AudraN

Hello Everyone! My name is Audra, I am a single mom and am currently in the process of planning for my surgery. I've chosen to have the VSG done in Tijuana with Dr. Elias Ortiz, hopefully within the next month or so. That said, here's more about me.
I work as the Morning News Anchor for a local Talk Radio station in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I also have my own business designing websites/graphics. I am an avid reader. (more books than friends is a comment that has been heard in reference to me quite often...lol)
I have always been more of an introvert than anything else. Don't get me wrong, I have friends and I have a lot of fun when I spend time with them, but I am also perfectly happy spending time on my own with a good book. I'm also a very crafty person, although I don't sew (much to the disappointment of my mother...haha).
I've been divorced for going on 10 years now. I am considered VERY outspoken, sometimes a little too sarcastic for most people to understand, but I'm okay with that. My favorite color is lime green, in fact, I'm a little obsessed with it...if it's possible to be obsessed with a color...lol. I enjoy the outdoors, but don't like to sweat or get dirty, so hopefully that will change as I shed the weight and can be comfortable outdoors. I'm an avid Doctor Who/Sherlock/Supernatural fan and I love superhero movies and sci-fi. Yes, I'm a GEEK and I'm proud to say it!
That's all I can think of at the moment, if you would like to know something about me, just ask! I'm pretty open!
Audra

okay, update again, I'm using this one now, and it actually tastes pretty good and is available at Walmart! Comes in chocolate, strawberry, Cookies and Cream, vanilla, and chocolate Peanut Butter. So far though, I've only been brave enough to try the plain chocolate. (lol)

Yes constipated for sure .. My doctor suggest some Metamucil .. It helps and drink lots of Water ...but. It's normal

I'm just finishing day 2. I don't mind the shakes but I've had a headache since mid-day yesterday, sometimes dull, sometimes stabbing and I'm ready to get rid of that. I've also never really noticed just how many food commercials there are! Things I don't even like are sounding good.

I am getting close to having my surgery done. I am soooo excited and soooo nervous as well. I have my scope tomorrow 7/22, Start my pre-op diet on 7/29 and my surgery is scheduled for 8/12. I have been waiting on this forever. I have been overweight for a very long time. I have been having some reactions that are a bit favorable. I have been getting the dreaded "why can't you just loose weight the right way?", "Just watch what you eat and work out" "this a little drastic don't you think?"
I realize all of these things. We all do. If it was that easy, don't you think we would just do it!!! ugh! Either way, I am rooting for all of you who have taken this step or are on the verge of it. This is a tool, we will have to work our butt off to loose it just like everyone else, we just need a boost, or jump start.
If there is anyone else who is having surgery around the same time as I am, let me know. It will be nice to compare notes, and have a partner to boost our moral, and cheer on!!!
We will do this, and we will be victorious!!

Nashua Nutrition
http://www.si03.com
Syntrax has a special on samples -- 15 packets for $14.99 plus < $2.00 for shipping. Order by phone only. The phone number is (866) 333-7403.

I cant stand the shakes for Protein. I found pouches you drop into Water bottles called Pro2Go. I bought lemonaide and orange. They are both really good and 10 of protein for each one. You are killing 2 birds with one stone. Water and protein.

An update - I have some Syntrax nectar on the way, looking forward to trying that. I also tried one of these this morning...

Core Power Light - 20g Protein 150 calories, but 11g carbs...
It tasted GREAT! but the carbs...now I'm bummed again...

She left it out. I say lick the damn pizza then leave it for her as payback. Cause you having to smell it cooking is just wrong. I am on day seven and feeling really good on the liquid diet.< /p>

Day Two, Noon: Sister made pizza. Left half out on the counter. (I will not lick the pizza. I will not lick the pizza.)

Technically, I don't "have" to start the pre-op diet for another 2 weeks, but I've been trying different Protein shakes just to make sure I find some I like, and so far I'm 0 - 4, with the Protein Shakes winning, cuz they all taste like "death with sweetener added"....lol...
I have been told to try some unflavored powder in Soups and other drinks though, so I'm trying that next.
I've just never been a big "sweets" kinda person, my downfall is bread and Pasta, so these shakes are KILLING me...so to speak...

Congrats Diva!!!

So far I've tried EAS vanilla and Dark chocolate, and Muscle Milk Light in banana and chocolate, and the only thing even remotely appetizing is the chocolate flavors, but they all leave me feeling nauseous for several hours afterward.
My next test will be the waters and soups....
Thanks everyone for your recommendations!!!

My surgery was on Tuesday May 27 and I was back to work on Monday June 2. I have a very sit at the desk sedentary job so I was fine. If I had to be on my feet or really active that would have been too soon.

I'm on day three of two week pre-op liquids. Day one was torture...hated every Protein shake. Yesterday I found one I liked and got a new attitude. Today, I woke up with headache, intestinal issues and just generally feeling like crud.
I know it will get better and this misery is a rite of passage..but it sucks.

So far, I've tried a few (I'm I've a month pre op), an my favorite was Unjury powder. You have to order it online, but they have multiple different flavored and even have an unflavored one.

Protein shots are not great for you, and they taste disgusting. My two favorites were the EAS AdvantEDGE Carb Control shakes (I got mine at Target) or Chocolite from netrition.com. Neither of them are too sweet, at least not to me.
The other option is to buy an unflavored Protein powder, like Isopure, that you can mix with pretty much anything like tea, Soup, put it in jell-o or puddings, etc. I do not recommend the flavor of a lot of the 'protein waters' floating around. They're also pretty sweet. If you don't want something too sweet, try mixing the unflavored Protein Powder with diet cranberry juice or some other low sugar juice, milk, or pretty much anything else.

go on to medicalgrades.com and leave a bad review. go on angieslist. com and do the same. and every website you can find that does reviews of doctors... you can go on google and do the same. what are you going to sue him for? being an asshat?

I'm with the other gals.
This is not only your safety and wellbeing that should be considered here...
Get on that phone and tell that numbnut what he 'determines' is an emergency, is irrelevant. Because of all the possible implications this might have, of which are sizeable, I'd also shove in a complaint. After all - what kind of medical qualification does this bloke have, other than the ability to answer a phone after hours? If you wanted to get arsey about it, you could phone back, say your heart rate is going through the roof, have numbness in your hands as a direct result of his demeanor towards you and watch him kick into action then. Especially 3 weeks out of surgery. What a dick.
If it were me, I'd be knocking back the morning after pill and would take half an asprin, twice a day, until a good week later.
In the meantime, do not take no for an answer and call your doctor.
My thoughts are with you x

Congrats! I had mine one week ago today and I really don't feel any different! You'll be fine. May the Force be with you! ; )

Breathe! Its going to be an amazing day!

This is my first time posting but today is the day I get my sleeve! So nervous but excited to start my new life!!

Best of luck to you and congrats on your decision. I'm not close to retirement but I am 50 years old and have a desire to travel and do other things my current weight restricts me from doing. Here's to us living the second half of our lives to the fullest. Cheers!

WLS Do’s and Don’ts

DO remove the word ONLY from your vocabulary. Ex: I’ve ONLY lost 10 Lbs in 2 weeks… Now let’s look at this again without the word ONLY: I’ve lost 10 Lbs in 2 weeks!! See what I mean? Perception is reality folks!!

DON’T assume you’ll never eat all of your favorite foods again. This is just an excuse your brain has designed to allow you to indulge. You WILL eat all your favorites again someday, just much less but find it to me more enjoyable. Which leads directly into the next:

DON’T do the “last meal” syndrome. You will only sabotage your weight loss you might have pre-surgery or set you back further from your ultimate goal post-op. This surgery is very serious and is for the serious minded. Use this time wisely to get the feeling of how life might be like post op.

DO learn all of the rules pre-op that you will endure post-op. Such as, no drinking with meals, using smaller utensils and plates, engaging in some type of workout routine, limiting your sugar and sodium intake, joining as many WLS support groups as you can.

DO Celebrate every single pound lost! Imagine one pound of butter. Yeah… that’s gone from your body forever. It is noteworthy and worth every bit of a pat on the back as any others that may go along with it.

DON’T compare your successes and losses to others. Chances are very high that you will only come out on the short end and only find yourself disappointed. Everyone’s journeys are their own…

DO keep track of your losses in many different ways than just the scale! Examples:

DO keep one set of your largest clothes you’ve ever worn. Make it a point to try them on, especially when you’re having a down moment. You will find this will really pick up your spirits! This is a real rollercoaster of a ride, and anything that will keep you positive is what you should do!

DON'T keep any other fat clothes around. Get rid of them ASAP. You're never going to fit them again, right? So... off to donations they go.

DO take photos of yourself just before your surgery. Keep them close. Again, having a bad day? Look at them and compare them. As a matter of fact, take photos of yourself often. You will also find that the more you lose, the more you will want to take pictures. Nothing wrong with that!!! That goes with celebrating your losses.

DO take measurements of yourself often. Keeping track of all your inches lost will really keep you on the right track when your scale is being stubborn!!

DO reward yourself every time you hit a mini goal. Make some more worthy than others. I like to go shopping when I hit a goal, it is my favorite thing to do now.

DON’T let the scale define you. Great majority of us will endure many fluctuations and stalls in this journey. It is what it is… patience is the key here. Meditate and envision yourself months down the road at your goal. Smile, then move on!!

DO find out about measuring body fat! It’s more than just weight loss, FAT LOSS is the real goal here. Keep in mind that the BMI scale is greatly inaccurate and most Health Studies do prove this. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE) our body fat % ranges should be average: 25-31% for Women and 18-24% for men. Any higher is considered obese. However it does go more in depth, according to ages and more. Everyone has different genetic make ups, frame sizes and fitness levels... even a different ethnicity can post differences.

DO have many goals in sight. Having only one, especially a simple weight goal you will find can be difficult. Have many MINI goals along your journey, and more than just ones that involve the scale. Such as, clothing size goals, body fat% goals, fitness or workout goals, dietary goals, etc…

DO challenge yourself always!! Whether it’s a global challenge with others, or personal challenges... It will keep you motivated and always willing to go further than you ever thought you could!

DO have a mentor! Find someone that you can trust and confide in, and that you know has “been there”. Preferably someone you know in person. You will find many folks in your life who have been there, for obesity is worldwide now and there are so many who have been able to defeat this demon. It’s not easy! It quite literally is the toughest feat I’ve ever had to endure. I can say this too, my job will never be done. This is for life!
DON'T believe the myth that your tool has an expiration date. Yes, it's true you will lose the most weight in the first year and it's also true that the further out you are and the closer you are to goal, the harder it is to lose. However, as long as you keep up with your healthy eating and fitness routines you will continue to lose weight and / or keep it off in the many years post op. It all boils down to calories in vs. calories out.
DON'T believe the myth that having WLS will keep the weight off forever. That is our individual responsibility.

And finally…

DON’T ever beat yourself up! We all make mistakes, and dare I say not one person on this Earth is perfect. I try hard to be, no doubt! I always admit that I’m a perfectionist – but I’m far from perfect. I just try to be… The only thing you can do is pick yourself up, give yourself a pep talk, perhaps contact your mentor for reassurance and move on!!! Again, this is for life. Every day you wake up is a second chance.

DO look for solutions to your problems. Otherwise they will just become excuses.


DON’T EVER GIVE UP! I don’t think any explanation is necessary here.

DON'T expect the scale to post a loss every single day. As a matter of fact, don't expect it to move that much even weekly! Just keep doing all the right things and the scale will move in the right direction when it needs to.

DO expect to see fluctuations on the scale, both down AND up. DON'T lose your head over it either. This isn't a miracle cure and the weight isn't going to magically disappear in a few weeks. You have to keep pushing with healthy eating, some type of workout and getting plenty of Fluid.

DON'T let the scale define your journey when there are so many pieces to that puzzle!!!



Good luck to all of you. This journey is a tough one, but if you are here, then you believed in yourself enough to give yourself the life you’ve always dreamed of. YOU WILL BE successful. Always keep that in mind.

Add-ons by other experienced sleevers:

DO keep a list of NSV (Non scale victories) to reflect on when times are getting hard. Can you walk up 2 extra flights of stairs before getting winded? Cross your legs?" and

"DO NOT be afraid to change things if they aren't working. Stalls happen even gains happen. If you are on a long stall look at your eating and decided if changes need to be made. Utilize your tool!" -- Southern Sleever

DO: Keep a food diary of what you eat and drink. This is a great learning tool as to which foods have what amounts of fat, Protein and carbs that add up to your daily intake goals. There are many ways to diary your food - from old fashioned pen and notebook to many options via smartphone apps. Keeping one is the important thing - however is right for you. I use mine now to look back for meal ideas when I hit a blank as to what to prepare for a day or a week.

DO: Realize this is not a diet to be followed for a while then set aside. This is a permanent lifestyle change. Yes, the amount of food you eat will increase as time passes, but your relationship with food will be forever altered. How you Celebrate your joys, successes and holidays will be different. How you mourn your sorrows will be different. Some people need outside help to get through the sometimes overwhelming mental changes this process brings. If you need help with this part of the deal- reach out and get it. -- SKCUNNINGHAM

DO roll with the punches!! -- fern

This is the reason I have only chosen to tell my husband about the surgery.
I know of two people who have had it and the flack they got to their face and behind their back was horrible. So I have chosen to use this site as my support network also..
Chin up!!!