AV8ORnTX

I have a bag of either turkey or beef Jerky for a meal just about every day. It comes in convenient small plastic bags and 3 ounces is normally about 33 grams of Protein. You just have to be careful of the sodium content...there are some brands that are less sodium than others. I realize not everybody likes jerky but for me, it's filling and works great as a quick, easy, protein filled meal.

Just a quick clarification, the comments made to me by my friends (and family) aren't really an issue for me. I think Rootman said it best..."We're so accustomed to seeing people of size it is the new 'norm'".

That cultural change in our perceptions is what I believe is sad. And unfortunately I believe that change in our perceptions will continue to contribute to the obesity epidemic from simply the higher level of acceptance of obesity being the norm.

The topic title above isn't referring to my surgery experience. I've been one of the very fortunate ones that was sleeved with zero complications and actually reached my goal in just under 4 months. The surgery has literally changed my life and was unquestionably the best decision I've ever made for myself.

What I can't believe is the reaction I now get from so many people that know me well. Most say that I look "way too thin" or even ask if I'm "sick" (yes, one person has even asked if I have cancer!). I realized recently that all of these people have only ever seen me the way I've been most of my adult life...obese.

Which gets back to my original statement...It's sad. I believe it's sad that our culture has mentally adapted so much to the epidemic of obesity that someone can now be viewed as "too thin" or even "sick" when they're actually just within their "normal" weight range for their height and build. JMO

Here too [RAISED HAND].

Congrats on your first month loss...19 lbs is great! And take it from someone that's now two and a half months out, if you stick to the plan, it will only get better.

p.s. Who did your surgery? We may have had the same surgeon.

From a guy's perspective, it's unfortunate but this behavior isn't isolated to women. I met up with a close friend a couple of weeks ago to watch a football game and he mentioned that it looked like I had dropped quite a bit of weight. I explained about my surgery and I could sense that his attitude instantly changed. The rest of the game he was a bit stand-off-ish and since that day, I've tried a few times to get in touch but I've not heard a word from him. He's gained a LOT of weight in the past few years and I kinda feel like maybe he's pissed, jealous, etc. that I'm not part of the 'fat fraternity' anymore. It's sad.

Let me start by saying I'm not a doctor, psychologist, or anything like that. But being now 7+ weeks post op, I'm starting to develop a theory regarding hunger. Before surgery, my hunger was a mix of "head hunger" and actual "physical hunger". And after years of not paying close enough attention to the different signals, I'm fairly certain I wasn't able to distinguish between the two.

But now that the "physical hunger" is all but eliminated by the VSG, I'm able to see much more clearly how much "head hunger" I actually have. My theory is, since there's no longer any other type of hunger to confuse it with, I know that pretty much any hunger I have now IS "head hunger". And for me anyway, it's a bit scary how much "head hunger" I actually have. I also have to believe now that "head hunger" most likely made up the biggest portion of my total hunger prior to surgery.

For me, this is yet another advantage of VSG in that it's put a clear spotlight on something (head hunger) that I now need to get started addressing.

I'm still a long way from goal, but I'm beginning to be able to look in the mirror and be pleased with what I see instead of feeling ashamed. And being single, I'm starting to realize how important that is in how others see me.

I hope a guy's NSV is ok to post here too. I'm about 4 1/2 weeks out and have resisted the urge to buy any new clothes yet. I've been VERY fortunate in that I'm already halfway to goal but I know anything I buy now won't fit when I reach goal. I've moved a couple of times in the past few years for work and unfortunately have some of those boxes of stuff that don't get unpacked and just get thrown into the 'junk room'. Well yesterday I stumbled onto one of those unopened boxes and found about 8 pairs of jeans that were supposed to have been taken to goodwill a few years ago because my (previously) fat *ss couldn't fit in them anymore. Well I now have 7 additional pairs of jeans I can wear and the 8th pair should be wearable soon. Oh, the little things in life that make you smile.

Hey Tex - It sounds like Dr Kim changed your life....literally. I wish I had seen this thread prior to my surgery (Dr Kim on Oct 31)...you're a great inspiration. And I hope to be joining you in onederland real soon. Congrats on your success.

I've had a great experience with Dr. Kim. He and his staff have been great every step of the way so far. He completed my surgery on Oct 31 and I've had zero complications. I've dropped almost 30 lbs already, including the liquid pre op diet. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. I'll be glad to help in any way I can.

Any good suggestions for someone that 1) will be in the soft/mushy post op stage at Thanksgiving and 2) has no idea how to cook?

October 31st (12 days out now).

10 lbs lost pre op, 14.5 lbs lost so far post op.

Congrat Dania! You'll probably be so busy with the holidays, January 2012 will sneak up on you and be here before you know it. I prefer the EAS Advantedge (ready to drink) shakes...but there's a section on here dedicated to only Protein drinks. You should check it out.

Regarding how much Water to drink, I'll share my experience. Before my surgery (Oct 31), I was doing my best to drink at least a gallon of Water a day. Sometimes I fell a little short but my point is, my surgery went off without a hitch and I recovered really fast. I have to believe that staying that hydrated for so long before surgery has to have had at least some influence on my fast recovery. I'm not a doc so use that experience however you see fit.

Regardless, just keep reading on here and asking any question. This site helped me big time in getting educated and prepped prior to my surgery. Best of luck with your adventure! It's been a blast for me so far.

I was one of the VERY fortunate ones. My surgery was Monday (Oct 31) and by Thursday (Nov 3), I was back at work and pretty much back to 100% (I work from home so it's a lot easier for me). I didn't need any pain meds in the hospital or at home and only felt a bit of nausea for a day after I got home. I just got back from having my staples removed and the doc said I'm doing great....my incisions are almost entirely healed already.

I feel great. Not feeling ANY real hunger (only a little 'head hunger') is a feeling that I'm not sure can be described accurately....you'll know what I mean after your surgery. But it's also a great feeling too.

Congrats Debs. Jan 23rd will get here before you know it. It seems we have the same tastes in drinks. I was just sleeved 8 days ago and I'm already addicted big time to the EAS Advantedge RTDs and Crystal Light. Best of luck through your adventure. It's still early but I already believe it's the best thing I could've ever done for myself.

I was reading your post with a smile until I got to the part about you eating chicken and mashed potatoes and then turkey/dressing/potatoes. Did your doc not prescribe a clear liquid diet for your first week post-op and then 2-3 weeks of additional liquids (e.g. soups) after that? I ask because I'm concerned that maybe you missed some instructions from your doc somewhere along the way. The sleeve created by the surgery needs weeks to heal properly and based on what I've been told (and read on here), you can do some severe damage to your sleeve by introducing the wrong foods this early after surgery. I'm not a doc but I would recommend another discussion with your doc just to verify what you should and shouldn't be eating now and for the next few weeks.

Welcome Monisue. We have something in common...I was sleeved a week ago today at the same hospital in Dallas. I'm already thoroughly enjoying this new chapter in my life but after reading your post, can't wait to enjoy it even more as the weeks tick by and more excess weight falls off FOREVER. Keep up the great work and welcome to the "loser's bench".

Congrats Kristy! You look great!

It's sold with four per package. Each of the four are 11 oz...one serving. But each 11 oz has 17 gm of Protein.< /p>

Jasleeve, try this link: http://eas.com/produ...-ready-to-drink

I get it at Wal-mart.

I've not tried the chocolate yet. I've had the French vanilla and strawberry Cream and both are great. I'm not a big chocolate drink fan either but based on your recommendation, I'll have to try the chocolate EAS next trip to the grocery store.

Congrats from another Halloween sleever.

Meg, I asked my Dr specifically and was told that Protein shakes are included on the clear liquid diet. So you may want to check with your Dr to clarify. I think I may be getting addicted to the EAS Advantedge....I love 'em. And with 17 gms of Protein per each 11 oz shake, it makes it fairly easy to get in your daily protein. Again, congrats. I think we'll all look at Halloween a little different for years to come.

My surgery was Monday (3 days ago) and I was told when I was released on Tuesday to try for 48 oz of liquids and 40 gms of Protein per day for the first week. I've read so many comments from others that in the first few days after surgery, have a really hard time getting in their liquids and protein. That's what's strange....I'm just the opposite. For example, it's not yet noon and I've already had 28 oz of liquids and 34 gms of protein. Plus, I've had very little nausea and am already feeling almost back to 100% today. Could the doc have maybe made my sleeve a bit larger than normal and that's why I've had it so much easier than others who have been posting regarding problems getting in their liquids and Proteins early on after surgery? I don't understand....it's really strange.

GetInMyBelly, I hope that each day is getting at least a little better. My guess is, within a few days, you're going to be seeing some tremendous progress and feeling MUCH better. Hang in there.

AllForMy4, don't be scared. I had my procedure on Monday and am feeling almost back to 100% today. Everyone responds differently. Prior to the surgery, I had made it out to be a LOT harder and a LOT worse in my mind. Now that it's over, I'll admit it wasn't a walk in the park but it also was nowhere near as bad or as hard as I had imagined. You'll do fine.