FlyGirl

I'm currenty on full lliquids and Cream of Wheat (original flavor only) is allowed. I make it with soy milk (10 proteins) and sweetener. Last night I found a Cream of Wheat with high protein(6)/high fiber(4). 1 pack will last me about 3 times. This has helped me SO much. I chew it even though I really don't need to but it just gives me the feeling that I'm actually eating something.
I LOVE potatos and since every other commercial on TV seems to have mashed potatos I have come up with a cure for my craving for potatos... I get the Campbels Cream of Potato Soup and mix it with my high Protein soy milk (plain flavor). Then use the emersion blender, so there's absolutly no chunks. It's sooo yummy.
For my pizza craving I make Tomato soup... I know that's a stretch but it's been working for me.
Now these are not that high in Protein so I make sure I get all/most of that it before I have any of these
Now if I could find something to cure my cheese cravings, haha.
Kelli

I'm currenty on full lliquids and Cream of Wheat (original flavor only) is allowed. I make it with soy milk (10 proteins) and sweetener. Last night I found a Cream of Wheat with high protein(6)/high fiber(4). 1 pack will last me about 3 times. This has helped me SO much. I chew it even though I really don't need to but it just gives me the feeling that I'm actually eating something.
I LOVE potatos and since every other commercial on TV seems to have mashed potatos I have come up with a cure for my craving for potatos... I get the Campbels Cream of Potato Soup and mix it with my high Protein soy milk (plain flavor). Then use the emersion blender, so there's absolutly no chunks. It's sooo yummy.
For my pizza craving I make Tomato soup... I know that's a stretch but it's been working for me.
Now these are not that high in Protein so I make sure I get all/most of that it before I have any of these
Now if I could find something to cure my cheese cravings, haha.
Kelli

@RJ'S/beginning - I am often concerned with the language that people use, especially to describe themselves. You, my friend are not a monster by any stretch of the imagination. You are a survivor. If you want a smoother look in your clothes, buy some Shapewear. I There are a thousand different types on the market now for every sort of outfit.

@@jenn1 - are you serious? IMHO I would be afraid of circulation issues with all of the binding and etc.

I'm currenty on full lliquids and Cream of Wheat (original flavor only) is allowed. I make it with soy milk (10 proteins) and sweetener. Last night I found a Cream of Wheat with high protein(6)/high fiber(4). 1 pack will last me about 3 times. This has helped me SO much. I chew it even though I really don't need to but it just gives me the feeling that I'm actually eating something.
I LOVE potatos and since every other commercial on TV seems to have mashed potatos I have come up with a cure for my craving for potatos... I get the Campbels Cream of Potato Soup and mix it with my high Protein soy milk (plain flavor). Then use the emersion blender, so there's absolutly no chunks. It's sooo yummy.
For my pizza craving I make Tomato soup... I know that's a stretch but it's been working for me.
Now these are not that high in Protein so I make sure I get all/most of that it before I have any of these
Now if I could find something to cure my cheese cravings, haha.
Kelli

Yay! I remember so many of you! I was sleeved 11/16/2010. I didn't post much but I sure did read everyone else's posts. If it wasn't for VST and all of you sharing your experiences and knowledge I wouldn't be down 118lbs... Still 10 away from my goal, but I'm in a size 6 so I'm not complaining at all. :-)
You are all awesome!

Yay! I remember so many of you! I was sleeved 11/16/2010. I didn't post much but I sure did read everyone else's posts. If it wasn't for VST and all of you sharing your experiences and knowledge I wouldn't be down 118lbs... Still 10 away from my goal, but I'm in a size 6 so I'm not complaining at all. :-)
You are all awesome!

Yay! I remember so many of you! I was sleeved 11/16/2010. I didn't post much but I sure did read everyone else's posts. If it wasn't for VST and all of you sharing your experiences and knowledge I wouldn't be down 118lbs... Still 10 away from my goal, but I'm in a size 6 so I'm not complaining at all. :-)
You are all awesome!

Sorry, I forgot about not being able to see the tickers on the vst app. I also use my iPad, and if you go to the actual vst website the tickers show up. I love looking at everyone's tickers!
That is awesome your insurance covers a TT! Mine will only cover a panniculectomy I'm going to see how much extra it'll cost to do a TT at the same time. Hopefully I'll be able to afford it. I'd rather get them done at the same time.
Here's my stats:
5'5"
Starting 268lbs 44.59bmi
Day of surgery 260lbs
Current 155lbs. 25.79bmi
Goal 140lbs
Date of surgery 11/16/2010

Sorry, I forgot about not being able to see the tickers on the vst app. I also use my iPad, and if you go to the actual vst website the tickers show up. I love looking at everyone's tickers!
That is awesome your insurance covers a TT! Mine will only cover a panniculectomy I'm going to see how much extra it'll cost to do a TT at the same time. Hopefully I'll be able to afford it. I'd rather get them done at the same time.
Here's my stats:
5'5"
Starting 268lbs 44.59bmi
Day of surgery 260lbs
Current 155lbs. 25.79bmi
Goal 140lbs
Date of surgery 11/16/2010

I'm almost 3 years out and have been taking 40mg omeprazol in the mornings and never had any heartburn but the last few months I've been having it at night to the point I start choking in my sleep and it wakes me up. My dr changed my dose to 40 in the morning and 40 before bed.. It was working,but I didn't really feel comfortable taking such a high dose. So my dr has me taking 20 & 20 and so far so good. I've tried skipping a does but when I do I always get heartburn.

Hi! All my stats are below. I'm almost 3 years out and absolutely still love my sleeve. Starting to look into getting insurance to cover a panniculectomy to remove my excess skin on my lower belly.
:-)

I'm 2.5 years out and my hair started coming out again recently. Very frustrating!! But my blood work is all stellar, so I don't think it's anything to do with vsg in my case. The first time my hair did this was a few years back, prior to wls. I agree with Lynda that in my case it's hormonal. Good luck!

Hi! All my stats are below. I'm almost 3 years out and absolutely still love my sleeve. Starting to look into getting insurance to cover a panniculectomy to remove my excess skin on my lower belly.
:-)

I've found that when I isolate myself and act like nothing is wrong ( you know- like my weight is going to fall off magically- lol), it really does not help me at all. I've wasted months that I could have been losing weight- eating like a pig (a small cute potbelly one lol) and acting like I was at goal. my weight will always be a struggle for me and that really pisses me off. even with the help of 1/4th my stomach, I manage to gain weight. How sad and pathetic is that. I can do better/ we all can do better just like now with us supporting each other. I have my resolve back to continue to goal. y'all with me??????????

Okay, I'm your girl!! LOL. I did Exactly what you are doing right now! I did easily get to goal but didn't "hold" it long enough to get my body used to the new goal weight OR truly figure out what maintenance really means to a sleever!
Over the next 1 1/2 gradually picked up junk food, stopped exercising and added back 25 lbs!! FINALLY, came to my senses and got myself off the couch and depression. I had allowed myself to wallow in because I KNEW I was sabotaging myself!!!!
You CAN DO THIS! You made a monumental decision to take your health and LIFE on your hands when you had VSG. Now, turn that remembered feeling into self resolve.
First, quickly get rid of all the "triggers" you have allowed like junk food. ANYTHING. even if its too many Protein bars. Too much is too much.
Get back to your basics! Meals only. Small snack between. No drinking during or afterwards for 30 minutes. Get up Nd walk/exercise if you aren't doing that. Protein first. Veggies second and turn it around. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN STOP THE GAIN! I had to finally understand that for me. I tried low car and didn't have much success with it. Might be right for you to quickly lose your 15 lbs of regain. But do it NOW. Don't let it get to 20!
A number of your fellow vets are having success with following Fastdiet better known as 5:2. You eat 500 cals 2 days a week and your "normal" calories (within reason like 1200-1500) the other five days. I lost all my regain and reached goal again TODAY! 150lbs. It took WORK WORK WORK! Logging EVERYTHING EVERY DAY! Clean clean clean eating. Exercise( lots of walking and Gazelle)
Girl, I have faith in you! Do it now!!!! Get energized and talk to yourself!!! You ate gorgeous. Take it back!!!!!! Good luck and keep us posted!!!!!

I had it done at the same hospital i had my sleeve done at where i live. My insurance covered it.

I confess that I never get all my daily Protein in.
I confess that I should be at my goal weight now. :-(
I confess that I never exercise.
I confess that I eat way way too much candy.< /p>
I confess that I love ordering a kids size meal and being too full to finish it. :-)
I confess that I love being able to shop in the normal size stores.
I confess that I made up a story about my weightloss so my co-workers wouldn't talk crap.
I confess I spend way to much money on new clothes and way too much time getting ready in the morning now..
I confess I used to be so jealous of watching people eat a huge amount of food, but now I LOVE being able to be full and satisfied on 1/8th of what everyone else eats.
I confess that I am so happy that my mom decided to have the sleeve done too. So we go thru this together.
I confess that I know what I need to do to get to goal but for some reason I just can't make myself do it. Ugh.
I confess I could confess a lot more, but I'll stop now because it was kinda depressing!
Still love my sleeve and wouldn't change a thing!! :-)

I confess that I never get all my daily Protein in.
I confess that I should be at my goal weight now. :-(
I confess that I never exercise.
I confess that I eat way way too much candy.< /p>
I confess that I love ordering a kids size meal and being too full to finish it. :-)
I confess that I love being able to shop in the normal size stores.
I confess that I made up a story about my weightloss so my co-workers wouldn't talk crap.
I confess I spend way to much money on new clothes and way too much time getting ready in the morning now..
I confess I used to be so jealous of watching people eat a huge amount of food, but now I LOVE being able to be full and satisfied on 1/8th of what everyone else eats.
I confess that I am so happy that my mom decided to have the sleeve done too. So we go thru this together.
I confess that I know what I need to do to get to goal but for some reason I just can't make myself do it. Ugh.
I confess I could confess a lot more, but I'll stop now because it was kinda depressing!
Still love my sleeve and wouldn't change a thing!! :-)

Here's my tickers. I like to keep some stuff private so if anyone would like to see my profile please just send a friend request. I just have to make sure I don't actually know you, lol. :-)

Here's my tickers. I like to keep some stuff private so if anyone would like to see my profile please just send a friend request. I just have to make sure I don't actually know you, lol. :-)

Here's my tickers. I like to keep some stuff private so if anyone would like to see my profile please just send a friend request. I just have to make sure I don't actually know you, lol. :-)

I have been here for over two years and I never ran into nasty posters most of that time. Really its been in the last year or less... it only takes a few to change the mood. This site has been so good for me, a few great people really helped me along the way with advice and support. Be who you want to meet on the site, and let the rest go. Understand that some who have been here a long time hear the same questions over and over. Please do a search before you ask. Then you can post specifics on those threads already in play. Im sure I asked the "stall" question at least once, and answered it multiple times. I know it is hell! Lots of the people who are years ahead of you have left the site. Some of them drop back in now and then to catch up, get support, and perhaps lend some insight to being further out from surgery. I really appreciate those that lend their expertise and advice from further out. The easiest part of this process is losing the first year or less... the honeymoon. Losing the last pounds, figuring out how to maintain is an even longer process for some of us. At two years, I have not gotten to my goal, but still happy to fight for it, and better off by far for the surgery. How about a one year stall? IT happens to many. Anyway, just take this time to learn about yourself and take heart with the many people here going through the same thing, some are grouchy or mean, but most are friendly and helpful. We are in for the long haul, and remember what you think is true at 3 months or 8 months may not be true at 12 or 24 months. One day at a time.

I confess I lOVE the second looks and compliments

On a daily basis I wear 3 major things under my regular clothes.

First I put on a back smoother bra the one I love is Lane Bryant's they are buy 2 get 2 free right now...hop on that deal!!!
http://www.lanebryan...36851/index.pro

2nd I wear Spanx Slimplicity Open-Bust Mid-Thigh Bodysuit
http://www.spanx.com...rentPage=family

This is so worth the price but hand wash them and they will last you
only draw back is having to take shirts off in order to poo but these have a gusset and you can tinkle in them and no you don't really pee on them but it is something you have to get use to it's kinda yuck at first but now I love the gusset.

3rd I wear Spanx
On Top and In Control Essential 3/4 Sleeve Bateau
http://www.spanx.com...rentPage=family

These give the look of having slender arms. Even in 103 degree weather I wear them and let me tell you, you sweat in these the same as if you did not have them on. The only difference is that they absorb the sweat rather than having your clothes get wet with sweat. LOVE LOVE LOVE these attached is a photo of me without them and with them, you'll be sold on these too




Here i'm wearing it with a sleeveless halter dress


here i'm wearing the spanx on top and in control 3/4 sleeve by itself with a skirt and a belt, looks like a dress right?


hope this all helps!!
Lots of insurance companies do cover plastics after weight loss surgery. They must be medically necessary so have your pcp write a referral to a surgeon, Have your pcp document any issues related to the loose skin...rashes (keep receipts for creams too) or neck and back pain, etc. photos of the rashes are very helpful in getting approvals. Do not refer to it as plastics or cosmetic surgery, it is body contouring after massive weight loss.
I went to a plastic surgeon Thursday and now waiting for pre-authorization from my insurance co for plastics. Passing along the cpt codes... you can call your ins co and ask if the codes are covered...if you ask about the procedures the operators always say no cause they don't know any better. Mastoplexy (breast lift) "cpt code 19316", Brachioplasty (arm lift) "cpt code 15836", Thigh lift "cpt code 15823", panniculectomy (tummy tuck w/no muscle reconstruction) "cpt code 15830".
Again don't call there and ask "is plastic surgery covered" the operators are not the ones who know...they simply are call center operators that can relay info from your file or their computer and can change pcp, address, etc info in your account. They are not experts they use a intranet to search for the answers to your questions. A middle man so to speak. They do not make the decisions they can pretty much only change your pcp or give you info based on what is in your file. Pretty much all you do is call get a rep and say "i am interested in finding out if some procedures are covered, i have the CPT codes" They will be more than happy to give you the answers because you have done half the work by having the CPT codes ready for them. Let me know how it goes. Be sure to ask the % covered some are 80/20 mine is 100% with a $250 co pay after my high deductible is met which it is my daughters are having their tonsils removed this year.
I am pursuing brachioplasty and mastoplexy and my surgeon is going to zig zag the scar in my armpit so he can pull the bra back skin into it and make it one long scar from my inner elbow into my armpit and down under my breast and up to center so it's back breast and arm all at one time. One procedure one long scar on either side which i am fine with. better than 3 different procedures.