SarSmyle

Hi Faith4me- find out if the hospital has wireless Internet for the patients that is reliable. If it does, u can also check out an app for smartphones called "Viber" that lets u make phone calls via wireless Internet on ur cell phone.
- Sarah
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Thanks for sharing all your photos! You guys all look amazing! What an inspiration for all of us who are still early in our journey... Can't wait to add a photo when I finally get a LBD that is not as big as a tent! Ha ha.
Have fun everyone!
- Sarah
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- you know you'rs a sleever when your dishwasher or sink is full of the littlest plates and utensils they make...
-... When you've every possible way of making "pizza"'without actual bread...
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- you know you'rs a sleever when your dishwasher or sink is full of the littlest plates and utensils they make...
-... When you've every possible way of making "pizza"'without actual bread...
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My most annoying: "ohhh... When is the baby due?"
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Wow- you look great! Congratulations!

Hi everyone!
I can't believe one month has already passed. It has been quite a challenging month, but it has been well-worth every minute!
I had my VSG on July 30th 2012.
I have lost a grand total of 17.4 pounds on one month, and 24.2 pounds from my highest weight in August 2011...
Amazingly, I have lost a total of 17 1/2 inches! (I still can't quite believe this)...
I have removed more than half the clothing in my closet because it was just too big (again, that is a rare occurrence for me!)...
Most importantly, I have been OFF my diabetic medications (I was on Metformin 1000 mg twice a day) and my BP medications (I was on Atacand 16 mg once a day) since the surgery - I am so very thankful for this... )
Here are some photos (the images on the left of each photo are from one day pre-op, and the images on the right of each photos are from today): I hope I am posting these correctly...

food in the portions that I used to enjoy), but it has also been one of the MOST important, valuable, and healthy things I have ever done for myself so far - it has changed my life in a matter of weeks and I have been thankful ever since I did it that I made the decision to move forward...
Thanks to everyone here for having the courage to share their stories, their humor, and their encouragement!
-Sarah

Hi everyone!
I can't believe one month has already passed. It has been quite a challenging month, but it has been well-worth every minute!
I had my VSG on July 30th 2012.
I have lost a grand total of 17.4 pounds on one month, and 24.2 pounds from my highest weight in August 2011...
Amazingly, I have lost a total of 17 1/2 inches! (I still can't quite believe this)...
I have removed more than half the clothing in my closet because it was just too big (again, that is a rare occurrence for me!)...
Most importantly, I have been OFF my diabetic medications (I was on Metformin 1000 mg twice a day) and my BP medications (I was on Atacand 16 mg once a day) since the surgery - I am so very thankful for this... )
Here are some photos (the images on the left of each photo are from one day pre-op, and the images on the right of each photos are from today): I hope I am posting these correctly...

food in the portions that I used to enjoy), but it has also been one of the MOST important, valuable, and healthy things I have ever done for myself so far - it has changed my life in a matter of weeks and I have been thankful ever since I did it that I made the decision to move forward...
Thanks to everyone here for having the courage to share their stories, their humor, and their encouragement!
-Sarah

Hi everyone!
I can't believe one month has already passed. It has been quite a challenging month, but it has been well-worth every minute!
I had my VSG on July 30th 2012.
I have lost a grand total of 17.4 pounds on one month, and 24.2 pounds from my highest weight in August 2011...
Amazingly, I have lost a total of 17 1/2 inches! (I still can't quite believe this)...
I have removed more than half the clothing in my closet because it was just too big (again, that is a rare occurrence for me!)...
Most importantly, I have been OFF my diabetic medications (I was on Metformin 1000 mg twice a day) and my BP medications (I was on Atacand 16 mg once a day) since the surgery - I am so very thankful for this... )
Here are some photos (the images on the left of each photo are from one day pre-op, and the images on the right of each photos are from today): I hope I am posting these correctly...

food in the portions that I used to enjoy), but it has also been one of the MOST important, valuable, and healthy things I have ever done for myself so far - it has changed my life in a matter of weeks and I have been thankful ever since I did it that I made the decision to move forward...
Thanks to everyone here for having the courage to share their stories, their humor, and their encouragement!
-Sarah

Wish you all the best! See you on the other side... :0)
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Sending you positive thoughts and energy... really hope things turn around fast for you and that you feel better and better every day... Hugs!
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Hey everyone, I found a old picture today and wanted to show the progress I have made so far. The first picture is from 4 years ago (I dont know how much I weighed in it) and the second is from this past Saturday. My highest weight was 360lbs, day of surgery I was 338lbs and I am currently 237lbs, I have been in ANOTHER stall which seems like FOREVER but I hope I will be able to get down to my goal weight.

Ever since I started thinking about a sleeve, my biggest worry was, "Will I be able to lead a normal life again?". I see that question asked a hundred different ways in this forum. Let me add my experience.
I should mention that "normal" for me looks different than "normal" for most Americans. I get to a lot of places, and eat a lot of different foods. I was terrified that I would not be able to function in that lifestyle.
Today is my 6 week anniversary, and life started getting back to my "normal"
I am writing from my hotel in Singapore.
On this trip I have survived 3 airline meals, and 3 formal hosted Chinese dinners with 5 to 7 courses. I managed to get through it without insulting my kind hosts, or throwing up, I actually had some wonderful little morsels. I hit all of my Protein targets with 3 conventional meals and one Protein Bar a day. I didn't have to make a bunch of dietary demands, pack a ton if supplies, or turn my hotel into a "shake factory".
Tonight I had a few treasured hours to myself, so I went to my favorite Hawker Center where I have spent many hours sitting with friends and locals surrounded by the smoke and clamor of a bunch of busy Satay stands.
I managed to eat a few of my favorite Satay and some of my favorite Sambal Stingray.
I just wanted to assure people that life post-sleeve does not have to be bleak or ordinary. These are actually "soft" foods. (OK the satay is marginal but I get promoted next week).
I really miss the cold Tiger Beer that goes with this meal, but I know I will back to that eventually. In the mean time I am down 53 lbs and feel great.
This has been a great life-altering decision for me, and I did not have to give up much at all.
I hope the attached photos make it through.
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Get rid of all the bad stuff, the temptations in your house. Stock with 1% cottage cheese, a bag of frozen shrimp, frozen chicken breasts, (it's easy and fast to bake one) tuna packed in Water, Lite mayo. Get your Protein with food, rather than relying on powders and Protein Bars. Get some skim milk, a couple glasses a day is 16oz of Protein. Oh, and eggs, probably the best source of protein there is. You can do it.

I am so sorry you are struggling. Unfortunately, restrictive surgeries like the band and sleeve sometimes do not work as effectively with some people's metabolisms and they would do better with a bypass or DS, but since it sounds like you don't have the money to revise, let's try to make the sleeve work for you. First of all, you must log your calories, Protein, carbs, and Water. Seeing what you are eating and how it affects your weight is crucial. Second, you must make good food choices. You will never lose weight eating and drinking crap. Third, weigh yourself every day. If you are not losing an average of 2 lbs/week, you are eating too much. Fourth, measure your food, and eat no more than .75 cup at a time. You must stop vomiting and that means eating slowly--put down your fork and chew, chew, chew. Stop eating if you feel full, after 20 minutes, or when the food is gone, whatever comes first. Do not drink for an hour afterwards. You need to eat planned Snacks so that you don't stuff yourself at dinner. I would faint if all I had to go on was a Protein Shake until a Protein Bar at lunch. You also must walk and lift weights to try and build muscle mass to increase your metabolism.
You don't say how tall you are or how much you weigh now, but I promise if you go back to basics you can lose more. You can do this! Start now by empying your cupboards of all the slider food and sugar. We are here for you.

- you know you'rs a sleever when your dishwasher or sink is full of the littlest plates and utensils they make...
-... When you've every possible way of making "pizza"'without actual bread...
Sent from my iPhone using VST

- you know you'rs a sleever when your dishwasher or sink is full of the littlest plates and utensils they make...
-... When you've every possible way of making "pizza"'without actual bread...
Sent from my iPhone using VST

- you know you'rs a sleever when your dishwasher or sink is full of the littlest plates and utensils they make...
-... When you've every possible way of making "pizza"'without actual bread...
Sent from my iPhone using VST

- you know you'rs a sleever when your dishwasher or sink is full of the littlest plates and utensils they make...
-... When you've every possible way of making "pizza"'without actual bread...
Sent from my iPhone using VST

- you know you'rs a sleever when your dishwasher or sink is full of the littlest plates and utensils they make...
-... When you've every possible way of making "pizza"'without actual bread...
Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi - I'm in north Jersey and had my sleeve done on July 30th with Dr.A. Trivedi at Hackensack hospital... good luck everyone!

Hi - I'm three weeks out from my surgery and have no regrets whatsoever... am off all diabetic and anti-hypertensive medications (just taking vitamins), which was my goal and main reason for doing this...
_ Sarah

You look amazing! Congratulations on your success and I hope you get to do the show too! )
-Sarah

So sorry to hear about your troubles - I hope you get better soon.... sending positive energy...

LOL - love it!