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I took them in and had them checked out with Dr. Carlin to make sure I was good to go. I haven't used them in a while though.

It will! Dr. Carlin was awesome too! I hated the Protein shakes too. I drank them a lot before the surgery, and couldn't stand them afterwards, so I mainly had broth or Soup and took protein shots, which were horrible too, but I got my protein in and didn't have to drink the shakes. I was lucky though, I had no problems with small amounts of solids after 1 week out. So adjusting after surgery was easy for me. I still stuck to liquids and soft foods as much as I could, but I'm a texture person and it drove me nuts just eating soup. Now, I make my own beef Jerky (that way I control the sodium and other junk) and eat string cheese. They are my safe "go to's" that way I always have something with me that I can eat. They are protein packed and portable.

I used Isopure, it was the only one I found that wasn't too sweet for me. They never kept me "full" either, but that's because it's liquid. Your stomach is designed to pass liquid through and not hold it because the "mushing it up" job is all done, so the stomach passes it through for the rest of digestion. Keep drinking your Water in between shakes. It also helped me to have sugar free popcicles and chicken or beef broth. That way with flavor, it made me feel like I was having something with "more" lol.

You will very soon and you will be so proud of yourself for it! I never met Dr. Genaw, but I really love Dr. Carlin. He was great! I have already had my last appointment with him. I've hit a plateau and haven't moved up or down in weight for several months. I'm wondering if it has to do with the loose skin? I am about to switch it up and change up my workouts and see what happens. Also, I've been drinking coffee (no no!) and I also think that has something to do with it. It's hard being a full time college student, mother, employee, etc, etc and not need the extra energy! Things will pick up again soon for me. I'm super excited for you though and I wish you the best! Please let me know if you need anything or have any questions you think I can help with

I finally got to go get my "200 lb down" present to myself, my sister tattoo! I still have a hard time believing how much I have actually lost and how different I am. So, I'm going to make sure I reward each of my milestones! Here's my first one, a tattoo shared with my sister. A big part of dealing with my weight loss was dealing with our relationship so I could mend the issues we had between us. I am so thankful for the gained relationship with her, and losing the pounds and resentment. Now I'm looking forward to the last 100 lbs to be gone, I'm well on my way! (My sister's says: "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together...") (Mine says: "...keep me in your (heart), I'll stay there forever.")

I still think that every day, if I will be able to actually get all the way there or not. Then I remind myself how far I've come and I realize that I'm well on my way and I need to be proud of that. You will get there and you have a support system here if you need one! Congratulations on taking the first step towards a healthier and happier you! You will do amazing!

Mine unfortunately has never gone away. It's been over a year for me. My problem isn't actually burping, it's not being able to burp. The air gets trapped in my throat and goes up and down making a really annoying noise and I have a very difficult time trying to get it out. I've never been very good at burping :/

Well, she really doesn't know anything about the surgery if she thinks this is cheating. Nor does she understand the body and mechanics of it. She is jealous of the step you are taking. People will get jealous of you and relationships will change, even ones you think won't. My husband got jealous of all the attention I was getting and ended up having the surgery, just for the attention. He knows now how rough it was for me and feels bad that was was his driving motivation (to get back attention). Some of my friends act like they can't eat around me. I still am human and have to eat, but they limit themselves because they don't want to look like the "piggy" in the group by eating more than I do. It was okay for me to be the fat one out of us, but not okay with the tables turned. I don't take it personally anymore. If that is how she's going to act, you need to tell her that you need support through this and if she can't support you then she needs to reevaluate herself and her own issues before you allow her to degrade your decision for a better and healthier life. This is for you, your family, your health, your happiness, etc... You can't let her make you feel bad for that. Best wishes!!

I find that going to places for sandwiches Subway, other than to get a salad is pointless for me. I can eat bread (barely) but I really don't like to. It makes me feel full too fast and bloated and then you get hungry too soon after. If I do get bread for something, I make sure to get the Flatouts and I'll have 1/2 of one.

I discovered Jimmy Johns AFTER my surgery, lol. I went and got the turkey unwhich and it ended up being 3-4 meals worth!

You will want it, only because you are so used to having it. Once you get to the point to where you can actually eat it again, it will make you feel horrible and so gross because your body will have adjusted from it. If I'm out and need to grab something quick because I didn't plan accordingly, or if we end up going to a fast food place I usually try to do Wendy's. I will get a small chili, which is a couple meals in it's self, or I'll order the grilled snack wrap and cut up the chicken and take it all out of the tortilla and it makes a little mini salad with lettuce, cheese and chicken (with or with out the sauce, I usually get no sauce).

Have you asked your doc if you could try the soft foods sooner? My doc said that I should use the steps as a guide and move at my own pace. You might already be ready for soft foods or even some solids. I started eating soft foods by the end of my first week and did great! I was worried, but he said if I could and felt fine, that was good and just take it slow. I just couldn't eat anymore soup!

It's this band that goes on your wrist and it keeps track of your steps and calories burned throughout the day. You set a "fuel" goal and it keeps track of it, basically telling you how active you really are. It really keeps you motivated! It tells you what parts of your day you were most active too. You can compare with friends who have one too, and it's nice to have that little competition to keep you motivated. My husband and I just got ours and we really like them so far!

Thanks! I'm glad to hear so many people like it. I have noticed that I have been checking it all the time! I hope it helps keep me motivated! I put it on about 3/4 the way into my day, so I keep feeling like a slacker when I look at it right now, so tomorrow will be the real true test!

How do you like yours? I just got mine today and I'm so stoked to try it out! One of my professors told me about it, so I got one for both myself and my husband (he had VSG as well).

I just got mine today and am really excited about using it. Any good pointers on it? Do you like yours?

Just trying them you wont be out a few hundred dollars. You can just buy one or two from a consultant, or ask them how many wraps you get for free if you do a party. The parties are free, plus the only thing you need to provide is Water, which is free, and when your friends buy wraps, you get some for free. So you could actually try them for free. When I did parties, I gave one free wrap for every 4 purchased, plus the initial free wrap just for having the party. There are ways to try them without breaking the bank.

I haven't actively sold these for profit in over a year because I've been focusing on school. I gave my information so that if they did look into it, they could refer back to who gave them the information if they needed it. I'm also in healthcare, so I've done my homework as well. I'm just saying that she get opinions from people who have used them, including those who didn't like them in order to make a decision on whats best for her.

All I can say is do your homework to make sure you decide for yourself. Take advice from those who have actually used them, whether the wraps have worked for them or not. I can honestly tell you from my own experience I have lost inches and they have not come back as well as my stomach used to look like an Arkansas road map and now you can't even find the scars from my surgery and my stretch marks are almost non-exsistant.

I would wait to start using them until your scars are healed over and you can start washing the areas safely without causing harm. The wraps can be used once every 72 hours. I suggest using one a week, that way with the 4 pack, you get 1 months worth.

My 3 year old son was attacked by a new dog that we got just over a week ago. The dog is no longer at our house and my son will make a full recovery, but the stress of what "could of" happened is really really hard for me to get past. My 5 year old son was able to come get my husband before too much damage had been done. My 3 year old has a lot of bruising all over his body, mostly to his face, lacerations all over his face, and the worst of it was that his right ear was completely detached from the the back and only connected by the skin on the front. I was not home when this happened, I was at school. I am just having such a hard time dealing with it, and I'm having trouble with staying away from old habits. I'm not overstuffing myself, but I'm leaning more towards unhealthy "comfort" foods, which have just been making me feel so disgusting and worse. I do not want this cycle to happen again! I'm so afraid that I'm going to destroy what I have accomplished.

Highest: 450 lbs. VSG date: 11/7/11 Pre VSG loss: 35 lbs. To date loss: 170 lbs Current weight: 280 lbs. One year goal: 220 lbs. lost, 50 lbs. more to go!!