want2bthin

I'm on a business trip - the 2nd one I've taken since surgery and losing almost 67 lbs.
- When I went to pack my suitcase I found that the majority of my suits no longer fit; fortunately I had two that fit nicely -
looser than I ever remember being able to wear them. One of them has always been my favorite.
- Wore a favorite suit today that, as best I can remember, I have not worn in 8+ years. Felt great just walking
around in it and when I looked at myself in the mirror from the side I saw nice curves - instead of bulges
- Before I left I realized it was time to buy new underwear - two sizes smaller - let alone a new smaller slip too. Both fit
nicely, thank you very much
- went out to eat and my napkin did not fall off my lap! Seriously this is huge to me. I've got to believe others
can relate to this. Before I would go through numerous napkins when going out to eat. It was especially
embarassing when with a group. My napkin would fall off my lap very shortly after placing it there; then I
couldn't reach down to pick it up. So I'd ask for another or take an extra from the table only to have the
same thing happen again. Of course, no one ever said anything and I tried to act like nothing was wrong but
this really bothered me. I guess I finally have a lap again
- am enjoying compliments from many people who I haven't seen in a month or so and who can't get over how
much weight I've lost
- it's just so great to be able to sit on the plane and not use an extender belt. I even bought my own years ago
since I was always embarrassed to ask for one.
- caught myself just naturally crossing my legs the other night; whoa didn't even know I could do that again
I hope you guys don't mind me sharing these with you. I always enjoy reading everyone else's and 'm looking forward to lots more to come.
Susie

I'm on a business trip - the 2nd one I've taken since surgery and losing almost 67 lbs.
- When I went to pack my suitcase I found that the majority of my suits no longer fit; fortunately I had two that fit nicely -
looser than I ever remember being able to wear them. One of them has always been my favorite.
- Wore a favorite suit today that, as best I can remember, I have not worn in 8+ years. Felt great just walking
around in it and when I looked at myself in the mirror from the side I saw nice curves - instead of bulges
- Before I left I realized it was time to buy new underwear - two sizes smaller - let alone a new smaller slip too. Both fit
nicely, thank you very much
- went out to eat and my napkin did not fall off my lap! Seriously this is huge to me. I've got to believe others
can relate to this. Before I would go through numerous napkins when going out to eat. It was especially
embarassing when with a group. My napkin would fall off my lap very shortly after placing it there; then I
couldn't reach down to pick it up. So I'd ask for another or take an extra from the table only to have the
same thing happen again. Of course, no one ever said anything and I tried to act like nothing was wrong but
this really bothered me. I guess I finally have a lap again
- am enjoying compliments from many people who I haven't seen in a month or so and who can't get over how
much weight I've lost
- it's just so great to be able to sit on the plane and not use an extender belt. I even bought my own years ago
since I was always embarrassed to ask for one.
- caught myself just naturally crossing my legs the other night; whoa didn't even know I could do that again
I hope you guys don't mind me sharing these with you. I always enjoy reading everyone else's and 'm looking forward to lots more to come.
Susie

I'm on a business trip - the 2nd one I've taken since surgery and losing almost 67 lbs.
- When I went to pack my suitcase I found that the majority of my suits no longer fit; fortunately I had two that fit nicely -
looser than I ever remember being able to wear them. One of them has always been my favorite.
- Wore a favorite suit today that, as best I can remember, I have not worn in 8+ years. Felt great just walking
around in it and when I looked at myself in the mirror from the side I saw nice curves - instead of bulges
- Before I left I realized it was time to buy new underwear - two sizes smaller - let alone a new smaller slip too. Both fit
nicely, thank you very much
- went out to eat and my napkin did not fall off my lap! Seriously this is huge to me. I've got to believe others
can relate to this. Before I would go through numerous napkins when going out to eat. It was especially
embarassing when with a group. My napkin would fall off my lap very shortly after placing it there; then I
couldn't reach down to pick it up. So I'd ask for another or take an extra from the table only to have the
same thing happen again. Of course, no one ever said anything and I tried to act like nothing was wrong but
this really bothered me. I guess I finally have a lap again
- am enjoying compliments from many people who I haven't seen in a month or so and who can't get over how
much weight I've lost
- it's just so great to be able to sit on the plane and not use an extender belt. I even bought my own years ago
since I was always embarrassed to ask for one.
- caught myself just naturally crossing my legs the other night; whoa didn't even know I could do that again
I hope you guys don't mind me sharing these with you. I always enjoy reading everyone else's and 'm looking forward to lots more to come.
Susie

I'm on a business trip - the 2nd one I've taken since surgery and losing almost 67 lbs.
- When I went to pack my suitcase I found that the majority of my suits no longer fit; fortunately I had two that fit nicely -
looser than I ever remember being able to wear them. One of them has always been my favorite.
- Wore a favorite suit today that, as best I can remember, I have not worn in 8+ years. Felt great just walking
around in it and when I looked at myself in the mirror from the side I saw nice curves - instead of bulges
- Before I left I realized it was time to buy new underwear - two sizes smaller - let alone a new smaller slip too. Both fit
nicely, thank you very much
- went out to eat and my napkin did not fall off my lap! Seriously this is huge to me. I've got to believe others
can relate to this. Before I would go through numerous napkins when going out to eat. It was especially
embarassing when with a group. My napkin would fall off my lap very shortly after placing it there; then I
couldn't reach down to pick it up. So I'd ask for another or take an extra from the table only to have the
same thing happen again. Of course, no one ever said anything and I tried to act like nothing was wrong but
this really bothered me. I guess I finally have a lap again
- am enjoying compliments from many people who I haven't seen in a month or so and who can't get over how
much weight I've lost
- it's just so great to be able to sit on the plane and not use an extender belt. I even bought my own years ago
since I was always embarrassed to ask for one.
- caught myself just naturally crossing my legs the other night; whoa didn't even know I could do that again
I hope you guys don't mind me sharing these with you. I always enjoy reading everyone else's and 'm looking forward to lots more to come.
Susie

I'm on a business trip - the 2nd one I've taken since surgery and losing almost 67 lbs.
- When I went to pack my suitcase I found that the majority of my suits no longer fit; fortunately I had two that fit nicely -
looser than I ever remember being able to wear them. One of them has always been my favorite.
- Wore a favorite suit today that, as best I can remember, I have not worn in 8+ years. Felt great just walking
around in it and when I looked at myself in the mirror from the side I saw nice curves - instead of bulges
- Before I left I realized it was time to buy new underwear - two sizes smaller - let alone a new smaller slip too. Both fit
nicely, thank you very much
- went out to eat and my napkin did not fall off my lap! Seriously this is huge to me. I've got to believe others
can relate to this. Before I would go through numerous napkins when going out to eat. It was especially
embarassing when with a group. My napkin would fall off my lap very shortly after placing it there; then I
couldn't reach down to pick it up. So I'd ask for another or take an extra from the table only to have the
same thing happen again. Of course, no one ever said anything and I tried to act like nothing was wrong but
this really bothered me. I guess I finally have a lap again
- am enjoying compliments from many people who I haven't seen in a month or so and who can't get over how
much weight I've lost
- it's just so great to be able to sit on the plane and not use an extender belt. I even bought my own years ago
since I was always embarrassed to ask for one.
- caught myself just naturally crossing my legs the other night; whoa didn't even know I could do that again
I hope you guys don't mind me sharing these with you. I always enjoy reading everyone else's and 'm looking forward to lots more to come.
Susie

I had my gallbladder removed years ago and I always told people it was the easiest surgery I ever had - I was up and walking by 10 pm that night. I would have to say that my VSG was comparable. I was up and walking within hours. I know many people complain of shoulder pain afterwards (and I had that with my Lapband surgery also) but I did not have it with the VSG surgery. I had pain meds prescribed prior to surgery and took it only a few times afterwards. The two days I was in the hospital though they administered it pretty regularly and I did not balk at that. They also gave me shots in my stomach to avoid blood clots. I was taken very good care of at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, FL through the US Bariatrics program. They really are experts and I think that definitely contributed to my overall positive experience after surgery and beyond.
I've had numerous other surgeries - cesarean section (comparably the worst of all), Lapband, tonsillectomy, gallbladder, both elbows, etc. My VSG experience was better than my Lapband one also.
Hope this helps.

Has anyone received an invite to this group yet? I haven't.
Kayte819 - Do you need any more info from me?
Thanks.

The Timer program I use is called Timer+. Search for it in the AppStore - it's free. It allows you to set up any number of timers and name them. I use it for all kinds of things.

The Timer program I use is called Timer+. Search for it in the AppStore - it's free. It allows you to set up any number of timers and name them. I use it for all kinds of things.

This is a great idea - I'm 5' 1 1/2" also. I just got my surgery today - scheduled for March 7th. I will have a revision from a band to a sleeve.
I start my pre-op diet on Wednesday. I am soooo looking forward to the day when I can shop in the Petites section - although a lot of those Petite size pants are still too long for me - LOL
Susie

Thanks so much to everyone for your input. The concept of 3-6 forkfulls makes me wonder if you are talking about total volume. I use baby
utensils and was told that my bites are to be no larger than my pinky fingernail - so I am taking very small bites. Needless to say 3 to 6 of those would equal maybe 1/2t or 1t at best. I use a timer on my iPhone set to 20 minutes and I usually try to take a fingernail size biteful every 30 secs so I
cut my food up to 30-40 bites per 1 1/2 oz serving - I guess about the size of a pea or even less.
I agree this is going to take lots of trial and error and I know we are all different. I will have to be patient with the process.
It's great to have such wonderful support, input and suggestions so readily available here. I belong to a private Facebook group for my surgeon's office which helps but I find my first question always is - what procedure did you have? Especially since it seems RNY still seems to dominate. I love going on this Message Board and knowing that I am talking to fellow Sleevers with a bonus being those who, like myself, were revised from the Band to the Sleeve. I know you all can truly relate to my experience and I to yours.
Thanks again.

Which frozen meatballs do you use? I've never really liked ground turkey anything but am willing to give them a try? Considering the last three weeks I've been on shakes, yogurt and applesauce I'm sure a lot of things will taste better than I thought they would
I'd like to find some low carb frozen meatballs to keep on hand.... of course I'm sure it's better to make up my own batch so might do that on the weekend. I start my Phase III stage on Thursday which will include 3 meals per day with 1 1/2 to 2 oz Protein each plus 1 oz fruit/veggies.
Thanks.

Tomorrow is Day 22 since my surgery and I start my sugeon's Phase III diet. This consists of 3 meals a day of 1.5 - 2 oz. meat plus 1 oz. fruit or veggies and then one snack of 6-8 oz yogurt plus 1 oz fruit and then 2 Protein Shakes to help boost Protein intake. I am not allowed to have carbs other than fruit or veggies until I'm six months out. Of course I'm also required to drink 100 oz of fluids which I have not been having a problem with since Day 4 post-op.
Thankfully my Lapband experience is helpful when it comes to this as I recall how much I just loved noodless lasagna. I just bought a new crockpot last night
and intend to make real good use of that.
The key thing I am interested in seeing is how well I will tolerate real food and how much I will even be able to eat. I have been so thrilled that on my current
full liquid diet I have easily gone 4-5 hours between meals without hunger and have not had any cravings whatsoever. I feel the first real test of my sleeve begins tomorrow.
So my plan for tomorrow is:
Breakfast - 1 scrambled egg with a little cheese
a.m. snack - Protein shake
lunch - 1/4c part skim ricotta with 1 T spaghetti sauce and 1 t. parm cheese
p.m. snack - 6 oz light yogurt and 1 oz fruit
dinner - making Pepsi Pork in my crockpot - made with pork loin, cream of chicken Soup, onion soup mix and a can of diet pepsi (leaves no carbonation).
Evening - Protein Shake
I'm also planning on making salsa chicken in the crockpot this week as well as meatballs (recipes appreciated I realize that with the volume of food
we can eat I may have leftovers for weeks so will do some freezing.
Just wondering how others did at this stage and I welcome any other meal ideas. I have always hated fish; actually was OK with tuna salad when I was young
but at age 17 was on Weight Watchers where I ate tuna fish every day for 6 months and have never eaten it since - and that's over 30+ years ago.
I am hoping that my tastebuds have changed so I am open to trying different foods again - my husband grills a lot.
I appreciate any input or ideas you have to share.
On a very positive note - I am now down 25 lbs since my pre-op diet; my wedding rings and clothes are definitely looser and I can see my face slimming
down - WooHoo! Excited to start this new chapter....
Thanks.
Susie 2.0

Tomorrow is Day 22 since my surgery and I start my sugeon's Phase III diet. This consists of 3 meals a day of 1.5 - 2 oz. meat plus 1 oz. fruit or veggies and then one snack of 6-8 oz yogurt plus 1 oz fruit and then 2 Protein Shakes to help boost Protein intake. I am not allowed to have carbs other than fruit or veggies until I'm six months out. Of course I'm also required to drink 100 oz of fluids which I have not been having a problem with since Day 4 post-op.
Thankfully my Lapband experience is helpful when it comes to this as I recall how much I just loved noodless lasagna. I just bought a new crockpot last night
and intend to make real good use of that.
The key thing I am interested in seeing is how well I will tolerate real food and how much I will even be able to eat. I have been so thrilled that on my current
full liquid diet I have easily gone 4-5 hours between meals without hunger and have not had any cravings whatsoever. I feel the first real test of my sleeve begins tomorrow.
So my plan for tomorrow is:
Breakfast - 1 scrambled egg with a little cheese
a.m. snack - Protein shake
lunch - 1/4c part skim ricotta with 1 T spaghetti sauce and 1 t. parm cheese
p.m. snack - 6 oz light yogurt and 1 oz fruit
dinner - making Pepsi Pork in my crockpot - made with pork loin, cream of chicken Soup, onion soup mix and a can of diet pepsi (leaves no carbonation).
Evening - Protein Shake
I'm also planning on making salsa chicken in the crockpot this week as well as meatballs (recipes appreciated I realize that with the volume of food
we can eat I may have leftovers for weeks so will do some freezing.
Just wondering how others did at this stage and I welcome any other meal ideas. I have always hated fish; actually was OK with tuna salad when I was young
but at age 17 was on Weight Watchers where I ate tuna fish every day for 6 months and have never eaten it since - and that's over 30+ years ago.
I am hoping that my tastebuds have changed so I am open to trying different foods again - my husband grills a lot.
I appreciate any input or ideas you have to share.
On a very positive note - I am now down 25 lbs since my pre-op diet; my wedding rings and clothes are definitely looser and I can see my face slimming
down - WooHoo! Excited to start this new chapter....
Thanks.
Susie 2.0

I just had my pre-op education class with a nurse the other day and she said they generally see and expect their patients will lose 10% of their weight each month. Well from what I can see you're even slightly ahead of that and the same with Nicky if I'm calculating from both of your tickers correctly. You are doing AWESOME.
I want to put into practice after this surgery so many lessons that I learned after having Lapband and one of those main ones will be to try not to compare my weight loss to others.... OK - you can hold me accountable on that now Comparing myself to others - especially considering only three of the people in my support group six years ago had the Lapband, the rest had Gastric Bypass - was lethal. I would say it didn't bother me, I wanted to lose slower so I wouldn't have sagging skin, etc. but I now I realize subconsciously it did.
Again - you are doing great.... You Go Girl!!!

I'm off to my last Dr. appointment before surgery in the a.m. so I'm so glad you asked this Priscilla and thanks to those who responded.
I've just started writing a list with these so I don't forget. Otherwise I would probably leave the office and then think to myself "I should have asked.... I wish I had asked.... What about this...?, etc."

It's so wonderful to read about all of you who have had surgery and your successes. I have 9 more days to go. My Pre-Op diet really hasn't been that bad and I'm feeling great already. I know the time will pass quickly and March 7th will be here before I know it.
Congrats to all of you who inspire those of us both pre and post surgery!
Susie

Thanks LML for all of your advice. The Sleeve is definitely not an exclusion - they are mostly honing in on wanting me to be under a physician supervised diet plan for six months. I'm already one month into
that anyway so worst case I should be able to qualify after the beginning of the year even without the appeal.
I like the idea of getting the other Drs to write letters - I have records but will ask for the written support also.
Thanks again.
Susie

I have seen some who have posted and were willing to share their appeal letter that helped them get approved. I would so appreciate it if you would inbox me
if you are willing and I will pay it forward.
I was approved by United Healthcare to have my Lapband removed but not to have the Sleeve. I will give them credit in that a Care Coordinator follows
up with me regularly to see how I am doing. I moved to a new state so had to find a new Primary Dr. and saw him for the first time a month or so ago
to officially start a 6 month program which is supposedly the main reason they wouldn't approve. The Care Coordinator also had me talk to a Behavioral Counsellor
and both seem to be very caring and understanding of my situation and have encouraged me to appeal. I do plan on appealing but my former Primary requires me to
send a letter to obtain my records and I have not done that yet - but will do tonight or tomorrow. I did obtain records from my former podiatrist for plantar fascitis treatment records
as well as my former Bariatric doctor to demonstrate the care I had in the past (my last fill was in 09/09 though) after which I pretty much gave up on the whole thing.
Anyway, I want to get started with the Appeal letter and have a good idea of what to say and I have lots of receipts from any number of diet plans I tried even while having the
band due to my lack of weight loss -- WW, Medifast, Nutrisystem, etc. I felt so vindicated when my new surgeon read the results of my Upper GI and saw that the band had slipped
and isn't even sitting on my stomach - it's on my esophagaus which explained why I was never feeling full nor had restriction - though food still got stuck at that point.
Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help.
Susie