gramaof4

Congrats! That Wii can really hurt your feelings. Even tho it's telling the truth. Glad to see it can be encouraging too.????
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Hey everyone...I weighed in today and for the first time my lovely Wii told me I am overweight! hehe. When I started this journey I was morbidly obese....and felt like death was chasing me. Now I am just overweight and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...and it isnt death...lol
So happy to just be overweight now! cant wait till I am normal weight!

Sorry to hear you are feeling this way. I am only three weeks post op so I am not exactly in your shoes. I have a very good support system around me. My co-workers and family have been very supportive. HOWEVER...some people are not as supportive and are expecting me to fail with this surgery...this is my motivation. I want to prove to the naysayers that I will not fail. So that is what I do to motivate myself to to stay on track and committed to weight loss. Good luck!

Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased with the 92lbs but to not see that scale move in months is so discouraging. Especially since this is the time when we should be losing the most. The depression from lack of losing just triggers the eating. It's a vicious cycle.
Im going to take some of the advice and start journaling again and go back to liquids for a few days to 'detox' of the crap that I ate. I

i think my biggest one was, my husband and i were in bed and he kept elbowing me and finally i said what i wrong with you? he said there is something poking me, it was my hip bone hahaha. it doesnt stick out, but it is more prominent. i really am "hippy" lol

Being able to shop for regular size clothes. Size 14 jeans made me soooo happy! Large (soon to be medium) size stretchy yoga type pants...Weighing in less than my husband! And the list goes on!!!

When my Blood results showed that my diabetes went into remission \m/ (-.-) \m/

So I have leaned that I need to start listening to my husband he seems to know my body better than I do! I went shopping for new clothes since summer is approaching and all my summer clothes from last year are way too big and as I am looking for stuff he brings me up 2 pairs of capris and said try these on, I look at them and they say size 12 and I tell him there is no way they are going to fit I am not that small yet, but to make him happy I go and try them on. As I am standing there loking at myself in the mirror in amazment they FIT!!!! The same thing happened at another store with a pair of shorts I swear they wont fit, but he insists they will and they do!! I still see myself as overweight even though I have lost 85 pounds but he sees me as I am now I am very lucky to have such a suportive husband who is behind me 100% and now has a new job as my personal shopping assistant

I just make the turkey meatballs and add some teryaki maranade to it...gives it flavor of a teryaki burger.
Did you see the recipie for the cupcake Lasagna's? OMG they are fabulous, and so easy...the kids loved them and wanted them twice in a week, so I changed it up a bit first time I used ground beef the second time used ground chicken....they were fabulous...I of course took a small dish and made the hubby a bigger one that he enjoyed...
Try it you'll love it!

This is a lot of money. I was very fortunate and Kaiser referred and my copay was $5.00. I am so thankful.

Congrats!!! I feel the same way when my students comment about how I'm getting smaller.. Granted, it's not happening very quickly, but it's happening.. and I'm grateful for that!!!

I had my hiatal hernia repaired during my surgery. I didn't even know I had one or that if I did, it was going to be repaired. I had issues with reflux prior to surgery and didn't really even know what a hiatal hernia was. The Dr repairs it by pulling the stomach down back and sewing the diaphragm back tighter. So, it really isn't a big deal.
I'm guessing that gramaof4 must be talking about an abdominal hernia as loose skin wouldn't really affect this type of surgery(hiatal hernia). At least, I don't think so. Please correct me if I am mistaken.
I was a self pay, so insurance wasn't brought into the fold, but, according to my surgeon, it is a 5 minute fix since he is already there and yanking on the stomach, anyway. He just had to close up the gap in the diaphragm.
I noticed some difficulty swallowing after for about a week or so, but it was so worth it. I now have no relux issues at all. I think doing it at VSG time is smart because you are already going to be on liquids and limited quantity at that, so what better time to heal from hiatal hernia surgery, too.

I cannot tolerate plain Water anymore. Since I don't like to use any ingredients I can't pronounce, it is a challenge to flavor my water! Herbal teas help, but I find I get bored with one flavor rather easily, so I am trying to add to my selection.

I have a hernia and I chose to leave it for a later date after my weight loss, as with many hernia surgeries if there is to much loose skin they must do a "tummy tuck" with it to ensure the hernia does not rip or tare after repair...the heavy skin is to much....So I am looking forward to our insurance paying for my hernia and Tummy Tuck in the process....Yahoo!!

my surg was 1/24/12, I can only eat max 3 small bites of most any type of food before getting foams / slimes. I measure, i watch he clock, I only try foods that seem to chew easy,dissolve etc... Yes I know the point of the surgery was restriction of food intake, the point of the surg was not to stop eating entirely ! I was told I should not be this limited at my stage of the game, I am not nauseated - simply foam & slime. Carbs go down so easy, I can tolerate rice & Pasta & tortilla chips so easy. Please dont give me any trouble about the fact that I have tried those food items. I have simply gotton to the point where I have to eat something ! Bloodwork was perfect, physical was fine. Please tell me where you all were at approx 9 weeks out, what items could you eat & qty (i know it varies, i just need examples) For example - the other night at dinner, my friends 3 year old child - ate approx 4x's the amount of food I could handle & he finished his dinner long before I did.
I guess the good news is, I'm down 35 LBS
Thanks !!

I have the Protein part down pat, but what is the recommended amount of carbs and calories per day ???

I'm making these for supper tonight, sooooo excited to try them, as they sound delicious!

Made these for dinner tonight- 1 was more than enough for me (plus salad). The other adults in my family each ate 2. We all voted this is a definite do again!!!! Portion controlled.
Lasagna Cupcakes
2 cup marinara sauce (I just used 1 jar)
3/4 pound ground beef or turkey
24 wonton wrappers
8 ounces shredded mozzarella
3 ounces Parmesan cheese
4 ounces Ricotta cheese
(optional) basil for garnish
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray muffin tin (12) with cooking spray.
Brown beef and season with salt and pepper. Drain. Add sauce. Mix.
Begin with a wonton wrapper and press it into the bottom of each muffin tin.
Spread with a small spoonful of Ricotta cheese.
Top with a little meat sauce then some parmesan and mozzarella.
Use around 2 teaspoons of all the ingredients depending on your personal preference.
Repeat layers ending with cheese.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until edges are brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. To remove use a knife to loosen the edges then pop each lasagna out. Garnish with basil (if desired) and serve.

I'm 2 weeks post op and am feeling hungry a lot now. I know it's not head hunger. Then when I start to eat I hardly can take more than 3 bites. Is this normal at this stage?
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I just got my drain pulled Tuesday. It's not bad at all just take a deep breath in let then pull it then out... It was uncomfortable but u will feel better once it's out.

Thanks y'all for the feedback I am doing a bit better I think I drank a whole 20oz today. Then my hubby made me some tea sweetened with Splenda... Just hoping this get easier.. But on a positive note I have lost 10 pounds since Friday!

I was on liquid for 1 week, then cloudy for 2nd week, 3rd week wash smouchie foods...I was hungry and tried an egg...this week, was great.
The greilin harmone (which tells our brain we are starving) can stay in our system for about a month...so be patient...it too will pass.
I am now 5 weeks post op and eating normal things...I had a turkey burger last night about 4 oz...Protein first you know... I have found new Breakfast smoothies to be wonderful start of the day add a little Protein powder and wala...you are off and running.
I eat 1 slice of deli turkey at work with a cheese stick for lunch....and do Water arobics 3 X a week....
Good Luck, and welcome to the losers bench

I had researched and my PCP suggested I go see a local Dr. and attend a seminar....(of course NO INSURANCE)...I went to the seminar...then when I had saved $900 I made an apt. with him. He took my $900 and sent me to see a physciatrist $250 (to make sure I wasn't crazy and couldn't handle the surgery) Then he gave me some lab sheets $275 and set me up for a $400 sleep test...well this was all Pre-Op...$1825...then he tells me I will need to pay him $13,000 and the hospital will be a separate charge (all of this was initially for a Lap Band Not the Sleeve)....
I gave up at this point.....I could never come up with another $20,000 for Hospital and doctor to do the surgery...so I let it go another 3 years and gained another 56 lbs...and allowed my BMI to grow as well.
I have a girlfriend in the same town as me who had had the lapband done by Dr. Aceves in Mexicalli...she raved of his professionalism and care and the care and compasion of his entire staff. I then began to research the doctor myself....My sister (who is bi-lingual) lives 15 minutes from Mexicali, my mom is right there so she could come help care for me if needed....so for me it was alot of different elements that made me choose Mexico....
The hospital was clean, smelled clean, and the nurses were wearing whites and were way put together professionally. They all treated us American Women as if we were Godessess....I myself loved it...Would choose to go back 1000 times again and again....

Yahoo!!! What a blessing...You are doing awsome! :D

Tijuana is no different than any big city in the USA. As long as you dont venture off into the unknown, you'll be just fine. The hospitals are in the best part of tj, and the hotels are usually gated and have guards. Medical Tourism is what keeps these hotels and hospitals and Dr's in business, our safety is their upmost concern.