StacyS

I MADE IT TO ONEDERLAND!!! I weighed in at 198 this morning!! Horrah!!!!

Thank you all so much!! It's hard cuz I ask my hubby everyday if I look skinnier and he always says "nah, not really". But that's cuz he see's me everyday! So, after I posted these pics I emailed them to him and he was like "WOW... now that I see photos side by side you can really tell you've lost weight! Great job honey!" That just made my day!

You are too sweet Kelly! Thank you!! ((blushing))

I had a wonderful Dr in Northridge, Ca. It's kinda far from Long Beach, but if you're willing to travel for an appt, I would HIGHLY recommend him. Here is his info: Dr. Uthaiah Kokkalera Center for Weight Loss Surgery Northridge Hospital Medical Center Tel: (877) 448-4448 Fax: (818) 775-9354

Thank you!! I meant to say *done to my face... not down to my face.... LOL Sorry for the large pic too... I couldnt figure out how to resize it on here.

I know it's really early in my journey, but I wanted to share what 30lbs lost has down to my face!! It's amazing!! I'm so happy!!

So??? did you buy it and try it yet?? How well does it work?? Where did you buy it from? The website or did you find them at Bed, Bath, and Beyond?

Magnesium Citrate!!! This cleans your intestines out really good!! I know this isn't the most "ideal" way to break a stall, but it worked for me!!

Hey my fellow April Sleevers!! How's everyone doing? So... most of us should be on solid foods now, or at least transitioning to solids soon, and I was curious to see what everyone is eating, what works well for you, and what kinds of food simply dont work!! I'm on soft foods and will be going to solids next week. I'm really scared since I'm still not able to finish a full 1/4c of anything yet that's not pureed. How did all of you transition to solids? Did it work immediately or did it take time? Hope you all are doing well!! Stacy

O, I'm done and sleeved already!! But thank you!!

What exactly do they tell you when you call? I have BCBS-Fed and once they receive your case, they have 5 days to process it! Which means, they should either have an approval/denial within those 5 days!! Call them everyday to check the status of it! When I called everyday they were all really nice to me and said that the case was being reviewed or they were missing paperwork, etc. They never said "it's being reviewed". They've had it since May???? That doesnt sound right at all... I would call and ask to speak to a supervisor!!

Congrats!! Yeah, I have BCBS-Fed and they only took 3 days! They're pretty good about getting the approvals out quick!! I'm so happy for you!! Good luck on your journey! Keep us posted!!

Yes, I was extremely surprised my doctor didnt "catch" it, but why would he if he wasnt looking for it, right?! I did read on here that they usually do a blood test or something before surgery to see if there's traces of nicotine in your system, but the only blood work I had done was 3days before surgery.... So, IDK. I'm either lucky or unlucky, depending on who's looking at it. LOL.

So, I'm on soft foods now and made my World Famous (in my families eyes) baked chicken teriyaki last night and brought some in for lunch today. I didnt eat any last night but here I am today, trying so hard to eat it when it dawned on me that it tastes, it tastes... Blah!! As if it really doesnt have any flavor. Has this happened to anyone else?? Is this what everyone says about our taste buds changing?? Are more of my favorite foods gonna start tasting blah to me???? Or did my chicken just not come out right this time?

I'm so sorry to hear about your struggle to get approved! But let me just remind you of something... What doesn't kill us will only make us stronger!! And I can see, this HAS made you stronger already! And, KARMA IS A b***h!!! That chic will get what is coming to her!!! Just watch! Please keep us all posted on your journey!

Please.... no bashing, my head is already hung! I'm a smoker and haven't stopped. I smoked the day of surgery and the day I got home. In fact, I'm still smoking. My insurance required me to be smoke free for no less than 6 months prior to surgery so when the doctors asked if I smoked I always said no. I know it was wrong for me to lie, but I didnt have the will power to quit and really dont see myself quitting just yet. I know I will eventually, but not right now. I have had NO complications post-op regarding my stomach not healing or anything crazy like that. In fact, I am completely normal and am on soft foods and am not having any issues. Please, dont take this as encouragement to continue smoking, not by any means! If you can quit... then quit!!! I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in.

Congrats Rootman!!!! So happy for you!! Keep up the good work!!! And thanks for all your support through my journey!

Wow!!! check you out!! OMG, you're looking fabulous!! Check out those arms! I sure can't wait til my arms look that good!!! So very happy for you sweetie!! Keep rockin your sleeve!!!

Ok... so if you've read some of my posts recently, I've been complaining about being in a stall or not losing inches or anything. I received some killer advice on this board and took it to heart. I stopped consuming 2-3 Protein shakes a day and decided to get most of my protein in via food, I stopped weighing myself everyday, and I up'd my Water intake by double! So, here I go last week with all my changes and what happens? I get hit with my kids' cold/flu! I've been out of commission since last Thurs and am finally back to work and feeling somewhat normal. The bad news? I havent been able to eat anything substantial since last week and have only been able to finish 1/2 of a Protein shake. I know I'm depriving my body of the nutrients it needs to survive but nothing is going down. I made chorizo and scrambled egg for BF and was only able to eat maybe 3 bites. I have baked chicken for L today and am hoping to get most of the 2oz in but I highly doubt it. Anyway.... on to my scale VICTORY!! I am officially down 30lbs post-op!!! (Ticker to reflect this later) YAY!!!! My "stall" has broken since last week due to all your help and advice!!! and for my NSV.... I fit into my size 14 slacks today!!!! So very excited!!! One more freakin pound and I'll be in ONEDERLAND!!!! Doing the Happy Dance!! Thank you all for your encouragement and advice!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

Call them with all your questions!! That's what I did. I wanted to make sure I had all my bases covered. They were really nice and never got annoyed with me...lol

I have BCBS-Fed n Ca and I was approved on the first try!!! It took only 3days for them to approve me with a BMI of 41.7

I use myfitnesspal.com and it also has an app I use on my phone!!

Yeah, I refuse to weigh everyday. I'm waiting til monday to see what the week has brought for me!! Lets hope I'm down something and the stall has broken!!

That's so weird.... I was ALWAYS cold pre-surgery!! I slept with a down blanket year round, always wore sweat-shirts and rarely broke a sweat! I've been sleeved for about 6 wks now and havent really noticed a difference! I still sleep with my comforter and wear sweat-shirts in the evening.... I've only lost about 25lbs so far, so I guess after I start losing more weight I'll start to get super cold now???? Should I bring a sweat-shirt jacket to keep at the office, just in case???

Class of '94 here!!! I'm 35 and had my VSG on 4/25/11... I was an MTVaholic! I loved Madonna's videos and Devo's too. I swear, they really need to change their name to Reality TV now, since they NEVER play videos anymore! I have to watch Fuse in order to see music or VH1's Pop-Up Video! (I love that show! On VH1-2 now). ((shhhhh....dont tell anyone but I dont like Jersey Shore but I LOVE Jerseylicious!))