JenniJune

I am on day 6 of my 2 week pre-op diet and wanted to share a couple of the recipes with you that have been helping me get through this time! All of these are additions to vanilla Protein shakes. Enjoy! Gingerbread shake: Add a dash of each: nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and ground ginger along with a tablespoon of sugar free caramel coffee flavoring. Morning Coffee Shake: Add a single serve packet of instant decaf coffee a tablespoon of sugar free chocolate syrup, and a dash of cinnamon Coconut cream pie shake: Add a teaspoon of coconut extract, a dash of cinnamon, and a tablespoon of caramel coffee flavoring "Mounds" shake: Add a teaspoon of coconut extract and a tablespoon of chocolate syrup I have several more, but these are a few of my favorites that go beyond the standard chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. :-)

I know he's been discussed here before, but I haven't seen any recent posts about him, so is anyone using Dr. Veninga for their surgery? Has anyone here used him in the last 3-6 months? How was your surgery? How did you like the Optifast? Are you using Juice Plus? Any updated thoughts would be fantastic!

Hi everyone! My name's Jennifer. I am fairly new to the VSG site and just joined this group. I am excited to find a Christian group - God's strength is what's going to be getting me through this, I feel. I am pre-op and just waiting on insurance approval. I called the company on Monday and they said that it was in the final stage of approval, so I'm hoping that I hear something today. I'm thanking God for my approval because I KNOW it's coming! Thank you for this group! God bless you all!

No :-( ((hug)) I had the hardest time quitting. It is rough right now, but it DOES get better, I promise!

If your tummy is ready for it, turkey legs are usually a good choice :low carb, high protein, and relatively low fat. Sounds like you made a great choice, though!

We come to this site for support, and support comes in many forms. I think the concern is, no matter how you look at it, the OP DID go against doctor's orders by introducing soft foods early. If she had talked to him before hand and gotten permission, that's one thing, but she didn't. That is something that frightens a lot of us because of all the complications that can follow. It ended well for her, thank God, but for some it doesn't. And yes, there have been deaths linked to leaks that occur as a result of proceeding the diet too early. I cannot post these as I am on my phone, but feel free to google the subject. Yes, respect is important, but sometimes support isn't sugar coated and isn't a pat on the back but a dose of reality. I urge anyone thinking about advancing early to speak with your doctor or nut first. Guidelines are there for a purpose.

I just shaved my legs. I haven't shaved my legs in 3 years. That is all.

I'm on soft foods, so my typical day is like this: B- Protein shake S- Babybell cheese L- Seafood salad or tuna/chicken salad S- Protein Shake or yogurt D- Moist meat and soft veggies I try to eat something every 2-3 hours.

HA!!! I can't wait for that too!! LOL

Some days I do, but those feelings are based on my own food addiction. But I am less than a month out, and this is when things are hardest: you can't eat what you want, some days it's hard to eat at all. BUT, every week it gets easier. So I know that week 5 will be better than week 4, and week 12 will be better than week 11. So with that in mind, I know that there will be no regrets: I'm losing steadily, and my husband has even noticed a difference. I am getting healthy.

Well stated!

Best advice I can give you is to check with your surgeon: they all have different rules and guidelines so what info you get here may be way different than what your doc says. Mine wanted to make sure I was on birth control before he did the surgery (I'm on mirena).

I'm very surprised about being on regular food to that extent as well. I'm 4 weeks and struggling with the soft foods! And I was told no fresh fruit or veggies for at least 6 weeks. I would lay off the carbs: that may trigger more loss. Wrap a string cheese in a piece of ham and dip it in the mustard. Good luck!

Unless you're gaining, don't worry about it. Think about this: WITHOUT the sleeve would you be losing at all? You're doing everything right and the scale WILL move.

I love to cook, and my husband and I are planning on cooking healthy meals together. Since my kids won't eat half of what I cook anyway, we need to make about 1/3 of what I used to cook. Any tips on how to do this without wasting things like pre packaged veggies, meat, etc?

Thank you guys! Those are some great tips!

I would just not buy the "crap" and double up on the healthy stuff, then get a plastic storage box that fits in your fridge, put your portions for the week in it an label it with your name, then tell him he can have whatever is not in the box. Encourage him to continue eating healthy (even if it's not the reason, this may put the idea in his head) - tell him your proud of his food choices, but that you made the box to ensure you would get what you need throughout the week. Good luck!

1) I think your meal plan for today sounds perfect. 2) My family and I are trying to modify our diet to whole-foods without added chemicals (which is NOT easy in our little town!!) So I tend to use real (raw) sugar, honey, agave, etc. I do use Splenda for some things (I can't stomach stevia), but rarely. But I also limit the things I use with real sugar. I do use low fat dairy products, but I read labels. I do abide by the moderation law, though. I eat clean 98% of the time, but if I want something I allow a bite or two.

I still have at least another 100 lbs. but we'll get there!!

Dang girl!!! Rock that sleeve!!

My Nut wants me to aim for 500, but I don't always reach that. I was 285 at surgery and am down to 267. How many weeks out are you? I'm on week four.

15 before and 30 after for me. I do have to stress though, always follow your nut/surg's orders. Every doctor is different and their advice is what works for them and how they perform surgery.

Interestingly enough, I was just asked by a friend last night when I can drink alcohol again and was appalled when I said "probably never". Her idea of drinking alcohol is getting drunk and acting stupid. Someday I may be able to have a glass of wine or a craft beer, but honestly I have no desire for it.