twobluecats

GRR..JUST LOST THE WHOLE MESSAGE I WAS SENDING! I couldn't get the myfitnesspal.com to allow access. Generally, these are the staples for me:

lean turkey and ham deli meat with havarti rolled

Wolf Brand Lean chili and a bit of cheese

Lump crabmeat with cocktail sauce

Greek Yogurt

Cottage cheese

One scrambled egg w/cheese

Roasted chicken breast

Meatloaf

Tunafish salad

Roasted Edamame for a great crunchy snack

Light string cheese

Babybel cheese

And, if I don't know what the day looks like (I usually plan ahead), then I will have a Premier Protein Drink for breakfast. I'm eating what the family is eating most nights. I get about 30-40 grams carbs, but the nutritionist suggested more. I don't want to add more just yet. I have a few reduced fat wheat thins with tuna, and I've had a thin corn tortilla w/chicken. And, I had 1/2 of a panini made with a thin slice of italian bread over the weekend. No pasta or rice yet.

How are you doing? Will I see you at the support group meeting?

I was just thinking that I should go. I need the spirit. I'm holding between 200 and 201, and it's driving me crazy not to see that darn 199! Motivation would be good! I will let you know in the morning if I can go......may have to work late....

It's weird how we all lose so differently. You and Barb both lost much quicker than me early on. I've been pretty steady though. I am on the elliptical every night, and I think that seems to help.

I know we have to lose at this rate, and I keep thinking about what it will be like six months down the road. And,you have to remember that you have so little left to lose comparatively speaking.

Will I see you next week at the support group meeting?

I can't wait to see you!!!!!!!!

Just sending you some hugs, prayers, and well wishes for tomorrows big day! You will do great. If you need anything, I'm nearby! Take care!

Sending you well wishes and prayers for your surgery tomorrow! I know you will do great!

Sorry, we decided to head to Disney World last minute on Wednesday morning. Yes, the meeting is at the same place.

I know what you mean about energy. I just got back from a 2 mile walk, and I feel like it was a marathon. That's the main reason I waited until tomorrow to go back to work. My job is very draining mentally, and I will also be training full time for a while when I return, which means I have to be "on" all day. I needed to get my head on straight and come up with more energy before being there full time. I'll probably be dragging tomorrow night!

Hello! You mentioned that you will be traveling up from Austin on Wednesday. Are you flying? Which airline? I work for Southwest Airlines, and I'm gonna be killing some time after work before the seminar. If you are interested we could meet for coffee or something before the meeting.

Howdy! My husband indeed works for Mary Kay. Are you here in Dallas? Yes, my insurance is United through Mary Kay. I submitted nine years worth of medical documents and also my Weight Watchers information showing six months of meetings and weigh ins this year. Surprisingly, I heard back immediately that I had been approved.

Sorry for the big time delay in my response. I was away from the boards for a while!

Yep, started my preop yesterday! I too have been having all my favorite foods. Way bad! But, surprisingly, today was not bad at all. I'm drinking the Premier protein drinks (30 grams each!) from Costco as someone at the support group meeting suggested. They aren't bad at all, and I'm not one to like sweet things. I'm glad we get one reasonable lean meat/veggie meal a day compared to some folks! I'm really nervous about surgery still. That's just me..it wouldn't matter what kind of surgery it was! However, I have to admit that knowing that a huge chunk of my stomach is going to be removed sorta freaks me out!

Glad to know you are home. There is no place better to start the recovery. I wish I could wiggle my nose to demonstrate how much better you will feel a couple of weeks out. My first four days or so were sorta lousy. Yes, volume is hard, but even the sipping becomes more frequent as the days go by. I still take FOREVER to get a stupid protein shake down, but today was my first day to get all my protein (well 62 grams, should probably try for even more, but baby steps) without a protein drink. But, drinking water (flavored with the diet Ocean Spray, something I did even before surgery) isn't as difficult.

Feel free to ask questions if something comes up. And, HAPPY NEW YEAR! How exciting to enter 2010 on our way to good health!

My stomach talked to me like the dickens, and it still does some when I eat. The burping is crazy, but they say it will subside after four or five weeks. I can't eat anything without lots of loud burps.

My doc gave me a prescription for Pepcid. Insurance didn't cover it (think it was around $40) because Pepcid is also over the counter, but different strength. I take it twice a day, once when I wake up and once when I go to bed. I think that helps A LOT. I noticed early on when I'd wake up I had this horrible almost hunger pain, but it wasn't hunger, it was acid. When I got the Pepcid in my system, it made a big difference. The prescription is for three months. He also gave me a one month prescription for a nausea pill. It melts on my tongue, but I haven't needed it since the first week or so, but it really helped. It was the same drug they used in my IV. And, I have Gas-X strips that I also used the first week or so. I haven't needed them since then.

Don't worry about the discretion. Trust me, I fully understand, and I have no clue who you might be! But, I do know that I wish you the very best of luck. I just can't figure out why you are having trouble with United. I was actually shocked as to how quick they responded. I actually got the letter from them this week explaining their decision. Pretty cut and dry.

I wish you the very best of luck on your journey, wherever it takes you. And, feel free to contact me if you have any questions. My surgery is set for December 14.

Darn it...I am stuck at work......boo!!!!! I'm doing just the opposite.....only 20 minutes or so of CONSISTENT daily exercise, but religious calorie/protein/carb counting....Still at 200.4 today.....

Hey friend! How are you doing? I'm hanging in here. Are you planning on attending the meeting tomorrow night? I know it's quite a drive for you.

Just checking in with you to see what Dr. Nicholson had to say.

Hello! Just checking in with you to see how you are progressing. I LOVED Dr. Nicholson, and my husband enjoyed the seminar too. I think he felt more comfort after hearing all the questions. I'm hoping to hear something next week regarding my insurance coverage. My family (parents and brother) are still very apprehensive and worried that we don't have enough information about this procedure, so hearing of other peoples journey makes it easier for me to know this is the right thing for me. If 10 years worth of medical notes from my doctors that cadidly document my weight ups and downs don't show the need, then I don't know what does. I think it's hard for folks who don't live in this skin and who have not fought the battle for years to completely understand.

That's great news! I'm hoping to hear from them this week. I will probably call them on Tuesday if I haven't heard from them. I really liked Dr. Nick, and I'm ready to get this show on the road.

I've never really thought of surgery until very recently--always thinking I could do it on my own. But, I've finally reached a point where I can't face the hard fight and the backwards slide anymore without ever actually achieving a normal and healthy weight. I'm terrified of surgery, but I feel like my odds are against me if I continue at this weight.

Please keep me posted on your progress, and I'll let you know what they say when I call (or they call) this week.

Theresa

Gonna be at the support group meeting tomorrow night. Hope to see you!!

I got a grey folder, but mine is for Baylor since I'm a self pay. I can try to find out more tomorrow night from the folks who had their surgery at Forst Park. I'm not sure what that "pre op education class" is. I wonder if it is only optional to those that are self pay? I bet Bea was confused and talking about the support group meetings that happen in the evening. Can you, perhaps, call the Forest Park facility and ask? I hate trying to find answers and getting frustrated all along the way! I have to say that they stay so busy, it is hard to sometimes get all the information. I really like the support group; you might find one in your area once you have surgery. I like having that monthly accountability and someone else to talk to who is going through the same thing! Also the obesityhelp.com Texas community board seems to be really active. I like that!

Yes, I know what you mean about watching what you eat. Christmas won't be bad for me as I'll be post op and probably having soup and maybe a bite of mashed potatoes! But, I'm sitting here talking to myself this morning about how I'm going to avoid chips and salsa today when we take a coworker to lunch for her retirement. I will because I know I have to, but why did she have to pick mexican food? This is a girl who always PICKS SALAD!!!! I'm doing well on the preop diet though. I may have more than five ounces of meat on some days, but I'm holding fast to the one meal with meat and veggies only, and I've been having about two protein (didn't want icky slim fast!!) shakes a day and substituting v8 juice or broth for the other drinks. I'm not a big sweet tooth. I found a shake at Costco called Premier that is prepackaged and not bad. One of the other sleeve patients had one at the support group. They pack 30 grams of protein in 11 ounces, so that's good!

Hello! You know, It's killing me to wait around for the doctor's office to get back with me on my insurance benefits. And, the longer I wait, the more I go back and forth on whether I'm selling myself short to go the surgery route. That said, I know in my heart of hearts that my history speaks for itself when it comes to my success rate. You are such an inspiration, and I could really use some right now. Did you struggle with the decision, even the with the band? Do you recall what your deciding factors were? I'm terrified of surgery, and I know going in to remove a major portion of my stomach is not a light thing to consider. But I'm SOOO TIRED of my weight dictating every aspect of my life. Words of advise, honesty would be greatly appreciated as your story and your success and apparent zest for life are all something I really connect with. Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for your feedback. This is pretty much where I'm at right now as well. I know in my heart of hearts that I've tried to be successful in keeping the weight off in the past without success. Folks who know me can't believe I am going down the WLS path as I've always been so determined to do this on my own. But, you are right, I'm just so tired of not being the person that God created because I hold back on things because of my weight. Security and self worth are not a problem, but, as you know, there are so many things that we put on hold "until I get the weight off." I'm READY TO LIVE! Thanks again for your thoughts. It means a lot.

Thanks so much, Longhorn! I am as nervous as a cat in a Rottweiler cage! But, I'll keep praying on it, and it will be good to be this time next week! I will definitely post progress reports! Keep us posted on your journey as well!