Oakleygirl

I would love a tried-and-true greek marinade for souvlaki!

I heard that Rx Prevacid works well for bad acid that over the counter stuff doens't work for... hope you find some relief so you can eat and drink again!

I am reading a lot about post-op liquid stages and people having "no sugar" this and that... does that mean you are using artificial sweeteners in most of your liquids? I am concerned about aspartame usage b/c it makes me feel unwell... are any of the popular drink mixes made with "safe" sweeteners? Do you have to go "no sugar"?

What a great article and reassuring too! I knew hair loss would happen but now I know why! Thanks!

Just guessing, but wouldn't they also check it for leaks to make sure nothing leaked out of it prior to pulling it out? You wouldn't want to get septic from anything coming out of either side of the stomach, right?

I make spicy quinoa cakes for my little guy who is on a special diet... tastes zesty but super "clean"... I use cooked quinoa, garbonzo bean flour, grated carrot, finely chopped spinach, garlic, coriander, paprika, and a few other seasonings then put them on the griddle (small pancake size) for about 10 minutes... super tasty, gluten free, and a nice side to chicken or other protein! Travels extremely well, good hot or cold. For post op diet, you can make these any size you like, depending on your tummy capacity... from dollar pancake size to the size of burger! Msg me if you want the whole recipe!

Wow! You sure caused a stir! Fans screaming to see your stomach like it's a rock star! lol!

I just submitted my date request today to Nina... I have only heard great things about Dr. Aceves... several great YouTube blogs as well showing the whole journey... felt like I've already seen it! Thanks for all the positive reinforcing comments about him and the hospital, staff, experience, outcomes, etc...

Hey I'm up for anything... belly shots incuded! lol!

... he's 100% supportive of my decision to pursue VSG! Although I have been "quietly" researching this on my own for quite a while, I hadn't yet talked it over with him, mostly for two reasons... first, I really didn't think I could go b/c we have special needs twins that require all hands on care from both of us and two, my husband is so protective of me, I didn't think he would let me go to MX on my own. However, I was stupid to think I was researching secretly... this morning, HE brought it up and he said he's known for over a month that I was looking into this b/c I have left myself logged into this forum many times on my iPad and it's been the first screen which popped up every time he has used my iPad! lol! He also recognizes that I give 2000% to our children and that he wants me to feel happy, energetic, confident... heck, maybe even a little sexy! He told me he wants me to do this for me and as soon as I want to! I could not have asked for more... I am so excited and a bit tearful that he continues to show his love and concern for me like this even after 26 years of being together (2 dating, 2 engaged, 22 married!)! I already have dr. clearance to go so just looking at dates, flights, and child care and then it will happen! Today is a good day!

@ NancyDec20... I am so happy for YOU! You are right about men losing faster... my husband has been doing a Biggest Loser challenge sponsored by our city hospital as he is also heavy... since starting on Jan. 8th, he has lost about 30 lbs just be curbing his bad food habits and working out ONCE a week with a trainer for an hour! He is looking/feeling great with about 30 lbs to go, but it seems so easy for him... he recognizes that it IS different for us and wants me to be as happy and healthy as he is getting - we will just take different paths to that goal!

... sugar, caffeine, additive, presertive, colouring, possibly gluten... you are in MAJOR withdrawal from all the evils of processed and modern food! Hang in there!

Not April but July with Dr. Aceves... can't wait to follow your journey! Good luck!

I hope you were trying to be funny, but it came across as kind of inconsiderate... these are real fears that I think we all have and just being reassured that having that "moment of doubt" is normal and that others have had it , too, is all that the OP needs to hear. Glib comments are what make people afraid to ask anything.

Looks like July... hoping not to go up any more sizes before then!

10 lbs usually = a dress size for me. However, I can only say this about going UP a dress size b/c I haven't been sleeved yet and haven't lost 10 lbs in a long time to go DOWN a size! lol!

I think the lower fat foods tend to be more manufactured so you aren't really eating "real" food... I agree with NDN_RN... go with REAL food that is low carb and the fats in them are naturally occurring and usually attached to a natural protein... going this route should keep you full longer and you may not actually need as much to keep you full b/c those natural fats will keep you fuller. I don't suggest going overboard on foods with higher fat, but I think the low fat substitutes are too processed to be healthy... truly a cost/benefit thing!

i LOVE your post! Sooooo positive and encouraging for those of us yet to be sleeved!

I am also wondering about this... I have 3 kids that I will return to after surgery and carry the load of running the household... how many days should I expect to need help with kids and housekeeping chores (e.g. lifting laundry baskets, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc...)?

I just noticed on another post that a sleever had a recent MRI and had some pain/burning from it? Then there was some discussion about getting MRIs after being sleeved. I never actually thought about it before but would the staples be problematic for future tests such as MRI? Are you not supposed to get MRIs after having the sleeve? What about X-rays or CT scans? I am only concerned b/c I know when my husband had cancer, getting MRIs, x-rays and CT scans were frequent and they likely affected the outcome of his treatment b/c they provided vital information about his tumours, etc... I don't know if I could give up the benefit of being able to have an MRI down the road for the sleeve... this is just news to me today and I've really been shook up by it all. Can anyone help to clarify? Would really appreciate also anyone who has had to get MRIs post-op and your experience with it.

I remember the day when I could no longer easly reach down to cut my toe nails... suddenly realized I had this belly roll in my way... didn't really see it getting to that point, but just one day noticed... can't wait to be on the other side and not only cutting my toenails, but polishing them AND crossing my legs!!!! Congratulations on enjoying life's little accomplisments IweightNoMore!

You guys all ROCK!!!! What a great web site this is... ask a question and get qualified answers! Thanks so much!

I am still pre-op and would be considered a lower BMI, but your story could be my story... there's a huge amount of food/eating disordered history there in terms of your relationship with food and that's the part of you that needs the revision now - you have had your stomach size revised surgically, but you need to work on your head, too. I am constantly wondering how my own habits will have to change post-op b/c I COULD still eat a lot, just more often, and I COULD still eat lots of sweets/junk, but I will go into the procedure knowing that the fight is far from over... the sleeve is just your new secret weapon! There are some superb suggestions in this thread from veteran sleevers who know what to do to "work the sleeve" and I do believe you have to learn how to work it... you are still learning and maybe this time of sadness is bubbling your real issues to the surface so that you can face them and fight them both with your head and your sleeve so that you can be successful finally. I believe you CAN do it... you just need some direction and this is a wonderful place to get guidance.

When you say "sip", do you mean like lips to the edge of the glass and slurping up a little liquid or just small amounts that you "drinK" into your mouth? I know it sounds like a dumb question, but clearly there IS a difference between a sip and a gulp?