UTGal99

AWESOME! Keep up the GREAT work! Those laps in the hallway make all the difference. I am convinced the patients that get up and moving and walking do far better in the long run. Keep us posted on your progress....

It is completely doable and you WILL do it! I say stay persistent with your surgeon and stress how much you want a sleeve versus RNY. There are plenty of people on this forum that have higher BMI's and have had successful VSG procedures. I know that you may feel that 289 lbs. is a daunting task, but I recommend just taking it day by day, week by week, month by month, etc. Any loss is better than a gain, I always say. Even if I am only down 1 pound a week I think to myself...that is one pound less than last week and look to find the good in everyday. There are positives everyday and they don't always have to be wins on the scale. Good Luck to you! Keep us posted on your decision and discussion with the surgeon. Take care!

You look GREAT! Keep up the great work. I am just a little over a month out, down 23 pounds and hoping to have great success. Keep the pics rolling in - we all LOVE to see them!

Sleevie Wonder!

I have been sleeved for a little over 4 weeks and I have to agree, most of those Protein drinks are NASTY! I came across Premier Protein at Sams Club (costco carries it too) - it is AWESOME! It comes in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry and it is 30g of protein, 160 calories, 3g of sugar and 5g of carbs for 11 ozs. I highly recommend you scoop some up. It is by far the best tasting Protein Drink on the market (in my opinion). Sometimes on the weekends, Sam's Club demos the Protein Drinks and you can try them before buying them! I bought the individual packets from unjury too and a canister of unflavored to put in broth, yogurt etc. But the truth is...even the unflavored has a flavor. Hate to say it, but true. Good Luck to you!

Complications can happen with any procedure and are just par for the course, but it is a very small chance (less than 3%) that something will happen. I had the procedure done a little over 4 weeks ago - not a single complication, healed up beautifully, down 23 pounds and feeling AWESOME! I knew that the risk of me having obesity related complications in life was much higher than the risk of me having the procedure. I am so grateful I went through with it. I have NEVER lost 23 pounds on my own and know that without this tool I would not be this far. Good Luck to each of you. You will all do great! See you on the loser's bench soon....

It will come off. Just give your body time to heal from the surgery and focus on healing up, getting well and staying hydrated and getting Protein. I assure you it is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE not to lose weight b/c your calories are so restricted. Good Luck!

Yes, that is correct - 2 years of weight history showing a BMI over 35 for those two years consecutively. I have CIGNA and that was required of me too.

Awesome!

I used to feel that way and then I started drinking a protein shake about 1 hour before bed and no longer feel nauseau in the morning. Give it a try - might work for you too! Good Luck!

I LOVE to cook and am just wrapping up the pureed stage off my diet. Here are some of my favorite concoctions - enjoy! Egg salad - couple eggs, 1 tsp of mayo, 1/2 tsp of spicy brown mustard, salt & pepper - puree until smooth Buffalo chicken - can of chicken, 1 tbsp blue cheese crumbles, 2 tbsp ranch dressing, 1 tsp. of buffalo sauce, salt & pepper - puree until smooth - MY PERSONAL FAVORITE! Squash casserole - 1 can of squash with vidalia onion, 2 tbsp of cream cheese, 1/2 tsp of garlic powder, salt & pepper, 1 tsp margarine/butter, 1 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese - puree until smooth, pour into dish and microwave for 90 seconds or until heated through and bubbly Pintos and cheese - 1 can of Pintos with onion - puree until smooth, pour into dish and cover with 2 tbsp. of shredded cheddar cheese - microwave for 90 seconds or until heated through and bubbly - stir well to combine the cheese - optional: add a bit of enchilada sauce if you are looking for more flavor. Lemon Ricotta Creme Take one 15 oz. container of part skim ricotta cheese, add the zest of one lemon, juice of half the lemon, 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 4 packets of splenda - puree until smooth - AWESOME!!!! You can do variations on this should you choose - substitue orange zest and 1 tbsp. of orange juice with orange extract or keep vanilla extract for a dreamsicle taste. chocolate ricotta creme is easy too by substituting 2 tbsp. cocoa powder instead of zest and juice, same vanilla extract and splenda to sweeten. Perfect sweet tooth item instead of the same old pudding and/or jell-o and it has a high concentration of Protein due to the ricotta cheese. Enjoy! Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower (tastes a lot like mashed potatoes, but very low carb!) 1 bag of frozen cauliflower florets 1 tsp butter/margarine 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese 1/4 cup of milk Blend until smooth, pour into a casserole dish and top with another 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese and microwave for 90 seconds - enjoy!

I was considering the lap band too and then was introduced to the sleeve. I have officially been sleeved now for 4 weeks and can honestly say it is THE.BEST.THING I have ever done for myself. I am down 23 pounds in 27 days! With the sleeve there is no foreign object in your body like with a band. And no re-routing of intestines with the bypass. In my opinion it is a far more superior procedure than any of the other bariatric surgeries. I was up and walking within 3 hours of my surgery, never any nauseau or vomiting and have always been able to tolerate every food I have reintroduced. I can eat about 4-6 ozs. in a sitting and drink plenty of fluids. Good Luck to each of you! This site is amazing and the support I have received is fabulous!

Edamame is rather soft, I would think you could have that once you are introduced to soft foods. Nutrionist should be able to answer that question. Let us know what you find out, I love edamame too!

My surgeon says no more than 4 ozs. but take it what you can tolerate over a 30-45 minute period.

Here is my latest creation: Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower (tastes a lot like mashed potatoes, but very low carb!) 1 bag of frozen cauliflower florets 1 tsp butter/margarine 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese 1/4 cup of milk Blend until smooth, pour into a casserole dish and top with another 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese and microwave for 90 seconds - enjoy!

I feel like I have a children of steel too - I am only 3 weeks out but everything I try I tolerate really well. Thank God!

I am 3 weeks out and don't regret it for one second! I too had the same exact fears but like SkinnyMinnie2Be said it is a pretty easy surgery and you will be up and moving around within a few hours of surgery. EVERYDAY you get to feeling a little better and by 2 weeks out you won't even really know you had the surgery. When else can you lose 20 pounds in 21 days?!? I know I could have NEVER lost this much weight on my own. I love my sleeve! Honestly, I couldn't tell you that I had the procedure done except for the fact that I just can't take in as much food as I used to - LOVE IT! You will do great! Looking forward to seeing you on the losers bench in the New Year!

Oh, oh, oh...I forgot my all time favorite: Lemon Ricotta Creme Take one 15 oz. container of part skim ricotta cheese, add the zest of one lemon, juice of half the lemon, 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 4 packets of splenda - puree until smooth - AWESOME!!!! You can do variations on this should you choose - substitue orange zest and 1 tbsp. of orange juice with orange extract or keep vanilla extract for a dreamsicle taste. chocolate ricotta creme is easy too by substituting 2 tbsp. cocoa powder instead of zest and juice, same vanilla extract and splenda to sweeten. Perfect sweet tooth item instead of the same old pudding and/or jell-o and it has a high concentration of Protein due to the ricotta cheese. Enjoy! I LOVE to cook so if I think of more or create more I will post here.

I am on pureed foods right now and here are a few of my favorites: Egg salad - couple eggs, 1 tsp of mayo, 1/2 tsp of spicy brown mustard, salt & pepper - puree until smooth Buffalo chicken - can of chicken, 1 tbsp blue cheese crumbles, 2 tbsp ranch dressing, 1 tsp. of buffalo sauce, salt & pepper - puree until smooth - MY PERSONAL FAVORITE! Squash casserole - 1 can of squash with vidalia onion, 2 tbsp of cream cheese, 1/2 tsp of garlic powder, salt & pepper, 1 tsp margarine/butter, 1 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese - puree until smooth, pour into dish and microwave for 90 seconds or until heated through and bubbly Pintos and cheese - 1 can of Pintos with onion - puree until smooth, pour into dish and cover with 2 tbsp. of shredded cheddar cheese - microwave for 90 seconds or until heated through and bubbly - stir well to combine the cheese - optional: add a bit of enchilada sauce if you are looking for more flavor Hope these help. Take care!

Make sure you are getting plenty of Water or non-caloric/non-carbonated/decaf beverages. Often times your body confuses thirst as hunger. Staying adaquetly hydrated will help curb some of the hunger. Good Luck!

Highly unlikely; however, you might want to drop the milk out of the coffee or better yet kick up your calories a bit. I know that sounds crazy but my nutrionist says to eat more calories to get your body moving. I know it sounds crazy, but by just adding an extra 150 calories a day can make the difference. Your body may have just adjusted to what you are giving it and needs a little kick of calories for it to understand you are not starving and it can let go of some more weight. Hope that helps...

If you want to make them fluffier add a couple of tablespoons of water and whisk together. Milk makes eggs firmer and water makes them fluffier! Enjoy!

I would just make sure and stick with the diet. You certainly don't want to do ANYTHING that could cause a leak or any other complication. Lord....there are folks on this forum that have spent 4-6 weeks in the hospital for complications!

What does the diet your surgeon calling for currently? I am pretty sure cheetopuffs are not on the plan. With that said, I would just come clean to your surgeon's office and ask if there could be any issues due to it. Also, as for hunger - I was really hungry too and just made sure to sip, sip, sip Water all day. Sometimes our bodies misconstrue thirst for hunger. Give it a try and hope all works well for you. It will get better - I promise!!!

Holy cow! Did they do a leak test at the hospital when you first had the surgery done?