOVE it).
  
• Once you're happy with the texture of the yogurt, dump it out of the cheesecloth and into a container with a tight lid (break out the good tupperware). Consume within 6 days.
  
• Save 3 tablespoons of your homemade yogurt to be the starter cultures for your next batch of yogurt.
  

I strained mine to a texture between Yoplait regular and Chobani greek, but I strained a little of it into yogurt cheese which was amazing. It had a silkiness that reminded me of Fage, but it was a bit thicker. Remember, the more you strain it, the less yogurt you'll have. A half gallon of milk makes about 32oz of thick greek yogurt. The flavor is more mild and less tangy than any plain yogurt I've ever had. I sweetened my first cup with a little Splenda and it was fantastic. If it stands up to that processed fake sugar, then I can't wait to try it with honey or agave nectar.

COSTS:

Milk - $3.59

Starter yogurt - $0.99 (on sale)

I had all of the other things that I needed in my kitchen already.

I made about 36oz of yogurt.

Best part!

Cost per serving:

Homemade - $0.77 per 6oz serving

Chobani - $1.59 per 6oz serving

Fage - $1.89 per 7oz serving

Thank you!

The transformation in you is UNBELIEVABLE!!! You are so incredibly gorgeous! I can see that you were beautiful to begin with, but NOW, O.M.G. you look so amazing! I bet it just feels so good to be able to let the beauty on the inside shine on the outside. I hope this means you are pursuing your acting dreams again!

I've decided to pursue my LIFE again. I've been a hermit for years because I've just felt so badly about myself. I'm working on getting over that, and auditioning is one of the first steps. Thank you for your sweet words.

Thanks guys!

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. I feel like a new person.

SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOO WAAAAAAAAY! OMGOSH!!!!!!!! HOLY MOLY! YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm SO HAPPY FOR YOU I LITERALLY WANT TO CRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!! SNIFF, SNIFF...IT'S LIKE THIS GIRL WAS ALWAYS THERE AND TRYING TO GET OUUUUUUUUT! Thank you God for our sleevie!!!!!!!!!

LOL!! Thank you so much! I'm going to cry because this comment is so nice!

You're a fox and your family is beautiful! I maintain by not denying reasonable cravings, but I eat a very controlled amount. I also count up my calories at the end of the day and if I'm very short of my calorie goal range (which I'm usually not), I eat something calorie dense but healthy like a Clif Builder bar.

You look amazing! I'm a tall girl too, but not as tall as you are. I hope I grow an inch! lol

Hahaha thank you, everyone! It's really weird. In my head I look like both of those pictures, but they look so different from each other that it's hard for me to believe that they're both me. I appreciate that none of you are laughing at that first picture. I've never shown those first headshots to anyone. They were a total waste of money because I hated them so much. And that one was the best one of the set!

I'm a performer (singer and wannabe actress), but my weight killed my confidence so I pretty much stopped going to auditions. About 5 years ago, I had professional headshots taken that were the final nail in my theatre coffin. They are, without a doubt, the worst pictures I've ever intentionally posed for. That includes drunken Vegas pictures, sweaty end-of-the-day at Disneyland pictures, everything. THE WORST.

On Saturday, I had new headshots taken by a friend who isn't a professional. The new pictures aren't the same quality as the pro pics, but they're still worlds better. I have my sleeve to thank for making me feel and look better. If you're still on the fence about this surgery, I hope this gives you the kick in the pants that you need.

Okay, here goes. One old headshot, and then one new headshot. Don't laugh.

Old headshot

New headshot

I was never able to take Vitamins, Calcium, or Protein Shakes without immediately getting sick. 8 months later, and I still can't so now I take gummy vitamins, chewable chocolate calcium (carbonate unfortunately) or liquid calcium citrate, and I just didn't take any Protein shakes and waited until I was able to get enough protein through food. I also take a Gummy fiber supplement. I get the vitamins, fiber, and chocolate calcium from costco and I order the liquid calcium online.

I've been wondering and wondering what this is. It hasn't ever happened to me, and from the sound of it I hope it never does!

Girl Scout Cookies. Need I say more.

LOL This is my confession too. I just bought a box of Savannah Smiles outside of the grocery store about 30 minutes ago. They're the ones I like the most for the least amount of calories. I can limit myself to only 2 per day which is around 70 calories total (I think), so I don't feel so terrible about it.

I tried that DVD long before I had surgery and it really hurt my knees. I never made it past level 1. I still have it and I was thinking about trying it again, now that I weigh so much less.

My husband got me this heated mattress pad for this past Christmas in King Size.

http://www.amazon.com/Soft-Heat-Micro-Plush-Low-Voltage-Electric/dp/B003ZSHDEK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329867050&sr=8-1

You put it under your fitted sheet. There are temperature controls for each side of the bed so I can be toasty and he doesn't have to feel the heat. You can't feel any wires or discomfort AT ALL. The bed feels exactly the same as it always did, only now I can warm up my side before I crawl in. It doesn't make any noise, it's just great. I don't know how I lived without it for so long. If I had any complaint, it would be that it doesn't heat evenly (some spots get warmer than others). It doesn't really matter since I'm just looking to be warm under my blankets, but it's odd. Other than that, it's better and more comfortable than any electric blanket.

I just got back from my endoscopy and from what I recall, it was no big deal. I remember gagging a few times, but there wasn't any pain. They gave me 5mg of versed, 100mcg of fentanyl, and 2.5mg of diazepam. The procedure itself took 11 minutes. I never did and still don't feel even slightly groggy or drugged. I didn't believe they had given me anything at all! They told me not to drive at all today, and of course I won't, but a half glass of wine would feel more relaxing right now. I was counting on being really tired since I lost so much sleep worrying about it last night. Oh well. *shrug*

Meredit: The nurse told me that they were having a really hard time getting versed these days. She said it was on national backorder. I'm guessing that's why they were out of it when you went in for your procedure.

I'm having an endoscopy tomorrow. This thread makes me feel so much better. I've been freaking out.

I'm so glad that this was helpful for you guys! It really made me feel a lot better. I get down on myself sometimes because I can eat more than I could a couple of months ago. I know that things are supposed to happen that way, especially in this first year, but I get worried that it'll just stretch and stretch and stretch and never stop. I do a pretty good job with my food, but I'm starting to slack off. I've ordered a food scale so that I can control my portions more carefully.

I don't know, I would say the difference would be greater. The one on the left is right after surgery. The bigger one on the right is 4 years later.

Also just after surgery, it is very swollen inside, so there is probably less difference than is even shown there.

Interesting pics. I wonder what that patient's success rate is.

This is probably posted somewhere already, but I ran across this video of a patient have VSG surgery performed. At the 8:30 mark, there is a side by side comparison of the upper GI photographs of a patient's sleeve immediately after surgery, and then the same patient's sleeve 4 years later. As you can see, the sleeve does get bigger. However, it's nowhere near the size of a normal stomach. It made me feel much better to see that after 4 years, the sleeve should still be a small enough size to be an effective tool. It just depends on what we decide to put in it!

Here's a screenshot if you're squeamish about the surgery portion of the video.