Lissa

My best friend's sister in law is in Arizona, like you. The Sister in Law had gastric bypass three years ago and, while she has dropped her weight, she hasn't been healthy enough to enjoy the loss. The Sis in law is still using Protein shakes exclusively over 3 years out from surgery and has apparently never learned to eat real food again, nor does she comply with the Water regimen we all have to do. Sister in law has been in and out of the hospital for malnutrition and, every time, the doctors tell her that she needs to eat "real" food and drink her water. Sister in law complies while in the hospital, then goes right back to the shakes as soon as she gets out. My opinion is that the sister in law is basically anorexic because she's terrified that she will gain a pound back. Knowing this woman like I do, I was determined to follow my surgeon's guidelines for getting back onto solid foods. I personally believe that the early stages are a great time for us to learn new eating habits and to figure out how we're going to follow the eating guidelines for life. For me, it's about being able to eat like normal weight people eat, rather than like obese people eat. Now, I can take a bite of something less nutritious and go on without having to finish the entire cake, quart of ice cream, etc. It's about behavior modification for me. Good luck!!

You can't beat yourself up over today. Just resolve to do better tomorrow. This is the worst part of the journey, IMO. Once you're sleeved that nasty hungry feeling will be gone and you'll be able to make better food choices.

Great job! Both for realizing that you were in a bad place and making a better decision than eating junk, AND for being able to do something physically that you couldn't do before!! It's a great feeling!! Keep rocking that sleeve! You'll be at goal before you know it!!

broth was ambrosia to me during the clear liquid stage. I also couldn't stand sweets right after surgery and I hated the crystal light stuff. Try some Kellogg's H2O Protein Water. It flavors the water and gives you a little protein.. Good luck!!

I take calcium twice a day to hopefully keep this from happening.

You've been sending PMs? PM her again and let her know you're worried. Most people have their PMs sent to email to them. Hopefully she's just on vacation or got so busy living her life that it's too crazy to get on the boards right now.

Yes, you need a theme song...and it should be "I WILL SURVIVE"!!!!

Welcome!! You rocked it before the sleeve, so I know you're gonna rock that sleeve!! Good luck and please keep us posted!!

I like the Premier Protein shakes myself. They taste pretty good and are easy to grab and go.

I know nothing about smoothie king's gladiator, but don't push yourself to drink (or later, eat) more than you can comfortably handle. You will get sick and undo all your hard work of drinking the shake. Put it back in the fridge and drink a little more when you can do it easily.

You should take any vitamin containing iron after you eat. That's a bit tougher when you're on liquids. Good luck!

Yay!! I always lose sizes when I'm "stalled". I keep trying to make myself appreciate the stalls as much as the days where I lose pounds!

Take a book and whatever your normal routine is before bed. After they hook up all the monitors and such, they'll turn the lights as low as you like. I take my body pillow and my quilt with me when I go. The first sleep study is the toughest because you have to get used to the mask if your test shows that you do have apnea episodes. Just do your best to relax and it will be over quickly. This isn't something to really stress about. You'll get through it easily. Heck, all you have to do for this test is literally sleep.

Oh, (((Mary))) You're in my prayers! Good luck!!

Welcome, Marty!!

Great!!

SF pudding and SF popsicles. I was allowed as many of them as I liked, plus I drank a lot of broth. It's not no calorie, but it helped me get past the urges for both soda and coffee.

I adore them!! I eat one nearly every morning before taking my vitamins! I don't know where you buy them, but Sams has them in a 22 pack for around $9, versus the 6 pack for $4 at Walmart. This reminds me that I need to go get some cheese!

I love it! Now, do they make a "sleeved" version too?

great NSV!!! Rock that sleeve!!!

I started with light weights almost immediately after surgery, and I've progressed to heavier weights since I joined a gym last month. I'm doing high reps and low weights and I'm seeing definition in my arms and legs. Muscle burns calories all on it's own, so you will be well-served by strength training. The amount and scope of your strength training will be determined as much by what your goal is as it will be by how much you can do. I truly believe that weight lifting is helping some of my skin absorb, especially in my arms. That may be a big benefit for you! BTW, Congrats on 136 pounds so fast! WOW!!!

Butter, I just added elliptical to my routine, but I think I overdid it on the weights the day before I originally posted. I lived with chronic RA pain in my knees pre-surgery, which was pretty intense. This pain (from working out) was/is more of an ache, so I suspect that I have worked the muscle too much. I've also backed off to one cardio session per day, although I'm going a little longer than I did for one session before. So far, it's helping with the pain. I'm still a little achy, but nothing like I was over the weekend...and none of this recent stuff touches the pain I had from the RA before surgery! thank goodness!! Thanks for the A+! You'll hit your stride on working out and then nothing will stop you either!

Depending on your insurance company, it could be months or a year. Things like whether a supervised diet are required, etc will affect the timeline. There is a forum here for specific questions about insurance companies and their requirements. Perhaps you should explore that forum and see what other folks have experienced from UHC. Good luck!!

Welcome to the loser's bench! I'm glad you're starting to feel better! It's all bright from here!

Mina, WOW What an inspiring story, and all of your information is spot on!!! Good luck with your surgery and your journey! I know you'll be successful!! You have the right attitude. food funerals are natural, even normal, but they are negativity to ourselves. It's like our mind is subconsciously sabotaging our weight loss efforts. The sleeve is a tool to help us learn to control our minds.