Malaika

WOO-HOO!!!!!! Financing in place and surgery scheduled for June 12th with Dr. Aceves. So it looks like Ruthgrosvenorcox, my DBF and I will be headed to Mexico to change our lives and our health. Looking forward to it being over and finally being able to get this weight off and keep it off for good! Anyone else having surgery around that time? Let us know -- we'll have a party to celebrate

Of course, once she finds us and sees how wonderful we all are, Sleeve Brother Steve may have to fight her for use of the computer ...:thumbsup:

Well it's not the best I've had, that's for sure, but it's also not the worse. According to everything I've been reading on "theworldaccordingtoeggface" on OH Max Protein Chocolate is supposed to be just awesome. And if you go to her site, you can get 20% off your order. I'm going to take the advice I was given and wait until after my surgery since my tastes may change ... hopefully your friend won't be quite so picky or her tastes will change too. Good luck.

Hi Daisy - I've never noticed it making my smoothie taste different --- I just went in and mixed it with water so I could tell you ... I put about 8 oz. of water and 1 scoop of protein powder and 4 pkgs. of splenda -- blended it in the blender and poured it over ice. I think it tastes good-- the flavor of the powder is Natural Vanilla Flavor. It definitely doesn't smell weird or gross ...it definitely tastes better mixed with fruit than just water; however, I don't find it intolerable or gaggy. The smell reminds me of a vanilla scented candle in the smell, but not as strong. The brand is Wild Harvest. It is a Soy Protein Powder - No Carbs, 1 g fat, 0 sugars, 110 calories; 200 with 8 oz. skim milk. Total Fat is 1g, saturated Fat is 0, cholesterol is 0; sodium 250 mg.; potassium 28 mg; and Protein 24 g. It's a 16 oz container -- so not HUGE like some of them - with 16 servings and I believe I paid about $11 or $12. Hope this helps and if you have any other questions, let me know. Good luck to your friend -- and who knows, maybe with the surgery, her tastes will change ... seems to be the trend from what I am reading. Hope you're doing well -- glad to hear you're not STARVING any longer. :thumbup:

Thanks Tiffykins. As for suing for malpractice nothing is impossible if you have the good attorney-- and if you're not seeking monetary damages, you should at least be able to be reimbursed for your costs and your pain and suffering and your future surgery. Where in Florida do you live? I could get you a referral -- at least you should go and talk to an attorney so you know what your rights are and when your statute of limitations to do anything would run. Not trying to force you into anything -- obviously couldn't if I wanted to -- however, I think you have a right to know what your rights are and that doctor needs to be strung up by ... well, you know ... If you want to share your love story with me, feel free to pm me here or at my yahoo address. Hang in there -- each day is one day closer to our military families returning home. :thumbup:

That is what Nina suggested to me in an email -- that way after you're off the clear stage you can use it in other things like SF pudding, etc. I have some protein powder that I use now - it's got 25 g of protein and no carbs or sugars. I use it for fruit smoothies in the morning and add splenda to it to sweeten (that spelling doesn't look right) a little, a banana and a cup of frozen fruit ... it's VERY filling. Got it at Albertson's in their health food section.

I second that wish Daisy -- my office is the same way -- and around the holidays - OMG - you should see the stuff the vendors send us -- you can't walk anywhere in the office without having something to tempt you ... Thankfully there aren't candy dishes by the copier ... just everywhere else. I generally can control myself, except when I'm in a foul mood ... I think candy dishes should be outlawed in the office!:thumbdown:

great pic ruthie thanks for the prayers -- i'll always take all i can get.

OMG -- HATE CHOCOLATE? I could only WISH to hate chocolate -- although I can pass milk chocolate by no problem, put good dark chocolate in front of me and I'm a goner ... hope I lose the taste for it after surgery.

Thanks Mac, that was interesting and does help simplify matters.

Tiff - If your first surgeon was a civilian, I'd definitely be checking with an attorney as to a malpractice claim -- he care was definitely below the standards. I wish your husband a quick return home and safety while he is deployed. My nephew was just deployed to Afghanastan (sp?) on the 29th. His wife and 3 young daughters are not handling it well at all, and either is his mom, my sister. We have to place them all in God's hands and send angels to protect them. Good luck with your revision surgery -- you deserve happiness and a pain free life!

OMG -- I'm definitely glad I decided to do more research before going forward with the band and decided upon the sleeve. I can't beleive what so many have been through - how awful. I do have a question -- what is OH?

Daisey, that's so good to hear. I'm hoping I don't have to take off anymore than a week, because we have a cruise planned in September and I don't want to be docked any time if I come up short. So hearing you say you feel well enough to go back to work after not even a week gives me hope. I am not a sleeve revision, I'm a virgin sleeve, so I'm hoping that it is not a big deal and is more discomfort than pain as I've been told! Right now waiting to hear on my financing is stressing me out big time -- at least when I'm stressed like this, I don't even feel like eating because my stomach is in knots, so that's a good thing, I suppose. I really hope things work out so that Ruthi and I can go together on 6/12. Nina has put me in on that date and I have to let her know this week if she should firm it up. Fingers crossed and I'll take any prayers anyone wants to offer up! Thanks for all the wonderful support! I'm with Ruthi - love you ladies and this site!! :smile:

That is EXACTLY the reason I don't plan on telling anyone what I am doing and where I am having it done. People have preconceived ideas and no matter what you do or say you can't change their minds, especially people who are not of the computer generation so to speak. E.g. My dad is convinced since he has dish network and the shows are for HD that his OLD console TV is HD capable...no amount of talking will convince him otherwise. So my DBF and I have found it easier to just bite our tongue and swallow the blood than to try and convince him otherwise. I'd print out what you have found on the internet, provide it to them, and then let them believe what they are going to believe ... and when the time comes, then you will prove them wrong as they watch the weight fall off. Proof is the best revenge. They aren't going to stop loving you or disown you, they believe what they believe and you aren't going to convince them otherwise until they see with their own eyes that they were wrong. Of course, they'll probably never admit it--at least not to you. Stay strong!!

I haven't been out of women's in SO LONG. And when I was able to get my weight off and keep it off for any length of time -- long before the days of pregnancy -- I was a size 12. One time I got into a 10 and everyone thought I looked anorexic ... I am tall; however, not big boned, so I have no idea what size I will be in once I reach my goal ... however, I intend to enjoy the ride on the downhill side that is for sure!!!!

My mom has always said you stay heavier in your mind longer than you do your body. I will be so excited to not have to buy in the W (my g/f talks it WIDE) section and to be able to have cuter clothes. I've told my DBF he better have a lot of $$$ because I'm going to need a whole new wardrobe when this is all said and done. He said NO PROBLEM!

Sounds like that might be the worst part of the entire procedure ... I'll make sure to have my toothbrush/toothpaste handy. Thanks for the warning. I can only guess what Renee's description might be

That is definitely something that needs to be improved upon, I know that the people who aren't there and don't hear something when they think they should automatically start to think the worse. I am sure it is probably a matter of miscommunication on their end. Someone asks someone else to call and assumes the call is made. That's not something I will have to worry about, as the only one who is in the know is my DBF and he's taking me there, along with Ruthi (if everything works out) and the only other ones to know are you here on the forum and hopefully I'll be online not too long after the surgery/recovery.

OH ... I LOVE that idea .... that'll work ... doubtful anyone will know much about a hiatal hernia. I work in a law firm and we do handle medical malpractice cases; however, the hiatal hernia repair should work. THANKS for the great idea; and the suggestion on the protein water/broth. :wink: Now another question: I drink coffee and use this sugar free (made with splenda, not aspartame) fat free, calorie free syrup - most of which are clear -- could that be added to the protein drink to give it flavor? I drink a protein smoothie every morning; however it has fruit in it; I've never just put protein into water or juice ... sounds a bit disgusting. Any thoughts?

I'm right there with you daisy. I don't tend to emotional eat - did that while I was married and when I got rid of him, I quit the emotional eating. Coincidence? I don't think so. However, when I am stressed I do tend to crave chocolate -- not just chocolate but really good dark chocolate -- I won't waste the calories on milk chocolate. So, if I can lose the taste for dark chocolate that will be a definite PLUS!

Daisy - Take the time to learn Spanish? Immersion course perhaps? I don't do well with boredom either ... I'll have to be sure to bring my laptop and a book to read ... and plan on doing lots of walking.

Well I read to buy protein drinks, etc before surgery so you know which ones you like -- what are the requirements and what are some of the choices? Why is it that everyone seems to crave tomato soup? That's about the only soup I can eat - all the others have way too much salt for me. Glad to hear you are doing so well - hope I have the same results

OKAY - FESS UP ... what "battery acid" stuff???? I am tentatively scheduled for surgery on the 12th of June with Ruthi -- we'll travel together since she's going by herself ... and I am learning more and more each day ... which is good because I don't like surprises ...so do tell please.

Ruth - We'll I've got a date -- the 12th of June -- Dr. A approved me for surgery -- one hurdle over with Tomorrow I will hopefully know about financing and then I can quit stressing and we can start planning our trip to Mexicali :-) I will give you a call tomorrow and we can figure it all out! I'm stoked and scared all at the same time.

OKAY -- I have a few questions and hopefully you can answer them - well one, only Elisabeth can answer. 1. Elisabeth -- what are you going to have to eat tomorrow? May 2nd ... I'm sure you've got it all planned out. 2. I have not had the band, am going straight for the sleeve. I also have never had surgery where I had to be on a clear liquid diet or any type of diet for that point. So, can you fill me in on what you can/can't drink -- and I'll start "practicing" so it doesn't come as a total shock to my body? 3. Did you all tell the people you work with that you were having or had the sleeve? I work with very judgmental people and truthfullly don't care to share my private life with them regarding this matter -- many of them struggle with weight; yet they will judge me and I don't feel like having to explain myself to them ... however, seeing as I plan to go back to work in a week (I have a desk job) I don't see anyway around telling them something. Any ideas on how to handle this? Thanks for all your help.