Nicole Anderson

You look amazing!!!

Can't sleep, so excited, a little nervous...so many emotions but there is no turning back now! Can't wait to start my new life just hope the first week goes by fast talk to you guys soon!

Current weight 254
GW: 220
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Wow some of these sound really good! I typically use rotisserie chicken, red grapes, red onion, dill pickle relish (too lazy to chop pickles myself), Ranch seasoning powder, light mayo and/or a little greek yogurt and chopped pecans. I try to put the Ranch seasoning on the chicken while it is still warm as it seems to absorb the flavoring a little that way. I sometimes add a little garlic salt if more seasoning needed.

Sort of the same thing as the first post:
canned or fresh chicken if I have it (but usually canned)
light mayo (usually olive oil version)
curry powder (love this in chicken salad!!)
red seedless grapes (cut into quarters)
green onions (2-3 depending on size)
1/2 stalk celery
Tastes best when refrigerated for a minimum of 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Eat with raw red pepper strips - super good with it and has a lovely crunch so I don't miss crackers at all now.

I don't think mine is as "healthy" as yours, but I like it:
Basic recipe:
* canned chicken breast in Water
* 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
* 2 tablespoons light mayo or light Miracle Whip
Additions (in any combination, if desired):
* chopped celery
* chopped pecans
* chopped apple
* chopped onion
* hard-boiled eggs

Did it hurt? Yes, it is a surgery plain and simple there is physical recovery time. Just remember everyone has a different pain tolerance and based on any complications that may arise could affect this as well. Did you have any complications? Yes, I had a lot of internal swelling that wouldn't let me sip my liquids so I got very dehydrated and had to stay on an IV two extra days until the swelling went down. How much weight did you lose and how long did it take? I lost 131 lbs in 2 1/2 years. Did you have any stalls? Yes, I had quite a few week to two week long stalls, and I had one three month long stall. The thing to remember with a stall is you are losing inches because your body is catching up. So instead of weighing, measure! How long until you could have sex? For me it was three weeks. It was a little uncomfortable but oh so needed . Have you had plastics? Yes, my tummy and boobs did not perk back up so a year ago I had a Tummy Tuck and breast augmentation to fill back out the skin. Do you have any regrets? Yes, that I didn't do it sooner. What do you eat? See my other post "VSG- A Day in the Life 4 Years Out" Have you gotten more attention? Yes, losing the weight increases your confidence and confidence is sexy, you will notice the looks. Who did you tell about your surgery? I only told my family and close friends. What are your biggest tips? Follow the doctors orders, sip all day, walk walk walk, do not weigh more than once a week, exercise, don't let the surgery change the person on the inside. If you have other questions, please let me know and I will be glad to answer them if I can!

Some of you may remember that just 2 weeks after my sleeve surgery, my son was shockingly diagnosed with Stage IV Rectal Cancer with metastasis to his liver (5 liver tumors). My world shattered. I didn't eat. Didn't drink. Barely got out of bed and wasn't functioning in any normal capacity. I was just at the point where I was trying to learn how to be healthy with my new body and failed every single day. I received so many words of encouragement from this community, so much support and so many helpful suggestions/tips. And even when I'd sink in my chair, something someone said would remind me of what I needed to do - because I was no help to him if I couldn't help myself.
Jason's first liver surgery was last Monday. They removed 2 very invasive tumors from one lobe that were much deeper than the scans portrayed. Next month, three more liver tumors will be removed. The chemo has caused abscesses that resulted in his hospitalization for days at a time. It's caused mouth sores that make it impossible for him to eat. It's caused intolerability to the cold. And we're in the Northeast - where we've had a blizzard and too many other storms. Yet he continues to smile every day and encourage others who are fighting this awful battle to never give up.
Last week, while I stayed at the hospital with him, I brought my Protein Shakes. I reminded him to drink his Water and I did the same. I walked with him around the unit. I ordered eggs for Breakfast and chicken for lunch/dinner. I had chili for a snack. I felt like I was finally getting it. And was able to share my recovery and food tips with him.
And today, this happened, and the sparkle in my eye that has been absent and the smile on my face that left in November reappeared. (sorry the pic is upside down... )

I am 7 days post op and on clear liquids. I would go for a Protein Shake before Soup with potatoes. I would steer clear of the starches.

Everybody has given good advice, the main 2 reasons is to shrink the liver and have more weight loss so there is more room for the surgeon to work. Every stage is going to be a challenge but we all had an idea of what we were getting into. When things get tough just sit back and remember why you are doing this. Turn to your loved ones for support, and you have this community too.
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I couldn't give you any better advice, so I didn't...

Yes my surgery is Monday 2-22. Both nervous and excited! I am on day 13 of a liquid diet! It's not easy but it will be worth it. I wonder why some doctors require the liquid diet and others don't.

Chest pain is nothing to take lightly. Yes you have had the vsg, yes it may be just GERD (acid reflux) but NEVER take it lightly. See your PCP or go to the ER to get checked out. Best case scenario, its GERD but worst case is it's your heart or a blood clot to your lungs called a PE (Pulmonary Embolus). How are you now?

Feeling a bit nervous and excited at the same time.

I did two Protein Shakes a day and ate a lean dinner (under 6oz of chicken beef or fish and vegetables). If you do that and drink Clear Liquids you'll drop a significant amount of weight pre-op. I even had a cheat meal going out to eat with the family a couple times and it didn't affect weight loss. My doctor did reschedule the girl in the hospital bed next to me's surgery on the day of because she gained 5lbs on her "pre op diet." Take it seriously and start practicing for the post op diet because it is life changing.

When your old clothes fit you like MC Hammer's balloon paints.

You have the courage to sign up for a pilates class. I was always afraid of getting down on the floor and not being able to get back up

You spend and entire 2 1/2 mile run holding up one side of your pants or another, because by the time you realized hey were gonna shake right off your butt, it was too late to turn around and go back home.

Your old belt now goes 1 1/2 times around your waist.

Your old boss walks right past you not realizing who you are. Happened to me last week.

Fun thread. You know you lost weight when
You have to get new shoes because they are to wide for the feet.

????. Thanks for the encouragement DDN. In doing pretty good with fluids now. I've been off the forums for a short while. I did great first three days post op, then had a set back. Extreme pain kept increasing in my lower right abdominal section of large fat and tissue. I couldn't walk anymore or get up w/out assistance. CT Scan revealed just intense inner swelling and bruising from the normal cutting and cauterizing of the procedure. My large layer of belly fat basically said "Really?? Well I'll just smack you so hard your eyes will roll!!!" My surgeon treated me good, he helped me with pain meds, he sent a team over to teach me how to move and lift myself to achieve less pain. He sent a different abdominal binder to me that is closer tons woman's foundation garment. He calls daily to speak to me.
The surgery team said this is known as a Omentum Infarc. They showed me a surgical tape of the the fat layer and how it draws up into itself and just becomes a mass of pain. Only time and forcing yourself to keep getting up and moving will help it shrink and decrease in pain. I'm better today and I'm getting in 70-80oz of water, and about 20 grams of protein. I'm very happy your doing great! I may be behind everyone, but I'll catch up! I enjoy all the posts and they keep me going ????!!!

This is so cool

I'm using an app called ihydrate to monitor my liquid consumption and so far so good
I'm drinking from 2 ounce cups but find that I don't tolerate plain Water well. I actually feel the water hit my esophagus or stomach and it's quite uncomfortable but ice definitely works better. I'm supposed to be getting in 40 G Protein and 43 oz of water and that hasn't happened yet. I'm drinking the Isopure, ice chips and poweraide zero - hopefully today is a better liquid day ????
Congrats to those who aren't struggling with liquids

I'm trying very hard to get down 2/3 of a bottle of Isopure Protein Water. That will give me 27g Protein for the day. I feel so full it's hard to get it in and thankfully my NUT guidelines are to get at least 15g protein for now since I'm still on Clear Liquids.
Fluid in general I'm trying to measure better. Yesterday I had 2c chicken broth (16oz) 1/3 bottle of Isopure Water so (6oz), 2 mugs hot tea and I need to measure how much water that mug holds. Can and how do I could the liquid in Jello?