rebecca_dsu

Congrats!!! I'm June 7th!! Can't wait to go through "recovery" with you...

Oh goodness yes. And sadly I'm a volume eater, so it's like "I'll never be able to eat a half a dozen donuts again.". I've had a few of these "last supper syndrome" moments the past few weeks. I'm not looking forward to having to mentally deal with my "stuff" when I can no longer find comfort/distraction in food. It's gonna be tuff. I'm craving a mellow mushroom calzone and a half a dozen krispie kreme donuts as my last suppers...

The Isopure is a good idea. And can you not throw a half a scoop of unflavored protein powder into your purees?

Did you mean 287.4...since your starting weight was less than 387.4? Either way, glad you are progressing! Were you taking a calcium supplement after surgery and still had a vitamin D deficiency

Congrats!! I'm a June sleever too... can't wait! Good luck!!

Hey guys, I'm a bit confused on this... can you help me out. During the "Clear liquid Phase", my docs instructions say "a high quality Protein supplement such as Isopure or powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury should be used...." So does that mean that any Protein powder used with Water instead of milk is fine? I've ordered some Unjury...but I don't see how it's different than say Chike or GNC's 100% whey. Can I use one of the flavored Whey Protein Powders with water and it be okay during Clear liquids phase? Thanks!

I don't know how you feel about confrontation, or how much you see these gals, but if it were me, I'd speak my feelings at some point (better than eating them). A conversation when the time is right along the lines of "Hey, remember the other day when we were talking about weight an you made the comment about how I must of had been eating constantly to get up to 330 lbs, etc... well I need to say that that really hurt my feelings. I was dealing with a lot of stuff in my life, and food became my way to cope, just as some use alcohol and drugs. It was a ruff patch in my life. But your words really hurt me." Now she might respond rudely, or maybe, just maybe she'll apologize. Either way, you will have spoken your feelings, and that does lead to healing and keeps us from bottling that stuff up, and eating our emotions. Just be "REAL". I think this world would be a much better place if we all were. Sorry you had your feelings hurt.

Ha! My husband and I split a pint of Ben & Jerry's tonight, and Friday night we are going to The Melting Pot (it's our 3rd anniversary dinner). Hilarious! So glad Im not alone in this train of thought I will get to seriously working on what I eat before my preop diet.

You look fabulous!! Congrats on your progress! You are an inspiration!!

I found myself completely confused at the grocery store today. Thoughts in my head went like this: "I need to be buying healthy stuff and start working on losing a little." "But you still have 8 weeks until surgery...and you are never going to be able to eat the bad stuff again, or don't need to for several, several months...so you better get it now." "Yeah, but wouldn't it be great to lose a few pounds even before the preop diet starts." "Didn't you hear me...it's going to be MONTHS before you can have sugar again." So my cart was the strangest mix. From Protein shakes to a pint of ben and jerry's to fresh fruits and veggies to nutella (aka crack). Gees. Is anyone else preop going through this weird jacked up, not knowing what to do mind set? I certainly don't want to gain any weight prior to surgery, but I'm really not feeling like jumping on the "get strict now!" band wagon either.

Today my husband and I cleaned up and organized our garage, and it made my heart hurt a bit. I hate that I have a garage filled with adventure waiting to happen, but that right now I don't feel good enough to do any of it. One wall holds our Kayaks, another our hiking/backpacking/camping equipment, another our bikes. (see attached pictures). When I started working on my health 7 years ago, my heart starting yearning for adventure, and while I have been on some amazing hikes, bike rides, and kayaking trips at this weight, it still holds me back (though I am 75 lbs down from my heighest weight) and I get so frustrated at the fact I'm slower than everyone else. I'm so ready to have this surgery! So what adventurous things are you looking forward to, or what new adventures are you experiencing now post sleeve weight loss? I need to hear some encouragement from my fellow adventurers! If I'm truely finally going to have it out with my attachment to food, I need to be reminded why it's worth it. All that stuff in my garage does remind me, but I want to hear it from you guys!

I'm so with you. It's frustrating not being able to do certain positions because of all this extra fat going on. And I feel like I'm crushing my husband in any me on top positions (he's 135lbs...) So yeah girl, I get ya, and I don't think we'll be disappointed in this department once we are at goal. Now I do know, some people say the lose skin makes them super self conscious, but still it beats the heck out of crushing a partner..haha!

As someone who is in that 250 - 200 lb range... I'll just say wait until you get here, and see how you feel. I was once 320 and got to this range 5 years ago, and I'm no where near where I want to be. I still feel all this weight on my body, and it keeps me from doing the things I want to do. So...don't judge. We are still "obese" and unhealthy, just as you are. I know many people say how hard it is once you are sleeved and have to finally deal with your emotional attachment to food. It's a hard road we'll all go through, and I hope you find emotional healing and acceptance soon. I do dread that part of this journey, but as many have said, they are so glad they did it and will do it again. Hang in there.

Lookin' good... but girl we gotta get you smilin'...ha! Keep up the good work!!

Here's also a great article with foods that provide those same nutrients we try to take in Multivitamin form... (also look at the options listed under each one..not just the bolded ones). Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair

I JUST did some googling about this, because it's one of my concerns... Here's a decent article about it explaining hair's growth cycle and how it's interrupted from bariatric surgery. LINK Some articles mention that the anesthesia from the surgery causes more of your hair to go into a resting stage, and normally after the resting stage, it falls out.... And it normally falls out...guess, guess... 3 to 4 months after entering the resting stage. Things you can do to try to help, and to get your hair to grow back hopefully sooner and to normal thickness: Eat your protein! ....make sure you are getting 60 to 80 grams a day. Take your Vitamins as you have, but also start taking some extra Biotin (can be found where the other normal vitamins are). I haven't seen it mentioned here yet, but I've also heard if you aren't getting in healthy fats, it will also cause hair loss. (Example: Olive oil, real butter, fatty fish like salmon, etc...)

I feel ya. Mine is not until June 7th... I guess I'm not so worried about the skin part (I can get another surgery for that if it doesn't "bounce back" or muscle toning doesn't help.) I am however a little nervous about the hair part. My hair is already naturally really thin, so it's going to be very noticeable. I'm already taking multi-Vitamins, Biotin and Vitamin E every day just to get in the habit. And I will make certain to get in my Protein recommended by the doctor/nutritionist after surgery. I know I can't avoid losing some, but hopefully I can minimize it or start the regrowth sooner. *fingers crossed* It'll all work out and be okay. The skin can be removed, and the hair will grow back... it's going to be SO worth it

If you just need to lose 10 - 15 lbs...that can be easily done (depending on your current size). (I always fail at the sticking with it part...but the initial 10 -15 I've lost many times in the past 5 years...) Here's what I would suggest to someone truely lost on the how to lose 10-15lbs BEFORE having surgery. 1. Drink Water!!!!! I can not stress this enough....flush out the "junk". Find a way to keep track, but try to drink 80 - 100 oz (more if you are over 300lbs). Drink a full glass before you eat...set an alarm during the day to remind yourself...find a way, but drink lots of Water. Stay away from beverages with sodium...stay away from diet cokes, real cokes, any cokes... those Vitamin waters Read the labels, stay away from sodium! Drink Water!!! (have I stressed that enough?)...ha! 2. Try to keep your net Calories around 1,500 (now if you are much larger than me, google bmr calculator, find out what your base calories are if you sat still all day, and subtract 500. Track in MFP or another software. 3. Eat Real foods, and watch your sodium intake...keep it below 2,000mg a day! I can't tell you how big a deal this is. I tracked my calories at 1,500calories a day for 3 weeks and didn't lose a pound (working out too...but eating packaged meals and restaurant meals). The next 2 weeks, I finally started eating real foods and tracking my sodium and lost 9 pounds doing NOTHING different except switching lean cuisines and packaged meals for home cooked real foods. 4. Keep meals simple, but keep this equation: Protein + Complex Carbs (always together!). Examples: - 1 egg + 3 egg whites scrambled + 2 slices Ezekiel Toast (sprouted grain bread) + 1/2 tablespoon real butter on toast. - 4 oz grilled chicken thigh + 2 cups raw spinach + 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper + 1/2 tbs olive oil + 1/2 tbs balsamic vinegar (oil + vinegar is your dressing...stay away from the processed dressings!!!) - 4 oz Steak + 10 spears asparagus - 4 oz baked chicken breast + 2 cups roasted zuccini (tossed in olive oil + balsamic vinegar + fresh rosemary chopped...baked in oven at 425 until done) - smoothie... 1 scoop Protein powder + 8 oz unsweetened vanilla Almond Milk + 1/2 cup blue berries + 1 tbs flax seed + 1/2 cup ice + 1 tbs NATURAL Peanut Butter. Example of Snacks: - 1 string cheese + 1/2 large banana - 1 oz almonds (use a food scale!!!) + 1 orange - 1 tbs peanut butter + 1 apple 5. Stay away from Dairy... (just for now...it will help get those pounds off). 6. Move your body!!! Go for a walk, mow the lawn, take the dog for a walk, etc. I wish I could keep with this for more than 2 weeks at a time. But I fail miserably with the sticking with it part. You gals can do this.

That's interesting that he didn't give you a diet to follow. Most doctors what you to go low carb...something about shrinking the liver so they can move it out of the way during surgery. My doctor's diet looks like this: "A low carb (30 grams or less daily), high Protein (minimum of 60 - 70 grams a dday), and don't over do it on fat" "You may have low fat yogurt, lean meats, grilled chicken, green vegetables" "If you chose to drink a Protein shake it should have atleast 15 grams of protein and less than 6 total grams of carbs" And then it has menu ideas and link to a carb counter on the atkins web site.

Many of us self payers are choosing to go to Mexico. There are doctors there who charge anywhere from $4,500 to $10,000. Do lots of research about the doctors, look through and use the search function on this site, or ask questions. Check out the Self Pay Mexico Forum..http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/114-self-pay-mexico-vertical-sleeve-surgery-new-forum/ Some folks also report lower cost in Nevada and Texas... But I still think Mexico may be the cheapest option with qualified doctors that have done a lot of these surgeries. But I've been wrong before

My husband once climbed the stairs in the Westin in downtown Atlanta "for fun"...but I think it was only 80 floors...I think?

I had to go off the pill because it made me *batshitcrazy*... and yes, I tried about 5 different ones. The hormones just made me so mean and I'm normally a "nice" person. Ha! And I don't know if you are aware or not, but being on the pill does not make you ovulate... so you aren't having a "real" period anyway. Since you aren't ovulating, you aren't building up "cushion" in your uterus which is then shed through having a period normally. So I never really understood why they recommend you go on BCP if you aren't having periods...because it's just making you have a "false" one anyway. *headscratch* It's been condom usage over in this household.... 1 year..so far so good (maybe I should buy stock in latex). Sorry, I'm really no help towards your original question about going on/off the pill after surgery..ha. But yeah...don't get pregnant!! ha! Congrats on your engagement though!!!!

That's easy enough...read the back of the label. Some Protein Shakes will have vitamins added and there will be a LONG list with the daily recommended percentages (below the normal stuff like calories, carbs, etc).

Are you drinking Protein shakes that have added Vitamins? If not, I don't see how on Earth you are getting in all the vitamins and minerals you need from the little bit you can eat. Someone else chime in... I'm not sleeved yet, so I'm no authority....

I am self pay, and due to cost and frustration you just described, I'm heading to Mexico!..ha. Like CurvyJ said, basically they have you fill out a general questionare (not nearly as long as the docs here make you fill out) which give them basic info, any co-morbities you have, any medications, family history, etc. Then, the day you arrive in Mexico you will have labs done, EKG etc. So no..nothing to be done here in the US...it's all done there..a "one stop shop" as you said. Most people don't need follow ups, but if you'd feel more comfortable, bring your PCP into the loop, have him do a "physical" on you before you go, and then post surgery, months down the road you can have another one to see how you've changed. (just a suggestion...) I just couldn't afford the $19k it was going to be here in the US....