shizwiz

@@Becca R. SO good to hear!!! I might luck out as I don't have a family to cook for, just me and my boyfriend who is also trying to drop some weight.

I am doing a happy dance for ya!!

@@Becca R. That sounds like a good recovery!!! How are ya feeling? It's 15 degrees out where I am....and am counting down the days to warmer weather.

@@emmuje875 Mine is on 1.16.15. I am going to fly to San Diego on the 14th and stay overnight because my flights will take alllllll day.

Your date is coming up fast!!!! LUCKY!

Lol yeah, I live in AK, so I am bringing a pair of yoga pants and a sweatshirt in my carry-on for when I get home. I'd rather not die during the deplaning process lol.

I actually bought a seatbelt extender for the trip down there. I can usually squeeze in, but figured it would be nice to feel my legs during the flight and have a few inches to allow a bit of leeway... I like the outside isles in the back of the plane. Most of the time you can put the outer arm rest up and give yourself some extra seat room. Plus, I like being close to the bathroom so I don't have to apologize to 50 people for bumping them.

God, I am so excited to be normal size and not have to worry about this ever again. Sigh.

I meant overpack not overpaid in my comment above. For some reason I cannot edit that. Shoot, I wish I was overpaid though!!!

@@Veronica Page I think we will be just fine I'm bringing face powder, mascara, and a few outfits and PJs and a robe. I tend to overpaid, so I will reeeally have to work on that. I went to NYC this summer and brought a fan. For my hotel room. Who does that?! Hee hee

Yeah, I have been yoyo-ing between eating healthy and experiencing Last Supper Sydrome, so I plan on full speed ahead after turkey day. I will probably have a few Last Hoorahs over Christmas and New Years...but other than holidays, it's on like Donkey Kong!!!

@@Veronica Page I am going alone, too! I think I will be fine. I mean, it would be nice to have someone...but oh well I travel alone a lot and do well, plus all I have to worry about is moi. I am going to make sure I pack as light as possible, though. I don't want to worry about lugging stuff around that I didn't need to bring in the first place!

@@Ronab hehehe I think lettuce would be OK. Spinich has more nutritional value and would probably be better for ya. However, I will probably do a spring greens mix, or half lettuce and half spinich. I hate spinich with ranch, but love it with oil/vinegar type dressings.< /p>

I think as long as you are not adding anything else to the cauliflower or spinich while coooking them, it should be good.

You might try: lettuce, kidney Beans, Tomato, 1 egg and 1/2 serving of chicken mixed together with a low carb ranch. I did Medifast for a long time and it was one of my fave salads.

You might also maybe email ALM and see if you can make an omlet instead of a salad out of eggs, veggies and spinich?

Just some (diet) food for thought....

Oh, also want to add this part of their pre-op:

14 Days Prior to Surgery

Do not smoke.

Follow Pre-Op Diet below:

Use any premixed canned or powdered Protein Drink that contains at least 15 grams of Protein. You may purchase these in any health food store or many grocery stores. Wal-Mart EAS pre mix is excellent for pre op but BIO CHEM is great powder for after surgery.

Breakfast: 1 protein drink

Lunch: 1 protein drink

Dinner: salad with Protein 6 oz for women…8 oz for men (chicken, fish, egg, etc.), small amount of low-fat or fat-free dressing, or olive oil and vinegar.

Evening Snack: 1 protein drink (if needed).

You may also take 1 Metamucil capsule per day for hunger (if needed).

I bought some store brand Metamucil and take it with my lunch and a bottle of Water. I don't know if it is all in my mind...but it does help with hunger (for me!). I know it has psyllium husk in it, which expands in your stomach making you feel fuller. Probably TMI (or not), but I thought Metamucil would make me need to use the bathroom alot...it does not- which is good!

I tried the EAS drinks...they are OK, too. For some reason, the GNC Lean 25's keep me fuller than Premeir Protein (30g of protein). I have no idea how that works, but I will roll with it.

Good luck! WE GOT THIS!

@@Ronab I am going to do chicken, eggs or lean beef (like sirlion tips). In my client packet they wrote an example:

SAMPLE SALAD: 2 cups spinach, 1/2 zucchini, 1/4 cauliflower, 1/2 summer squash, 1 Tomato, 4 green onions, 1/2 cucumber, 1 egg, 1/2 cup rinsed canned kidney Beans, 1/4 each red, green, yellow and orange pepper. Maybe even some sprouts. Topped with the chicken and your favorite dressing and split into thirds.
This method is okay also… A shake in the morning...1/3 of the salad around 11, 1/3 around 1.30 and the last around 4 pm with the shake at 6.30 pm and if needed one more shake later.

I will probably cut out the cauliflower (YUCK!) and the peppers (eew) and add a bit more of the veggies I like. I found a low carb oil & vinegar dressing at the grocery store and will use that to top it off And I will probably have a shake in the morning, 1/3 of the salad + shake for lunch, then the rest of the salad for dinner. If I am still hungry, I can always have the third shake, some Jello, etc.

I am super worried about the clear liquid days, though. I guess I will have to deal with that when I get there :/

I have been having a shake for brekkie and lunch (LOVE the GNC Total Lean 25 Chocolate) and snacking on raw almonds or beef jerky...but I am afraid that all broth/jello/clear liquids will make me turn into a butthead. Oh well. lol.

I am going down to Tijuana via A Lighter Me in January. I am looking for other VSG'rs to talk with about pre-op, be sleeve buddies perhaps or just share information!

Less than 2 months to go...I am getting excited/nervous/apprehensive and than excited again!

I am almost 30 and really want to get healthy...now is the time, eh?!

@@mkw10 NOPE! I ordered them from Drugstore.com and I think they are literally walking my order to me. I am not expected to get them until 12/3/2014!!!! I didn't know it was legal to be so slow in shipping stuff to people

That is one helluvah bummer

Wow, you are looking good! Keep it up!

@@Big_Mama We must be soul sisters....I have always thought I was OK and a bit fluffy, but seeing pictures of myself is shocking. And a bit horrifying! I cannot wait for my bod to catch up with my mind!!!!!

Wow! I can't imagine how stressful that must be for you. I will keep my fingers crossed for ya

I am SUPER big on planning (which it sounds like you are, too) and just hate it when people don't follow my plans! It sounds like you are on the right track with staying in touch with the coordinator and doctor's office.

But, I think you're right: Either way, things will work out. I am not religous, but I do think that things do have a way of working out just when they are supposed to

Hang in there!!!

WOW! You look AMAZING already! I feel like I have a similar body type and got SO excited looking at your before and after photos.

Keep it up, girly!

Thanks for making my day

I am so excited for this to happen to me! And I am also so proud of you! Keep it up

@@Cody's mom SO glad to hear that you made it through the pre-op just fine! Is Ronda a coordinator? I am working with Katy, but unless I call her or something I don't really hear from her.

Thank you for the offer for the package of post op stuff. I think I will be OK, I do not do well with the pre-packaged foods. My boyfriend and I did Medifast for a long time and if I never see another packet of pudding or Soup again, I will be happy! But thank you SO much for offering

@@mkw10 I ordered Lemonade, Iced Tea and Fuzzy Navel. I hope they are good! They have had stellar reviews, but who knows lol

@@mkw10 I will for sure keep you updated. So far, I have tried:

*GNC Total Lean chocolate (YUM) And it keeps me full longer

*Premier Protien chocolate (Also good) I don't feel as full for as long, but it has more Protein...don't know how that works?

*EAS strawberry (Eh) Tastes like strawberry Milk, didn't keep me full for as long as the other two

*Isopure Cookies and Cream (Ehhhhh) Tasted .... interesting. I mixed it with chocolate almond milk and it was better than with Water.

I should be getting the Syntrax next week in the mail, so I will post more later

I also got some generic Metamucil capsules as my doctor allows one per day on the preop diet. I take mine at lunch and it does help!!! I was weary because I have never taken Metamucil before and thought I would need to poo at work,but I didn't. Handy to know!

I have found that chugging some Water before the shake, then drinking the shake, the downing more water helps me with feeling full. I am also trying to kick my diet coke habit because it makes me hungry. But it is just SO....diet cokey and it's hard to kick.

We got this!

@@avermette Glad to know I am not alone! I have been getting a bit better at NOT making excuses to have bad meals. In fact, a comment made by our local pizza place snapped me out of giving in any more. We had called to order (again!) And someone in the back said 'they order a lot'. I was mortified. No more! I have lost 2lbs this week and have been doing well during the day with Protein drinks, string cheese and Water. At night we have a ton of veggies and a lean Protein as well. Not having a few drinks during the weekend hasn't been sucessful, though

I am totally loving the GNC lean chocolate shakes and am excited as I have some Syntrax nectar on the way...lemonade, iced tea and peach. I like chocolate, but am sure that eventually I will be wanting something new.

TWO MONTHS!!!!!!!!

@@RadiantGal Thank you so much for that info!!!!! In am definitely going to check that out Were you super hungry going in for surgery? I have been trying to substitute shakes for meals and am getting scared about being ravenous on the flight down there....yikes!

And we're you hungry at all after surgery on the way back? So glad you are doing well!! Woot woot!

Glad you are doing so well! It sounds like your recovery is going well and is speedy (or as speedy as it can be!).

I am flying from AK down to San Diego and then will be transported via van across the border to my hotel/hospital. When I leave, I will be taking the same route (van, then flying out of San Diego).

Have a good day

Awesome! How are you doing?

I am going with Dr. Elias Ortiz (A Lighter Me).

Thank you in advance

@ I will cross my fingers for you! It would sure be nice to take out two birds with one stone. I read that most gastic patients are at higher risk of gall bladder issues because of the high Protein consumption?

I have not told anyone other than one friend (who is against it and not very supportive so...yikes), my boyfriend of course, my family, and two close coworkers (who are super excited for me!). But yeah, I am keeping it a secret because people sure do have their opionions. I am fine with that, but have a tendency to shut people down a little too rudely when they give me unsolicited advise on weight loss...so it is for their benefit not mine

I am actually the Privacy Officer for the hospital I work for...so I am sure people will be afraid to ask details of my surgery one I come back. Mwuahhahaha....