Khloé

I'd also like to know. I don't really remember being in a lot of pain after my c-section, except from being confined to a bed for the 32+ hours I was in labor in the hospital alone. Stupid sadistic, evil bed. Ugh. lol... Anyway, I've always heard that a c-section is worse than WLS, so hopefully it'll turn out great.

You're welcome. food allergies are serious business. I don't have to have an epipen, but I did end ended up in the ER not so long ago after eating food from a restaurant that was fried in the same oil as seafood. I even asked the restaurant beforehand if their cooking methods excluded what I was eating from where the seafood was cooked and they said yes. I was sooooo mad. I was baffled because I had never had an allergic reaction like that before. The ER doctor who treated me told me that food allergies can get worse as you get older. Since then I'm OCD about my allergies and check everything, even foods I eat all the time just to make sure something hasn't changed. Anaphylaxis is a terrifying thought.

Pure Protein was one of the companies I contacted. They told me that the equipment they use also processes shellfish, but that their cleaning methods are rigorous so there is a slim to none chance of cross contamination. The same goes for Body Fortress, the other Protein Powder sold at Walmart. I just didn't want to take the risk, especially right after surgery when I'm healing.

I bought the About Time samples at their website. www.tryabouttime.com. The veggie soup Protein came from Bariatric Advantage's site. The Matrix sampler came from mybariatricpantry.com, and the nectar came from BJ's Bariatric. I forget that site link, but it'll come up if you google it. You get to choose the flavors you want. I was thrilled.

Anyone had their vsg at Presbyterian in Dallas, Texas? If so, what was your experience? I figured I would be sleeved at Forest Park, but it turns out that my insurance has a stipulation that requires I have my surgery at a bariatric center of excellence (or something like that), so Presby it is.

My pre-op diet starts in like three weeks! Unbelievable. Just ordered my first trial-size Protein powders to get an idea of what I'll like before buying the big tubs of the stuff. It wasn't easy by any means. I have severe shellfish allergies, and most protein powders are processed on equipment that also process/handle shellfish. I had to make phone calls for two days to find only two companies (Syntrax & About Time) that don't use iodine in their products or manufacture them on equipment that also processes my allergens. So far I've ordered the sample packet of Matrix (flavors: bananas & cream, Cookies & cream, milk chocolate, mint cookie, orange cream, perfect chocolate, simply vanilla, and strawberry cream), a sample packet of nectar (flavors: apple ecstasy, Cappuccino, chocolate truffle, crystal sky, lemon tea, roadside lemonade, strawberry mousse, twisted cherry, vanilla bean, double stuffed cookie, and caribbean cooler), and two packs from About Time Protein (flavors: banana, chocolate, strawberry, and mocha mint.) I also ordered the vegetable Soup protein trial-size from Bariatric Advantage. I'm curious to see how all these will taste. One step closer to the big day! Have any of you ordered protein samples yet? If so, which ones have you liked?

Yep, I go back and forth between feeling that this is the best/worst thing I could do for myself. I wrote this post the other night. Pretty much sums up my feelings on surgery. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/69880-i-am-my-own-worst-enemy-advice/#entry695571

I'd love the pureed meat salad recipes. I make a curried chicken salad, but I don't know that curry is something I should have in the days of healing. lol... Unfortunately, I'm kind of comfined to chicken, turkey, ham, and egg salad, as I have allergens to seafood/fish.

Now that I have a surgery date scheduled (April 8th), my mind won't stop going a mile a minute. I keep questioning whether or not this is the right procedure for me. I know that it is, but I can't help but be concerned that I won't lose all the weight I need to. I started this journey out at 391 and have lost about 38 lbs on my own in the past couple of months. I've made changes, including giving up caffeine, which includes chocolate, and drastically lowering my carb intake. My goal weight is anywhere from 150 to 180 lbs. I realize that is quite a lot to lose in order to get there (200 lbs), but I've seen and heard the success stories of people who have been sleeved and lost down to that much even from a higher weight than I am. But… my mind. My mind. It won't shut up. It makes me keep questioning myself. "Are you really sure that you can do this after all the times you've failed in the past?" "If you could lose weight without any malabsorbtion, you would've done it in the past. Too many years of trying to lose and not being successful. You really think this time will be any different?" "You're going to fail and be fat forever, fatty-fatty-bang-bang." "You do realize that if you fail at this surgery, your family is going to know that you even failed at weight loss surgery. How humiliating to know you couldn't even lose weight with hardly any stomach left at all." "I cannot believe you're risking your life to have a surgery knowing you have a husband and 2 year old son to take care of. And it's all your fault for getting fat in the first place. Loser." Just stuff like that. Short of telling myself, "Quiet brain or I'll stab you with a Q-tip!" I don't know what the heck else to do. I am driving myself crazy. I am my own worst enemy as a chunk and apparently an even worse enemy of myself on my weight loss journey. Lord. Please tell me that I'm not alone in this and that it is all relatively normal. Also, if you have any stories of inspiration, please share, so I can tell myself, "See? Shut up. You can do it. You will rock this!"

Me! I'm scheduled for April 8th in Dallas. My highest weight was around 391 but I've lost about 40 lbs on my own since then. Ideally I'd like to weigh between 150 an 170. That is kind of my goal. I'm 5'3" so I think that'd be a good weight for me after a lifetime of being overweight.

The sleeving will take place on April 8th! Excited!

Congratulations! Mine won't be til late March/early April, because my hubby is having hernia surgery on Wednesday and I'm giving him time to heal up before needing to heal up myself. I see you're also in Texas. Who is your surgeon?

Got approved today for my sleeve! I called the insurance company and harassed them into telling me the status! They told me they already notified my surgeons office and even gave me the name of the contact person. I am over the moon! Tomorrow I'm calling my surgeon to schedule a date!

Which product is that? I looked at all the items they list on their website and all of them contain iodine except the Nectar and veggie soup.

I'm in a bind, and no matter which way I turn, I come out stuck. STUCK. And screwed if I don't hurry up and find a solution. I have a terrible shellfish allergy, and am also sensitive to iodine. Finding a Protein shake that does not contain iodine and that is manufactured and handled in a facility that DOES NOT contain and/or sort shellfish or products containing shellfish seems to be impossible. I have no idea which way to turn. Even the

I'm on clear liquids for 3 weeks post-op. Sucks but makes things kind of easy. I figure I will stick to water, crystal light, broths with some protein powder added, juices, etc.

I'm waiting approval. My papers were submitted to the insurance this past Monday (February 11th.) I called the insurance company (and my doctor's office also let me know today) that my case is currently with a nurse at the insurance office and he/she is reviewing the clinicals. Hopefully I'll have an answer by next Tuesday. They better approve me the first time! I surpass all the requirements for the procedure.

Today, like an hour ago. I have Anthem BCBS of CA with a high bmi, hypertension, GERD, and sleep apnea. And also anxiety. Now the waiting game happens. Haaaaate waiting. And I'm nervous that they'll deny me.

Dropping to a size 10 in 5 months is AMAZING and exciting! I am so excited for you! And for all of us on this losing battle.

Does the GNC one mix up thin, like milk consistency, and without a chalky feel and after taste?

I saw one on Tuesday. She was very kind and helpful, just addressed my current eating habits and educated me on what would have to change after surgery, made sure I understand what to expect and know what I'm getting myself into. She sent my surgeon the letter saying I saw her for insurance purposes the same day that she and I met.

Did you get to or did you have to wait 24 hrs? Waiting that long without water sounds like hell to me. I know every surgeon is different. Mine is Dr. Nick. Any experiences with his post-op rules?

How did ya like if?