smallnavajo

@ Stephanie: YOU LOOK AMAZING! You're before size/weight//shape is my current size/weight/shape. I also have 5 children and working. Thanks for sharing, you're my mirror of inspiration. Soooo excited!!!!

I'm a photographer, and my suggestion is to be YOU. The lens does not lie. If your photographer is a good one, he/she will direct you. Don't worry, enjoy it. Good luck!!

Your pics by itself are motivational for us who just started this journey. Woohoo!!

I'm not sure what sorts of ideas you are looking for, but I'll take a stab at it....
First of all, CUT THE CARBS. Don't eat crackers with your tuna, they are useless nutrition-wise, will make you crave more carbs, and takes up valuable space in your sleeve that is needed for food with nutritional value. Just eat the tuna salad alone, or if you must have something else, use slices of cucumbers as "crackers" or put your tuna salad on a slice of tomato--there's some GOOD carbs!
As to your fluids, try drinking things with different temperatures. I have had trouble with getting the fluids in myself, partly because I had some severe nausea the first several weeks. I drank so slowly that everything ended up room temperature. I have found that if I drink some hot coffee or tea, I drink MORE of it. I have a little heating plate that keeps it warm for me: http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-5569-Decorative-Cup-Warmer/dp/B000E3DTG0/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_d_5 Protein coffee is an excellent way to start the day! Great with a few low-carb protein "cookies": http://www.amazon.com/Kays-Naturals-Protein-Cookie-Cinnamon/dp/B0086UI36O/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1402081459&sr=1-4&keywords=protein+cookies
Also, if something is ice cold I drink more of it, so a frosty chocolate banana Protein Shake from the local smoothie store not only helps with my protein goals, but also my fluid goals. If I put my Crystal Lite Water in the freezer and get it partially frozen, I drink more of it too. Experiment to find out what works for you.
As for your protein goals, just make sure that every meal and snack you have is protein-focused. For Breakfast I have greek yogurt 2-3 times/week. I'm really not a yogurt person, but the health benefits (protein, Calcium, and probiotic-wise) are enough to make me choke some down a few times a week. Be careful of the brand; some are full of sugar and some don't have many (or any) Probiotics, and it's not a good source of protein if it's not greek yogurt.
For Breakfast I will also have the aforementioned protein shake, cottage cheese, egg salad (I can't tolerate scrambled eggs yet), or some corned beef hash. This morning I had a scoop of chicken salad.
lunch is often last night's dinner leftovers, but sometimes I will have a deli roll-up (take a slice of lean deli meat--chicken, turkey, ham, roast beef--and wrap it around a slice of cheese). Eat it cold, or as I prefer, throw it in a hot pan for a few minutes to lightly brown the outside and melt the cheese. Yum! Tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad, ham salad, all work for lunch--just stay away from the bread and crackers. You are establishing new healthy eating habits for life right now...do it while it's "easy," during the honeymoon period. Not later when you're struggling with weight re-gain. If you like crab, a crab salad would be great too. I know it's kinda pricey, but you're eating so little it will stretch a long way. Shrimp is an excellent protein source, with a 4-oz serving having 23 grams of protein! I always keep a bag of shrimp in my freezer. I grab about 4 of them, rinse them under cold water for a few minutes to thaw them, then either saute in a skillet, cook in boiling water, or if I'm really in a hurry, nuke them for 2 minutes in the microwave. Chill and serve with a lemon wedge and a dab of cocktail sauce, or chop them up and make shrimp salad.
dinner is something I make for my family and adapt for myself. If we're having tacos, I either eat mine wrapped in a lettuce leaf instead of tortilla, or I make myself a "taco bowl" with my favorite toppings, but heavy on the meat and Beans (protein sources). I'll make a homemade meat sauce and serve it over spaghetti squash instead of noodles (my family actually PREFERS it that way now! wow!). I'll bake or grill salmon and have a 3 oz slab of it with a few bites of veggies. Always the focus is on protein first. I made manicotti for the family, but I choose not to eat Pasta anymore (uselessly takes up valuable room in my sleeve, high carbs/calories, makes me crave more carbs), so I put a spoonful of homemade meat sauce in a ramekin, added a scoop of the cheese filling, more sauce and mozzarella on top, then bake it. Totally yummy! I just try to think and be a little creative; my family has had to make some changes on my behalf, but not big ones and they still get to eat stuff they like.
OK snacks.......I don't eat a snack every day; only if I'm hungry between meals and I really try to never snack after dinner. Some Snacks I use: unsweetened applesauce, half a small avocado, sugarfree pudding, half a frozen banana. Those are all low in protein, and most of the time I am protein-focused so those snacks include: dry roasted, crunchy, lightly-salted edamame (http://www.amazon.com/Seapoint-Farms-Roasted-Edamame-Lightly/dp/B0094IXKME/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1402080556&sr=1-1&keywords=edamame), greek yogurt, string cheese or other various cheeses, protein shake, a few tablespoons of nuts (cashews, almonds, pistachios, etc.), a slice of deli meat, half a Protein Bar.
Most Protein Bars taste like dookey to me, so I had to sample a bunch of them to find ones I actually like. My #1 favorite is Premier Protein Crisp bar in mint chocolate...tastes just like a thin mint cookie! A totally guilt-free dessert! http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Nutrition-Protein-Crisp-Chocolate/dp/B00AINLC5G/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1402080929&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=premier+protein+bars
My other current favorite is the Quest bar in chocolate chip cookie dough (yes, it actually tastes like that!). These are great because they're not covered in chocolate so they keep well in your purse. I always have one of these in my purse for emergencies so that I'm never caught in a situation where I have to make a bad choice. My NUT says to ALWAYS be prepared so that you can make good choices! http://www.amazon.com/Quest-Nutrition-Protein-Chocolate-Cookie/dp/B00DLDH1N2/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1402081110&sr=1-1&keywords=quest+protein+bars
Both companies offer several flavors of their bars, I'm just sharing with you what my current favorites are. I can only eat a half a bar at this point, but these are so good they definitely taste like I'm eating something sinful, only they are 100% guilt-free.
I hope that helps you some. Please come back and update us on how you are doing.
HUGS to you!

From Torani website:
SKINNY vanilla Protein shake
1 Tbsp. Torani sugar free Vanilla Syrup
1 cup nonfat milk
1 scoop vanilla Protein powder
1 cup ice
Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth.

I had a blast!!! I felt so pretty- I can't wait to see them!!!
I'm getting a book of 20-30 images for my hubby to keep-- might put one up in the bedroom as well. Our master bedroom is kept pretty private.
I get my photos next week. I'll share a PG version with y'all when I do!

Congrats sslade! Welcome to the sleeve world. Just be prepared when you get home, it's going to be a bit of challenge for a few days. Take it easy and keep us updated. God bless!

I'm a photographer, and my suggestion is to be YOU. The lens does not lie. If your photographer is a good one, he/she will direct you. Don't worry, enjoy it. Good luck!!

I'm a photographer, and my suggestion is to be YOU. The lens does not lie. If your photographer is a good one, he/she will direct you. Don't worry, enjoy it. Good luck!!

I have had dressing room anxiety for years. I have left crying or left and cried all the way home. I was in need of course of new capris today so I had to go shop. I grabbed some 12s I always grab bigger sizes and go down bad habit. Way big. I grabbed 9/10 which I am now in. Kinda big. I put on a pair of 7/8's. Fit perfect!!!!! I cried in the dressing room once more. Not meltdown tears but this time tears of joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been a little discouraged because I had a few rough weeks of cheating and being hurried. I think I am able to get back in track now.
Don't give up!!!!!!
Sleeved Nov 5th 226lbs
April 21 160.0 lbs!!!!

I'm a photographer, and my suggestion is to be YOU. The lens does not lie. If your photographer is a good one, he/she will direct you. Don't worry, enjoy it. Good luck!!

I'm a photographer, and my suggestion is to be YOU. The lens does not lie. If your photographer is a good one, he/she will direct you. Don't worry, enjoy it. Good luck!!

Getting tired of many flavors and tried this last night, it was delicious! I scoop of vanilla Protein Powder, a few squirts of Torani chocolate sugar free Syrup, and a tsp of instant coffee with ice. Mix it and pretend it Starbucks, so delicious!!

Post-Op Day 4: Surgery was on April 16th. I find it challenging to type updates on my iPad, but it's better than going downstairs to the desktop. So here I go.
Swallowing Water is getting better. I can feel the water traveling from top to bottom, but it's no longer making me nauseated. So far I've only tried Isopure, V8 ( low sodium), Jello, water, broth, and pudding. Getting tired of it already. This evening I'm experimenting and mixed 1 scoop of vanilla Protein Shake with Torani Sugar Free Chocolate Syrup, and added a scoop of instant coffee...yummy!!! My mind and I are pretending its Starbucks.
I no longer take any prescribed pain and nausea meds, only the heartburn one for 30 days. I sleep better at night without waking up to dry mouth. I take it extra slow turning to change positions.
Today was my first day out of the house. Although sometimes it's not fun, it's a blessing that my family is pretty strict with me about my limits; don't pick anything up! Get help up/down stairs! Don't open the door! Don't bend to pick anything up! You should pin your bulb to your bra. LoL!! I'll take the attention while I can. ;0)
I took my husband to Breakfast today. I did GREAT, but my mind remembered the delicious taste of everything on his plate; bacon, eggs, sausage, country potatoes, with a side of pancakes. Hubby didn't want to sit there and eat in front of me, but I told him that I have to work on it now, because my eating habits have to change. I talked myself through it, "Davina, you will eat again some day...these same foods...less of it, but you WILL eat again. I promise." I did great and stuck to my jello.
Through out the day it got a little harder since if did not prepare my "meal" ahead of time. I was thirsty and weak from hunger. When I came home, I made chili Beans for dinner and told my girls my favorite thing to do was "taste test" every piece of ingredient...but not today... Boy was I tempted!!!! I didn't want to get sick or tear my stapled stomach so I walked away. Whew!!
What are your challenges and how are you handling them?? What other recipes have you tried??
Congrats to new Sleevers!! Y'all keep in touch!

Have you told your surgeon? Some people experience the VSG differently, I'm sorry to hear you're still in pain. Limit your activities the first week or two, as your body is still getting used to this "new you". Call your doctor, they have answers. Hang in there!

I agree, I hope more post B/A pictures because its definitley motivating me to stay on track; right now I'm doing the 2 week liquid diet. My surgery date is April 15.... EXCITED!!

@@smallnavajo im sooo happy everything went well for u

YAY - Good for you! Welcome to the other side!! . How are you feeling now? Gassy?? Swallow test yet?
I'm 1 week post op today! Each day I'm feeling more & more normal... I was able to # 2 on day 5 post op! It was tough bit it happened..
Ta Ta

Wow they let u take sips already?

Glad you are doing well. Thanks for checking in! Anyone else? Tell us how you're feeling! Inquiring minds want to know.

Out of surgery. Theses gas pains are no joke! Drank a little Water. Burping like crazy! Hope everyone is well Today

Best wishes to all having surgery today! Keep us updated please.

Sending hugs… I have 9 more days before my surgery…. Im nervous n excited..

wishing you all the best, you will do fine...

All hooked up. Waiting to get started! Fingers crossed i feel good when i wake up!