On my Waaaay

I am just back from a day night date with my hubby!! We went to Fredricksburg, TX for some fun, relaxation, shopping and FOOD! I was really worried how this was going to go....
First day there - we went to Mamacita's for lunch. He ordered the crispy taco plate and been and cheese nachos. I ate one taco (shredded beef and cheese with hotsauce) and half of a nacho! It was wonderful, tasty and I was stuffed! He ate the rest plus 2 beers and several beautiful home made tortillas!!
For dinner - we went to a great German restaruant - and he had the Schnitzel Kase, and I was dismayed to see very little I could eat. I settle on the Klopse meat balls (beef and pork) and of course it came with a huge pile of buttered noodles and saurkraut. The meat balls were in a caper dill sauce - and there were 2 about 3 oz each - so I plopped the other on his plate and set in. Big problem - the meat ball had a lot of bread filling in it. I ate about 3/4 of it - and could feel it EXPAND in my belly. Luckily, we did a lot of walking afterwards, and 30 min. after - I started back with my Water - so no pain!
We slept in the next day, so hit town about 11. He had a hpme made burger plate - I had half an order of quiche Lorraine - yum! Dinner that night was another German place - he had schnitzel, I had an appetizer called German Rueben rolls. Basically, 2 egg rolls made with corned beef, swiss cheese and saurkraut - with thousand island dipping sause! I ate almost all of it - super good!
We did buy some Amish cheese we snacked on in our B&B that night, and I feel like I really didn't miss out on the food end....and don't feel bad about myself. I know I probably didn't hit my 60g of Protein, but I will be back on track tomorrow and have fish and shrimp thawing in my sink!
I was really worried about the "enjoying" food aspect after this surgery. I have to pay more attention, but do not feel deprived at all. I am so thankful!!!!

I was sleeved 6/11 as well and only down 25lbs. It's hard not to be discouraged, but it helps to know that many of us are losing at the same pace. We may not get there as soon as some, but we'll get there!

CW 202
GW 195
.8 lbs down
I'm readjusting my goal. I hoped to be under 200 lbs by now but I'm still struggling mentally. But I won't give up!

I'm 8 weeks out and nothing tastes good. I'm having a lot of trouble reaching my calorie and Protein goals for the day. It seems that most food makes me a little nauseous at the thought of eating it. lunch meat, Greek yogurt, Protein shakes, smoothies, most meats are all just gross right now. Not sure what to do. Its like my taste buds and sense of smell are superhuman and it makes everything taste off.
Anybody else have a problem eating?

Welcome! Thank you for sharing your story with us! I wish you all the best in your journey, you will do great! This is an amazing place in which to draw support and gather knowledge, I am so grateful that it is here! Many prayers to you and your family!

I had complications with my procedure on July 12th, was released from the hospital on July 25th (spent 11 days in ICU). Basically, my surgeon took out the lap band, attempted to give me the sleeve (which we both agreed was best for me), HOWEVER, because of severe scar tissue from 2 c sections, prior abdominal procedures, the sleeve did not take, & my dr converted me to a gastric bypass (roux n y). in addition, I encountered a bowel obstruction which had to be surgically fixed immediately, & am now home on the mend, & with a feeding tube directly to my new tummy(to give it time to heal, it will be removed next week by my dr).
Although I did not expect any of this, & it was a HARD road traveled, it is what was laid before me and GOD brought me thru it....comfortably on the mend...

Hi, sorry you are going through such a hard time right now. I'm not speaking from experience, because I'm not even scheduled to have my surgery until Oct.. 8th!!! HOWEVER, I think I have hope for you. You mentioned here in this post you are only 5 weeks out.....that means you just got your sleeve only 5 weeks ago?
If that's correct, please, please don't despair! You can't eat much right now. And probably for the next couple of months can't each much. BUT, I work with a gal who had this surgery done last year. She eats whatever now, she just eats small portions. Like maybe about 1 cup worth? Her plate fills up like the size of a 1/2 sandwich...
Anyway, she was my saving grace in my decision. I, like you, had these issues about not being able to eat. I asked her what she does for the holidays? for going out to dinner? She always gets a plate to go and eats it for the next couple of meals. So please don't think you won't be able to enjoy your favorite foods from time to time. You just can't NOW. So make it up in your mind that yes, right NOW you can only eat extremely small portions. But next Spring and Summer, you will be able to eat a little more. . . . not as much as pre-surgery, but isn't that a good thing to keep the weight off?
I hope this helps! I see what she eats for lunch every day, and your portion sizes will increase from a couple of bites, I promise you. Hang in there!

I wouldn't get the Bariatric Advantage ones...I had to stop taking them because they were making me sick. They are really disgusting. Right now I'm taking Flintstones.

Dr. Nicholson is wonderful!!!! I was a self-pay on 6/19 and I travelled from Minneapolis! Great experience, so very happy I chose him!!

Dr. Nicholson is wonderful!!!! I was a self-pay on 6/19 and I travelled from Minneapolis! Great experience, so very happy I chose him!!

So I'm currently in the midst of a 3 month pre op diet. My surgeon doesn't do a pre op diet per say but I have a personal goal to loose 20-30lbs pre surgery. So I've been really cutting cabs out. My go to during this? Cauliflower!
I riced some cauliflower (put it in a food processor then nuked it) and it has the texture of rice. Served some chicken in lowfat coconut curry sauce over it!
I made moc mashed potato bake with low fat sour cream, lots of garlic, riced cauliflower and low fat motzeralla cheese baked in the oven (this was DELISH!)
I made pizza twice with it as the crust- once with chicken mushrooms and onions on the pizza and another time with goat cheese and fresh figs- yummy!
Just wanted to let you guys know there are SO many carb swaps out there and cauliflower is one of the best! I also sliced zucchini on a mandolin and used it as 'Pasta noodles' under Beans and shrimp one night. Another great idea!
Keep experimenting- doesnt have to be boring! Can't way until surgery- I'm determined to make this work as not just a diet but a life style!

I was sleeved on 6.18.12 and I am down 43 lbs. SW was 266 now CW is 223 ! I lost 7 pre op and 35 post op! What's everyone's eating patterns?

I posted this in another room and thought I would share...
Well guys....countdown begins. My surgery is on Tuesday. I am not sure what time yet. Dr's office said they would call me on Monday before noon to let me know what time to be at the hospital. I have everything I THINK I will need. WOW. I cannot believe it's almost here and that I have successfully completed TWELVE days of the liquid diet. GO ME!!!! Honestly, it hasnt been as bad as I thought it would be. Guess that's a good thing and hopefully I won't 'miss' food as much post surgery either. Weird though...I am not nervous one bit. I am so ready. This is a whole new chapter in my life and I am going for it. I will have my mother by my side through the whole thing. Husband will be home with the kids (1 and 3) and he really hasn't been supportive anyway during this process. But...I am ok with that. This is about my kids...and ME! ME! ME! For ONCE in my life...ME!
I will keep you posted!

thank you all so very much for the support, prayers and kind words. And for each and every one of you...I hereby make a contract, I will seek immediate help, if I ever have suicidal thoughts again. I promise you all. Please note, killing myself was never in the cards -- it never crossed my mind. This surgery was to be a new journey and a new future for me and my hubby. But I am in therapy for the long haul and I have new wonderful friends on this website. I will post a quick note most days just to keep you all posted. Once more thank you all again. God bless us all on our journies.

Two years ago I went to Sturgis Bike Week in South Dakota. I weighed about 250-257. We are going again this year and I currently weigh 176. I was looking at the pictures from last time and I couldn't believe them. The pictures this year will be so much more fun to take. I can't wait to post them here. I was buying XL or 2XL t-shirts last time and now I will be buying large. Even though the weight loss has really slowed down, it's still exciting to see the changes. Here's a picture from 2 years ago and one taken just a few weeks ago. I will post more after vacation.

I am 8 days post-op, and I am thrilled to find this forum!!! I had my surgery in Louisiana and so far, I have lost 16 pounds! It has been very hard at times. I had so many people tell me it wasn't difficult at all, but I did find myself struggling at times. I realized my severe addiction to carbs!!! With that being said, I can honestly say it has been worth it. I am in my thirties and was on blood pressure medicine and facing diabetes. The only pain I'm having now is mild little "pulling" pains from my incision sights, but it's not bad at all. I would tell anyone thinking about this surgery to do it. A little bit of pain in the beginning for a new outlook on life is so worth it!!!

I am 6 months post op and my favorite sweet tooth snack is plain greek yogurt. I add brown sugar splenda and I add a little dab of vanilla and top with pecans...it is sooo yummy

I am praying for you! You will get through this...you are a fighter! Please keep us posted!

Just having a quick celebration. I started this journey at 244 pounds. I was sleeved on May 21st. I have lost 46 lbs. I am off all my blood pressure meds and have not had a panic attack since the surgery. Today I weighed in at 198!!! I haven't been under 200 lbs. in 13 years!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank God for the sleeve.

I was sleeved by Dr. Nicholson on 6/19. I was a self-pay using Care Credit, very easy to use and pay that way. I travelled from Minneapolis. His cost was 12,500 and that included three nights at the Hyatt Place right by Forest Park Medical Center. Wonderful Hospital, wonderful care! My best to you!

Dr. Nicholson is amazing, as is Brittany his PA!!! I can't say enough wonderful things about him, he is very personable and I felt so confident in my decision to be sleeved by him! Forest Park is a wonderful facility, truly top notch!

I guess i was so sick and tired of how I felt I was willing to take a leap of faith. I've been extremely optimistic now, where my whole life I've been afraid and looking up symptoms, taking my temp. every few minutes when concerned I'm sick and imagining blood clots.
I had complete faith in the reviews and reputation of my surgeon, believed I have angels watching over me and in general feel that I am destined for better than what I was living.
That does not mean others who get complications don't have that mindset at all.
But, for me, attitude was and is everything right now. I refuse to live in what I can't have, or how I get those weird sensations (I think "great I'm healing" when I feel them). I got my funky compression socks on, hubby gave me my lovenox shot this morning which I didn't even feel. Some days it feels like a shot and some days I literally wonder if he did it. Then I get that little burn and know it happened. I have a completely bruised up stomach and I'm happy!
You can't turn back. You are going to be heathy and more beautiful and have more energy. I may get depressed later but in my 9th day after surgery I'm so grateful to turn back time in essence. My face is looking like it did 10 years ago already.
I hesitated to have such a positive post because I understand depression, people not understanding, or being condescending but I want you to remember most say it gets better, they don't regret it and EVENTUALLY they get to eat what they like even though it's in small quantities.
I wish you peace of mind and will put that out for you. After doing something like this you deserve to be happy and feel better. All my best!!

Dr. Nicholson is amazing, as is Brittany his PA!!! I can't say enough wonderful things about him, he is very personable and I felt so confident in my decision to be sleeved by him! Forest Park is a wonderful facility, truly top notch!