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MaMaCTa: I am so sorry that you are having a difficult time. My NUT said that we should get between 40-60 grams of Protein daily, and I just went out and bought a little paperback book that is a PROTEIN counter, and it says the same thing.... I think 80 grams is WAY too high, from what I read. If you can't drink the thicker liquids, have you heard about Isopure, the drink? It's thin, like Kool Aid consistency.. Here's one idea... make ISOPURE popsicles. Pop open a bottle of the Grape, and pour it in ice cube trays. When it the cubes start to harden, stick in a toothpick in each one, then eventually pop them out and eat them. That might help, one of those big bottles has a lot of protein in it. Water and hydration are really even more important, you can catch up with the protein when you feel better, but force yourself to drink water... little sips, but constantly. Good luck to you and feel better fast. Cindrella

Dear TNTRANSPLANT: I was re-reading old posts and just had to update you. I think your post is the best oe, it's so true, so honest. And wanted to let you know that I did go ahead and barrel through with my plan, arranged my own transportation and hired a woman to "check me out" of the hospital and so forth.... and it was all SO SO worth it. For one thing, I think that in a way, my "cussed independance" caused my husband to look at me in a new way, as my own person who doesn't crumple in a heap if he disapproves, and is willing to fight for what I want. That's good for both of us!! But I have to tell you something funny.... now, three weeks out and 20 pounds lighter, all the sudden my husband is making comments like, "HEY, where'd your butt go? You have a flat rear end now." and... "Wow, you look GREAT today.." so his mind is opening up a little bit. He is starting to ask questions about my diet and things like that. Water under the bridge I know, but I do believe that you can't hold grudges and be happy, so I'm willing to overlook his BAD BEHAVIOR in this situation. But I am SURE GLAD that I stood him down and got my sleeve! Thanks, and happy Christmas! Cinderella

Dear NTV: It is so kind of you to write me and encourage me. I can't get OVER how nice every single person on this BLOG is, and how positive and encouraging. It is wonderful to feel part of a true community. Just wanted to say, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!! I have not felt nauseous at ALL, except for the day of surgery, but they gave me meds instantly to take that away. You're also right, I am becoming VERY aware of my new body signals that say THAT:S ENOUGH... and I have to train myself to eat slower. But I am one happy camper, believe you me. Thank GOD for the wonderful docs and nurses... I feel so lucky to be born at this moment in time, when we could benefit from this fantastic surgery. You have a wonderful Christmas.

Dear Myori: Thank you for your wondeful message of encouragement. You were RIGHT!!! I wasn't hardly nauseous at all.. only right after surgery, and they gave me something immediately any time I said I felt sick. Not since. The pain was minimal... so little that I accused my doctor of NOT really doing surgery on me!! And you are so right about feeling better after a few days. My entire outlook on LIFE has changed. I feel positive and strong and like the world is my oyster.... I am NOT going to dwell on the fact that I have spent the first half of my life FAT and pathetic.. I am only going to look forward to my future. Right now, I feel like I could be anybody I want to be.... this is the BEST gift I could have given myself. Happy Christmas! Cinderella

Dear Jane: Thank you so much for you very kind and sweet note of support. You are an angel!! CONGRATULATIONS on getting your sleeve. I know that you are going to be a superstar. Well, I went through with mine too, and have now lost a little over 20 pounds!!! That's IMPOSSIBLE for me. I still can't believe it. And guess what.. my formerly disapproving husband is suddenly saying things like... "HEY, what happened to your butt? Where'd it go??" and... "YOU LOOK GREAT!" Maybe he was just scared... Have the happiest holiday ever, Jane.! Hugs, Cinderella.

Hey everyone, there is a new iPhone app out there that only costs 99-cents. You load all of the stats about your sleeve in it, in this first version. It is interesting because it asks you to enter some technical info about your sleeve like, "Bougle size," and "Distance formpylorous," and "ovesewn stapler line," etc. I think it would be handy info to have, ask your surgeon to fill in the blanks and then you'll know. It also has a space for follow up weight and BMI and stuff.... Didn't realize that there were different surgical approaches. I also downloaded a few apps such as shakes, which is just Protein shake receipies, and PROTEIN FOODS, which gives the protein counts on foods. Enjoy!

When I had my hysterectomy, I had a drain. It didn't hurt, and it was actually "good," because it took some of the excess Fluid that would have been swelling away. I hope to get sleeved on Thursday, and imagine that I will have a drain... but they really don't hurt at all. They are kind of icky to look at, but just think... "Out with the bad stuff, in with the good stuff..."

Appeal!!! And read your policy. Often times, copany polices are a little different than the "generic insurance company" version. Make sure you know the exact REASON that you were denied. I won my appeal once, and now twice... don't give up.

OOOOO I'm so excited for you... BOTH of you!!! I am sending prayers and healing vibes both of your ways. My turn MAY come on Thursday, if the insurance company will fax the approval letter that they supposedly mailed two-and-a-half weeks ago.... so we'll be recouping together! BEST WISHES for SMOOTH SURGERICAL SAILING!

GOOD LUCK with that, and thanks for sharing. I, too, am being hanstrng by Aetna. They verbally OK'd my surgery on Nov 12th, and said they would mail a letter... . but here it is Nov. 30 and they NEVER DID!! I am really pissed at them..... haven't heard back from the doc's assistant yet but I'll send her this info. Tanks again

HA HA HA HA! Thank you so much for that straight talk... I needed to hear that. I am sitting here feeling really, really bad about my plan, and again thinking... "maybe I should just postpone it..." But I keep coming back to... it's MY body, MY decision, not his. I think he is worried that there will be too many leftovers if I am no longer eating like a fieldhand... he hates to throw anything out. Cheers! And thank.

I have both a Living Will, and a medical POA, because, as someone pointed out above, even though things seldom DO go wrong, they can go wrong. I mean... look at Karen Ann Quinlan... she didn't even have surgery, she mixed drugs with a cocktail or something and was a vegetbale for 20 years before she finially passed on. My hospital asked me about that right away, and you should prepare yourself... they will also tell you all KINDS of scary things right before the surgery. I believe this is a legal obligation to tell people all the bad news, along with the good. Even if you decided NOT to have the surgery, you should have a Living Will and POA, to relieve your loved ones of any horrible consequences. Good luck... chin up and straight ahead!

I am praying for your speedy recovery, this is very exciting, do keep us posted, and FEEL BETTER! Can't your doctor give you any anti-nausea meds, though?? I am praying for it.

If you go online, Macy's always has great sales, and a wide variety of prices. They have LOTS of body shapers. I want something to wear on my head and face though, LOL!! ! Don't want to end up with a sagging face and chin. I am planning to wrap my face in warm washclothes and massage natural oils intio it, and my chin, and then also get some Retinol. Any other suggestions?

Dear Becca: Happy Sleeve Eve!!! I am scheduled for 2 days from now, but STILL waiting for the last piece to the puzzle.. the insurance letter preCert OK. Becca, I swear that I could have written your post. We share all of the same experiences and feelings, and I, too, was the "pretty face, sweet personality" that everybody just LOVEd...as a sister, or so all the boys said. Well, sometimes i think that we wear our fat around us like a protective cloak, it hides who we truly are and protects us from many of the higher-gear bumps and grinds of the world... but at the same time, I have suffered terribly from my fat, both physically AND mentally AND job wise AND boyfriend wise AND just about every other way. It's like wanting to be the pretty tightrope walker in the Circuls who wears the sparkly ballerina dress and gets the spot light, but when you get there they say, "Oh sorry, nothing left but this clown suit, put iit on and go do something funny." Well, Becca, for BOTH of us, its time to take off that clown suit and claim the sparkly costume. I am nervous too, but I am NOT NOT NOT turning back, whatever it costs me. This is YOUR TIME, girl... and I am praying for you strong. rain