MidwestGirl

I have a similar question to Tiffany's

Is it possible to over-eat on liquids during the early stage? The first few days I could hardly take in liquids without discomfort. I assumed I probably had swelling. Now I am able to drink more liquids and just yesterday I didn't notice that I had a whole cup of broth in a sitting in about 20 minutes and then a Jello cup. That goes above the 2 oz per 15 minute rule. I am a bit worried now. Would this cause problems or cause my new stomach to stretch? I didn't have any discomfort and did not have liquids come back up.

It sounds like you're doing great! From my understanding, the 2oz/15 minutes "rule" meant you need to drink at least 2 oz. every fifteen minutes or you would not be able to get the full 64oz. in at the beginning. I wouldn't worry about drinking too much so long as it's not uncomfortable. :svengo:

Tiff, you are just gorgeous! Love the dress! I really liked this post. I hope when I'm this far along I can say that I've learned the same things myself. Thanks for being an inspiration & source of information for us all! I hope you have an AMAZING time at the ball! You'll have to come back and tell us all about it. :thumbup1:

I'm 21 and I think that I personally wasn't really thinking about WLS at 18, just because that was after one of my "successful" diets :thumbup: so it was a time where I felt good about my body. But I don't think anyone can tell you you're too young. You know your body and your needs. It's great that your parents are supportive - that will make having surgery SO much easier! And I think it's great that you're taking the initiative to make this journey as well! I'm not sure I would have been brave enough at your age, but you are going to do GREAT! :w00t:

Speaking of carbs.....I had my six week appt with the dietitian today and mine told me to begin eating cold Cereal, fruit, POTATOES, salads, etc. She has never mentioned watching carbs at ALL. Is this strange? I'm already in a stall/slow losing period that's lasted quite a while so I'm SHOCKED she wants me to add cereal and baked potatoes, etc. I have only been eating 650 cals and she wants me up to 800, too. I'm a heavy-weight (306lbs) so I have a LONG way to go. Anyone else have a dietitian who's completely unconcerned with carbs? Thanks!

You're not alone! My dietitian's plan does not involve counting/limiting carbs at all, aside from making sure that my Protein Shakes have more Protein than carbs. She says as long as I'm getting my protein in first, I should be fine. And once my protein is in, I don't limit my carbs. Not that I have them with every meal or anything, just that I do still have fruit, occasional pasta/rice/potatoes. And also foods that are both protein sources as well as carb-containing like almonds, which I have every day for Breakfast, and 100-calorie bags of popcorn. Actually, at my 3-month post-op appointment we realized that because I'm trying to get so much protein in at meals, I have been neglecting vegetables a bit (also a bit inconvenient to buy/fix veggies when it's just me eating). :thumbup1:

Sometimes my tummy still doesn't like really cold Water. I can always drink it, but some days it takes a lot longer because I have to drink more slowly. For some reason, cold crystal light never bothered me, just plain cold water. In the beginning, it was a lot easier for me (and others have said this too) to drink warm liquids like chicken broth. But that mostly went away for me and sometimes I'll have a cup of caffeine-free tea, but not because I can't drink it cold. Sorry, I tend to ramble! :sad0: My sleeve is a snob, go figure! :001_smile:

I just realized that the mocha I had also had Decaf espresso. I'm still too chicken to have much caffeine.

I was only told no caffeine in regards to tea, so I've been enjoying a semi-regular cup of mint tea. :thumbup: As for the latte, I had a SF mocha about a month and a half post-op, and I don't know if it was the espresso or the sugarfree syrups, but my sleeve did NOT like it. So beware.

Yeah, I don't see us ever converting over to vegetarian, but I like the options! Since I grew up in the midwest, I'm a HUGE pork fan. And I like the occasional no-meat meal, but I don't think I could go without chicken, pork, and venison forever. Not too big on steak, though.:001_tongue:

I saw this Kung Pao Tofu | Eating Well earlier today and it looks so good! Needless to say, growing up on a sheep farm, my family didn't have much use for tofu, tempeh, or seitan. :thumbup: Lol! Thanks for the variety, or I'm sure I never would have tried these! Getting myself & the fiance out of our food comfort-zone onto new things. :thumbup1:

Thanks for the words of advice everyone. I work in an ER as a Unit Clerk, so my job doesn't require lifting. I supposibly would be able to be back in 2 wks per the doctors office. I'm gonna go to HR again, if nothing is done there then will go to the higher up like the director of nursing and talk to her. I know I will pay for that going above my boss, but this is ridiculous. And they wonder why employees don't like their job sometimes........hmmmmm

Well I hope you get things sorted out! And I find it incredibly ironic that you work in a *hospital* and your boss doesn't want you to take a huge step to better your own health. Some people.

Hey Tiffy, I know you posted this a long time ago, but after reading one of the other more recent posts where you mentioned seitan and tempeh, I had to search for this one again! Told the boy we're gonna give it a try. I'm looking forward to it & excited that I may have found another great Protein source for my arsenal. Thanks for the linkage!

HW: 282

Surgery Day Weight: 264

Current Weight: 209!

Woot! Still gonna try to be >200 by May 15th, my college graduation date.

Keep up the awesome work everyone! :thumbup:

Wow, you are looking fantastic! Congratulations on the amazing loss! :sad0: I think at the rate you're going, you should have no trouble making goal by your birthday! Keep up the great work!

Mmm, Babybel cheese. I second that! Also beef Jerky, but make sure you check the carbs because depending on the brand, some use sugar for flavoring. Also sugar-free Jello is both low calorie and no-carb. Though you may not want to eat a whole lot of jello since (if you like it) you'll probably be eating some of it early post-op as well.

I would say watch the carb count on the fruit because although they're good carbs, your pre-op diet is probably supposed to be low on *all* carbs. Also, make sure the veggies are mostly non-starchy ones. :thumbup:

Glad to hear you are feeling so well!:thumbup:

Girl, that is AWESOME! Now tell me, when have you ever lost 28 pounds in a month and a half on a diet? Hmm? :001_tongue: You are doing GREAT! Keep up the excellent work!!! :thumbup:

Carla,

My PCP was the same. She lectured me about how I've obviously never been successful at diets before so why do I think this would be different? I saw her last August when I was getting all my pre-op testing done, then had surgery beginning of January, and will have to see her this coming August for my lady appointment. I too kind of want to show her that she was wrong about me. If it weren't for that, I think I would switch gynos too!

What I find incredibly frustrating about it (at least in my case) is that they are so closed-minded about it. They don't want you to give them more information or statistics, they just want to tell you you're going to fail. WTH is up with that? I want a doctor who is going to cheer me on from the sidelines and support my informed medical decisions, and maybe even ask me questions. I was so worried when I needed the recommendation for my PCP to submit to insurance that she would sabotage me. She came through in the end, but it only took her a MONTH to write the darn thing.

This is the same doctor that when I told her the bariatric clinic nurse suggested an EKG, she administered it and then freaked out (also freaking me out), and said to me "There is no way you're having this surgery!" I went to the cardiologist for extensive testing and guess what? She was wrong about that too! :thumbup: Best of luck with your unsupportive doc! You know we have your back! :001_tongue:

Welcome! The 12th will be here before you know it! I look forward to following you on your sleeve journey. :001_tongue:

Wow, you really do look like a different person! You look great! Congratulations on your amazing success & best wishes for that last 60 lbs! :001_tongue:

Wow! I am really sorry you are having to go through this. First off, I would let them know that you and your doctor know what is best for your health. Not your friends. And second, yes there are risks, as with any surgery. But what are the risks of staying obese? sleep apnea, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and a million other things. Yes, having a good support group is very important. Let them know that too and that, even if they don't agree with your decision, you are doing this for YOU, and you are doing this for your daughter. It is good that they care, but you need their support. Even if they do not agree with your decision at this point, they should care about you enough to realize that this is YOUR decision and no one else's. I would sadly that if they cannot understand that, perhaps you need a new support group.

And trying to get you to smoke and drink soda?! What the heck is that?!?! There is a line between trying to persuade someone of something based on the possible risk. But sabotage? That is downright sickening. They should be ashamed of themselves.

I wish you the best of luck & you know we are all behind you. If you can't get the support you need for this truly life-changing surgery from your real-life friends, you know you can always come here for support. :thumbup:

I think vlogs are really helpful for people who are considering weight loss surgery and those who have decided to have surgery but are still pre-op. Other than Tiffany's, I haven't really watched any since I was about a week post-op, but I know they really helped me to understand what I would be going through and gave me some inspiration in seeing the kind of change that could possibly be me one day! I think, in particular, that VSG vlogs are great because there are not as many of them out there (as opposed to the band, or RNY)! I think it's a great idea.

I've had to buy 2 sets of "fake" wedding rings as my real one slips off my finger now. I say 2 sets because the first one I got is now too big too, so I got another one yesterday. I'm not rushing out to re-size my real wedding ring until I'm at goal for awhile just in case.

I've also been mistaken for my 22-yr old daughter by 2 DIFFERENT PEOPLE seeing my recent photos. That's really cool - though I think these people need to get to the eye doc soon for a check-up:cool0:!!

Wow! That's gotta feel great. My engagement ring, which I got about 60 lbs ago, keeps sliding around my finger. It drives me nuts! Congrats on the 20-years-younger look.

Wow! No posts on here for awhile! I have had two NSVs in the last couple weeks that I was so excited about I had to share!

1) I have collarbones!!!! They're not skinny people collarbones yet, but they are most definitely there. I never woulda guessed. :sad0:

2) I went to a movie theater last week...and was shocked that I didn't need to use the armrests! I don't know that I have EVER had that happen. I've shrunk enough width-wise that my arms fit comfortably inside the armrests. Such a great one for me! :lol0:

Keep posting here, guys! This is one of my favorite threads to read! :blushing:

believe,strive,claim and it shall be done. you have done well. only we know our bodies of how much it can take to deal with a strenuous surgery as this.

good luck on your graduation day.

krys

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Thank you, Krys! Knowing I have the support of my awesome sleeve family to "beat the odds" my surgeon has just makes this journey so much more wonderful!

Hello everyone!

I had a surgery date with the gastric band on May 27th, paying cash. Looks like an omen as I just got a new insurance card in the mail and it turns out that United Health Care/Oxford bought my insurance company and they cover the VSG 100% with a $250 deductible. Of course I was jumping for joy because at the bariatric seminar last month, I was very interested in the sleeve but I knew I could not afford it. It was around $6,000 more than the band (about $24,000). I am so so exited now, I can't sleep! I will have to wait til July for my new insurance to become effective but the benefits were already quoted to the surgeon's office. It takes less than a week to get approval as long as BMI is over 40.

I cannot believe this as my luck is never this good. My luck usually would have been to get banded end of May, then get the new insurance card in the mail AFTER...lol Unbelievable!

One thing I wanted to ask opinions on is how long after surgery did it take you to be able to function? Also, how many days is average hospital stay? I will probably have the surgery on a Thursday and will most likely have to be back at work on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Does that seem possible? I am the only one in the office so it's hard to get coverage for many days plus summer is VERY busy, so I'm hoping I won't be down for long.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Lori

Hi, Lori! Welcome to VST! That is so great that your new insurance will cover the sleeve. Woot! I took about a week before I was really feeling back to myself. After 4 days I was off pain meds and it was more uncomfortable than anything, and that same day we actually went to a movie so I was a little more normal. I'm a college student & had my sleeve done over Christmas break so I really can't say on how long it take to go back to work. I had a good 13 days before I needed to come back to school so I got to enjoy being lazy & having my fiance take care of me. :blushing:

This forum is a great place to find both information and support. Love this place!