Soontobethinner

I can tell you what I DON'T miss..... feeling awful, being depressed, having to shop in the "big" girl section, wearing size 22 / 24 pants & 3X shirts. I miss NONE of that!
Oh wait, I kinda do miss my boobs!!!

You can answer, "Either is fine with me.", when asked, "Would you like a table or a booth?"

You could alternate your breakfasts some days with something like Cream of Wheat. How about a bariatric hot chocolate instead of a full meal? You could also try a few tablespoons of mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes or similar.
I also wouldn't be afraid of fat. Cream Soups have more calories and they also are satisfying. Once I realized that I really wasn't getting in too much fat, I started to occasionally add cream to my coffee or hot chocolate (not a lot, but it really helps the mouth feel.)
I'd also try things like guacamole. I ordered salmon last night at dinner and it came with guacamole and mashed potatoes. I have three more meals in my fridge.

Post op Dr visit today. Cleared to drive..yay...cleared for purees..yea.. came straight home, opened up a can of progresso lite beef pot roast Soup poured it in my blender added a sciup of plain Unjury blended it all together. .. after almost 4 weeks of Water and Protein Shakes it was the best two tbls of food ever!

I know this doesn't sound too exciting, but when I get this weight off I'm going to take a ton of pictures with my son, I only have a few due to obviously not liking to take pictures. Amongst other things I really do look forward to this.

The Cooking for Bariatric Surgery for Dummies book has a lot of great recipes and ideas. I'm 6 days away from purees but my focus is set on meats. pureed or not, its still meat, and Im an american man lol. eggs too. WOOHOO!
http://www.amazon.com/Weight-Loss-Surgery-Cookbook-Dummies/dp/0470640189/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383946262&sr=8-1&keywords=cooking+dummies+weight+loss+surgery

I made my husband a pot roast in my liquids week and pureed that and put it in 2oz servings and froze it.... it's been amazing... I also cook the egg whites and useed a little Jimmy Dean tureky crumbles and then pureed that and also put in 2 oz servings... awesome.

Had my surgery on Oct. 17th and am down 26 lbs.... Its been the best thing I have ever done. Have been on pureed food for a week now and in one more week I will go to soft food. I have so much energy its unreal... I wonder if anyone else has sampled small bites of real food? This surgery has gone so flawless for me that its hard to believe that I have ever had it. I neverhave any pain and 2 oz. of food just does not cut it sometimes.. more like 3-4 oz?

Hey everyone!
I had my surgery August 22nd, 2012 so I'm about 15 months post op. I've lost a total of 101 pounds and I feel great I started at 231 lbs. and now weigh 130 lbs.
At 23 years old, I feel like life can't get any better I've been maintaining for about 7-8 months. I feel so much healthier and more confident. I continue to exercise and make healthy choices to motivate myself to be the healthiest me that I can be. This journey has been one of the most humbling and challenging experiences of my life. I've surrounded myself with positive people who have supported me throughout this whole process.
I'm now participating in the "Bari-Buddy" system at the hospital I had my surgery at - getting paired with people who just had the surgery to be a support to them. It's been a great experience - both rewarding and inspiring to help support other people who are in the same position I was in 15 months ago.
Since the summer, I've graduated college and started a new job. I'm now an occupational therapist working in a pediatric setting. This is something I always wanted to do but I was always too intimidated to work with kids - because let's be honest...kids are a little too honest!! I am so grateful that I now have the confidence (and the energy!!) to help these kids achieve all of their goals.
I hope everyone is having lots of success and happiness Here are some before and after pictures!

Great list, I identify with so many of the above..I will add
-not being able to see all the body parts I'm trying to shave without lifting up my fat rolls

Hey sorry was off here for a few days...I am doing pretty good...yesterday (day 5) was my first day to get 80g Protein and 8 cups of Fluid. I feel full all day long and feel like I am living to drink (like an alcoholic haha) How are things going for you?? I have one more week of Clear Liquids but I found a concoction of a new choc Protein Powder w/30 g and PB2 Peanut Butter so I get 35g in one cup of Protein Shake so I can just do crystal light and Water the rest of the day with 1/2 cup of Jello w/protein. I am exercising now 20 mins a day I hope to do 30 today.

I'm just happy that when I lose weight I will be able to run from the zombies when the zombie apocalypse comes.

Isopure Liquid Protein (40 grams per 20 oz bottle)
New Whey Protein Shots (42 grams per 4 oz vial) best watered down IMO
Shakes:
Body fortress (Walmart) chocolate/vanilla / strawberry
Syntrex nectar (on line) Cookies and cream/ fuzzy navel/ many flavors
Unjury Protein (on line) most popular is the unflavored powder that you can add to Anything!
Ie: turn butternut squash Soup into a protein packed meal. They also carry protein hot cocoa and chicken broth.< /p>
My very favorite Protein Shake is to take 1 cup of fat free double protein milk (by Lucerne/ Safeway grocery store)
Add I scoop of vanilla Protein Powder
5 ice cubes
And anything I'm in the mood for:
pumpkin pie: I always freeze things into ice cube trays so I take 1 cube at a time
1 cube of pumpkin purée
1 tsp SF maple Syrup
Sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger
banana NUT:
Omit Ice cubes add 1/2 banana (I freeze in slices)
And a few walnuts
Dash of vanilla or banana extract
Reece's Peanut Butter CUP
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
2 tbsp smooth peanut butter (all natural) I grind my own nut butters
PIÑA COLADA SMOOTHIE:
1 scoop vanilla Pwdr
1/2 cup frozen pineapple
Substitute 1/2 of the milk for coconut milk
Add an umbrella parasol... Go sit out in the sunshine... Soak up the Vitamin D... Enjoy your mini island retreat.
APPLE PIE A LA MODE
1/2 cup stewed apples in cinnamon nutmeg or applesauce add nutmeg (frozen)
The list is endless...
Whatever you're in the mood for you can turn into a protein shake.< /p>
And if it's something savory... Go with unjurys unflavored protein to create that savory dish. You can order a sample pack for $21 from them.
Bon appetite!

Bigbeauty78 how are you doing today? Me much better still nausea on and off...but I am getting around good. Being released from the hospital today. Now drinking Isopure to start my Protein. I am afraid to drink too much.

Surgery went well...felt bad this morning but meds were adjusted and I was good...then exhausted then good again...nausea though when trying to take in Water. Should be going home tomorrow.

I have found that post op, I am more me than ever before. I never knew how much my size, my weight, my food addiction and my obsession with diet was masking who I really am. Just like the weight, it all slowly crept up on me muting the real me very slowly but in a very real way.
Now I wake up every morning ready to be out in the world, thrilled to pick a pretty outfit instead of whatever will mask whichever body part I'm obsessing over, not fixated on where I might eat (or avoid if I am doing WWs, Atkins, fat free, etc.), not worried if my hair isn't perfect because God knows I needed something to detract from the size of my ass, wanting to be SEEN by people instead of hoping I didn't run into someone I haven't seen in months...I could go on for ages.
I liked the fat me for who I was on the inside. I was always confident and happy. Now, though, I am thrilled with ME and the excitement I have as I evolve into a new, healthier being is just overflowing into obnoxious giddiness. Every minute of the day....

Same here did mine at 9am this morning, followed by today and tomorrow all Clear Liquids. Figured since I would be stuck at home should go ahead and do all the laundry

Prayers heading your way!!! I am right behind you on Tuesday. So excited to start a new me.

Thank you so much I needed that! I called today because they had until yesterrday to have it in medical review, they said it looks like they are wrapping things up?

Thank you for the prayers..... Because they worked!!!!!!! I got approved today and get to start my new chapter on November 20th!!!!!!!!!! So excited!!!!!!!!

APPROVED TODAY!!! So my 10/29 date is a go yay!!! 90 required diet weight submitted with request for approval on 10/11 and approval received 10/24. My current BMI is 41 no co-morbidities. Time to create my weight ticker...so excited and I hope everyone else's process moves along quickly as well. I started this process June 7th.

Today it has been exactly four months and nine days since my Sleeve on June 5, 2013. I have lost 88 lbs., 12 Pants Sizes, 2 Shirt Sizes, 1 full Shoe Size and 14 pills! I am so very happy I made this decision. I am amazed at the transformation not just of my body but of the abilities I now have and the goals I have reached.
BS (Before Sleeve)
I was using a walker to do any walking at all. I could not shower without a shower chair, I could not go shopping in stores without automatic carts, I only left my house to go to the Dr. I could not stand up long enough to cook meals anymore, I had a full time caretaker, I could not clean or do laundry, I didn't drive unless I had too, I could not hold my Grandson because I had no lap, I would not have sexual relations with my husband because it was too un-comfortable and I felt to ugly, I didn't ever have the desire to go visit people, I could not go to parties or out with my friends to socialize at all. I stayed home and moped and honestly just waited for death to come and get me.
AS (After Sleeve)
I now go to the Mall with my daughter, I go out to lunch with friends, on dates with hubby, I shop, I cook, I clean, I even am working an area for a garden next year. I no longer need a caregiver and was just released from the program yesterday. I no long use a walker or automatic carts, or a shower chair! I only take 3 medications a day. I love to go visit and go to thrift stores and play with and hold my Grandson! I have sex on a semi-regular basis. (I know TMI)
The point is... If you are thinking of having this surgery, Stop Thinking!!!! & Start doing!!!
It took me over 2 1/2 years to get approval so get on it now and then do your thinking while you are in the process. You can always opt out later. I would never take it back, because honestly I never thought I would be a real person again and I had all but given up on life. I am however, a whole person again, a real person, with a real life, and real friends. I am even considering finally going back to work after six years of disability.
I hope this helps anyone in making up their minds and I hope it inspires everyone who reads it.
Blessings to all,
Candie
Before
Day of Surgery
Day after Surgery
Yesterday

I have been walking the treadmill since the day after my surgery and recommend it to anyone who needs a simple way to get your exercise. Many doctors will tell you that walking is the best and most effective form of exercise. Also good for people with knee and hip problems that many overweight people have.
I like the tread mill for a number of reasons. First, if you simply go out walking in your community, you will find that you stop to talk to friends and neighbors along the way. After you've been out for an hour, you think you had an hour of exercise. Not so. On the treadmill you have no such distractions. If you walk around your community, it's real easy to skip your exercise because it's too cold, too hot, too dark, raining, etc. Not so on the treadmill. The treadmill can give you a way to measure your speed, time and calories burned. Not so with walking the community. And best of all, your can pass the time by watching TV, listening to your MP3 player or reading a book. I prefer reading on my tablet with the Kindle app. Time flies when you can get into a good e-book, and the tablet is so much easier to handle because you don't have to hold it, just sit it on the treadmill and flip pages with a stroke.
Treadmill has been very effective for me. I lost all my weight (102 lbs) in six months and have gained only 3-5 lbs back in the succeeding year. If I find myself floating outside that 3-5 lbs limit, I go back to my high Protein, low carb diet until I get back in line again. I do it 5-6 days a week for one hour at 4mph with varying elevations. Works great and I feel great!

You'll read a lot of opinions/experiences on the topic of food funerals both pro and con. As you head into your pre-op here is a great read on a positive way to look at your time leading up to surgery.
http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/78443-the-pre-op-diet-is-not-a-punishment-its-an-opportunity/
Best of luck on your pre-op, surgery and recovery!!

I am down 90 lbs since last August. I was 242 at the end of July 2012. Lost 20 lbs by day of surgery in December. Since December, I've lost another 70...not as much as many, but I will say that I have been eating more normal food for a lot longer than most and I didn't have any complications with surgery....My personal goal is 12 lbs more, but my doctor wants me to lose 22 more lbs so I can get to 23% body fat. In my whole life, I have never been at 23% body fat, so we shall see...The other thing is that the surgery has really helped me to lose the weight, but like all weight loss programs/diets, the next phase is maintenance. Having gone to a support group at the local hospital, I know it IS possible to regain weight after so many years. So, the surgery is definitely a tool that can help us get started on the weight loss journey, but it's not going to be a "magic pill." We still have our work cut out for us.