Back~To~Amy

Glad it worked out for you chicasmom and glad you have low cost, high quality care at FP.

I think I heard protein pills have very little protein in then so you'd have to take a ton of them. I'm sure you can find info if you Google it.

You don't have to drink the protein shakes or do protein shots so long as you are getting your required amount of protein in which can be done with foods.

Thanks Emlefe. I'm starting to feel better about being able to be successful without having to choke down sf stuff for the rest of my life. As far as drinks go, I'm good with plain 'ol water. I'm also a huge fan of unsweetened tea. I really don't need any of those other sf beverages. Oh, and try orange squeezed into your water if you like them. It is good and refreshing too.

I'm glad to see there is someone out there who feels the way I do. Another person answered a post and inadvertently kinda answered this one. She focuses on Protein and, although she looks at the carbs, she doesn't give them concern. I like that. Besides, I think by focusing on getting in the required protein with natural foods our carb count will naturally be somewhat lower. Heck, for me it will be a lot lower than what I eat now! I'm having a problem with Protein shakes too. I'm in the buying samples phase to try and find something I can stomach. So far, I've tried Slimfast and it was totally disgusting. I've also tried Chike and it was gross too. Not quite as bad as Slimfast, but still not good. I bought a small tub of some brand of Protein powder (can't remember the name) at the Vitamin Shoppe tonight to try but have yet to do it. Ugh! It is going to be a long wait to get past the protein powder stage! Thanks for your comments Amanda and congrats on your weight loss!

Thanks for your responses. I especially like yours LindaS. It kinda answers a question I posted in another area of the boards about carbs. I just cannot eat low/no sugar due to the fact that I hate all sugar substitutes. I'm glad to know I can focus on protein and not worry so much about carbs and still be successful.

So I'm about the pickiest eater around. I have no problem whatsoever eating low fat. However, I have a HUGE problem eating and drinking low sugar and sugar free foods and drinks due to the sugar substitutes they use. I also cannot stand yogurt of any kind or cottage cheese...two foods I see mentioned a lot. I don't wanna give the impression that I don't want to work my future sleeve, BECAUSE I SO DO!!! But I just cannot do sugar substitutes of any kind. They literally make me gag! I don't have a problem adding a lot more Protein to my diet though. Just so long as it isn't in the form of something with sugar substitute. Is there anyone out there who eats a higher protein/low fat diet without so much focus on the carbs? As long as I'm concentrating on getting my protein (and liquids) in and staying within my calorie allotment, is that okay? I so don't want to fail at this, but I just can't live on a bunch of sugar substitute food and beverages! Thank in advance for any words of wisdom! ~Amy

In food, what do you track? Calories, carbs, Protein? Anything else? Also, what are your daily calorie, carbs, liquids and protein goals?

I think only you can make that decision for yourself. That being said, I think a lot of us are here because we couldn't do it without the help of surgery. However, I'm sure there are people out there who have done it and who had been successful at keeping it off. Best of luck to you in whatever you decide. ~Amy

That comment sounds like it's coming from someone without much weight issues or someone who is jealous. You obviously didn't go into this haphazardly so stay strong in your decision.

Congrats! Great accomplishment! Enjoy that new, smaller body.

Christy- I don't have a date yet. I went to Dr. Nick's seminar last week. I'm waiting on them to check insurance. I've heard his preop diet is 2 weeks of the slimfast diet. I am an EXTREMELY picky eater and bought some slimfast the other day and it made me gag. Did you have to do the slimfast diet for two weeks? If so, do you know if there are any other options? Also, once you scheduled your surgery, how far out did you have to schedule it? Where are you coming from to have your surgery? Are you having it at Forest Park or Baylor Plano Med. Ctr.? ~Amy

Amber--a lot of the things you mention are reasons I've decided to get the sleeve. Thanks for your comments which affirm my decision. Skinny Mom--who is doing your surgery? I live in the Dallas area and am going to be using Dr. Nicholson.

That is kinda the angle I was thinking. Because, after all, it isn't a lie. Thanks!

For those of you who have lost a bunch of weight post VSG, what you do tell people that ask you how you did it? I have told some people, but I'm not sure I want everyone knowing I had surgery. However, weight loss after VSG is typically faster than when you just diet. So, what do you say to the random person who asks you how you lost so much weight?

Thanks everyone for your responses. Based on what has been said here, it looks like their might be a lot of people out there who switched from band to sleeve. Reasons here are some of my reasons for highly considering this procedure now over the band. I still need to do further research though before making a final decision. ~Amy

Hi all. This is my first posting on these boards. I've been posting over on Lap Band Talks because I was 100% convinced I was going to do the lap band. Well, I went to the seminar tonight and now I'm leaning toward the sleeve. I still don't know for sure yet though. Anyone care to share their experience with the sleeve and if you are happy with your decision? Also, if you thought about lap band and went sleeve, what are your reasons? Thanks! ~Amy

Congrats! I know how excited you must be.

Sleeveplicationtalk.com It even has apple and android apps for it. Same set up as here.

That's exactly why I shared it. It is full of useful information for the unbanded and newly banded people.

I'm still looking into the plication. I called Dr. Davidsons office today because they advertise it on their site. The lady I talked to said they are supposed to be taking the plication surgery off their site because he isn't currently doing it. She said he trained to do it though. I told her I know of someone having it in Ft. Worth and I am interested in it, but can't seem to find anyone on this side of the metroplex doing it. She mentioned Dr. Davidson trained with a doctor in Ft. Worth and I brought up Dr. Smiths name and she said yes. She was very surprised I knew that. She is supposed to talk to the doctor and get back to me for the final word.

Aawww Tahnee. Sorry it was a rough day. Truthfully, I wonder if they give us a two week liquid diet because they need us to be compliant 5 days and they know us over eaters! :-) You are right, tomorrow is a new day and you can do it. Truthfully, I wanna go to sleep two weeks before surgery and not wake up till several weeks after it. Do you get any solids or is it a complete liquid diet?

I thought I'd pass this along for anyone it might help. I was checking out Forest Park Medical Center because of an upcoming sinus surgery and got side tracked because of the bariatric surgery stuff on their site. Anyway, they offer band fills for $50.00. You can have surgery by any doctor and still use their services. All you have to do is make an appointment. They have several locations.

How has today gone Tahnee?

http://www.forestparkmedical.com/media/pdf/band-education-manual.pdf This link contains a lot of useful information. Check it out.