Imanurse

Unsweetened iced tea. :-)

Water, iced tea, iced coffee.< /p>

My doc said no caffeine as it's potency in small pouch can cause very painful ulcers! So I do caffeine free ice teas- make my own with stevia and lemon.

Yes still wait an hour after drinking Protein Shakes. Even though it is a liquid it still helps with satiety and your body does take longer to digest it. This is the rule I always followed and it has always worked for me.

I started this journey a little over a year ago. I went down to Ft. Wayne, Indiana to sit in a seminar about weight loss surgery. I had been to two or three seminars in the past but my insurance never covered the surgery. I had checked and found that my new insurance would cover it and that the closest hospital was in Ft. Wayne. While I was there I found out about a new operation they were offering called the Sleeve Gastrectomy. Once I had heard about it, I knew it was the one for me. No band that can slip and no rerouting of the intestines, sign me up. I checked into the insurance end a little further. I needed six months of medically managed weight loss with my Doctor before I would be eligible for the surgery and even then I could possibly be turned down. My first thought was, "okay she's going to put me on a diet, that's great, but what happens if I lose too much weight while on this six month diet? If they see I can do it on my own I won't be approved." Taking the weight off wasn't the real problem, keeping it off was. During that six months I only lost 30 pounds. Also, during that six months I had found out that my insurance was now covering my local hospital for the surgery. I immediately for in contact with someone there and set up an appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Knapp. After seeing Dr. Knapp he informed me that the decision I had made with the sleeve was a good choice but that he wanted me to lose another 30 pounds before he would perform the surgery on me. He wanted to make sure I would get to my goal weight and losing before would put me on track. I was directed to a program at my local hospital called New Directions. You eat their Protein bars and drink their shakes and you lose weight. I thought, "Oh this is going to be easy." That was one of the hardest parts of having this surgery. The shakes are not very good but thank GOD for the bars. It took me a little over a month to lose the 30 pounds he needed me to lose and my surgery was scheduled for December 11th 2013. A few days before surgery my father was taken to the hospital and put on life support. We weren't sure he was going to make it so I had to make a decision. Continue on with the surgery or push it back just in case. The day of my surgery my father was taken off life support and was moving around and talking. I went to see him before and asked him if it was okay for me to have it and he said of course, so downstairs I went to sign in. I'm getting ready for surgery (I had my mother and one of my good friends with mw) and they take me away. I remember nothing from the time they started to wheel me down the hall to when I woke up in my room. I knew after surgery I was going to have to get up and walk. Once my nurse found out that my father was in the hospital (on the same floor just on the other side in ICU) she had me walk over there to say hi. I called him a few times the next two day while I was in there and people came to visit. That was the start of my new life. Fortunately, I had zero complications after surgery and I was back to work within a week. I'm almost 5 months out now and if I'm honest with you and myself, I eat whatever I want. However, in saying that, you should know that whatever I want is the same things almost every day. When I wake up I drink a glass of milk with my pills (8 grams of protein). When I get to work I eat a Protein bad (14 grams of protein). Sometimes I will drink another glass of milk in between Breakfast and lunch or I'll eat some shredded chicken (8-12 grams of protein). For lunch I eat four pieces of low sodium lunch meat (11 grams of protein). Afternoon snack is a piece of string cheese (6 grams of protein). After work I go workout at the gym for an hour and when I get home my dinner is a chocolate Protein shake (27 grams of protein, not all at the same time). I get anywhere between 65 and 78 grams of protein a day. Once I get rid of the shakes I know it will be harder but when that time comes I'll be ready. Not that's not to say every once in a while I don't eat things that aren't bad for me. Sometimes you just want a piece of candy, so I eat it. I'm not going to deprive myself of anything. As long as I follow the plan and I'm not over filling my tiny stomach I'm in the clear. I do however struggle with Water. I get a solid 6 cups a day but 8 cups make me not feel well.
Since the beginning of this journey I've lost 126 pounds. I've got another 116 pounds to go but I'd say I'm right on track. For those who say it's the easy way out, I hope that one day they understand how hard it is to lose weight and keep it off. This was first and foremost one of the hardest decisions I've ever made but it was the best decision I could have made. Even thought I'm on more medication now that I was before (medicines to make sure I don't get ulcers, for heart burn, a Calcium pill, a multi Vitamin and for my high cholesterol) I'm off my high blood pressure medicine and that's a huge win for me. After my 6 month checkup I hope to be off all the other except my multi Vitamin. If that's not an accomplishment then I don't know what is. Most of us have the surgery to be healthy and be around for our loved ones and that was number one to me. It doesn't hurt that we will look good in clothes eventually, that's just another plus. For anyone who is on the fence about having the surgery please, please make the decision to have it, it's life changing.
*unfortunately my father passed away January 9th but I know he is looking down on me and is very proud of where I am. In the beginning I was doing this just for myself but now I'm doing it for my father and me. Love and miss you Daddy!

I was sleeved on 4.16.14 today I am 6 days out and down 14lbs. I'm so excited hopefully I can keep this streak going. I try my hardest to workout daily, if I miss a day I don't make a big deal. I am so excited, this has been the best decision ever. Can't wait til the summer. # turn up

I don't even recognize the old me anymore!!! Sw:308 cw:205 hoping to be out the 2s by my 1 yr mark may 30th

With the two week liquid diet included I have lost 29 pounds! As of today! When I started I weighed in at a whopping 347pounds.. now I'm down to 318.. I honestly can't remember when the last time was that I weighed under 330.. This is the absolute best thing in the world..
I have had a hard time getting in my Protein and Water.. Does anybody have some helpful tips or ideas? My diet consists of cottage cheese, greek yogurt, sugar free pudding & apple sauce.. I'm already so bored and discusted with it, I prefer not to eat..
I also have a tmi.. I have been taking Miralax to use the restroom.. But I havent been able to since the hospital.. I'm starting to get a little worried..

My name is Chris and I am an 42 year old male who has battled weight as long as I can remember. As I have aged my weight has really slowed me down. I am just at that point of being pissed for allowing this to hold me back for so long. I have been aware of these procedures for years as I am an operating room nurse. Maybe ignorance is bliss when it comes to surgery. I am having my sleeve on April 17. I am very excited and honestly fearful of this journey but it is one I have to do. I am blessed to be having surgery in an operating room I run and at a hospital of friends. It is great reading the stories of others and not feeling so alone in this issue.

Three months out and feeling great! I can honestly say that this was the BEST decision I've ever made!


SW: 229
CW: 169

Down 60 lbs... only 30 more lbs until my goal!

I made these for my husband and brother in law last weekend and they loved them.
take 3 eggs, scramble them with a little bit of skim milk as if you were making scrambled eggs.
spray muffin tin with non stick spray
fill 4-6 muffin slots 1/2 way full and add low fat cheese, meats, veggies or anything your heart desires.
bake for 25 minutes on 350. They look exactly like muffins but are packed full of Protein.
I can only finish about 3/4 but they're great for the whole family for an easy breakfast!
enjoy!

I just add a bit of Hellmann mayo, salt, pepper and have with a melba toast. I know someone put on top of retried Beans with a bit of taco seasoning , added low fat cheese and heated it up, said it w great.

Sounds very close to the zucchini lasagna recipe I have. YUMMY. I make this at least every other week.
Zucchini Lasagna
2 cups (360 grams) zucchini
2 cup fresh spinach
2 cup Spaghetti Saurce
16 oz Ground Turkey (96% lean)
1 Egg
12 oz Cottage cheese (1%)
8 oz Mozzarella (low fat)
With a potato peeler, slice zucchini into thin ribbons for "noodles." Brown ground turkey and add sauce. Combine spinach, cottage cheese, and egg in bowl. Layer with turkey and sauce, cottage cheese mixture, and zucchini "noodles" repeat layers. Cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes- enjoy your healthy "lasagna" with the whole family!

I'm about 4 1/2 weeks post op & on a full liquid/ very soft food diet & this is a recipe my Nut gave me along with others. I just had it tonight & it tasted great, of course I couldn't even get down a 1/2 cup but enjoyed it so I thought I'd share this. The only thing I added was black pepper & some shredded Parmesan cheese on top.
3/4 cup low fat cottage cheese
1/4 cup spaghetti sauce
1/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp oregano
2 egg whites (egg whites should be used in recipes only-not to be eaten individually
Mix together. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes until warm & egg whites are warm. Enjoy!!!

Quick and easy for lunch or dinner.
Premade chicken Meatballs (found organic at Whole Foods). Place in mini muffin tin and cook per directions (these were pre-cooked but I heated longer than it said to). Heat some marinara out of a jar. 2 meatballs, 2 T marinara, add 1/4c mozerrella. About 170 calories. About 16g Protein. Very good and a nice change from plain chicken.< /p>

I read some similar recipes to this but instead if putting in one container, the OP suggested to cook in mini muffin pan, basically makes bite size quiches that are 2 oz each (I believe)
Love the ideas

Crustless quiche!
This morning, I used four eggs, 1 cup of skim milk, 1/2 cup 2% cheese, 1/2 cup bacon bits, 1/2 cup chopped onion, salt, pepper and dried mustard powder. Baked in the convection oven at 350 for 35 minutes in a pyrex and it's delicious! It also reheats well, so that's a plus.
I think I might use two whole eggs and 4 egg whites next time to pump up the Protein and I didn't have any spinach or mushrooms to add to it or I would have.
Think of all the possibilities! With the summer veggies coming in, you could add Tomato, zucchini, asparagus...YUM!
What are your favorite quiches? Give me ideas!

I madethis today, wanting some deviled eggs, and decided to switch up the mayo with hummus! I used spicy hummus and they were DELICIOUS!
4 eggs hardboiled
3-4 TBSP hummus (I used supremely spicy hummus by Sabra mixed up)
I TSP mustard
A teeny bit of mayo will help make it more creamy for those who like a more creamy filling
Slice eggs in half and combine yolks with hummus, mustard, and maybe mayo for filling. Fill egg whites. Consume!
I made it with 3 TBSP hummus and a tbsp miracle whip and 4 halves (or two eggs) was almost 14g of protein!!!!

I have had dressing room anxiety for years. I have left crying or left and cried all the way home. I was in need of course of new capris today so I had to go shop. I grabbed some 12s I always grab bigger sizes and go down bad habit. Way big. I grabbed 9/10 which I am now in. Kinda big. I put on a pair of 7/8's. Fit perfect!!!!! I cried in the dressing room once more. Not meltdown tears but this time tears of joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been a little discouraged because I had a few rough weeks of cheating and being hurried. I think I am able to get back in track now.
Don't give up!!!!!!
Sleeved Nov 5th 226lbs
April 21 160.0 lbs!!!!

I'm in!
SW- 227
GW- 210

I am glad I am not the only person who had a "different" Easter. It actually wasn't too bad until the Easter ham was served and then my mouth started watering. :-)
I saved a piece to put in the freezer so when the time comes I can enjoy it.

Today I am one week post op. I have lost 13 pounds since last Tuesday morning, day of surgery. What I remember most about my two day hospital stay was the hiccups. I would eat ice chips, get the hiccups, drink Water, get the hiccups, eat broth, get the hiccups. Water didn't stay down too well at first. My surgery was at noon, by 11pm that night I sat up in a chair for the first time. I had a pain pump that I controlled to help with the pain. Including my drain incision, I have 5 cuts from the laproscopic surgery. The largest one being on my lower left side is the one that hurts the worst. They have to stretch the muscles there to pull the stomach out. It is still the one that bothers me the most. As long as I keep on top of my pain meds, it's not too bad. Doctor took the drain out yesterday and told me to start alternating with Tylenol to try and reduce the amount of pain pills I am taking. Your not going to feel like it but it definately helped in the hospital to get up and walk. I had to be pushed a little, but after walking, did feel better. I am on a full liquid diet now, which I am tolerating, but about two and half teaspoons of Soup fills me up, so takes a while to eat my 4 oz. soup for lunch. Have to take my pills one at a time and wait a few minutes in between to avoid nausea. The car ride to the dr. yesterday also made me slightly nauseated. Feeling better each day though. The hiccups did finally subside after about the 4th day, thank goodness.

Hello all -
I know several of us are hitting our 1 month mark this week. Mine is today.
The body is an incredible thing, truly. It's a healing machine quite frankly.
At one and two weeks out:
-you wonder what you have done to yourself and you are pretty sure you will never feel quite normal again
-you can't imagine yourself ever sleeping anywhere but the living room recliner
-the thought of driving or going back to work seems like an unrealistic commitment you made Way Back Before Surgery
-you can get in so little Water and Protein that it dawns on you that THESE are the weeks that will cause Hair loss several months from now
-you learn what "sliming" is (ewwww)
-MyFitnessPal tells you repeatedly: "You are getting too few calories. If every day were like today, you would be DEAD in 5 weeks."
At three weeks out:
-you feel better but not really there yet
-you need extra naps on the weekend
-getting in your water and protein can be done with the effort of a full time job
-you have a strange painful stitch in your side that you've resigned yourself to bravely live with the rest of your life
-you accidentally sleep all night with the heating pad on your largest incision site on its highest setting
-you walk 20 minutes on the treadmill and then come onto this site and disbelievingly post, "WHEN did they say I should start exercising????"
-your body decides you must be on a grueling episode of Survivor and goes into starvation mode yielding the world's most devastating weight loss stall prompting you to decide that you are a failure and did this all for NOTHING
At four weeks out:
-you sleep in your own bed in whatever position you want
-the fire-hazardous heating pad gets put away
-you walk 2+ miles at lunch and think maybe you could have done more
-you have enough energy to really start cleaning the house again and get totally aggravated at hubby and kids for how little they managed to do for the past month
-you randomly feel happy, mad, silly, sad as hormones and emotions take their toll
-you have to pack up the first set of clothes which are now too big
-you feel healthy....dare I say...normal?
Yep, the first month is kind of amazing.

I'm getting kinda irritated with these holier than thou posts, putting people down for trying a nibble of bread. All of us were such suckers for food that we let ourselves get grossly overweight, and suddenly we're supposed to be super vigilant with no mistakes for weeks before and after surgery. Jesus people. She ate a bite of bread. It hurt, she learned.

I just took a premade jar of Tuscan chicken and White Bean Soup (only used about half) and added 2 Tb of Black Beans. Purred it, strained it and added a wedge of laughing cow (mozzarella and sun dried). I mushed up the cheese and made sure it was liquid before swallowing. It was heaven! I'm so tired of soup and shakes but this was good!