LoriRay

I use green enchalada sauce, I even throw he chicken in frozen. let it cook when I am at work then shred it with some forks I do drain most of the sauce and add it to Beans. My kids love it too!

Ive done the same thing with a jar of salsa. The chicken gets so moist and flavorful. Ive even shredded the chicken breasts and made tacos or burritos.Romaine lettuce worked as a sub for real taco shells. Or you could just make a taco salad.< /p>

Go to skinnytaste.com it has great recipe ideas for us sleevers! Kabobs are always great!

Girl you need to say something to them. My guess is they dont even realize they are doing it. I would also set aside a lunch for yourself the next day before you even serve the food. Just take part of it and pack it in the fridge. That way they can fight over whats left and you arent feeling so frustrated. Make sure they know thats MOMMAS lunch and hands off

I am here to tell you that it can be done. I started the process for the sleeve in October 2011. I quit smoking December 26th. (over 5 months now) stopped drinking any alcohol or caffienated drinks six weeks ago and I was finally sleeved on 5/29. I found quitnet.com to be a very helpful site on my quitting smoking journey. I have learned a lot about myself in the process. I am looking forward to the next year to see my transformation. You can do this! When I first quit smoking i was not happy about it. I thought I would just go right back to it once I had my sleeve done. Not anymore. I have ZERO desire to smoke now. I want to be healthy 100 percent. Good luck in your journey!
Lori

Girl you need to say something to them. My guess is they dont even realize they are doing it. I would also set aside a lunch for yourself the next day before you even serve the food. Just take part of it and pack it in the fridge. That way they can fight over whats left and you arent feeling so frustrated. Make sure they know thats MOMMAS lunch and hands off

Girl you need to say something to them. My guess is they dont even realize they are doing it. I would also set aside a lunch for yourself the next day before you even serve the food. Just take part of it and pack it in the fridge. That way they can fight over whats left and you arent feeling so frustrated. Make sure they know thats MOMMAS lunch and hands off

Girl you need to say something to them. My guess is they dont even realize they are doing it. I would also set aside a lunch for yourself the next day before you even serve the food. Just take part of it and pack it in the fridge. That way they can fight over whats left and you arent feeling so frustrated. Make sure they know thats MOMMAS lunch and hands off

Practice eating slow and chewing ASAP. I didn't realize how much of a challenge this would be postop. I wish I would have made the adjustment pre op.

It takes a lot of courage to make a post like this, so that's a huge step.
You pretty much laid it out there what the problem is. You have been snacking and not drinking Protein shakes and eating healthy.
Make yourself accountable. If you used to chart your food on Myfitnesspal.com or some other start doing it. Start visually becoming accountable for what you put in your mouth. If you see it on paper, it becomes real.
Start counting your Water, and start moving again. Not sure what it cost you or your insurance for this surgery, not sure how much pain you endured, but think about that next time snacking becomes an option.
There's no more surgery after this one, except hip, knee replacement, etc. plus doctor's bills for sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes if you don't correct your ways now the scale WILL eventually start going up.
Good luck and I wish you the best. You know what to do, lots of people here to help you and encourage you.

My best friend's sister in law is in Arizona, like you. The Sister in Law had gastric bypass three years ago and, while she has dropped her weight, she hasn't been healthy enough to enjoy the loss. The Sis in law is still using Protein shakes exclusively over 3 years out from surgery and has apparently never learned to eat real food again, nor does she comply with the Water regimen we all have to do. Sister in law has been in and out of the hospital for malnutrition and, every time, the doctors tell her that she needs to eat "real" food and drink her Water. Sister in law complies while in the hospital, then goes right back to the shakes as soon as she gets out. My opinion is that the sister in law is basically anorexic because she's terrified that she will gain a pound back.
Knowing this woman like I do, I was determined to follow my surgeon's guidelines for getting back onto solid foods. I personally believe that the early stages are a great time for us to learn new eating habits and to figure out how we're going to follow the eating guidelines for life. For me, it's about being able to eat like normal weight people eat, rather than like obese people eat. Now, I can take a bite of something less nutritious and go on without having to finish the entire cake, quart of ice cream, etc. It's about behavior modification for me.
Good luck!!

Well this is it! I am nervous but also excited. Just happy its finally here. Off to the hospital by 8 and surgery is at 1030. Will update after surgery tomorrow when I can
Lori

Well this is it! I am nervous but also excited. Just happy its finally here. Off to the hospital by 8 and surgery is at 1030. Will update after surgery tomorrow when I can
Lori

I am also getting my sleeve tomorrow. Good luck!! Im ready

Ii only told a few people. I didn't want to deal with the negative comments from those who have thought that I should be able to loose the weight by dieting and exercising. Well I have been doing that for 40 years and it did not work. I was sleeved April 9, and have lost 32 pounds. I have had to cut my blood pressure meds in half and I don't need my CPAP any more. I am taking care of me the best way I can. Just do what you are comfy doing. This is about you!!

I also have a pool and that was one of my first questions. They said minimum 4 weeks. Its not the exercise they are concerned with, its the bacteria that can be in a pool or hot tub they worry about.

Tons of people on here have kept their surgery a secret. I chose not to, I told everyone -- my coworkers, friends, family, strangers -- I felt that I was comfortable enough with this that I didn't care what people thought. So far I haven't had any negativity, just tons of support. I have even had a few people who are going to check it out and see if they want to have it too!
Whatever you chose to do is a deeply personal decision and depends on your comfortableness with letting people know your personal affairs.

Sleeved on Monday (5/21). I have to admit that while I know I did the right thing, I feel awful. My surgeon went so far as to say my recovery has been atypical. I spent most of surgery day and the day after vomiting, spent three nights in the hospital instead of one and I'm still having trouble getting more than 3-4oz of Fluid down in an hour. I know it's all for the best and that this too shall pass, but ugh! My new mantra is "one sip at a time".

I hear ya, I lived on food porn the first few weeks post op...

Lori, i am having the surgery on the 29, too :-)

Welcome Cliff! I get my sleeve Tuesday May 29th so I am right behind you. I just found this site myself a few days ago. Already feeling better about my decision
Lori

I am alive! I think Really had no idea what to expect as far as pain, I am definitely hurting, but only at the site of the largest cut, then the rest of my body just feels like I got ran over by a truck...but I made it! Got released today and got home about an hour ago, nice to be out of the hospital.

I'm sorry if this sounds mean.. not my intention... but...... Like the rest of us, you were sick of being overweight and unhealthy so you opted to have the surgery. Make the commitment and FOLLOW YOUR DIET!! I am 10 days post op and I was on clears for 4 days then to full liquids such shakes, drinkable yogurt, cream Soups (no chunks) etc....) I am STILL on this stage and will be until 3 weeks post op. Maybe I'm so gung ho about following my diet because I was a self pay and I refuse to let my hard earned money be wasted.. I dunno. This is a mental journey just as it is physical! I have a calendar that my surgeon provided that tells me every day what stage of food I can eat. How long did your surgeon tell you that you needed to be on clears?? If anything, reach out to your surgeon and ask if you can add shakes or soups but follow your Dr's orders. You just had 75-80% of your stomach removed!! It has to have time to heal. The last thing you want to do is eat something you shouldn't be eating.
Good Luck!

Oh yea..Victoria's secret for sure! I also cant wait to wear high heels again..like 3-4 inch heels haha! I also have a horse (yes a real one) that I havent been able to ride for a while. I am really excited to be able to get back into a riding routine. Its great exercise for both of us!
Lori

One thing I wanted was for my son to hug me and be able to touch his hands together (with me in the middle). We were in the grocery store a couple of weeks ago and he did it and even said "look mama." I forgot that was one thing I said before surgery that I wanted, so you reminded me. Thank you (and you brought tears to my eyes for two reasons: 1. reminding me of this small goal and 2. for all of the other things that everyone shared... I totally related to so many, but how beautiful it is to hear what others hearts desire - I wish you all success in this journey!).