Djmohr

Woah! both of you that is cray cray!

@Babbs SERIOUSLY!!!?? From WHO???

Some girl that was banned. I was like WHAAAAT???? I was so confused!

Very nice! Can't wait to visit Onederland.

congrats

How exciting...You go!

Salad, not sale! LOL

We had grilled chicken and Brussel sprouts. Is that close enough???

How do you make your broccoli/cauliflower casserole?

I use frozen brocoli/cauliflower mix. Sometimes I add brussel sprouts if I have them. A can of Healthy request cream of mushroom soup, Shredded cheddar cheese and french fried onions. I used to put minute rice, butter and cheez wiz in there but I stopped doing that 2 years ago. It still is delicious and of course has the fat from the cheese in there. I use about a cup of shredded cheddar.

great job!!!!

Thank you! I feel great!

I agree about the arms! I can't imagine doing anything else before reaching/maintaining goal. I'd question any surgeon who'd do it, too.

Wow! Life just keeps getting better!

WOW! You go girl! You continue to be a major inspiration for me!

Recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup:

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 large box of chicken stock

3 stalks of celery - washed and chopped

4 carrots - peeled and sliced

1 poblano pepper - chopped (if u want it spicier, use a jalapeño)

1 large onion - chopped

2 cups of water

1 large can of enchilada sauce (I use mild)

1 can chopped green chiles

1 palm full of chili powder

1 T. Ground cumin

1 T. Dried oregano

Olive oil

2 gloves garlic chopped

1 small bag corn

1 large can whole tomatoes - crush with your hands

In large stock pot heat 2 T. Olive oil. Add onion, celery, poblano pepper, 1 T. Salt & black pepper. Sauté until soft. Add chicken stock, water, dried spices and bring to boil.

Turn down heat to simmer, Add both chicken breasts, enchilada sauce, tomatoes, and all other ingredients. Simmer for 10 minutes. Pull chicken breast and shred. Add chicken back to soup. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until carrots are tender.

Enjoy! Yum!

That sounds excellent! You should post it in the Real Food... thread if you're willing to share

I would be happy to. Unfortunately not having any luck finding that thread. Do you know where it is?

YAY YOU!! That's exciting. I've been self employed for 16 years and LOVE it. Exciting times, girly!

@Djmohr - that sounds great - working for yourself has many benefits - you won't get yelled at if you are late, and you get paid what you want, and most importantly - boss always loves your work LOL - you'll do great - no crossies from me - you don't need them - kathy - congrats

Thanks so much everyone! I am very excited to be doing this. It is the work I love to do and cannot wait! I have always wanted to work for myself! LOL.

I received a note back from the CEO of my first client and he pretty much said its a done deal, they are just pulling the contract together so I should hear something today.

When I had that done a year ago February, it helped sooooo much. Once I got past recovery, I have had no pain or nerve issues at all with that concern. Even the scar is hard to see. It just looks like one of the wrinkles in my neck. The biggest aggravation was wearing the collar for six weeks. Get well soon.

Yes Miss Mac , the collar is not my favorite, I am in a Miami j hard collar but it definately gives me support and I so badly need that right now. Having had 3 levels and a whole vertebra removed was a pretty big surgery. My head is heavy and shoulders are very painful si I am glad u have the collar at the moment.

I am so very tired after 3 days of little to no sleep. Can hardly focus enough to hold my head up. I am sure I will get well soon, I would not have it any other way.

Thanks again for the well wishes!

Yes Miss Mac , the collar is not my favorite, I am in a Miami j hard collar but it definately gives me support and I so badly need that right now. Having had 3 levels and a whole vertebra removed was a pretty big surgery. My head is heavy and shoulders are very painful si I am glad u have the collar at the moment.

I am so very tired after 3 days of little to no sleep. Can hardly focus enough to hold my head up. I am sure I will get well soon, I would not have it any other way.

Thanks again for the well wishes!

woo hoo - look at you go!!

great hearing updates, so happy things worked out - you are/look like a movie star!! ummm, may i have your autograph?! Congrats- your friend - kathy

LOL. I am healing at the normal rate and even still have some redness and swelling but that is to be expected.

That's awesome!! Congratulations!

Today I have been headed back to basics and doing ok so far. Protein shake for breakfast, cottage cheese and a fresh peach for lunch. I am making some kind of taco concoction for dinner tonight. I might go with impossible taco pie because it has a lot of eggs in it and it is the only way I seem to be able to eat them. I think my body is simply starving for way more protein than what I am used to and it has to be because I am trying to heal these burning hot arms. It's all I can figure.

That's great, @Djmohr. We can't go wrong with the basics.

I second the protein approach, since I'd hypothesize your body that's focused so much on healing itself now needs all the protein you can give it!

I have to defend Tijuana sleeves simply because that is where I got mine. The problem is that we are an instant gratification society. The lack of self education is sad. We are seeing posts from people who want the "magic pill" and don't want to work at it. Unfortunately little effort is put in by the patient and they're simply not prepared. On top of that they come here and ask what we know to be absurd questions.

To be honest, I would say that some of it may be coming from folks whose insurance DID cover the surgery and who did have certain requirements. All of my pre-op efforts and preparation were due to my own grit and determination. The surgeon's "diet program" people didn't give a crap at all. In fact, they just wanted to rush me in and out as fast as they could. Don't get me wrong; they are nice people, and I do believe they want the best for their patients, but I strongly believe that place is more of a money-driven business than it is a place of health and wellness...

See, I had a completely different experience. My center of excellence was very strict. If I missed or rescheduled more than 1 appointment during that 6 months they assumed you were not serious enough and reserved the right to dismiss you from the program and report you to your insurance. My center of excellence gave me a big binder (bible) on day 1 that went through every aspect of every type of WLS and exactly what the diet before, during and after looked like. My center of excellence made me sign a contract that stated i would not drink alcohol for 12 months post op and that i agreed to have my nutritional panel completed at every stage 3,6,12,18 months and then every 12 months after that for life. There were many more aspects as well but you get the idea. It was very clear that my insurance company and my center of excellence were communicating and working closely together to make sure i was a good candidate. I just feel bad for people that dont get approved when so many clearly take it for granted. It is frustrating.....dont get me wrong everyone makes mistakes or has cheat days but geez.....lets go home and eat something we know we shouldnt touch right out of the gate.

I dont drink alot, in fact i just had my first drinks about 3 months ago and I am 2 years post op. I will say, I used to prefer bourbon and now i love me some wine! Going out to dinner at our favorite steak place tonight and will be drinking a glass or two and cannot wait.

We have another shiddach here! Bourbon! And, Pirate, if you have a special liking for jazz, I saw an amazing documentary about the music and more. "The Jazz Loft According to W. Eugene Smith." It plays in non-mainstream theaters and is available on iTunes. I was expecting it to be about the music only, but it's that and more. Lots about it in google.

My drink of choice ( I didn't drink often) but I loved COORS LIGHT. I don't drink it now because of the carbonation. So just last month, I went to a family get together and had wine!! It is called STRAWBERRY VINES, just a cheap one but dang me it was good. You know how they say that after WLS drinks hit you fast well I'm here to tell you I got a buzz in just a few shakes. I think after my 1st glass I got warm and fuzzy. And this is from a person thck of beer and just barely get a buzz. I won't do it much but it sure was good. LOL

Good luck with your surgery! It sounds like you're well-prepared, food wise. Way to plan ahead! I pray it goes smoothly for you and recovery will also speed along and that the surgery will take care of your problem.

Thanks everyone! Will let you know when I am back home and chilling out!

You got this, girlfriend! If you can do WLS, you can handle a wee shoulder surgery! God Bless.

So happy for you! I read in your email to me the boots sounds wonderfully stylish and no wide calfs. I can't wait until I can shop in a store, I will probably be doing the happy dance.

Congrats!

hi djmohr its been a while since i been on so im catching up on all my notifications. I saw your profile and stats WOW you are doing great!!! I have ups and downs and right now currently having a down. I hit my 6 month mark and the weight loss SLOWED. They weren't lying about the first 6 month honeymoon period! I have not been working out as much as my main location for working out is OUTSIDE. And Its cold out there now! LOL congrats on the new boots. Last time I tried to get into some my calf wouldnt fit either. Been scared to try again. Hope you had a great Christmas/Holiday. Look forward to seeing more posts.

New toys are fun. A friend gave me a crockpot about five years ago and, as far as I've used it -- never -- it's still a new toy. Eternal youth. (I'll experiment one day.)

I made fall off the bone baby back ribs in less than 30 minutes! Love this toy already!

Praying that God will lay his healing hands on you and you will recoup from this quickly and continue on with your journey!!

Thanks everyone for the well wishes and prayers. I am feeling a little better today, staying hydrated. I have an appointment with the cardiologist next Monday. In the meantime I am going to focus on getting my body moving more each day. I miss my workouts terribly (I never in a million years thought I would ever say that! LOL). I think your body gets used to exercise and when you don't get it you feel like crap.

Thanks again my fabulous Bariatric pal family!

Oh my GOD @Djmohr... Please take care. I'm am going to fill up my 32 oz cup right now.. I am guilty of skipping fluids. My prayers to you!!! Keep us posted.

Thanks ladies! Turkey is in the oven, all my sides are ready to go. Looking forward to having my son here for the first time in 17 years! I used to live in MN and he always has to work Thanksgiving. I feel blessed!

Happy Turkey Day!

thank you! happy thanksgiving to you

too!

Thanks everyone for the prayers and warm wishes. I have to believe the prayers are working so far because she has made it this far and we have been told everyday she has a less than 10% chance. Mary is a fighter and she is definitely fighting hard to stay with us. Thanks so much!

from your BP family - caring thoughts, good wishes during this hard period! biggggg group huggggs kathy

Just got an update from my BIL. Mary's heart shows improvement so they are checking some other things but they may be able to add her to the liver transplant list. We are hoping to find out in the next 12 to 24 hours.

You have such creative recipes! Wish I could cook like you! Hope it was good!

Thank you. Anyone can cook. I pull most of my new recipes off Pinterest and then work with them to remove bad carbs and add good ones like a whole grain barley.

My husband ranted and raved which he never does on a soup.

Last night I also grabbed a new recipe for oven roasted BBq beef brisket. It was so delicious that ended up focused on just my protein. That never happens to me!

I do, but after the meat

mine too!!!

this is my favorite snack!

Patience is a virtue..... (smile) And we all need some throughout our journeys.

I too, have been on a LONG stall!! But I have lost a few inches...I know you are so happy its over. Message me and tell me what you did to get over it please

Congrats Love!!!!!!!!! You are amazing!

I feel terrible for you -- such a fun dilemma. Your LV friends will be thrilled for you. I'd think that telling whole truth, if you're so inclined, will be well met -- it's usually pre-surgery that the negative comments flow. Anyway, put something on 25 Red for me, okay?

LOL. 25 red! You got it. I am certain they will be happy for me. My husband is the one that freaked me out a little. He reminded me that some of them probably won't recognize me. I am fine sharing my story and you are right it would be harder if I had not lost the weight. Plus, I got some great new outfits to wear!

hope you had a good time!