mykdzmom

@@Indieflickers - Thanks! Time to google it

@@Indieflickers - Where did you find the Dymatize ISO-100 Birthday Cake Protein powder?

@@Jenyp8409 - Such a difference in your face. I hope I have the same results... Rock on!

@@bellabloom - You look amazing! Congratulations on your loss! WOW

@@Indieflickers What a great idea. Where did you find the Birthday Cake shake?

@@pindoctor - Thanks for posting this. I haven't even had my surgery yet (9/30) and I already find myself thinking I will try to go back to work as soon as possible. I think I need to plan to take my full 2 weeks to allow myself time to recover.

I hope you get your energy up soon.

@@Radar Congrats on your weight loss and your blood sugar reading! I just wanted to add if asked, most folks on this site would tell you that they experienced some doubt about the decision for WLS at one point or another in their journey. I know that I did.

I started my journey in 2012. I went thru 4 of 6 months of the Dr supervised diet (that my insurance requires) and decided I wouldn't continue with WLS (Band at the time). FF 3 years and many pounds later I am finishing what I started but have decided on VSG.

I know you will make the best decision for YOU. Good luck on your journey!

Glad you are feeling good. Hope you can clear up the issue with your heart racing.

I am 1 week post op tomorrow. I am feeling great. Thankfully, I'm able to get in all of my fluids and Protein. However, by noon, my energy level decreases immensely. It's almost 5:00pm and I am done for the day. I've also noticed that despite a decreasing blood pressure, my heart races. Is anyone experiencing this? Am I just doing and expecting too much a week out?

Hope our follow up goes well!

Try and walk daily - a few times a day. Losing 14 lbs is awesome !!! And After surgery do everything you can to get up and walk. If only for a few steps - keep moving you will feel so good. I've been walking and walking ( thankfully I have a couple dogs ) and I feel really good. Walking before surgery helps your body heal faster .... Good luck !!! I'm so excited to be part of this with everyone !!! I have my follow up w surgeon this afternoon - very exciting

This just makes my heart sing for you. Congratulations on your success!

Amazing! Thanks for sharing your journey.

How is your pain level?

Glad you are tolerating Soup so well. How much are you able to get down at a time?

@@magicalwoman I know you are so glad to be done with the waiting and ready for the next leg of the journey. I hope that all is well. Please keep us posted.

I am glad you posted this. My birthday will be 14 days after my surgery. I will just be getting off shakes around that time, and I am sure I will not be ready for even a bite of cake. I am not sure if I would even want it or not. I have all the support in the world at home, but I am worried about the birthday cake party at the office... of course I will not eat it, but the pressure..

Glad you posted this... I saw it at Wal-Mart on the shelf with the regular Peanut Butter this weekend. I will have to pick some up.

It sounds like you have a great team taking care of you. I know there are days it seems like surgery will never get here, but it will. I had the similar delays with my pulmonologist (resulted in CPAP for apnea) and cardiologist (slight blockage covered by meds), and at the time just seemed to drag the process out. I questioned the need for both at the time, but now realize how much better the CPAP makes me sleep. Heck, I am still waiting for my day to get here BUT I will admit that I have the best picture of my overall health that I have ever had.

I am glad you had a persistent cardiologist, and I am glad that you have taken care of your blockages. This will just make life on the other side of surgery so much better. Good luck on your journey!

The same thing happened to me. When I didn't hear back I called for an update at 2 weeks and was told it could take up to a month to get approval. I thought I would be denied for sure. I was bracing myself for an appeal. Then a week later I got the approval in the mail from the insurance and the surgeon had not even been notified yet. Eeeeekk!

I was relieved, and I am so happy for you. Things just feel so different when you have a date.

Thanks for all the well wishers! Having the insurance company which in the past has given decisions in 2 weeks take almost a month was not in my plans.

That would be me back in 2012. I planned to get the lap band, and started the 6 month pre op diet. I lost about 25 pounds during the first 4 months and talked myself out of the surgery. I justified that WLS was just too extreme.

From 2012 until December 2014 I continued to surf this site and research WLS. I attempted Qsysmia (spelling?) during that time, but gained the weight back when I couldn't afford the pills. I knew then that I would need a tool that stayed with me. A constant reminder.

Fast forward to 2014 and 40 pounds heavier, I was still unable to keep the weight off. The reality hit me that WLS was no more extreme than being 120 pounds overweight. I went back to my surgeon and listened that what he had originally recommended to me - sleeve. I started the journey again with a resolve that this was the right choice for me. There are days I wish I did not wait from 2012 until 2014, BUT I know that I was not ready. So, if there is doubt then maybe you are not ready. Take your time and wait until you know it is the right thing for you to do.

My surgery is scheduled for 9/30/15 and the battery of tests and visits that are required by my insurance has left me with the best possible picture of my overall health going into this. It has really turned out to be a good thing.

Good luck to you on whatever you decide.

@@Misha_Lynne - LOL you are killing me! I am in the same type of (I will call it) nesting mode for surgery. How did you upload that picture?

I have been picking up a few things every week to get ready. G2, SF Jello, pudding, corned beef hash (saw that on World according to Eggface) My Syntrax unflavored Protein powder and Chike Protein coffee just came in the mail.

Now I know there are lots of different advise about caffeine after surgery, so I am not trying to sway anyone here, but IF your doctor says caffeine is ok, this stuff is AWESOME and brings 20G of protein in 8oz.

I have tested the V-Core (Cookies and Crème), Premier, and Chike and really like them all. I stuck my finger in the Syntrax and tasted it (it really didn't have a taste), but I have not tried it otherwise.

10 months for me ~ I started the process in December 2014 with the 6 month pre op diet. To your point, because I have an 8-5, I tried to space my other appointments out so that I was not always going to the doctor. My pulmonologist appointment resulted in a sleep apnea diagnosis so I had to make a return visit to get my CPAP prior to release for surgery. Same with my cardiologist visit which required further evaluation. Insert a promotion to a new position to the mix, and I now have my date of September 30. So 10 months for me, but I have to admit that I have the best overall picture of my health today than I have had in years. Good luck on your journey!

Is it me or did all of this seem to ramp up a notch when you got your date? It is almost like I am in nesting mode again. Yesterday I trimmed the shrubs, cleaned house and was in a square things away mode. I got a lot done and managed to burn some calories at the same time. It just finally feels like I am making progress. Up until I received my approval and date, I had invested 9 months of hoops and waiting. It feels good to have a date to work toward.

Finally got my date! September 30th! So excited to be joining all of you

@@B-52 - You have really taken your life back! I love to hear these stories. Congratulations on your success!

I am glad you posted this. I purchased a diffuser and put it in the fridge overnight with lemon in the Water and it was too strong for me. I never thought of peach or cantaloupe. It's been on the shelf for 2 months now. I think in part because I am still pre op and have not cut all of the sugary beverages out, so it makes the diffused Water flavor seem week just yet. I am going to give it another try with cantaloupe and peach. Thanks for sharing!

@@Smye - I have seen the sweetener in the groc store, but I have not seen leaves. Where do you get those?

@@VSGAnn2014 - It sounds like you have had an amazing journey. To be in good health and no longer need surgery for your knees, and to be free to move and exercise is just beyond AMAZING. To reach your goal and maintain your weight is just a dream come true. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your follow up. Congratulations!

@@Miss Mac - Loved your post!