grannyk

As I have said in other posts, I am not one to totally deprive myself of things I really love. I refrained from any caffeine until approx 2 months out which was no small feat as I was adduced to Diet Coke, but hot tea in the morning is one of my true pleasures in life and the caffeine has not done me any damage. We will eventually be able to enjoy all things we like in moderation. Love the sleeve...Kathe

By the way, from your name I am assuming you are from Oklahoma. Is that a safe assumption? I am from OK and proud of it!! Go, Sooner and Pokes!!! (I have a degrees from both universities, so I am bi-team. Kathe

I am not necessarily a binge eater, I am a stress eater. And since life is basically one big stress ball for me, hence I suffered from morbid obesity. On the other hand, the sleeve has given me a tool to control my eating. Trust me, further out you just will not be able to binge eat without causing your self major discomfort. Not fun!!! Not even tolerable. Last Monday at work we started switching to a new electronic medical record integrating into a huge system. This week has been disastrous. The system is difficult to learn (I am not computer stupid) and the clinic is very busy, meaning everyone is behind and we were all at work late last night (I was the first one to leave at 6:45). Well, on the way out the door, I ate about 6 tortilla chips completely because I was stressed to the max. Five months ago, that would have been one bite. Yesterday, on the way home my tummy was very uncomfortable. Fortunately the chips went on down because they are a slider, but my frustration was relieved and this morning I had lost another 1.5 lbs this week. Don't beat yourself up if you slip (allow yourself that only rarely). It will NOT defeat you in your journey to your goal. Good luck and wishes for a happy and healthy journey...Kathe OK...I hope this works. I copied this post from one of my previous posts today because it is basically about the same thing. If I were you, I would go ahead and pursue the sleeve and deal with my eating problems while getting healthier. I am also diabetic and am much improved since losing a total of 90 lbs. I still have 50 to go. I simply cannot put as much food in my stomach as before and my emotional eating is over before I can do the damage. I hope this helps a little. I just wish everyone who considers the sleeve could realize what a wonderful tool it is for fighting the battle we have all fought. It is not the total "cure" just because we are all who we are. Just give yourself every opportunity to be the best you can be. Best wishes and keep us posted on your progress. God bless you...Kathe

Yes, I have this problem, but I think mine is hereditary too. I have a my mother's knees and there is nothing I can do about it short of liposuction, which I cannot afford. The only time my pants size was not dictated by my legs was when I weighed 128 at 5'10" and that will never happen again. I was underweight for 3 days in my early 20's (hehe). And now I have to stuff all that extra skin in, too. Unless I decide to go to Mexico for more surgery in a couple of years, I will just have to be happy with being more healthy. I am 63 years old which has something to do with it too. If you are younger, you will be more successful. My daughter has lost almost 100 lbs since her sleeve. She thinks she has a lot of loose skin, but she really doesn't. Keep pressing on and you will be out of 20's in no time. Kathe

Great response, Lash. Thanks...Kathe

How funny...maybe they will lose some weight because of your sleeve!!! Kathe

Ditto...the sleeve doesn't mean we never get to eat favorite foods again. Just be careful during the early stage of losing. I have never denied myself chocolate, but now it is one Dove chocolate every 2 to 3 days instead of every 2 to 3 hours. Give yourself some leeway and enjoy the trip...Kathe

WOW!!!! It is great that you wore the same thing too. Really shows your success. Congrats x 100...Kathe

Ditto Indymom. My only question is why did you wait so long? Get yourself on the loser's bench as quickly as you can. Kathe

And one more thing... Thanks to those of you who compare the sleeve to botox and boob jobs done in the name of vanity. Certainly we have had surgery to make ourselves look better, but when did anyone ever have botox or a boob job for their health???? YEAH US!!!!!

I am not necessarily a binge eater, I am a stress eater. And since life is basically one big stress ball for me, hence I suffered from morbid obesity. On the other hand, the sleeve has given me a tool to control my eating. Trust me, further out you just will not be able to binge eat without causing your self major discomfort. Not fun!!! Not even tolerable. Last Monday at work we started switching to a new electronic medical record integrating into a huge system. This week has been disastrous. The system is difficult to learn (I am not computer stupid) and the clinic is very busy, meaning everyone is behind and we were all at work late last night (I was the first one to leave at 6:45). Well, on the way out the door, I ate about 6 tortilla chips completely because I was stressed to the max. Five months ago, that would have been one bite. Yesterday, on the way home my tummy was very uncomfortable. Fortunately the chips went on down because they are a slider, but my frustration was relieved and this morning I had lost another 1.5 lbs this week. Don't beat yourself up if you slip (allow yourself that only rarely). It will NOT defeat you in your journey to your goal. Good luck and wishes for a happy and healthy journey...Kathe

Please don't compare your weight loss to anyone else on the forum. It is dependent on so many variables. I have lost right at 50 lbs in just over 4 months and I am very pleased with that because I have lost that 50 lbs for the LAST TIME!!!! Just remember the story of the tortoise and the hare...slow and steady wins the race. Also remember this is not a race between you and anyone else...it is a race to a goal. Best wishes for a happy and healthy journey...Kathe

Lola, tears of sorrow for your loss and tears of joy for your victories. God will bless and keep you close...Kathe

Can't imagine how this could be related to the sleeve unless there is surgical nerve damage, which is unlikely. I would be getting myself to my PCP ASAP...Kathe

Not everyone asks how I have lost 86 pounds, but when they do, i hesitate slightly and then say "I went to Mexico and had my stomach cut out." The shock usually wipes away any smirks, and the most common response is "You WHAT!!!???" Kind of gives me the upper hand. It they have the cahones to ask, I'll give them an answer (hehe) Kathe

I'm not a veteran, but I'll add my 2 cents. I'm in my early 60's and always said I was too old to consider any cosmetic surgery. However...I have so much baggy skin that I could skydive without a parachute. I think you have to be about 2 years out before considering flop removal, but I'm beginning to think I just might!!! K

Yes, Papa, most people are NUTS!!! This is right up there with a study done some years ago about the effect of cow farts on the Earth's atmosphere (methane, you know). That was when I decided people on a much higher decision-making plane that I had way too much money and time. They all need to get a real job!!!! K

I'm with you!! Four months out and one thing I still miss the most is drinking water with my meals. It is so hard, but I do not drink anything but an occasional sip here and there with meals. I only drank water with meals, but sometimes I could go through 2 or 3 glasses of water at a restaurant. It is easier now, but I still miss it. Hang in there...it is worth it in the long run...Kathe

Sorry, don't know what happened when I posted. The first ingredient in the soup in 1 jar (15-16 oz) corn and black bean salsa, mild or medium to taste (Walmart's brand is delicious).

This is a recipe I used before I was sleeved and it is great now, too. I found it in a Family Circle magazine in 2004 and have tweaked it a little here and there, but there is not much to tweak. 1 can (15 oz) yellow corn, drained 1 can (15 oz) chicken broth Italian herb seasoning to taste 1-1/2 Tbsp cornstarch 1 14-oz package raw peeled, deveined shrimp In large saucepan, combine salsa, corn, chicken broth, Italian seasoning and cornstarch. Bring to simmer over medium-high heat. When Soup simmers, stir in shrimp and cook until shrimp is pink. That's it!! To arrive at the nutritional values, I actually counted the number of shrimp in the package and divided to make even servings. It came out to 13 shrimp and approx 1 cup of everything else to make 5 servings. Calories = 239 Fat gms = 2.5 Net carbs = 22 (That can be cut to 2 net carbs if you don't use the can of corn; that's where most of the carbs are) Protein = 23 This is a protein-packed, great-tasting meal and it takes almost no time to make, 10 minutes tops. And...it is even better cold!! Enjoy, Kathe

I'm just like you, Kelly. I am 4 months out and when I eat or drink, I am likely to burp and gurgle. There is nothing I can do about it. The people I work with know about my surgery and this is just part of it. Most of the time they just look at me and grin. If I am out some place and this happens, I just look around like it is someone else. (Have you heard the saying "Whoever smelt it, dealt it") I don't care how much I burp and gurgle. I wouldn't trade my sleeve for anything. Kathe

Oops...forgot to say their website has locations where these are available, and if not in your area you can order online. I can get them at one of my local Walmarts, but when they told me they were no longer carrying it (which wasn't true) was when I discovered the website...K

Go to www.josephsbakery.com and check out the nutritional breakdown on their Flax/Oat Bran & Whole Wheat Lavash and Pita breads. Amazing!!! The only bread I buy now is the really thin sandwich buns which I use for toast for Breakfast. There is no way to eat a whole one of either the lavash or pitas. I use 1/4 of the lavash for a pizza crust and 1/2 of the pita for stuffing with tuna salad or sandwich fillings. You can cut them in any shape. For crispy things like chips, pizza crust, etc. place them on a baking sheet or stone, spray them with Water and crisp in 350 degree oven for about 10 min. You need to watch closely or they will overbake. One of the most fun things I did was cut them to fit a taco salad tortilla mold and bake them. What a great little taco salad. Suggestions for 1/4 lavash: Mix Peanut Butter and sugar free jelly together, spread on lavash and roll up. Delicious PB&J "sandwich"!! Spread with condiment of choice (mayo, dijon mustard, etc) place deli meat of choice and slice of cheese on lavash, roll up, secure with toothpick and microwave for a few seconds to warm the cheese. YUM.. a deli sandwich!! Roll up your favorite taco filling with oaxaca cheese crumbled in, place in baking dish seam side down, cover with favorite enchilada sauce, sprinkle with cheese and bake at 350 degrees till bubbly and lavash is crisp around exposed edges. Some of the best enchiladas I've had!! Spread prepared pesto sauce thinly over 1/4 crisped lavash, top with mozzarella cheese and microwave just until the cheese starts to melt. OMG...this is like a mini pizza and a perfect accompaniment to meatballs in marinara sauce (3 mini meatballs makes this a meal). I could go on and on, but let your imagination go wild. You will never feel deprived of marvelous tasting food again. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Kathe

I have found what I think in a great substitute for bread crumbs. I love to have a little coating on my tilapia, chicken palliard and baked cheese sticks, and I stumbled onto this at the grocery one day...wheat germ!! It is has more nutritional value than bread crumbs and adds a great nutty flavor. You can add any seasonings to it just like you would to bread crumbs. Here is the comparison for 1/4 cup of each: Wheat Germ: 100 cal, fat 2 gms, net carbs 8, Protein 6 gms Bread Crumbs: 120 cal, fat 3 gms, net carbs 19, protein 4 gms I don't know about the rest of you, but I am having a great time finding ways to cook really great tasting food since being sleeved. I have never eaten so well and so healthy. I LOVE MY SLEEVE!! Kathe

I agree with Tiffykins. Don't let a surgeon make a lifelong decision for you. I am a nurse who has taken care of RNY post op patients with and without complications and I always said I would never have one no matter how fat I was. The only reason I had WLS is because of the sleeve. Stick to your guns, my friend, and you will be much happier...Kathe