Randi

I went through the mourning period as well - I think everybody does. Wouldn't it be nice to go out and have a big juicy steak with a baked potato and all the fixings? Well - you can still do that, just maybe it will be 3 or 4 meals instead of one. I look at this as moderation. I'm not a big sweet eater or a snacker so it probably was easier for me. Trust me, it will get easier. Let yourself mourn for a while, it helps.

I went through the mourning period as well - I think everybody does. Wouldn't it be nice to go out and have a big juicy steak with a baked potato and all the fixings? Well - you can still do that, just maybe it will be 3 or 4 meals instead of one. I look at this as moderation. I'm not a big sweet eater or a snacker so it probably was easier for me. Trust me, it will get easier. Let yourself mourn for a while, it helps.

I don't really need to buy all the fancy dinners at restaurants and that I'm just as happy ordering off the side orders section. I don't miss it but I do struggle with wanting to control what my hubby is eating. he is always eating. So it's really hard to hold my tongue and let him learn his lessons. I know I wouldn't like him micromanaging what I ate previously.

Hello all and thanks for the great feedback. We are working on things and I am recognizing that it's me who has to change and not expect him to do it all. Everyday before I go to work he tells me how great I look and that he loves me. That in itself is a wonderful thing. I have started exercising in our pool and he even joins me some times which is fun. Down 8 more pounds since my original post so that helps. Whenever I'm stuck in a stall I get depressed and feel like I can't do it!!
We are both cooking now and I just eat a tiny bit and he is getting used to it. He even packed up the leftovers from last night for me to bring to work today. It's hard but we're trying and thanks so much again to everybody!!

Check with your doctor. Many use a 1 week pre-op diet. It is going to be up to him if you are ready. When I got my pre-surgery sonogram, the tech said she could tell I'd been good on my liquid diet. So they can tell.
She also said I had a fatty liver, but felt bad and said I had a really cute gallbladder.

Oh yes. Handfuls of it. Sleeved April 4, hair started falling out at the end of June. I don't have long hair, so I've gone with a really short pixie cut which has gotten lots of compliments (not many 50 year olds with pixie cuts. lol) I did some extensive research and learned that the hair fall is due to the surgery and the wls and it's a temporary problem with VSG. For some of the other bariatric surgeries, it can be permanent due to long term/chronic malabsorption which doesn't have to be a problem for sleevers. Ensuring you have enough Protein helps with the regrowth but does NOT stop the fact of Hair loss. The amount happens on a continuum, from a little bit more than normal to a LOT. I'm clearly going to fall on the LOT end of the spectrum.
I have decided I don't care. I would rather be slim than anything else, so if the hair loss gets too bad, I'll be shaving my head a la Demi Moore or wearing wigs a la Dolly Parton. In the meantime, I'm doing all the things the nut says to do, and am expecting the hair loss to last about 2-3 months.

I went through an emotional phase about 6 weeks out. It was like I questioned whether I had done the right thing with the surgery. But, that has passed and I am now almost 4 months out and happy with my choice and losing 52 pounds!!

This happens slowly. You're still healing so you have to let that happen first. I can now drink comfortably and my surgery was April 19th.

Joni - I'm going to be right with you on the slow award. I started at 262 as my highest weight and have lost 48 pounds so far. I think you are losing less because you had less to lose to begin with. At least you are halfway - YAY! My goal is also 140 so I have 74 pounds to go. Perhaps I haven't been the strictest with my diet but I want to have a little fun along the way.
Everybody is different and i'm very pround of you!!!

I don't think I agree with you ThinOneDay, friends do exist, but they are few and far between and like a marriage both parties have to work at the friendship.
I think when we are overweight we are more likely to settle for 2nd best in all departments, including friends. Now we are sorting that out we need to re-evaluate everything else in our lives. I am lucky in that I have had a couple of therapy courses of treatment in my life and that has given me some degree of insight into my own behaviour here.
I over-react badly to perceived bullying of myself and others though even now. I have learnt never to allow myself to be walked over the hard way like many of us here. I hate the types of people who are cruel and nasty for no good reason and I can't understand how this behaviour gives them pleasure.
But there are many, many good, kind, nice people in this world who would be great friends if you gave them a chance. Our family get a tremendous amount of fun and pleasure, plus support which works both ways, from our friendship group. It's finding them in the first place that can be hard, but I would counsel continuing to be open to friendship.
Jane x

I hit that target a month or so ago. Fun thing to celebrate!!!!!
You GO Girl!!!

Honey - you are doing do good!!! I was 262 and nov amad 215. I feel like I have my life back. You have to look at ar yourself and praise the lord for you decision, It's a good one. Your liife will change.

How weird, I have dreams of this happening. Now I know it's possible!
Thanks for sharing your funny story!!

I can relate - when I was in grade school ( and overweight with two skinny sisters) one of my Dad's larger friends used to say to me "Thin may be in, but fat is where it's at" and give me a little pat on the back. THANKS!!!
Then, when I lost a bit too much weight in high school my grandmother used to say "hey, you're not so fat anymore".
I'm 49 and these things still hurt when I think about them. But you can't let what other people think or say control your life.

Hey - this happens to all of us~!!! Don't beat yourself up and just get up tomorrow and try to do better. It's a change of life and that can't happen overnight. I am about the same place as you are, I was sleeved on April 19th. I've had my moments, trust me!!!
I'm jealous that you are in Bellingham. My husband and i had to move to Dallas from Bonney Lake 2 years ago. We really miss it!! Enjoy the good things in life and try to remember what you are thankful for. It does get better!!

I am April 10th and have my preop on April 4th! Getting excited! Wish my mom was 100 % on board with my decision. Said I should stop eating Dairy Queen everyday. Really? I wish I ate dairy queen everyday. Good thing my husband is 100 on board!

Hi my surgery is April 19 in west Virginia. I really need all the support that I can get. I'm 48, separated and changing my lifestyle a little later in life.

I thought I would share this with those of you that need Protein drinks and different options :crying:

I had this emailed to me a long time ago, and while cleaning out my inbox of the 2000 emails I stumbled across it again. I do not know the original author/creator/inventor or I would give proper credit.

pumpkin Protein shake
This is a wonderfully decadent way to get in your protein! Spicy, creamy and icy-thick.?milkshakes never had it so good!
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup skim milk or soymilk
1 scoop vanilla Protein powder (such as Matrix Simply Vanilla)
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or 1/4 t. cinnamon, 1/8 t. cloves, 1/8 t. ginger)
2 tablespoons Splenda Granular
1/4 cup Cool Whip or NSA vanilla yogurt
1 cup ice cubes
Place pumpkin, milk, Protein Powder, spices, Splenda, cool whip or yogurt, and ice cubes in blender container; process until slushy. Makes one Meal Replacement serving.
Per Serving: 230 Cal; 28 g Protein; 5 g Tot Fat; 13 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 2 g Sugar; 115 mg Sodium


banana Protein NOG
1 scoop Matrix Simply Vanilla protein powder
1 cup skim milk
A one inch chunk of banana
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth.

Banana/Peanut Butter shake (12 grams protein)
8 ounces fat-free milk
1 tablespoon creamy Peanut Butter
1/4 - 1/2 banana
Blend until smooth in blender.

Orange Dreamsicle (28 grams protein)
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (20 grams protein)
1 scoop (individual serving) sugar-free Sunrise Orange Crystal Lightâ powder
8 ounces skim milk
Alternatives: substitute 4 ounces orange juice for 4 ounces milk; substitute 4 ounces yogurt for 4 ounces milk; add 1/2 tsp. orange zest to shake.

Sunrise Smoothy
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 cup orange juice (or orange tang)
? banana (peeled)
1 carton Low Carb Vanilla Yogurt
1 tablespoon Splenda
4-5 frozen strawberries
Mix in blender until smooth

Cherry Vanilla
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
4-5 maraschino cherries
2 scoops low carb vanilla ice cream
1 cup cherry sugar free kool-aid
Mix in blender until smooth

Peach
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 cup Crystal Lite peach tea
4-6 frozen peach slices
4 ice cubes
Mix in blender until smooth

Strawberry-Lemonade
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 cup sugar free lemonade kool-aid
4-5 frozen strawberries
4-5 ice cubes
Mix in blender until smooth

Cherry Vanilla Coke Float
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
2 scoops low carb SF ice cream
1 cup diet coke
4-5 cherries
Mix in blender until smooth

Apple Pie Frosty
1 1/2 scoops HDT 5+1 vanilla protein powder
1 apple, peeled, cored, and sliced
(or 1/2 C no-sugar-added applesauce)
2 packets Splenda
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
3/4 C Water
8-10 ice cubes Blend thoroughly and drink up

Butterscotch Pecan liquid Pie
2 scoops ProScore 100 vanilla
8 oz cold Water
2 T sugar free butterscotch pudding mix
4-5 ice cubes
1/4 C pecans
Blend protein powder, water and pudding mix.
(The pudding mix thickens the liquid considerably).
Add ice cubes and blend till ice slivers.
Add pecans and blend again for a few seconds.
Pour into nice huge parfait glass and enjoy.
(about 300 calories).

Cherry Vanilla Protein Shake
1 scoop vanilla powder
1/2 cup SF cherry yogurt
4 ice cubes
splash water
vanilla extract (to taste)
cherry extract (to taste)
Put all of it in a blender and hit liquify! Enjoy

Choco Mint Shake
1 1/2 scoops HDT 5+1 chocolate protein powder
1 packet sugar free hot chocolate mix
1 teaspoon mint flavoring
1/2 cup of soy milk
1/2 cup of water
6 large ice cubes
Put all ingredients into blender
And mix to desired consistency. Serve cold.

Chocolate Almond Shake
2 scoops ProScore 100 chocolate
1 cup of soy milk
2 T Sweet N Low chocolate Syrup
1 t almond flavoring
1/4 cup of almonds
6-8 ice cubes
Blend all ingredients,
Except almonds and ice cubes,
Then add nuts and cubes and blend again

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter De-Lite
3/4 c. cold water
1/4 c. Toasted Marshmallow s/f syrup
2 scoops PS IOO Chocolate Protein Powder 4 packets. equal
1/2 small banana
1T. low sugar Peanut Butter
1T. s/f White Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix
Put everything in blender
And whirl till smooth.
Scrape down sides if necessary
And whirl some more.

Chocolate Banana smoothie
1/2 cup banana Fat-Free NutraSweet Sweetened Yogurt
1/2 cup Non-fat Milk
1/2 cup ripe banana peeled and sliced
Dash of Vanilla
1 Scoop Chocolate Protein Powder of Choice
Put all ingredients except ice in blender,
Blend until smooth.
Add ice and blend
To give it a frozen smoothie consistency.

Chocolate Coconut Shake
2 oz Coconut Milk
6 oz Cold Water
2 scoops Chocolate protein powder
1 tsp Chocolate or Banana sugar-free pudding
Hand Shake well.

Chocolate Covered Banana
1 scoop Chocolate Isopure
1/2 c 1% milk
splash of sugar-free chocolate syrup
1/2 banana
4 maraschino cherries
2 handfuls ice
Blend

Chocolate Covered Cherry Shake
1 1/2 scoops HDT 5+1 chocolate protein powder
1 cup soy milk
2T Sweet N Low chocolate syrup
10-12 cherries - (no pits please)
8-10 ice cubes
Put all ingredients into blender
And mix to desired consistency

Chocolate Frosty Shake
1 rounded scoop Optimum Nutrition Pro Complex Chocolate Protein Powder
1 rounded tsp. fat free sugar free French Vanilla International coffee
1 rounded tsp. fat free Creamora (non-dairy coffee creamer powder)
10 ice cubes
Use a blender to get a shake-like consistency

Chocolate Fudge Shake
2 scoops ProScore 100 chocolate
2 T chocolate fudge sugar free pudding mix
8 oz water
5 large ice cubes,
tiny silver spoon (optional)
Blend ProScore, pudding and water, add ice cubes,
Blend till crushed with ice slivers still un-melted,
Pour into insulated cup (makes about 16 oz)
And eat it with a tiny silver spoon.

Chocolate OrangeSicle
1 1/2 scoops ProScore 100 chocolate
1/2 Scoop OrangeSicle protein powder
8 oz water
Shake very well

Chocolate Peanut Butter Death
2 scoops PS100 Chocolate Protein Powder
8 oz Cold Water
2 tsp Chocolate SF Pudding Mix
1 packets Splenda
1 Generous splash (probably 1 1/2 ounces) of SF DaVinci Peanut Butter Syrup
1 Generous splash (probably 1 1/2 ounces) of SF DaVinci Cookie Dough Syrup
1 Heaping Tablespoon (Daloop) of Fat Free Cool Whip Light
1 Heaping Teaspoon of Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter
approx. 6 oz of crushed ice
Mix until entirely smooth - pour - sit back and enjoy pure indulgence

Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 tbs. peanut butter
1 cup skim milk
2 handfuls ice
Blend thoroughly

Chocolate Raspberry Shake
2 scoops ProScore 100 chocolate
8 oz water (or skim, lactaid or soy milk) sugar free raspberry syrup
Blend and enjoy

Chocolate Vanilla Swirl
1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
splash Vitamite
splash water
ice
Blend thoroughly

Chocolate-Banana Shake
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1/2 banana
1 cup skim milk
2 handfuls ice
Blend thoroughly.
Hint: if you can't use a banana,
Try banana extract...tastes good!

Coco Loco
1 1/2 scoops 100%Whey Vanilla Protein powder
4 oz Vitamite
6 packets Splenda
splash Luzianne Peach Mango Ice Tea flavoring
2 drops Coconut extract
2 drops pineapple extract
1 drop Rum extract (optional)
5 ice cubes
Blend and chop ice thoroughly

Cookies & Cream
Splash of Cookies & Cream coffee Splash of Vitamite
Splash of water
1 tsp. Sugar Free DaVinci Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Syrup (optional)
1/3 scoop ProBlend 55

Mocha/cappuccino
1/3 scoop Pro V60 Chocolate Thunder
1/3 scoop Pro V60 Vanilla Cr?me ice Blend

Creamy Peach Melba
6-8 frozen peach slices
4-6 oz water
1 tbsp peach mango Luzianne Tea Flavor
1 tsp DaVinci Raspberry flavor
2 packets splenda
1 tbsp heavy cream
2 scoops Keto Peaches & Cream Protein Powder
Blend peaches,
Water, flavorings, & splenda until liquid.
Add protein powder.
Drizzle in cream last. Blend well.

Donna's Delicious Protein Smoothie
6 to 8 oz sunrise orange crystal light (premade)
3 ice cubes
3 frozen raspberries
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
Optional: tablespoon of light cool whip
Mix crystal light with the ice cubes and frozen raspberries,
Add the scoop of vanilla protein powder
And mix only for a few seconds
(mixing the protein too much causes it to foam)

Double Chocolate Fudge
? cup skim milk
1 packet, no sugar added hot cocoa mix
1 scoop Chocolate protein powder
4 ice cubes (or ? - 1 cup crushed ice) Mix in blender.

Egg Nog
1 scoop of Vanilla HDT 5+1 vanilla 1 cup of soy milk
1 teaspoon of rum extract
1/2 teaspoon of all spice
4-6 large ice cubes
Put all ingr

So, I had my surgery Nov. 23rd & I am 97 lbs down as of TODAY!! I am so super stoked. I have been exercising my AZZ off & it has worked. I can't believe how blessed and happy I am. Now.... the pics.
vs before