simplicity27

That is AWESOME! I'm so happy you've been able to drop some of your medications. I was sleeved on Oct 6. I'm with you on the cravings. Every so often I have a carb binge. You hit the nail on the head - most of the time it doesn't taste as good. When I refocus, I see the scale start dropping again. My biggest hurdle is dragging myself to the gym. I heard a great speaker just this morning. He talked about having a healthy mindset. I'm being laid off May 8 and I have a friend who competes in body sculpting. After her May 2 competition, she's going to serve as a personal trainer for me. May 11th, it's on! I'm recommitting to go to the gym however much she tells me to so I can tighten up this flab! I won't be able to complain that I'm tired from being at work all day (my current excuse). Hopefully I'll have a good routine established by the time God sends me the job he has for me. Hang in there and keep up the great progress!! Pam

I believe the Total Lean-Lean Shake 25 at GNC are dairy free. Strawberry is my favorite. Blend it with a little ice. Good Luck!

@Jlkhollins Congrats on your procedure! I hope everything is going well. Pam

Hi Amy! Your psychological review will be an additional charge and will vary based on who you select. I'll have to look up who I selected, but she was cool and was only $100 vs. the first one I called who was going to be $175 or $200. If you receive bills afterwards, do not pay them - everything was included. I received a couple and told one of them to file it against my insurance - which they did, and I paid the remaining balance of something like $20. I should have asked, but they also should have mentioned that it often happens that patients still receive bills even though it's been paid. Just fax copies to their office. The follow up appointments after the surgery are not included. They've been filing those with my insurance. Insurance has covered them - I've just had to pay my $40 copay. In my opinion, they should also be included... That's about it for administrative stuff. Otherwise, my impression from them and the class was that the 3 weeks of recovery time they recommend is really for you to have time to adjust to your new way of eating. I'd planned to work from home the day after coming home. I tried, but I was so exhausted, I had to take naps off and on all day. Your body really needs several days of rest before trying to do anything. I couldn't focus on trying to work. If I had it to do again, I would have taken at least a week off in addition to the two days in the hospital, then finished out the rest of the time working from home. Net, net, it's the best decision I've ever made. Pam

I did not use Dr. Schroder, I used his partner, Dr. Brengman and I've been very pleased. I'm a self pay, so I've felt like there were a couple of things they could have told me up front more on the administrative side - just to be aware of, but nothing has caused me an issue. I am very pleased with my decision and would make the same decision again. My only problem at the moment is dragging myself to the gym! I'll be thinking about you next week! I hope your liver reduction diet is going well! Pam

Recycled - I hear you LOUD AND CLEAR!

This has been very helpful and uplifting. I was sleeved on Oct 6th as well. I've been at a stall for a week or so. Almost nothing tastes good to me. Almost all my Protein is coming from Protein shakes even though I'm really tired of them. I can tell I've lost inches so I'm not entirely discouraged and the nurse told me to expect a slow down. I just wish I had a taste for something.

I don't have one, but it sounds like something that would be good to have. I've eaten out twice and both times just took the rest home for lunch, dinner, lunch, dinner...you get the idea. I have a mini blender and while I was on liquids, 6 of us went to Chic-fil-a. I'd brought a Protein shake and some PB2. I explained that there were 5 of us ordering but if OK I'd like to purchase a cup of ice and plug in my blender to make my Protein Shake. They were totally fine with it. Someone even came over later to find out what kind it was. LOL!

I'm in the middle of week 4 and now nothing tastes good to me. I'm trying to choke a little down. Last week was better than this week. I went up 1/2 lb and have stayed there since week 3 began. Even the Protein shakes don't taste good. I've avoided all carbs as my plan really only has the carbs listed of legumes and oatmeal. To top it off Monday was my first day back in the office. I was full of energy, then yesterday and today, I feel like someone beat me with the sleepy stick and I feel bloated and can't find something to eat. Nothing even sounds good to me (other than sleep).

I know exactly what you mean! I thought the same thing, then I decided I really don't care what others think - it's the best investment I've ever made! Fortunately my family is very supportive. My problem has been gulping. This morning I ended up with a huge bubble between my throat and my stomach. I didn't know what to do - it wouldn't go up, it wouldn't go down. I probably looked ridiculous standing there arms outstretched, eyes about to pop out! I finally popped a gas ex and it relaxed. My incident for the day... Anywhoo - I really appreciate you all and learn a lot from the boards. BTW, I'm in Richmond, VA! Give a shout! Pam

Thank you!! I need some variety!

oh boy...I had a lot of headaches during the liver reduction diet but towards the end of the first week post op to today - (sleeved on 10/6) I've barely had a regular headache. I was beginning to think that some of my headaches were due to the refined sugar products and carbs. I really hope they don't creep back in on Sunday when I start mushy.

I wish I'd known I would be so tired in the weeks afterwards. I'm supposed to be working from home. Had I known, I would have taken the time off. Think of 1001 ways to dress up Protein shakes - adding PB2 and ice to a chocolate shake and blending is a nice treat. unjury mixes are good too. Just be patient with yourself.

I was sleeved on 10/6 as well. I don't have nausea as much as feeling bloated. I think I drink too much at one time. I'm a little worried that I've stretched my sleeve. I sincerely hope not. I struggle with sipping. Other than that my biggest issue is feeling absolutely exhausted. I really wish my doctor had mentioned that. I did not take LTD. I worked it out to work from home for 3 weeks post surgery. It has been a real struggle. I have a 2 hr nap at lunch everyday and I'm literally propping my head up to get to the end of the day. This week has really sucked because I had one employee on vacation, one sick all week and my boss off Wed - Fri so I had to be at least 3 people at any given moment. ARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!! I can bearly concentrate as it is!!

Looks like you're making awesome progress! Keep it going!

I'm in Richmond. My folks are in Tidewater.

I'm in Richmond. Nor right around the corner but not too too far. I was in Greensboro just yesterday.

Krimrod, I'm at pndossva@gmail.com

@@DivaDarling813 I don't get bloated until I start drinking. I haven't mastered the art of sipping. I've started making myself drink from a spoon. I was well over protein shakes too but I started drinking chocolate and adding PB2, ice, a couple of equal and blending it in my vitamixer to make more of a shake. MUCH better. For the Strawberry, I just added ice, and sugar free raspberry syrup and blended it. It's enough of a change that I think I'll make it to next Monday when I can start the mushies. I can't wait for a scrambled egg! You've got me rolling with your meatballs and apple sauce. I have to admit that apple sauce does sound good though - OK now, you're reeling me in! Congrats on the 19 - that's awesome!

GreenEyes604 your diet sounds over the top. It almost sounds like the 2 week pre-op diet I had to do. I will certainly pray for strength for you to get to the end of your 6 months and secure a January date. My insurance had a year long program so I opted to find alternate financing. Hang in there! It will be worth it!!

Hello Ladies. I was sleeved on 10/6. The last couple of days have been a bit challenging, but I'm making it through. I feel bloated, tired, restless and I'm OVER Protein Shakes LOL! I'm so happy to see the folks are using gasX. I'm about to add my name to that list. Otherwise, things have been good. I think I drink a bit too fast - I need to learn to sip. I'm amazed every day when I get on the scale and it is steadily going down. I haven't been able to wear my wedding band in a couple of years. I even outgrew the band I bought to wear after that. I was happy to find that I was able to wear that one on Saturday. I'll be especially happy to be back in my wedding ring & band! Gigi - it sounds like we'll be criss-crossing on the road. I'm in Richmond and I'll be heading to Greensboro Oct 25 for NCA&T's Homecoming while you're heading to Norfolk. My folks are a stone's throw from Norfolk...small world. Wishing the best to all of you on your journey! I look forward to chatting with you!!

Hi there! I wish I'd been able to spend more time on this board before my surgery. I was sleeved on Oct 6th. I was pretty well prepared going in. Afterwards was a bit of a shock. It just didn't occur to me that I'd be so sore. The drainage spot is better but the place where I think they did the removal is still quite tender. My stomach is soft but sensitive to pressure so figuring out what to put on to leave the house has been challenging. LOL! I feel really bloated, so seeing that several of you have used gas x strips gives me hope. The doctor never mentioned it so I have not used it but wondered why it could not be used. I can't wait to go raid my cabinet to see if I have any! Are the pills OK? They're pretty small. I have felt absolutely bloated up to my ears. I'm also so sick of protein shakes I don't know what to do so I was glad to see comments somewhere on the protein jello with Unjury. Just ordered some! I could not take 2 weeks off from work so I'm working from home. The problem is, I've been so tired I can barely keep my head from hitting the keyboard. When I take a nap, unless I set a clock, it ends up being a minimum of 2 hours - usually more. Thank God my boss is flexible. I've learned a lot in just the small amount of time I've been on the site today. I will make a point of checking in daily. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

I'm just getting started but I'm going to self pay. My insurance has a year long process and I don't think I can wait that long now that I've made up my mind. I just need to decide between the two centers I've narrowed down. I'm SO ready to get started.