Sweetybabs

Angela..

Girl...I have been there. Last year at this time I weighed 360 pounds! I began my weight-loss journey on Aug. 3, 2011...and my surgery was Nov. 23, 2011. Since that time I have lost 150 lbs! Yes...150 pounds! I went from a size 28 or 4X...today I wear a medium shirt and a size 14 jeans!

I thought the same way you do... but the reality is YOU can do it! I did it..I weigh 207 pounds... and I love every pound...every wrinkle and every day that I have had this sleeve! I call her Bertha... and "she" and I have really went through a lot together...and we love each other! LOL

I am 6 months post-op... and can eat anything I want...and have NEVER been sick (dumped)...not even once. If you follow the rules.. you will do great!

You can find me on Facebook... Barbara Bush-Thompson...you can see lots of before and current pics!

God Bless...

I am 4 weeks post op today! I too have lost 13 pounds since surgery. You are doing everything right... so continue. Our body just went through major surgery and it has to heal. My surgeon said do not measure you success my the scale at this point..but in inches.. and he was right. The inches are coming off..even though the scale seems to be moving at a snails pace!

Also... don't forget the amount of liquids the gave us in surgery..we had to lose all of that too!

Best of luck!

I am 3 weeks post op today. I had some pain in my right ribcage area a few days ago... Italked to my surgeon and it was gallbladder spasms. But... other than that...I have had no pain!

After surgery I was experiencing nausea when taking my pills.. my surgeon suggested that I take my pills (heart medication and thyroid medication) with a small amount of sugar free pudding. They go right down...and no nausea! The only pills I have to break up are my Vitamins (Calcium and my C & D combo). I am 3 weeks post op and I still do the s/f pudding with my pills.

Hope this helps!

I too am 3 weeks post op today! I have lost 10 pounds since surgery...and I can eat eggs, Beans, tuna, oatmeal..and the other "cleared by the surgeon foods". I can only eat about 18th - 1/4 cup at a meal...but everything is going down well...and no nausea or vomitting at all.

When I went last week to see my surgeon..I was discouraged about the slow move of the scale. He assured me I have lost more weight then the scale reflects...because the put in about 7-10 lbs of fluids during the surgery..which takes several weeks for the body to get rid of it. Plus...I can't speak for everyone..but I know I am doing good to get in 50 oz of Water a day... I know I need 64 or more to flush out my body...but it isn't working out so well fo me. I just can't get that much Water in yet!

I understand the stalls...trust me I have been there... but, I would not let it get you down...just know that soon it will all change and the scale will start moving again.

Take care...God bless!

Wow.. what a horrible story! I am so thankful (to God) that everything went perfectly with mine! I did my research and even researched the surgeon and staff members...before committing to the surgery. I know sometimes we trust people and take them at their word...but in this case..it cost her her life! So sad! I hope the doctors pay dearly for that famlies loss! It could have been prevented...and should have been!

Thank you for sharing... and above all...that you for your faith in God! It is inspiring to see people lose the weight...but to me ...it is more inspiring to see people give credit where credit is due...oour merciful God!

You look amazing...and I can clearly see how proud the kids are of your progress!

God bless!

I am 3 weeks out of surgery... and I can only at about a tablespoon at a time. However..this morning I did eat 1/4 cut of thinned oatmeal...it took me 50 mins to eat it all. But, it went perfectly. For lunch I tried 1 oz of low fat cheese and 1/4 c of tuna salad... it didn't happen. I ended up eating 1/2 oz of cheese and 1/8th of a cup of Tuna salad! Still...that is progress and as long as it gets better each day...I think all is going well. I still do 2 Protein Drinks with 4 oz of skim milk each day...at the end of the day I eat and drink about 550-600 calories...and get in about 50 oz of liquids. All in all...I think that is pretty good. I feel great! I say...let your new tummy tell you what you can and can't do...that varies between all of us!

God bless!

I have learned to make crepes with the egg beaters...and I add one or two of the following... cheese, refried Beans, cottage cheese, sour cream and hot sauce. It is like a mini bean and cheese burrito....LOVE it! And look at the proteins! Yum!

I am 15 days out of surgery... I agree with the previous post. When I get the burps...I know I am full. That is when I stop! I am able to eat about 1-2 tbls of soft foods..like eggs, refired Beans, oatmeal and cheeses.

I struggle to get more than 48 oz of liquids a day...since we don't drink 30 mins before-during and after meals. That is 4 1/2 hours out of the day that I can't drink. So it slows me down alot. I was use to drinking 100 oz per day. I sip all day now...just to get in 46-50oz.

I know in time it will improve!

It looks like every doctor says something different! I am 12 days post op..and I can have crackers, cheese, eggs or egg subsituite, refried Beans (thinned), pudding, yogurt and milk(fat-free) based Protein drinks. Granted...I suggest you get your diet from your own doctor..but this has worked well for me. I make a bean and cheese crepe that is awesome... but I can only eat about 1 tblsp of food at a meal...so a little goes a long ways.

Bean and Cheese Crepe

spray small skillet with vegetable spray; cook over medium heat

add 1/8 c egg beater or egg subsitute ( season to taste )

Cook both sides and then remove from pan.

Microwave 1/2 tblsp of fat-free refied Beans ( I use Taco Bell Refried Beans ) with a little Water to thin them out about 20-30 seconds.

Lay crepe on plate, add refried bean mix, sprinkle Low-Fat shredded cheese and a thin dolop of fat- free sour cream. Roll it up like a burrito and eat in small bites.

I add a few drop of fat-free hot sauce to mine. I can only eat about 1/2 of the tiny crepe... but still the flavor is GREAT!

Also, I eat mini Ritz Crackers with Laughing Cow cheeses. I can eat 4 minis...or one regular size snack cracker with cheese.

I go to see my surgeon tomorrow... I will ask about other food options and report those too!

Hope this helps.

I thought about the Chipole BBQ Crispers from Chili's too! Those were so good! I am 4 days out of surgery.. and right now NOTHING appeals to me! Maybe someday!

Mine is tomorrow TOO! We are all very blessed to share this day! My prayers are with each of you!

Woo Hoo! I am glad your doing so well! God is good!

That is a great idea..with the medicine cup. Thanks

AWESOME! You look great!

I am excited for you! My surgery is Wednesday....

Keep us posted on your progress!

My surgery is Nov. 2nd...and I have no real concerns. It is not different than any other surgery..all come with concerns and complication risk. However, this surgery will help me me healthier in the future.

I have prayed about it and feel confident that this is the right thing for me.

I trust my doctors and surgeon...and know I am in good hands. Positive thinking is a GREAT tool!

I wish you the very best! Calm your mind with prayer! God bless!

Surgeons have to tell us that.... to protect themselves. So...with that being said..you know will lose atleast 65% of your weight! I am confident that I will lose 100% of mine! If we all do what we are suppost to do... diet and exercise...we can all get to our desired weight!

Congrats on the surgery date! Mine is Nov. 2nd...looks like we will be taking this walk together!

I began my pre-op liquids on Oct. 18th ...I choose to do one extra week to REALLY shrink my liver! It has gone well and I am so ready!

Best of luck and let us know if we can help!

Babs

What a amazing blog...I loved it! I can relate to all of this!

I lost a very dear friend too... FOOD! I had a nice long talk with it and we came to a mutual understanding that I will only eat what is good for my body...all other has to go. We agreed that I will no longer eat when I am happy..sad or indifferent. With this...I have lost 53 pounds BEFORE surgery, which is 10 days away.

Like you...I am doing this for ME! I am the strongest person I know...and I KNOW like I KNOW....I will be a success with this tool (VGS)! I exercise daily...move more...and obey all the doctors orders. So...I am confident that all will go well with the surgery and the post op!

Keep up the great work and stay positive! God Bless!

I am UHC too.... the good news is it only took one week for them to give me my approval! So..I too am praying for your approval!

God bless!

What kind of documentation is needed for these surgeries to be covered?

Also, I heard on the breast lift...the insurance company requires you to reduce to a "B" cup. Any one know if this is true? (I have been a "F" cup all of my adult life and it would look really weird for me to be a "B" cup)

I too had never seen a therapist...but went reluctantly! I actually went twice..and enjoyed both sessions! I had already been on the program 2 months before going...so I had come to terms with my food "demons". All went well...and I am clear for surgery on Nov. 2nd.

I highly recommend everyone get control of your food habits..the sleeve, band or RNY will NOT help you do this! It is YOU and only YOU that will make those necessary changes...the sleeve (WLS) is a tool..not a solution.

Wean yourself off of your "sugar/food" a little at a time. If you want chocolate, eat a Hershey Kiss instead of a large piece of chocolate cake or pie! If you crave caramel...have a Werthers Butter Cream candy...see how this works? There is a modest subsitute for every craving. Try eating 1-3 (no more than 3) bites to satify your craving.

I hope these tips help you...I know that is how I lost my 50+ pounds before surgery!

God bless!

I know what you mean..isn't a calorie a "calorie" no matter what it is..or how it is consumed?