notgonnabelikemymom

I use an immersion blender for Syntrax Nectar and all my other Protein powders. Many other people like the shaker bottle, but I found it put too much air in the shake and dealing with the little wire ball thingy was just annoying to me. If you do use the shaker bottle, make sure it is completely full, no air at the top -- that will keep it from getting too much air in the shake.
And yeah, stirring alone is definitely not going to mix it enough. You will pretty much always get lumps and clumps that way, sadly.

Use Mexico as your vacation spot, you just have to worry about not coming back with a tan!

I took up sewing. I found I could make myself new clothes at a fraction of the cost and it keeps me busy. So far I've made three dresses, two skirts and an outfit for a little niece. It's been fun.
The one thing to be careful of is the costs involved here too. I shop for fabric at little discount stores, and have a budget for each project (I made two wraparound skirts for less than $5.00 each but invested more in some party dresses).

Thank you Cervidae! I am very excited to see what I can find out. After having my sleeve I went into the nutrition feild to help me understand everything a little better, but not everyone can do that, so I really would like to see if there needs to be more support out there for all bariatric surgeries!
I will be posting a summary of my findings on here when I finish my research

I had pancreatitis in 2005 due to gall stones and it lead to a low potassium level which was affecting my heart rate. I had to have potassium in an IV and it burned horribly! Eventually it blew my vein and we had to switch to the other arm. It was not a good experience. Here's hoping that I don't go through it again! (I doubt it.)

I could tell my PCP didn't support the decision. He said "You'll disappear." Implying that I don't need to lose weight. Yet I am at least 70 pounds overweight.
At least he'll help me watch my nutrition. He wants to do a metabolic panel three weeks before the surgery to have a baseline for after.

When I attended the mandatory seminar, my surgeon said he had a female patient who blamed him for her divorce (which is absurd). He stated if your marriage/relationships with significant others is strong before the weight loss, it will only grow stronger. If it wasn't great before the weight loss, it is likely you will have problems. I agree.

Hello! I am Cathryn and I live in Georgia, USA! I've lived here all my life. I am married (for 7 years now!) and we have a five year old daughter who just started kindergarten this year!
I am a 29 year old stay-at-home-mom currently (though that may change) and we have three pets: Magic (cat), Pixie (cat), and Tien Tien Chen (dog). Tien Tien is a Shi T'zu.
I love to sew and have made several dresses for my daughter. It's harder to sew for myself because of pattern alterations needed and I guess I'm just much more picky than she is! I also love to read and I'm tickled to death that my girl is SO CLOSE to reading on her own! It's the second greatest gift I can give her (can anyone guess the first?).
Thanks for reading about me!

Would it help you to feel better to do some legal stuff before surgery to protect your family in case of the unthinkable? Legalzoom is what I'm using to create a will and living trust. I am not affiliated with that website.

My BF was in Fort Worth last week on an annual business conference for work. In five days, he gained two pounds. During those same five days, I gained six! WTF! I have my ever three month appt. with my primary on the 21st, and need to lose those six before then. Geeze.
So, today I have stayed on my Protein regimen and tried to take it up some. My biggest trip-up is to fail to plan. When I plan and have the right stuff available, I do very well. When I try to wing it and go an extra day or two with out restocking the fridge, that is when I have trouble.
It looks like you packed everything the kids needed and nothing that you needed. It is ok to be a little selfish now. I guarantee you that if you pack cubes of turkey meat, string cheese, cherry tomatoes, unsalted nuts, maybe even some yogurt cups in a cooler, your kids will eat that with you. They won't starve and you will have useful stuff on hand.
One of the hardest things for me to learn was how to throw away leftovers and bits on the plate. At this point I mat as well just tape it to my hips if I don't throw it out. Don't beat yourself up. This is hard....very hard. That is why we come here for support.

Would it help you to feel better to do some legal stuff before surgery to protect your family in case of the unthinkable? Legalzoom is what I'm using to create a will and living trust. I am not affiliated with that website.

Have you tried one of those sticks? The one I found on Amazon even comes with a carrying case so you can keep it in your purse.

http://www.amazon.com/Living-XL-91021179-Bottom-Buddy/dp/B000G39ZIY

Hello! I am Cathryn and I live in Georgia, USA! I've lived here all my life. I am married (for 7 years now!) and we have a five year old daughter who just started kindergarten this year!
I am a 29 year old stay-at-home-mom currently (though that may change) and we have three pets: Magic (cat), Pixie (cat), and Tien Tien Chen (dog). Tien Tien is a Shi T'zu.
I love to sew and have made several dresses for my daughter. It's harder to sew for myself because of pattern alterations needed and I guess I'm just much more picky than she is! I also love to read and I'm tickled to death that my girl is SO CLOSE to reading on her own! It's the second greatest gift I can give her (can anyone guess the first?).
Thanks for reading about me!

I have decided to use Dr. Ramos Kelly in Tijuana, Mexico for my VSG. I am self-pay and the cost savings are enormous! A local hospital is having a 'deal' and charging $15,000 total for the VSG. Granted, this is using the Da Vinci robot. Dr. Ramos Kelly offers two options based on which hospital you would like to use and I am going with the more expensive option and using Hospital Angeles in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The total will be around $7,800. That's a difference of $7,200. That total does not include air fair.
My original want was a date in October, but I have a five year old daughter and I really have no childcare available for her unless my husband stayed back with her and there's no way in heck that's happening. So we were looking at bringing her with us for the trip. However, my husband has a bad feeling about that and doesn't want to do it. Let's just say that he knows that I have my heart set on this and have made my decision, but he's kinda just along for the ride right now.
So...if we don't want to take my daughter, the only people available to watch her are only available during the week. Her grandparents work on weekends, which has made lots of things suck. They've never been to a birthday party because those have to be on the weekend for most people except them.
Oh...and they are not to know that I am doing this. They will be told that this is just a vacation to Mexico and only that because we are sure to call from the hotel and it will show up as coming from Mexico.
Okay, so...back to the kid...she's in school during the week. And her school is strict about only allowing 10 days unattended before having to report to the school's truancy officer. But the grandparents don't live near enough to take her to school. So we need to find a time where she's already out of school and won't miss a bunch of days. Hello Thanksgiving!
I don't know if this will even be possible but I emailed Dr. Kelly's coordinator (who I've already spoken to over the phone) about whether or not I could schedule the surgery on November 24th. If so, then I'm ready to get rolling with flights and what to pack. If not, then I'm still trying to figure out scheduling.
I would love to be added to the Facebook group if there is still room, but I will message my email.

VSG doesn't help with having more energy, but the resulting weight loss does
So the answer to your question is yes, you will have more energy once you heal up and the weight starts coming off.

The weight loss definitely helps! Just don't ever let yourself run out of Vitamins. I went without for a week between paydays and thought I was dying by day 4. Maybe it was psychological, but BOY did I feel like a wet dishrag!

It's a combination of things. Eating a more well rounded diet, exercising regularly (yes a good workout energize me!), and losing weight all make me feel more energetic. However, part of your issue is a slightly malfunction thyroid. You can still get to the point where you have more energy, it just may take a little longer. My sister has thyroid issues and she found that increasing her multi Vitamin to 2 x's a day, taking Iron every 2 -3 days, along with her synthroid helps her energy levels. I also have been getting her to go for a walk with me on Sunday afternoon's.
Perhaps talk to your doctor about increasing your multi Vitamin and taking an Iron supplement. Just keep in mind when adding iron you need to increase your Water intake.

If I have not had enough Protein during the day I start to get sluggish. Make sure you are keeping up with that!

Carrying less weight around will definitely help with energy. However, I believe the diet may play a substantial role as well. Many of us dramatically cut the amount of carbohydrates we consume post-operatively and replace that with increased Protein. Protein is so much better for our bodies than simple sugars!

I'm only half kidding when I say my days (pre-op) were planned around when I could lay down again. Getting up in the morning was a chore, and after getting home from work, all I wanted to do was grab a nap before dealing with what ever had to be done. Weekends? That meant catching up on sleep.
I prayed that what I had read about people getting energy after WLS was true. The first few months, it wasn't my experience. It was tiring. But I know now that I was still healing. At a little over a year out I can tell you that the difference is amazing. Truly. I'm not kidding when I say I feel like I'm 20 (I'm 52).
I also am on thyroid med. Keep an eye on your levels, make sure they are routinely tested, you'll need adjustments.

Because you're not superman? I mean, if you'd tried to do anything else literally for 20 years and could not, would you be beating yourself up over it like this? I doubt it. Chances are you would say something like "Well, I gave it my best shot. I tried my hardest. I tried for 20 long years and I tried lots of different ways, but obviously this is something I cannot do on my own. I need the professionals." I encourage you to extend grace to yourself and realize that you are only human... an imperfect, yet beautiful being who can't do everything simply because you wish you could. Please be gentle with yourself and your decision to have surgery. It's simply a weight loss tool that you will be utilizing. Nothing more. Best of luck on your journey, it is going to be fantastic! Don't let your shame and doubts get in the way. 20 years is long enough.

Mrs Rustbel4t1... Glad to hear about your diabeties. This is why I am having the sleeve put in. You give hope of being off meds soon. In fact my doctore trold me I will be off Insulin the day of the surgery. Now will have to look forward of getting the rest of my meds gone.
xlawman

I also care for my dementia affected dad. Thankfully. I have help.
I second the notion of having something WRITTEN about what you want at your life's end. Please do not make your loved ones guess about DNR. Or where your final resting spot may be . It eases everyone's mind to do what you wanted????⭐️

Welcome Cathryn! Your story is very touching & I can relate to in home care as I did that for my grandmother for some time before she passed 4 years ago.
As for your VSG & your own health, I am diabetic (now controlled) and that was the primary reason for my sleeve. My father is diabetic, and his mother before him. He is insulin dependent & takes 3 shots each day. I was terrified of having to do that & unfortunately that is the direction I was headed. 2 hours after my surgery my glucose tested at 99 and has been normal ever since. It has been almost 4 months and I do not regret a thing!!!
I applaud your bravery & taking charge of your life. Best of luck & I can't wait to hear more of your journey!

Hello, this is a long story for me. So to keep it short. I was sleeved on 9-2. Weight 450. Single grandparent raising two grandchildren becuase my daughter died of cancer at 29. I work full time and so difficult to do that at this weight. I am glad I did this even though right now I don't feel it. glad to have found this forum.