Mz_Elle

I bought a couple of cute, short wigs in preparation of my hair shedding. I wanted to be pro-active and you know how sistas love the hair! I wasn't really ready to actually cut it all off. Fortunately I haven't had any shedding though....I'm still sporting the sassy bob wigs though...

Dumping syndrome is usually due to sugary foods. You just probably can't tolerate those foods at this time. Go to something else and revisit in a few weeks. It's just a matter of learning what your body can tolerate and when. My doc encourages experimenting and seeing how it goes.
Right know you just might not be able to handle it, but It doesn't sound like dumping syndrome.

Glad you found something that workd. I've also had a lot of success with vanilla Almond Milk and Almond Coconut Milk. It's worth a shot. I"m not so into to soy milks, but the Almond milks helped my taste buds a lot.

I totally agree with Dr. Mirza being a top surgeon. I chose him and I'm 4 weeks out. He's awesome and he's right off Westheimer between Fountainview and Chimney Rock.
And yes, he does provide his personal cell phone number as well as his coordinator Erica. Thank heavens I did not need to use it....they called me several times post op to check on me too.
As of today I can only sing his praises.

@Vondb. I have that concern as well. I don't want to be too small or have too much skin hanging off me either. I DO NOT want to look like Star Jones. (no offense, but she looks ill and her head is awfully disproportionate to her body since her procedure).
I think VSG patients fair better than bypass ones in this area because we don't have the malabsorption issues. I think it's a little bit easier for us to keep our nutrients and healthy glow.....at least I hope so! LOL. I don't want to be a size 5 or even a six. I like my curves and would be happy with a 10 or 12 but with muscle tone.

@Vondb. I have that concern as well. I don't want to be too small or have too much skin hanging off me either. I DO NOT want to look like Star Jones. (no offense, but she looks ill and her head is awfully disproportionate to her body since her procedure).
I think VSG patients fair better than bypass ones in this area because we don't have the malabsorption issues. I think it's a little bit easier for us to keep our nutrients and healthy glow.....at least I hope so! LOL. I don't want to be a size 5 or even a six. I like my curves and would be happy with a 10 or 12 but with muscle tone.

I know this may seem crazy but I'm a little worried about getting to small. I don't want to look sick. Is there a way to avoid this or will that even happen. I'm just really anxious about my surgery. All kinds of things running through my head.

Since you're probably burning fat versus carbs, you're probably experiencing the infamous ketosis stench that some ppl on low carb diets have noted. If you're very concerned I'd check with your doctor. I've not had that experience yet. But I've been told (by friends not my doctor or nutritionist) that some ppl notice a change in their breath when they switch to fat as their energy source.
I've been told chewing on fresh parsley or ginger helps.

80% of your stomach has been stapled together and ripped out through your belly button. You have to let it heal and learn to work again. It's swollen and recovering. A fellow poster summed it up as best as I've heard.... You have a baby's stomach. Would you feed a 1 week old fish? I'd hope not.
At least at the liquid stage, please try to stay on course for those two weeks that the doctors (or most doctors) recommend. You don't want to face a bowel obstruction or some other complication by moving too fast.
Stay strong and just don't beat yourself up for making a mistake. Just correct it.
I'd encourage you to follow the doctor's orders!

Thank you for sharing. This really helps motivate and let us know it's possible. Keep up the hard work. You look great!

@ Justine13:
Well they go up to a 3X so I'm hoping I can realistically be in a 1X-2X by November. That would be at least a 50 lbs total weight loss for me. I have a lot to lose. I have my "skinny" clothes on hand in the house and I don't foresee buying anything new except bras, underwear and pants as the weight comes off.
I have a whole stable of black pants and leggings on hand, but none have belt loops or zippers.They truly are my "big girl" pants with the elastic waist.
I just can't wait to feel comfortable in my own skin. Just comfortable being able to cross my legs like a lady, wear a mini-skirt on "date night," sit comfortably at a booth in a restaurant, not have to request a seat belt extender on the plane, and sit Indian style on the floor w/o effort. Little rewards like that, I want to experience. I think the lingo on the forum is NSV (non scale victory). I think I got it right?....LOL. I just look forward to what I will be able to accomplish with this new tool (The Sleeve) to help me with my weight loss and health.
Sigh...Lots of work to do!

One of my goals is to fit my hiney into a pair of Pajama Jeans! I've been wanting a pair since I 1st saw the add and that's one of my goals. To look good and show off my assets in a comfy pair of jeans. I hope to reach that goal by November 2012.
LOL. I know its kinda of kooky, but I have not worn a pair of zip up jeans in years. I want to just slip on a nice pair of boot cuts and strut a bit.

So tell the nurse that you don't want him with you when you weigh. Not a big deal. Pre-op, I wouldn't DREAM of telling someone how much I weighed. Now, I don't care. I've come so far that I will shout it from the rooftops!

Bring some feminine hygiene pads. Some ppl start their cycles post-op and you don't want to have to use the bulky, horse pads they give you at the hospital. Always overnights does the job.
Also some comfy socks with the appliques on the bottom so that when you get up and walk you feel comfortable with your footings. I did not like wearing slippers when walking down the hallway. I preferred only my socks.

Chap stick.
My lips were unbelievably dry after surgery, especially the 1st 24 hrs because my doc wouldn't give me anything to eat until I had the swallow test. They said all the fluids and nutrients would come in the IV. I wasn't hungry, but my lips her very dry.
Extra Hydrating Lotion
My skin was really dry too.

AWESOME. So inspiring...... In my Fred Sanford voice... "I'm coming to join ya Honey!"

AWESOME. So inspiring...... In my Fred Sanford voice... "I'm coming to join ya Honey!"

Yes. Definitely a change! You look GREAT!
Also one thing I've noticed is a consistent theme in the before/after pics is the colors worn. It's really telling....Most of the before pics are in darker clothing and usually our big girl armor of the black Leggings and big shirt. The after pics we usually have on white or a bright color that shows how joyous we are with the changes.
I guess clothes really do make the man and are telling as to how we feel about ourselves. LOL.

AWESOME. So inspiring...... In my Fred Sanford voice... "I'm coming to join ya Honey!"

Chap stick.
My lips were unbelievably dry after surgery, especially the 1st 24 hrs because my doc wouldn't give me anything to eat until I had the swallow test. They said all the fluids and nutrients would come in the IV. I wasn't hungry, but my lips her very dry.
Extra Hydrating Lotion
My skin was really dry too.

It's definitely due to the drop in calories. Remember your previous body was consuming way more than the normal 1500 per day so a drop to under 800 is freaking it out. I had to have this explained to me just the other day at my 1 week follow-up when I was shocked to only have lost 2 lbs after a week of liquids. Just try to drink a little more to bring up your caloric intake and keep at it.
Most people a week out from their surgery date are on full liquids versus clears, which means you can have creamy Soups and pudding. I found that creamy chicken broth does me good. I also added creamy potato Soup with a little "enhancement."
Two cans creamy potato Soup.< /p>
1 can liquid chicken broth
simmer real bacon bits and Water until it's a mess.
1 tbsp white queso (creamy cheese)
Pour all into your Ninja or magic bullet and blend until it's truly a liquid (no chunks). Add more Water or broth to make it more liquidy if needed.
Heat in the microwave and enjoy. It has a little more hearty, has the smokey bacon flavor and keeps you satisfied.

Thanks. I'm going to try the salsa/tomato thing for sure. I love salsa!

I got the Ninja Limited directly from their site about two weeks ago in preparation for this procedure and I absolutely love it. This one comes with the all the attachments you mentioned. I got 4 additional travel mugs and the extended warranty since I'll be using it for some time.
I also love the magic bullet and prefer to use that one for my shakes only because it's more compact. I plan on using the Ninja for my Soups and purrees (when I ever get to that phase). I
(I also had a little spat with the Magic Bullet people. I don't plan on buying another one.... Long story. Not related to the product, just the people selling it).
Both are sitting on my countertop at the ready.

I agree with Kathy in that 60 minutes at a stretch is a bit much. My doctor recommends 10 minutes at a time to total up to about 30 minutes a day. He also says to push if you want to, but listen to your body. We're in Texas, so it's sweltering hot. He says to work out in the early mornings/ Late evenings or go do the infamous MALL WALK.

I'm slated for surgery on July 3rd and started my pre-op regime this Wednesday. Right now I'm supplementing one Protein Shake per day to replace one of my 3 main meals. Next week I'll replace 2 of the 3 meals, then finally all liquid leading up to the surgery.
I have to admit on Thursday I went out with my hubby and had a Rib-eye dinner with all the fixins. I did not feel one bit of guilt about it. I have been doing well since deciding to do the surgery so I did not feel one last harrah was out of order.
I'm back on the lean-mean meal plan and getting my exercise on!