Momonanomo

HI & welcome to VST!! Glad you found the site too I know it's been instrumental in helping me make my decision. I've been addicted to the boards the last 6 months or so leading up to my surgery which is scheduled for 5/22. I'm so glad I've spent time reading so many stories of people's experiences through blogs and on the various topic threads. Go to the Forums Home page and browse around -- everything you can think of has been covered -- and some things you may NOT have thought of ! LOL! Right now, since my surgery is right around the corner, I like reading about people's actual hospital stay and immediate recovery. It helps me prepare for what will be happening. And it's ALWAYS awesome to read people's success stories and see their before & after pictures!

I think we would all be really appalled to know the truth about sodium levels of restaurant and fast foods. I have no doubt that the majority of that gain was water retention.

OMG you look fantastic!! And HAPPY!!!! Congratulations!

Hey Ms Vicki! It does sound like The First Stall has indeed ended, yay! I say join the gym, get your swim on And, as you progress on your journey, you may decide to try the various classed they may have and/or use their machines for strength training. IMO, having the gym membership will give you exposure and access to new and cool things to try, and therefore keep you motivated to keep moving! lol I am SO looking forward to that whole energy and libido surge thang! keep on rockin!

My understanding is that it is a multi-level marketing product, like herbal life. You buy the product & the person you buy from will start asking if you're interested in being a sales rep too or if you want to be a part of a great business opportunity.....

Erp makes a good point that there are some higher calorie foods that are also nutritionally valuable. Just keep after it, you're going to find that sweet spot. That is surprising and upsetting that the premier shakes are staining your teeth! Costco has an awesome return policy - I'm sure you could take your unopened cases & return them.

it's the Incredible Shrinking Tummy! yay you!! great job!

so why are nanners taboo? It's on my 'avoid' list, but since I'm not crazy about them, I didn't ask.

I'm to be sleeved in May (yay!) I'm slightly over 40 bmi, so now my insurance will cover, but when I started researching, I was slightly under 40 BMI, with no comorbidities..... YET. So I was asking myself a similar question. I would consider your personal history with weight loss -- for me, I had gone up and down with an upward trend since high school-- that's over 22 years. I knew I could lose the weight but I couldn't keep it off, and my pattern is to gain even more back with each loss. I was tired of that, and tired of being overweight, and mostly just really TIRED! I also considered that going forward with it now instead of waiting until I weighed even more meant probably 1) an easier surgery/ recovery 2) being able to get on with life in a healthier body sooner 3) avoiding any further damage to my joints and the rest of my body I agree with Carrie-- if you can make it work, go for it. In the long run you will most likely be better off.

Here's the criteria my NUT gave me for protein shakes: calories < 200/ serving (remember milk adds calories) Protein <36 grams/serving Fat<5 grams/serving Carbohydrates< 18 grams net carbs/ serving

Moving right along! Went and got my EKG, chest X-ray, and h.pylori tests done yesterday. The offices were right across the hall from each other, so Efficient Me got in and out in 45 minutes (don't tell my work! I took the whole afternoon off!) All 3 tests were uneventful. The chest xray involved stripping from the waist up and wearing a stylish paper gown. The guy tech was a cutie! One pic while I faced a white board, and one pic while I faced the side with my arms up. The EKG -- remove shirt only, kept bra on. Before hand, the female tech asked "are you wearing a regular bra?" and I said yes, so she said ok to leave it on. But I can't help but wonder what is a not regular bra inasmuch as what kind of bra would I be wearing if it wasn't ok to leave it on? LOL. But I digress......she had me lie on a table (too short! My toes were on a cart at the end of the table!) and then she stuck stickers all over my front. Then she attached these wires with clampy-things to each of the stickers. Then she asked me to lay still and breathe deeply for like a minute, maybe two. Then she unhooked the wires, peeled of the stickers, and I was good to go. Then I went and got my blood drawn for h. pylori and my thyroid panel. Yes! Moving right along! Also am beginning to figure out accommodations and car while we are on Oahu for the week around surgery. And lining up sending my dog to "camp" for that week My RN emailed me to ask if I've gone to any of the local support group meetings.....I have to say that I've decided NOT to go. Several reasons. I live on an island, and it is a very small-town atmosphere. I have chosen not to shout from the rooftops about my surgery. I have a friend/ coworker who had WLS several years ago, and she is excellent support for me. Additionally, she went to the support group meeting -- once --- and someone there, who clearly didn't value privacy the way my friend does, went and told a bunch of my friend's in-laws who she had chosen not to tell. Then she was bombarded with phone calls. Not cool. VST has been and will be, I believe, just the right amount of support for me with a greater collection of people experienced with the sleeve than what I could find here in an in-person meeting. Diversity rocks, ya? And... I know myself well enough to know that if I get into an in-person support group environment, I could easily try to help everyone but myself. Denial is easier with distractions! Yes, I think VST is just the right amount of support giving and receiving..... at least for now. I would never say never, but this is how it seems best to me for now....

Oh Vicki that is SO wonderful! I can't wait to have the energy you're describing! And 20 lbs (gone forever!) in 5 weeks is total kick-ass. You're doing great!

O M G You look great! You've done so well! Congratulations !

nerves are natural, but I can say from recent experience -- don't worry It's not as scary as you might think. I had mine last week, and I found myself being more honest than I had thought I would be. And I passed anyway lol! Just remember that this person is on your side. My eval consisted of talking to the counselor for 90 minutes, and it was like talking to a friend. Then I had to take some silly T/F tests that I was instructed not to "overthink". The questions ranged from "True or False: everyone is out to get me " to "True or False: I am a generally happy person" , things of that nature. You'll do fine! And soon this too will be over and it's on to the next thing !

I actually like the sparkpeople one better than my fitness pal....it used to be free but I just looked on google play store & it's $3.99.... I just found it a better interface for me.

I'm penciled in for May 22nd......got my fingers crossed on getting all test results back OK & on time!

you ROCK! thanks for sharing --- you do inspire us!

I relate SO much to what you're saying. Brava to you for being so strong. You've clearly got your head in the right place for this upcoming journey. I wish you the best, and I'll be following your story. LOL and I'll literally be following right behind you to the loser's bench! We're May buddies (so long as nothing changes with my plans -- 5/22!)

thanks ladies! Vicki, you should just plan a little vacay out this way as a reward for getting to goal I do have good support around me thank goodness. I can tellmy dad is concerned (he is the strong silent type) and he may well "wear down the carpet" as you say Jillian but when I asked them last night if they minded it beign that day, my mom said "heavens no". phew! Aw thanks L...Ya, I was thinking the same thing as far as "home base" being closer to Castle...heck maybe we'll split the difference and stay half country half & town (Kailua / Kaneohe are considered country, right? ) I've decided (for now) not to attend the support groups here on my island....it's too small town. I might make myself go anyway if not for the wonderful friends I'm making on this website! Your support has been priceless. I raise my glass (of non-carbonated water) to you all! Mahalo! xoxo

Everything's coming together and building momentum!! Did my psych evaluation, which was actually quite nice -- I liked the counselor a lot. The RN coordinator had warned me that it would take at least a week or more for the surgeon''s office to get the psych report back, and she was really pleased and surprised when she got it back less than 24 hours later approving me! I guess I really AM a good candidate for surgery! Now I can go get my ekg, chest xray, and h pylori test. I have to travel to Oahu for surgery, so my next NUT and exercise appointments are over the phone. Then they'll submit to insurance for surgery approval. I specifically asked -- with all the diligence in getting the insurance requirements done, is there any reasonable possibility that insurance would say no at that point? And the RN said "nope!" Yay! So today I got my tentative surgery date of May 22. This....is my mom's birthday. I know she'll be ok with that - - she is VERY in favor of me having the surgery, and she's not the type to need special attention on her birthday (we can celebrate early I'm sure!) I just feel like I should ask and make sure she's ok with that. Surgery is always on a Wed., and the required pre-op class is always on a Thursday before surgery...so I'll have to make one more day trip to Oahu. That's getting a little tricky with work, but my boss has been supportive and I will do what it takes to make it happen! omg so excited!!

Yowza ! You are looking fierce! Great work on getting rid of 70lbs --- gone forever! I love that dress BTW Congrats!

I based my decision to tell only a select few by reviewing my history. My previous weight loss efforts had been more successful when it was less public. Of course I've never kept the weight off for more than a year but that's besides the point The big picture thing for me is that I don't want having had WLS to be my identity to the people in my world. I've told only those who really need to know, or who I know will be supportive. I will never lie if someone asks, but I'm not announcing it.

I whole heartedly agree what what the others posted! And I challenge the use of the word "cheated"...you planned for this, you strategized your portion control, and you had a healthy dinner after instead of continuing to eat not-good-for-you stuff. I'd say that's stellar behavior, not cheating! Great job! Congrats on your upcoming wedding and on your continued success!

Think of it this way: Have you ever regretted NOT eating the donut But omg a car trip with kids and donuts.......may the force be with you

Awesome awesome awesome! I hope I am able to do as well You are an inspiration. Here's to your continued success!