mhenne97

Wow I feel like I am reading a sneak peak into my own story. I am a fat healthy chick. Here I sit 5 ft 2in 284 oozing more confidence than ladies half my size. Active, but beat afterwards. Waiting for my approval from insurance for a July date. I pray that my story ends up exactly like yours. I was afraid when I came across your title that it was going to be a story of how your health went downhill after surgery - so glad that was not the case. Keep rocking it out sister!

FINALLY got my date!!! 8/25 @11am!!!! So excited!

How are you feeling? Finally received my approval from insurance today! Took a bit longer than I expected. I will be at Mt. Carmel West. I should be getting my surgery date within the next couple of days.

Wow I feel like I am reading a sneak peak into my own story. I am a fat healthy chick. Here I sit 5 ft 2in 284 oozing more confidence than ladies half my size. Active, but beat afterwards. Waiting for my approval from insurance for a July date. I pray that my story ends up exactly like yours. I was afraid when I came across your title that it was going to be a story of how your health went downhill after surgery - so glad that was not the case. Keep rocking it out sister!

I discovered the chocolate Premier shakes at Sam's pre surgery! They have saved my LIFE! The only shake I can get down now... And if they still seem too thick cut them with skim milk. chocolate milk! Best I have found!

Alright guys. I have seen a lot of posts from people that can't seem to get their powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury or Bari Essentials / Isopure shakes down and I am here to tell you, there is hope. I don't typically endorse products but this has been a saving grace for me with Protein requirements.
Premier Protein - premade shakes. They are sold at Sam's Club or costco in packs of 12 or 18. I think that costco only carries the vanilla and strawberry and cream flavor and Sam's carries the chocolate which is the one I have tried and survive by.
This shake is the consistancy of chocolate milk and there is no foam or froth in it like shakes you make at home out of powders. This allows you to drink it essentially like Water, without it tasting like powdered trash or someone else's slobber going down.
The Nutrition of it is nuts! 160 calories, 30 grams of Protein, 3 grams of fat, 1 gram of sugar. It is milk based protein with some whey. One shake is half of most peoples daily value of protein so if you cant stand the 8oz foamy shakes that powders make, this 11oz alternative is the way to go. They are portable so you could easily take them to work or school or on an outing, and they don't have to be refrigerated until after opening, though I highly suggest having it cold.
Cost - they are about 1.50 for a shake, so for a month supply of just one a day which is what I use it is about 45 dollars. Most of us ate that much in fast food a week prior to surgery and I know for the BariEssentials products, it was 90 dollars for a one week tub to make your own at home. ( I think that was 3 shakes a day so it might have been slightly less but it was still more expensive.)
I hope this helps some of you. Also, I would like to suggest people trading off shake mixes that didn't work out for them with someone else who wants to try something new. Make some posts about what you have and why it didn't work out for you and network with someone else to trade. Just be safe and good to one another.

Congrats Sharie24,
I'm just a little bummed. I will be 5 weeks out tomorrow and have only lost 20 post op. I shouldn't say "only", because I know 25 pounds in just 5 weeks is amazing...and I'm certainly glad I didn't gain 25 pounds. It just seems like every time I read a message on almost every topic area on this site, people are losing 30-35-40 in just 4 to 5 weeks.
I did go to a nutritionist yesterday, because I did the self-pay route in Mexico to be able to afford. The care was exceptional, but the one piece that they were pretty thin on was nutrition and diet. The nutritionist told me the reason most people complain of the "3-week stall" is that your body thinks you are trying to starve it. Once it gets balanced...and gets balanced nutrition...is starts shedding the fat rather that clinging on to it or dear life.
What are some of the things you are doing to have lost such a significant amount of weight. Any tips to share? What was your pre-op weight? Did you get weighed the day after surgery? What was that weight? I certainly understand if you'd rather keep that information private. I was just hoping to get an idea as to why you are having such great success and maybe incorporate some of your feedback into my own routine. Thanks, Marybeth
As of today I am 3 weeks out of surgery an 47lb down since my post-op appt. I am starting to realize that I am not loosing weight like I was is that normal?

Here's another weight loss update pic!

I'm only typing here what I've read and researched online. I have no personal knowledge other than that, so here goes:
1. For several months post-op, your new tummy is still swollen and healing. So the capacity of your tummy is smaller than it will be eventually (say, a year post-op) when the new stomach has completely healed. This conforms with what I see patients 6-8-12 months out saying about their increased capacity.
2. The portion of your stomach that remains post-op is the LEAST stretchy part of your stomach. I've also read that the maximum amount that anyone's new tummy could stretch is 70%. By that measure, your capacity after 70% stretching would be 1.7 times more than it was before stretching. So if you're eating 4 ounces before your sleeve stretched 70%, you could eat 6-1/2 ounces after it stretched. If you were eating 6 ounces before your sleeve stretched 70%, you could eat 9-1/2 ounces after it stretched. Neither of those are big increases.
3. Nonetheless, some WLS patients develop an "ability" (ugh!) to pack more food down into their gullets. I've read (and been told by medical staff) that some people develop a tolerance for storing food in their esophagus while the food below, in the stomach, eventually empties down through the pyloric valve into the intestine, making room for the food in the esophagus to then go down into the tummy. Again, ugh!
4. Some patients learn how to eat more food by grazing / snacking throughout the day and night.
5. Some patients also increase their food intake simply by not eating in accordance with their doctor's instructions. Instead of always eating Protein first, then veggies, and only then simpler carbs (if they have room), they make simple, processed carbs (like crackers, breads, pastas, Cookies, ice cream) a larger proportion of their diets.
6. Some patients also are unable to stop drinking sweetened and high calorie drinks (sweet tea, sugar sodas, high-calorie coffee drinks, etc.). In other words, it's not hard to cheat the sleeve.
The sleeve is a tool. But WE operate the tool.

Hello All!
I just found this thread and am so happy to be a part! I was sleeved Aug 20th and haven't really had any problems. I stalled for about 3 weeks at 25 lbs lost but after reading your posts I realize I'm not alone! This is a great group. I broke the stall this week and started exercising this week, I guess that's what I needed to do. I weigh myself everyday, just get an idea of what I did right or wrong the day before. HW 278 SW 276 CW 252...

For all who have or are going through a stall - THANK YOU for sharing your stories. I am so frustrated. I was sleeved on 8/25 and have lost a total of 21 lbs since AND I have been stalled going on 3 weeks now. I keep thinking maybe my doc did not cut enough or maybe my stomach has stretched back out or maybe I'm doing something wrong. I guess I thought my weight loss should be greater by now but since reading everyone else who was sleeved around the same time, I guess I'm on track. I'm still frustrated and can't wait for this stall to be over...

Hi all, this site is great!! I had my surgery on August 25th. I am not going to lie, the first two weeks were horrible, I couldn't drink Water or my shakes, I couldn't take my Vitamins, I was weak and I was regretting my decision, I had to call the nurse because everything made me gag. After two weeks I was able to have one soft meal, which made the difference, I feel great, I've got my energy back, yesterday I went for a two mile walk and it was awesome. I am down 27 pounds since the surgery but now I am at a stall. Not losing hope feeling great!!

I was sleeved on the 28th and I'm feeling frustrated. I've been at a stall since one week post op. Here I am a little over 3 weeks post op and the scale hasn't moved in over two weeks. I know stalls are normal but this just feels so permanent. I eat right. I get my Protein in. I do struggle with Water but it's not too bad. I exercise. What am I going wrong?

@@GenaH, you are not doing anything wrong. If you read and research about the sleeve, stalls are bound to happen. Some people stall for 3 weeks or more. My NUT did not lose any weight 3 weeks post op. I was also sleeved the 28th. My clothes are getting loose on me, so I know am losing somewhere. Everyone's journey is different. You have to focus on your journey. Trust me, the weight will fall off. Just keep doing what your doctor told you to do. All the best!

For all who have or are going through a stall - THANK YOU for sharing your stories. I am so frustrated. I was sleeved on 8/25 and have lost a total of 21 lbs since AND I have been stalled going on 3 weeks now. I keep thinking maybe my doc did not cut enough or maybe my stomach has stretched back out or maybe I'm doing something wrong. I guess I thought my weight loss should be greater by now but since reading everyone else who was sleeved around the same time, I guess I'm on track. I'm still frustrated and can't wait for this stall to be over...

For all who have or are going through a stall - THANK YOU for sharing your stories. I am so frustrated. I was sleeved on 8/25 and have lost a total of 21 lbs since AND I have been stalled going on 3 weeks now. I keep thinking maybe my doc did not cut enough or maybe my stomach has stretched back out or maybe I'm doing something wrong. I guess I thought my weight loss should be greater by now but since reading everyone else who was sleeved around the same time, I guess I'm on track. I'm still frustrated and can't wait for this stall to be over...

Hi, my surgery was also 8/25. I feel exactly as you do. I did get a binder and it helps me a great deal. I can't wait to be over this pain period. I feel so helpless in this process right now...

Wow I feel like I am reading a sneak peak into my own story. I am a fat healthy chick. Here I sit 5 ft 2in 284 oozing more confidence than ladies half my size. Active, but beat afterwards. Waiting for my approval from insurance for a July date. I pray that my story ends up exactly like yours. I was afraid when I came across your title that it was going to be a story of how your health went downhill after surgery - so glad that was not the case. Keep rocking it out sister!

My surgery is 8/25 as well. I am in the same boat as you. So much to do!

FINALLY got my date!!! 8/25 @11am!!!! So excited!

August 25th at 11am for me! Excited and nervous at the same time. First time in my life I have no control over what is happening. LOL! Anyone else feel that way? I can not wait to start feeling "normal". I've adapted to this body for so many years and am looking forward to the changes to come. You mean to tell me not everyone gets winded going up steps? People are not constantly tired and people actually enjoy exercise? Shut yo' mouth! Can't wait!

August 25th at 11am for me! Excited and nervous at the same time. First time in my life I have no control over what is happening. LOL! Anyone else feel that way? I can not wait to start feeling "normal". I've adapted to this body for so many years and am looking forward to the changes to come. You mean to tell me not everyone gets winded going up steps? People are not constantly tired and people actually enjoy exercise? Shut yo' mouth! Can't wait!

FINALLY got my date!!! 8/25 @11am!!!! So excited!

My approval from Cigna was really quick. It was my doctor's office that gave the challenge. It took them submitting paperwork to Cigna 3x to get my approval.... their fax machine apparently was not submitting all of the needed pages. Two denial and ONE approval letter later, here I stand awaiting my date from the doctor's office. Hopefully I will have something tomorrow.