ChooseToChange

I was self pay. Went to Michigan in 2011. 11k out the door and worth every penny!

I crush them and put them in my morning Protein shake. No problems since day 1 when I found out i couldn't chew them. I am almost a year out and my levels are perfect. It also keeps me on the Protein Shake regimen! FYI - This happens a lot and if your dr has never seen it before I would be worried. The secretary in my surgeons office answered my question off the top of her head; IE common question. Good Luck!

At 1 week out it would take me an hour to drink a campbells tomato soup (individual sip cup) At 3 weeks I was on smooshies and could get about 5 bites in. (No beverage with meals) 2-3 hours I was ready for more...(I drank a bottle of Water in between, but not within a half hour of a meal. I am currently 11 months out at I eat between 10-20 bites depending on the food. I can still only eat 1.5 ribs of a rack. But I can eat a 5 oz filet of salmon no problem. I made the stupid decision to eat some Pasta last week and was able to eat a medium size plate 25 or so bites. It went down just fine, but I was so sick and bloated about 30 minutes later. Yup Pasta Alfredo used to be my favorite. I'm so glad it makes me sick now; I have no desire to feel that sick for pasta gratification.

Vitamin Water zero is the only flavored water my nut and trainer all because my mew stomach is sensitive to splenda; which is what most waters are flavored with. VWZ uses Stevia. Fage Greek Yogurt 0% has a decent Protein to carb ratio. The others are crap when it comes to protein. Remember protein first!!!! Limit your use of yogurt once you are off smushies; same with oatmeal. If you want to flavor your greek yogurt get the sugar free Torani syrups (this is the only product i use that still uses splenda) I bake with it too.

My surgeon said "I operate on your stomach...not your head" You have to fix your relationship with food. If you don't make better choices you will fail! Find some support somewhere in your life, If you can find someone to help you be accountable at the beginning you will form new habits to stay accountable with or without that person. This means food, exercise and emotional. If you don't have this person I will gladly assist you; PM me. Start cooking at home. Limit your meals out and under no circumstances do you eat at a place with a drive threw!!!! Get myfitnesspal for your phone or online. Make a commitment to get 20% more Protein than carbs. This means 80 grams of carbs for every 100 grams of protein. After surgery you are going to be 40% to 50% less so get a jump start. My ratio for the first 7 months was 75 grams of protein to 30 grams of carbs. Protein first, vegetables second and after 10 bites you will not have room for the carb. Make your carbs good ones; nothing white, nothing fried, and good lord do not beg for mashed potatoes when you get to mushies!!! Research! Research! Research.... find new foods, visit clean eating magazine and the world according to eggface for recipes and portion sizes and dig into something new! Can't wait for you to join us on the losers bench!

I have these once or twice a week to replace a meal. Get the gladiator and make sure you only get fruits that are real (not syrup). Their options are usually blackberry, strawberry, banana, raspberry, blueberry and a few others. I am a strawberry blackberry girl myself or strawberry banana after a workout only gets my potassium up. Delish!

newgrandmother.... I coach people here in Tampa Bay and when you do the right things you can stay full and lose it safely. SugarFree is not the way to go. Sugar free just puts other crap in the food to make it taste good. - After reading the above there are lots of tips and tricks that you will use post surgery so might as well start them now. MYFITNESSPAL.com - absolutely the most important tool for staying accountable to yourself. choosetochange.org is my website and blog. Follow the blog I have lots of recipes that will work to help you eat cleaner. When I put people on a detox it is a way to clean their system and remove the cravings that we all have. Figure out your vice and start there first. COLD TURKEY... Get through the first week and you will be golden. DETOX - Eliminate Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Sugar, Alcohol and all Vinegar and Oil based products. (Exceptions are Cold Pressed Olive oil, Coconut Oil and Sunflower Oil) Find a Pea Protein (It is natural as long as it is certified Organic; message me for suggestions) Change your milk to unsweetened almond milk (perfect for gluten free oatmeal, baking and protein shakes) All of the categories above are natural allergens and your digestive system stores the excess until you clean yourself out. The average American holds 20-40lbs in their digestive track of undigested bi-products. Get yourself a colon cleans product for week 2. Make sure you are drinking 4-6 20oz bottles of water a day.... Vitamin Water Zero is the only flavored water that doesn't contain artificial sweetners. It is detox approved. This DETOX takes some getting used to, but you will lose 10 lbs in your first week if you don't cheat on yourself. I would be happy to help you out and coach you through the month and beyond if you want. I have a facebook, skype and blog dedicated to helping non-ops and ops lose weight and eat cleaner!

Hi there Tonileebre! As you can see below I am rocking my sleeve and going on 11 months. My High was 410 and today I am at 260. I am even thinking for my height and stature I may not have far to go. I just consulted a plastic surgeon and they said I have about 30 lbs of skin and "stuff" they will have to remove surgically. So that being said I'm really closer to 230 and my goal is 200. I will be posting new befores and nows after my photoshoot this weekend! Do it for you! Your worth it!

I have an organic hormone replacement cream that some of my group use to replace their oral meds. https://arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=777&menuId=267&withLinks=1 If you want some specifics about it I can send you some articles and instructions via email. PM me! The cream is the fastest way to get the active ingredients into your blood stream. 5 minutes from application to active. It also comes with instructions on rotating skin applications.

I have to crush my chewables and put them in my protein shake.

I get hiccups first then within 10 minutes I get the runny nose. I love the fact my body gives me clues. I never had those before and my friends love it too....they know all my clues!

Dr. Pleatman in Detroit had an all inclusive price of 11K. My PCP here in FL did all my lab and preop work and sent them to my surgeon in MI. All I had for this was a copay.