CheleLynn45

I rested, walked and focused on getting in all my Water and Protein. My mom was here for the first two weeks, and my hubby was off the first 8 days with me. When I felt up to it he took me to store, did a little bumming. I LOVE being home. I was off work (I only work part time) for 5 weeks. I shopped online, my surgery was 10/27 so I was getting ready for Christmas, I posted and read a lot on here, watched some movies, Good Luck! And I am sorry you are feeling bored, but at least that means you are feeling good and that is important!!!

I haven't used anything on my scars and they are teeny tiny. I think my doc did a great job. The worst one in in my belly button so you don't really see it eiher. I already had a scar running from above my belly button all the way down to my pubic area from a previous surgery where I was closed with 5 staples But my scars from my VSG looks great. I have one on my left side that we put a band aid on cause it was open longer and I have never had any issues with bandaids or latex before. Well the band aids left marks on my skin. And since we put band aids on both ways it now looks like a flower LOL It's kinda cute.

I didn't go with the the one thru my surgeons office it would have cost me $350 out of pocket and I had already paid $150 for a consult with the NUT that I found to be a waste of my time and money. Everything she went over I already knew, but oh well I had to do it. So we found a psych thru our insurance and only paid the $35 co pay. I have to say it was a very bad experience for me until I met with her. Unbeknowst to us the offce this lady worked out of was mainly for people with no insurance, no homes, no money etc When I arrived there the door had to be unlocked and there were quite a few very unstable people in the waiting area. I was very uncomfortable and almost left. It was so not what I was expecting. When she finally called me back you had to go thru a keypad locked door and it was like entering a whole different rhelm LOL Her office was nice and quiet and comfortable like I expected from the beginning. I could tell she didn't do to many of these pre surgery evals cause it took her awhile to find the form she needed. She asked me questions about my family, how I would handle the process after the surgery, very generic questions. She then said I see no problem with your having this surgery signed the form made me a copy and got the hell out of there. Went directly to my surgeon's office to hand in the form since it was the last piece we needed to submit. Approved about 10 days later!!!

I chose the sleeve because it seemed like a less evasive surgery. I didn't want my innards re routed. I also didn't like some of the side effects of the bypass. I had to do a 6 month supervised diet for insurance approval and in that time I researched and learned what I would have to do to be productive after the sleeve. I knew I could do it and I am doing it. My recovery was wonderful and nothing like I expected. I kept saying this is weird everytime I didn't have an issue or problem with something I tried. I have not had any dumping or throwing up issues, but I also have followed my surgeons orders pretty much to the letter. I really believe that has made the most difference in where I am today. A friend at work had the bypass around 9 years ago, she said she still throws up all the time. YUCK, But it is because she eats things she shouldn't and she does drink alcohol here and there. So I think with any of the surgeries if you do what you are suppose to 90% of the time you can avoid things like this. Just my two cents!! Good Luck with whatever you decide, make sure to let us know!!

@peki31 You should always follow your doctors orders, but it does surprise me that they don't want you using Premiere? So many people on here use them with great success. When I used them on my pre op surgery they were to thick and sweet for me so I cut them with oz of skim milk, even my frist couple weeks post op I did this. But now they go down easily all by them selves and I use one pretty much everyday for lunch. My doc has me still on two shakes a day and one protein filled meal. At my 8 week check in I can start adding vegetables if I have room but usually I do not. But this is working for me and I have been losing consistently so I am sticking with it.. That's what I mean about following your docs orders, everyone seems so different it is kinda interesting to see all the differences . Good Luck on your journey!!!

That's awesome!! I love the part about your daughter being so happy for you too!! My daughter is really enjoying this journey with me. She is 15 1/2 and has never known me at a smaller size, I have always been overweight, it makes my heart happy when she gets so excited with my progress and I LOVE shopping with her now for me!! Keep up the good work!!

I was up and walking very shorty after I got to my room. And then every hour after that. Everytime I walked I went further until I was doing laps. And once I was home I walked three times a day to get in my hour, and as I could I went to 30 minute walks.

Honestly I could have gone back at 2 weeks, I work part time. But I took off the 4 weeks the doc wrote me out for, and an additional week. I am lucky that I could take the time off. I really enjoyed the extra time to get used to my eating/drinking and gym routine.

My family noticed as I was losing, it was nice to hear my butt looked smaller. I was out of work for 5 weeks went back at about 36lbs lost. People noticed. Not everyone said something though. The people I am closer with, more than just hey how you doing noticed. My face has slimmed down a lot so people notice that too. My favorite is one of my male managers at work, he was off when I got back for another week or so. So when he saw me he was like, something is different? LOL He didn't know I had the surgery so I was telling him about it and he then said well you are looking good keep up the good work. Just like Elode said, I do point it out to my family almost everyday and we have a running joke me and hubby about my teeny tiny butt. It is not teeny tiny YET but it will be. LOL The main thing is I NOTICE! Everytime I put on a pair of jeans or shirt that was to tight and it fits I do a little happy dance!!

I have been using it daily. I feel good and I am losing weight pretty steadily. I will be 10 weeks out tomorrow. I use it every morning in my 32oz of decaf tea. I get my Protein and my liquids. I don't feel hungry either. I think (and it is just MY opinion) that if it wasn't giving my body what it needed I would not feel as good as I do. I have energy and I sleep really well and wake up pretty good too. Once I'm awake I get up no more lying around for hours dozing. I use the GENEPRO every morning and I drink a RTD premiere Protein shake for lunch every day. I then usually do protein filled meal for dinner with my family. My doc said I can start adding veggies but once I eat my protein I am pretty full. And I listen to my bent been sick yet and I hope that continues!

I use GENEPRO everyday in my 32oz of my hot decaf tea every morning, and I mix it into other stuff if I find I am behind in my Protein for the day. Love this stuff!! Has been a life saver for me!!

I drink one everyday for lunch usually. Before surgery I used them on my pre op diet but had to cut them with 4oz of milk they were to sweet for me. After surgery I still cut them with skim milk for awhile because of the thickness, but after a couple weeks I was good to go drinking them on their own. costco has them $5 off a case limit two. My hubby bought two and I bought two, great savings!!!!

Way to go!! Here's to moving into the 280's and beyond!!!!

I would say GOAL too!! Way to go you look amazing and happy!!

First stop worrying, I know it is easier said then done. That sucks that your doc is not giving you more guidance than that. You will find answers on here will vary from doc to doc and what works for one may not work for another. So I will share with you what my doc had/has me doing. I will be 10 weeks post op on Monday. I was given a sheet along with a great informational book and journaling book at my required 2 1/2 hour pre op class. (Very informative and my husband and daughter went so they could hear first hand what to expect, I was surprised there were not people there with support people) I thought I wouldn't touch that journal because I would use my phone but it is my holy grail. I LOVE IT!! On my sheet were my dates for my surgery, when to do just liquids, full liquids, purees and so on. At my 2 1/2 week check in they started me on my Vitamins and calcium chews. I have been able to call my doc office anytime I had questions and the NP there is wonderful and I love talking with her. My docs office has me on two shakes a day and one small Protein rich meal a day, no Snacks. When I went back this past Tuesday they said I can start adding veggies and other things IF I HAVE room. Which once I get in 3-4oz of protein I usually do not. They said to continue with this program this way if it is working for me for optimal weight loss. It works and is working and is not that hard for me so I am. Here is a typical day for me just for an example: Breakfast: 32oz of deaf black tea, with one scoop of my GENEPRO unflavored protein, creamer and splenda 31 grams of protein, 32 oz of liquid Lunch: one RTD Premeier Protein shake vanilla or chocolate 30 grams of protein Dinner: (I usually save my food meal for dinner to eat with my family) I do 3-4oz of some kind of protein (tuna fish with light mayo, chicken breast, beef tips, lunch meat with cheese roll ups) anywhere from 12-19 grams of protein. I always do 24-32 oz of tea in the evening with 1/2 portion of miralax (I had a few days of things not moving and DO NOT want to repeat that ) and if I find my protein intake low I will add some genepro into that, but usually I am good. I am getting in 64-80 oz of liquid in a day, more hot tea than plain Water now that the weather here in AZ is freezing. I find that I am not hungry during they day and only once in awhile I look at something and think I am gonna eat that, but then I don't. Oh I have added in Quest bars, around 170 calories and 20 grams of protein if I want more chewy than drinky stuff. I am averaging around 400-600 calories a day and feel satisfied. I can totally relate to your not wanting to fail. I believe this, if I went thru this surgery I am going to work Sherman (the name of my new stomach thanks to my daughter) for all it's worth. I want to get the most weight off during the "golden" hours. I am also working out 3-4 days a week. I took a break this last two weeks over the holidays, but I still lost weight, but back I go next week. Sorry this is so long, you will get some great answers and encouragement on here. Post often, read as much as you can and breath, you can do this. I started at 314 and worried too, but once the weight starts coming off, you find what works for you and you get a routine you will do great!!

That's awesome! Congrats to you both!! My hubby really only would like to lose 5-10lbs but he is so supportive of me. In fact I just ordered more unjury Protein powder, not for me but for him and my daughter they like to use it to make shakes for Breakfast and lunch. Neither my daughter or my husband have a weight problem, but we are all eating healthier due to the changes that I am going thru. I love to hear about supportive families, it is really important to have that support in your immediate family. Makes it much easier when times get tough. Keep up the good work you guys!!!

Well today marks my 4 weeks since my surgery on 10/27!! I cannot believe it has been that long already. We took my one month pics and measurements yesterday. We took my measurements originally on the day of surgery. I only measured my bust, waist, buttocks, thighs, calfs and arms. I have lost 26.5 total inches so far. With the most being 6 inches off my waist. I was amazed!! I wanted to do take my measurements for those times when I may not lose anything I hope to be able to see success in my measurements. I have lost 32.6lbs since my pre op weight (I only had one week on pre op diet), and 23.6 since surgery. I was so afraid of not losing anything week 3 or 4. It would be nice if those nasty stalls stay away from me!! LOL I just wanted to share my excitement. I know I am still a newbie but I feel so good already I cannot imagine how I will feel in a couple of months!! Going to try my first zumba class Wednesday night with my daughter and good friend, should be interesting. I have been working out at the gym 5-6 days a week. We got our bikes out of the garage and actually went for a bike ride yesterday. It was short for me but I was thrilled that I did it and that I wanted to. Every time I go I will try to go further. Now onto to month two!!!!

You will know it when you feel it. Actual soft/mushy food (food that starts out that way) will tend to go down easier, this is what I have found with my sleeve. More denser foods will fill you faster. I can eat 3oz of tunafish with a little light mayo and just feel satisfied not full. But 2-3oz of grilled chicken and I feel FULL. For me I feel it between my breasts the full feeling. It's weird I think. But when people say there is just a one bite difference between full and stuffed/overfull they are right. You will learn as you go what works for your body and your body signals to listen to. For me I am so afraid of something not agreeing with Sherman (my daughter named my new tummy) that I have been following my docs orders to the letter pretty much. On one hand I am afraid of being sick and then on the other hand I am afraid Sherman will tolerate something not nutritionally good for me and I will eat that instead of what is better for me. Does that make sense?? I just really want to work this new tummy for all it's worth during these so called "golden hours" of weight loss!! Good Luck in your journey!!!

@10/6/14 this I think is spot on. Only you know if you are working your program to your best ability. Make sure you are taking measurements, pictures and trying on something that was to small every one in awhile. There are so many other ways to see how you are progressing than just the scale. Truly if you do what you are suppose to be doing the weight will come off!!

Good for you!! Doesn't it feel great to try something on and have it fit!!

I have been reading posts on here well before my surgery which was on Oct 27th 2014, and reading and posting on here since my surgery. I come across posts that have people struggling and when I read that they have no support system, or barely any support at home it really upsets me. This is such a HUGE life change I could not imagine going thru this without my support system. I try to get on here and post where I can hoping to make a difference, because I know first hand how just one comment or compliment or Way To Go, can go a long way. I know how lucky I am. My husband and daughter support me 110% in this journey and have since day one. My parents have also been supportive and very positive. I have friends that encourage me and help me where and when they can. Even my coworkers have been great. I haven't run into one person who has said a negative thing to me yet. (well at least to my face, you never know behind my back, but I would hope not.) it is just so hard for me to read when people are struggling and the people in their lives that should be lifting them up and helping seem to be tearing them down. That is what I LOVE about this site. I love the help, the encouragement, the advice, and the YOU CAN DO IT attitude. We all struggle no matter how well you are doing. I just want to reach thru this computer and HUG them. Please for those of us that have done well or are doing well please please continue to post to help out those that need it. Our positive posts can really help you never know who you might be making a difference to at any time. For anyone struggling be strong, I am not a very strong person, I have always had people to depend on and that made me nervous going into this, but I have found I can do this and you can too!! And for all you looking into this, starting your journey, remember this site can be helpful and there seems to always be someone here when you need them. No question is stupid, your feelings matter!! Okay sorry this is so long, but I just had to get that out. Thanks to all who have supported me with your kind words and encouragement!! And even when it sounds like someone might giving you tougher love than you would like, remember they did take the time to comment and try to help!!! Good luck everyone!!!!

I wasn't expecting any bills since I was told my insurance was covering everything. But three weeks ago I received a bill showing my surgery was over 57,000 and my portion was $250. Well we got on the phone immediately and were told that the portion that was 100% covered was the doctor portion and that we would get a bill from the hospital and the happy juice guy. I was not happy because I would have been putting money away from day one. Well when we spoke with our insurance we were told that the $250 bill is the only bill we will receive. So I guess overall not to bad for everything.

I went five days after surgery and was doing fine until about a month out. When I called my docs office I was told to take Miralax. Worked like a charm. Now I make sure to put it in my evening tea everyday. I just had my 2 month follow up and the NP told me to use half the amount and I should be fine. I make sure to get it in every night there is no way I want to go thru that again.

I am taking Bariatric Advantage Vitamins twice a day. I have been swallowing them since I started taking them. I have always had a hard time taking pills no matter what the size. I never really learned how to swallow them normally, I have always had to place them all the way to the back of my throat and then drink something. I did find that I cannot take these vitamins after dinner like I was doing originally. One after Breakfast and one after dinner but taking one that late made me wake up "tasting" it. Yuck!! Now I take them after breakfast and lunch and it works so much better for me. I have had to set a timer on my phone to remind myself to take my after lunch Vitamin and this seems to be helping.

I use my food scale pretty much everyday. I just got a new one from costco yesterday. It was on sale for only 14.99 and it is stainless steel and black and has a large area so you can see the numbers much more clearer. Plus it doesn't hurt that it matches my kitchen beautifully!!