NMJG

Girl, we hear you. This was major surgery and you deserve some rest. Can you take any time for yourself? Does the hotel have babysitters or a kids' club? Good luck!

Got my date: August 12. I started the process in early April, went to the big presentation by my doctor, psych eval, pre-op tests, waited for insurance, and finally got my clearance. Meanwhile, I'm stocked up on different protein powders trying to find one I think I can live with LOL, learned a lot from people on this forum, and can't wait to get going. If anyone is interested, I have United Healthcare and they were great. My plan is particularly generous, so no pre-diets or anything like that, just needed at least one co-morbidity for my BMI (I've got a bunch, so that was covered!) My doctor is Dr. Acosta at Del Sol Bariatrics in El Paso. He's a really nice doctor and very knowledgeable. I have a lot of confidence in him.

I use Myfitnesspal.com and it's great. I have the app on my phone, too, so it's always with me.

Awesome! The shape of your face is really coming out!

What a terrific transformation

I've heard Strivectin works, but I haven't tried it although I've got some in the closet. Maybe someone else here has tried it.

Yay for high protein! You can make your own "Greek" yogurt, as it is just strained regular yogurt. Take a quart of plain regular yogurt (fat free, 2%, whatever) and place it in a strainer lined with cheese cloth. Let it drain overnight. You can also put the yogurt into a cheesecloth sack and hang it over the sink overnight. The next morning you have Greek yogurt. We used to call it "yogurt cheese" 20 years ago. You can also mix in herbs and salt/pepper into the yogurt before straining. It's very tasty spread on veggies or whole grain bread. I suppose you could mix in stevia and sweet flavoring before straining, too, if you didn't want savory. If you make your own homemade yogurt, this is how you can "Greekify" it.

Very adorable

Talk to your surgeon. My doctor's office says no caffeine because it causes dehydration and can make you hungry and encourage you to eat. For me, it's just not worth it. I started weaning myself early so I'll be off completely by my surgery date. I still have an occasional cup of real coffee (or even closer to my heart, ice tea), but I really feel the caffeine kick in when I do.

I have read on other forums and doctor's sites that bread, especially white bread, is quite uncomfortable. Toast or crackers were recommended. I couldn't find an answer why that is so, but Mrs. Havelock's suggestion about swelling makes sense.

Congratulations! I love your new curly look, too!

ROTFL, oh you guys crack me up.

Y'all are so polite. I'd just tell them to F themselves (pardon my French!) We are with you, RJ. You don't need their approval, you just need your own approval. Good for you for doing this, and good girl for posting here so we can give you support. I kinda like the smacking upside the head part....

Pet pix! Oh yeah! I've got a bunch of rescue dogs and cats. Here are two of them, Lizzie the Dutch Shepherd mix and Tibbers the tabby.

Personally, I can't lose weight at 1200 calories, I just maintain. I would talk to your nut if you are concerned. Also, do you log your food and exercise in MFP or something like that? Your net calories after exercise may be much lower than 1200. Do be careful as the first 6 months I believe are supposed to be your prime time to get the most amount of weight off. Also, WLS diets and regular diets are different, so be careful about using standard weightloss logic after getting your sleeve. Can you go to nut classes or workshops at your doctor's office?

Go to the doctor, honey. Also, you've got to keep up with your water and protein or you will do yourself real damage. Some vitamins need fats to be absorbed so any of those aren't getting taken in, no matter how many you take. There are lots of old posts in here about how to get the water down. You aren't the only one who has trouble getting it in. Also, you should try some different shakes so you get one you like. It will help so much getting them down. Vitalady.com has single serving packets of dozens of types so you can try different flavors and brands. Good luck

Blooming, my nut and dr said no caffeine because 1) it makes you hungry and 2) it dehydrates you. When it's a struggle to get in even your minimum water, I guess caffeine just makes it worse. Other people may have alternative reasons for no caffeine. I've been working on giving up my caffeine habit so I'm off completely before surgery. I like green tea, too, and decaf green tea is nasty.

I'm so glad this thread came up, since I was going to purchase the Bariatric Advantage vits. I currently use the Trader Joe's chewables and have no problem with them. Guess I'll stick with those but take them twice a day.

Kapu, are you able to get all your protein in? How many grams are you shooting for daily?

Getting back to the original post, can you make tea? That would alleviate the smoking/healing potential issues that some people brought up, and get your fluids in.

Congrats on getting your date. You go and keep on being a proud, healthy girl!

Yeah, making sure they don't give you morphine in your IV because it's routine could be an issue.

Happy birthday, Susie. Feel better don't worry about not making the goal, it will come! Just keep working it and look at all the progress you've made so far.

Yay for a happy ending! I am so happy to hear this and I really look forward to seeing your pictures through your progress with your sleeve. I love how you have turned your life around.

awesome! I hate mine.