StacyS

Like the others have said, this surgery is not a miracle cure! It's a lot of hard work and dedication! The sleeve is only a tool to assist us in losing weight and keeping it off. With that said, I encourage you to do some research and see if this surgery is right for you! I have a friend who had a low BMI like you and she had it done. She is so happy and satisfied with herself since she had the sleeve done! She's actually one of the people who inspired me away from the band and directed me toward the sleeve! Even though we might think you (and she) arent really "heavy" enough to have the surgery, it's not our decision and who cares if you're not FAT?! If you've struggled all your life and you think the sleeve will help you, then by all means check into it!! The only roadblock I can see is insurance. If you're not going to use your insurance and will be a self pay, then your all good!! But if you have to use your insurance, you may have to "gain" those 4lbs to qualify if you have co-morbidities. You already have High Blood pressure but you require 2. Good luck to you and keep researching!! You'll find what's right for you!

Anytime!! Good luck with your pre-op diet! If you have any more questions feel free to msg me!

You know, I'm not really sure but I'm sure they do. I don't buy protein bars because they are LOADED with carbs!! If you do buy them, make sure the protein to carb ratio is 4:1. If it has 4g of protein then it should have no more than 1g of carbs. This should really be a rule of thumb for ALL foods, but especially processed foods!

Yes, of course you can!! I would recommend going to www.mybariatricpantry.com and buying some samples of the Syntrax Nectar protein powders. The samples come in 15 or so different flavors and you get 12 for like $13.99. I would also try Costco. They have a Premier Protein chocolate drink that is super good and low in carbs w/30g of protein. I believe I paid $28. for a case of them. In regards to the protein bars... check the nutritional values very carefully. Some of them are extremely high in carbs! If the carbs are more than 4 times the amount of protein content, dont use them! The ratio should be 4:1. If it has 4g of protein, it shouldn't have anymore than 1g of carbs.

Congrats on getting through it so quickly! What's your trick? Did you have to do the 12week class thing they require? My aunt has Kaiser and is going through the program to get approval but she has to go through a 12wk course and lose at least 10% of her weight.... Thanks!

Wow!!!! Simply wow!!!! You look so much younger now!! Great job!!!

Congratulations Kelly!!! I'm so happy for you! Doesnt it feel great to hit Onederland??? I hit about 2 wks ago and couldn't stop jumping with excitement!! From your ticker you only have 35lbs to go to hit Goal.... That's fantastic!! Keep rockin your sleeve girl!!! You're doing great!!!

I made mock enchilladas! Use crock pot shredded beef, it's really soft! 2oz of the beef, a tbsp of enchillada sauce, cheddar cheese and blend it up. Top with a dollup of sour cream! So yummy!! I also did chorizo and eggs with cheese. refried Beans w/cheese and sour cream corned beef hash w/egg (blended) Fage yogurt w/splenda and a bit of crystal light mix cream of potato Soup mixed with milk, bacon bits, and cheddar cheese (blended up)

In my opinion.... full liquids have a variety of food you may eat! Cream of Wheat, Malt-O-Meal, yogurt, SF jello, SF pudding, creamed soups, etc. Since you're about two weeks out, I would try eating some cream of mushroom (or whatever your favorite Campbell's flavor is) mix in a full can of milk, and puree it up. It's not really a puree, it's liquid!! Try that for a week or so and see how things go. I wasnt at the mushie/pureed stage til week 4, so I would never advise you to progress sooner than your doctor orders, but it's very hard to go 5 weeks w/out something substantial. My suggestion to you after you hit week 5 and are authorized to eat solid food.... start with mushies/pureed food first!! Then slowly work your way to solids!! Just a suggestion!!

I have the Mirena too and LOVE it!! I had it a few years before getting sleeved and now that I've been sleeved for 2 months, I have no issues at all! I dont get my period, I dont spot, I dont get cramps, nothing! It's perfect for me. I originally had the Paraguard (the non-hormonal IUD) and had to get it replaced with the Mirena cuz I had terrible cramps, heavy, heavy bleeding and just couldn't stand it anymore. I have it about 3 months before I had it removed.

So??? Any word yet Ashley???

Do you have FEP Blue? AKA Fed-BCBS? I dont think it really matters but on their website they list Bariatric Surgery. It doesnt specify which surgery they cover and which ones are excluded but I would call the number on the back of your card and see if they do! I think it's the BCBS of different states that dont cover the sleeve. I know for sure FEP Blue does cuz they approved me!

I've had it a little more rough than others on here, but for the most part I'm very happy I had the surgery. My surgeon did an experimental procedure on me... not sure how it was experimental but he only made 2 incisions, no drainage tube, and a little more swelling where the stomach was stitched up than normal. I really like the fact that i only have 2 little scars (and I mean ity-bity scars!). It took me like 4 weeks to really heal and be able to drink all my fluids. So, it was a struggle at first. But as of today I am 9wks out and able to eat solid foods now. Since Saturday I've been doing really well and havent gotten nauseous and have been able to eat about 2oz of chicken at one sitting! Which is a HUGE accomplishment for me! All in all, I'm very happy to have gotten the surgery! I'll be more happy as the weight starts to drop more, but 35lbs in 2 months is rather good! So I'm happy! What are your concerns about the surgery? Have you been approved by your insurance or are you self-pay?

Hey Tx.. Welcome to the forum! You'll really enjoy reading all the posts and getting most of your questions answered! WOW, I have to admit you have a lot of determination starting your pre-op diet early!! I ate my "Last Supper" many times before I was required to start my 3 day pre-op diet! I was so afraid of not being able to eat my favorite foods again, or go to my favorite restaurants! I made arrangements with family and friends to go out all the time before my time was up! Good for you for taking the initiative and getting a head start on your journey!! Please, keep us all posted and welcome to VST!!!

In my opinion, 2 weeks off work is a decent amount of time to recover. I know people who had the surgery on Thurs and was back to work on Monday. It's possible but not encouraged! I was extremely swollen (my tummy was) and therefore required a lot of time to just relax and nap and get used to my sleeve. Sipping, walking, napping, etc. I have two small children and was very lucky to have my mom watch them for me the first week, and then the second week my aunt took them to day care for me! It was a blessing! As for having someone there to help take care of you... I dont think that's needed. You will be able to walk, cook, take a shower, etc and really wont need anyone around all the time to look after you. Your girls being as old as they are will be all the help you'll need.

That tightness you all are feeling is the swelling of the stomach. Your esophogus is trying to push the water/liguid down into your stomach and when there's too much liquid the esophogus begins to contract (or squeeze) until it gets all the liquid down. This is normal but it is painful. I unfortunately had this pain for weeks after surgery cuz I was a slow healer. It wasnt until just recently that I've been able to gulp again and not feel this pain. My advice to all of you is to take smaller sips more often rather than trying to get a lot of liquid in at one time.

I agree.. I used to blend up the tortilla/mexican soup from Progresso when I was on the liquid stage. If you blend it up really good and then strain it, you'll be fine! And, it beats the broth cuz it has so much more flavor and protein! And like Shanny said, if you've left chunks in there and eat it, your sleeve will tell you not to do that again!! It's hard to miss when it talks to you! LOL.... I know it's pretty hard right now, but the hunger will go away soon and you'll be feeling a lot better too. Just take it slow and follow the Dr's orders and you'll be fine!

I'm a cheese-a-holic and put it on everything! I started using it at 2wks out in my soups! As for the Laughing Cow, I find it at any supermarket. They even carry it at Wal-Mart. It's usually on the top shelf where the dairy is, but at Wal-Mart it's where all the uncommon cheeses are, right by the deli (at least at my Wal-Mart). OMG, I've been eating Laughing Cow for years now and LOVE them! They have all kinds of yummy flavors and it's very versitile. I use it on Ak-Mok crackers, celery, chicken, grapes, and I even eat it by itself!! They arent really high in Protein about 2g, but they sure are delicious and filling!! Make sure to the get Lite kind!

You really do look great!!! Keep up the good work!!

I agree! I would do the party before surgery! I was of no help with my kids for a good 2 weeks after surgery and when I went back to work I wasnt much help when I got home either cuz I was so exhausted! You dont realize how little energy you have after surgery! Everything is a struggle!! Drinking, eating, walking, resting... it's harder than what people say on here!! Trust me! So, in my honest opinion, I would have the kids' party first and then get your surgeries done. Let the kids, and you, enjoy their birthdays!!

You know how we have to jump through all these hoops to get the surgery... well, sometimes I think "will I be approved?" But here I am, 2 months post-op and I'm still thinking about it. It's funny how the thought will cross my mind and I'll think "I'm already sleeved! Phew!" The insurance games, the nutritionist appts, and all the preparation we have to do before surgery is quite a bit to handle and it's amazing and somewhat unbelievable once it's all said and done! Good luck to you and enjoy the ride!! You'll do fine!

Yes, this is totally normal. I dont think I was able to get in 15oz until maybe week 2 or 3. I had a lot of swelling but my dr said it was fine as long as I didnt get dehydrated. And I didnt... so, I dont think you have anything to worry about! Just do your best. I did sip on warm chicken broth more than I did water, and that seemed to help a lot!

I knew it was time when I put on 30lbs in a year w/out trying!! I had a lot of life changing events all happen in the same time and before I knew it, I was back up to 206! At that point I decided to look at our health insurance options at work and switched to a plan that covered bariatric surgery (thinking I was going to get the Lap Band). I read the requirements over and over and qualified for all of them except for the BMI over 40. So, in Oct-Nov of last year, I ate and drank lots of Beer to gain the 25lbs needed to qualify. I know it sounds rediculous but I wanted this surgery! In January, at my first appt the insurance co told me that the 3month diet I had been on was too old and had to go through the surgeon's office. At this time I spoke to the nutritionist and she recommended this site. And directed me to the forum about Band to Sleeve revisions!! After reading all of the posts and speaking to others on here and at work, I changed my mind and went with the sleeve. The best decision I've ever made!! I'm considered a newbie at only 8wks post-op, but let me tell you, I've already lost 35lbs (all post-op) and I feel amazing!! Those 25lbs I gained to qualify took a huge toll on my body and energy and now that I've lost that, I feel great! I'm not hitting snooze on my alarm anymore and I'm staying up later too. I'm able to run up and down the stairs chasing after my kids, and am coaching softball again. I have a long way to go, but just these 35lbs have made a huge difference for me!! You will know when it's time! When you wake up one morning and struggle to get out of bed, or put your shoes on, or run out of breath walking a short distance... it's time!

Any word yet Ash??

Congratulations!! Keep rockin your sleeve girl!!! You're doing fabulous!