Sandra Nuelken

The skill I'm practicing now is small bites and put your fork down. Eat slow and chew a lot. My 4oz of meat fills me up for the day.

Good luck keep us updated!!! Mine is next week on the 30th.

I found when I had the band years ago, food and I had a different relationship. I only deserved the best, clean, protein-filled food. The other stuff was not my friend and it would not make me happy. My new life and energy made me happy. I'm about 10 days from surgery for the sleeve and on the pre-surgical diet, I see my head getting into the right place again. I am once again losing, feeling good about my control over myself and setting daily goals for healthy eating. Counting down on my new life.

How much protein are you getting? I'm pre-op and have 80 -90 g. and I' only eating 800, just can't eat more. Get your proteins in first you have a new way to eat. If you're eating 1000 bad calories, carbs, sugars, and not proteins you will gain weight.

Immediately after surgery, you have many of these issues, this is for a period of time, not forever. I found a protein drink I like, better on ice and it is Ensure plus. Two of those and a clear protein drink and I have my protein requirements. I dilute the clear drink with caffeine-free tea as it can be pretty strong. This is a life long process, not a one time fix.

I mix my peach flavored protein drink with my caffeine-free ice tea. The protein drink is so sweet I can't imagine drinking it alone. I also bought from wally world popcycle molds to freeze some.

As a former bander, I know that sometimes the reflux is caused by a band that has slipped. If you didn't have reflux after the band was removed then it may be an issue with a band only and may not be an issue with a sleeve. I had my band removed a year ago and I'm on my pre-surgical diet. I did start early as I do better in stages, I removed all carbs for 2 days then sugars, then went on the diet. My doctor doesn't require all liquids for 2 weeks I'm allowed 1 meal off of their selections and as I hate to cook I've bought rotisserie chickens and packaged the meat in 4 oz. portions and my green beans in 1 cup baggies. I'm allowed cottage cheese and protein drinks for the remainder of the day. They have other selections but the quicker I can get used to the same foods the easier it is. I've also added clear peach flavored protein to my plain caffeine-free ice tea. It is hot as hatties here and staying hydrated is important. Good luck with your journey my date is July 30. My pre-surgical appointments next week. Getting excited!

This is decaf tea. Lipton sells it and I brew it, sadly now without sugar, but the Premier peach protein drink puts some kick into it.

I put a splash of Premium protein in my decaf ice tea. I'm using the peach and it tastes like peach tea. It thins the taste and with one bottle of this and one protein drink in the morning, I put ice in it to thin it. I've almost met the goal.

I want to be able to jump into the lake and get up the ladder on to the boat when I'm done. I could last year barely, but I want to do it easily. Oh if my knees would quit hurting that would be wonderful too. At my age little things mean a lot!

You have all done so great, you are all great inspirations and give me great hope on my upcoming surgery.

Sometimes it is hard to stand on some of the smaller scales and if you're off-kilter they will read wrong, but usually, they show an E. My battery scale is usually very truthful....sometimes I wish it wasn't because the spring scale I could lean to the left or right to drop pounds.

I understand your nervousness. My surgery is the 30th My surgery wasn't scheduled until after the insurance approval. I hope all goes well.

My 5th day of pre-surgery diet and have my protein high with protein drinks. I have terrible gas. Should I drop back on the protein?

I had my lap band removed because it failed and am struggling to not gain all my weight back. I'm on the pre-surgery diet now with surgery date July 30. I have a cream to use instead of NSAD's on my knee. My doctor won't do anything until I lose weight. Stay in touch as we are just a day apart.

I had a neighborhood swim party with the ladies, took my ice tea and stayed in the pool so I wouldn't be tempted. Some days not terrible some days one hour at a time. I weigh in each morning hoping it will give me some strength. Husband is gone this week so it has been easier, next week he will be back with all the temptations. So happy to hear that after surgery things will get easier. So happy to hear the recovery is going well for you.

My preop diet allows for 1 meal a day 4oz of chicken breast, tuna or a meat a veggie. I started mine early eliminating carbs, then sugars. Hanging in there my date is 7/30. Good luck on your journey and keep in touch. I take this one day and one hour at a time.

I hope you have a quick and smooth recovery. My date is July 30. I'm on the presurgical diet now.

They have a NSAID cream to use on knees etc.

You are losing weight so quickly your body has an issue with adjustment. I had falling issues times when I would trip I ended up falling because my "center of balance" was changing. Once I got close to goal with my Lap Band everything leveled out. Still remained cold as I had removed my "fat coat".

I had mine removed last year and over the last 5 years, I slowly gained back that is why I'm having the sleeve the end of the month. I had the initial band that would only hold 4cc and could be filled to a max of 2cc so finding the sweet spot was impossible. A few months after having mine they went to a 10 cc band. I worked for me when it worked I lost about 120 pounds. Now I'm looking at a new journey and another hopefully successful one.

I was always cold when I lost weight with the band. My skinny husband always froze, he was happy. You're taking off a coat as you lose, so yes you'll feel cold.

Wow that would be wonderful, you've done really well so far!

Thanks for the info.