i1Linda

I used CareCredit to finance my surgery. I selected the 18 month no interest option. I pay enough every month so it will be paid off at 17 months - let's me hold on to my own money longer. Good Luck!

Dee Dee - unlike you, I went to Mcdonald's today and bought a Happy Meal. Luckily it was for my 4 year old. Boy, I really did want some though. We went through the drive thru after soccer practice and I had to ride in the car all the way home with it. I knew I really didn't WANT it but my head wanted it. I drank a big gulp of water and popped a stick of SF gum in my mouth. I made it all the way home without even a french fry. Now that I am home, and my son has eaten all he wants, I don't even want what's left over. Prior to surgery, I would have ordered a meal too and and extra order of fries to nibble on for the drive home. Gotta love the SLEEVE!

WhooHoo Chancie!!!! I bet you look fabulous in your new JEANS even if you weren't able to provide pictures. Congrats on your NSV! :scared0:

Today I reach my second "mini" goal. My first was to make it to onederland which I accomplished on Sept 24th. My second goal was to no longer be obese with a BMI of 30+. Today I weighed in at 185.4lb which is a BMI of 29.92 for my height - I am officially OVERWEIGHT. My initial goal was to reach this point by Nov 20th (we leave on vacation for Walt Disneyworld). So I am 16 days ahead of schedule. I guess my stretch goal for Nov 20th is to be under 180. Probably not possible at the rate I am losing, but you never know. Even if I get close, I will be elated. I saw my OB/GYN today for my annual exam. :ohmy: Always a fun time. His nurse had RNY several years ago and she was very supportive of the surgery. He didn't know that much about the SLEEVE - he said "oh, you got the new one they started doing, good for you". I explained it to him and he said he was going to look into it just for info. He congratulated me on the 62lbs lost so far and for doing something proactive for my health. He said I looked great!

Congratulations Dee Dee! Happy 3 month surgiversary! It seems like just yesterday we were getting ready for our surgery. But on the other hand, it seems like so long ago - so much has changed. Keep up the good work. You will be wearing your size 10 dress any day. Linda

I'm in. I am having another knee surgery on Dec 16th (the other knee) so I will be off work and hobbling around. Shouldn't be on crutches at that point, just walking gingerly. Lets try to work out the details as we get closer. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone! :crying:

Vegas, I'm sure that particular style of shirt runs a little big but I didn't care. There wasn't an "X" in front of the "L" and that made me SMILE. I initially grabbed and XL just to see. I tried it on with the jeans and stepped out to check the full length mirror. The sales girl working, said "that shirt is really to big for you, do you want me to get a smaller size?" I'm sure my jaw dropped to the ground as I mumbled something in agreement about trying a smaller size. I about fell over when it fit perfectly.

Finally had a chance to stop by Old Navy today. I bought two pair of jeans in a Misses 14 - yeah! I also bought a long sleeve tshirt in a size L (not XXL, not XL, just L). I was so excited about the shirt. I am bigger on top and haven't seen a L top in a really long time. :mad:

Fitting into a size 8 is one of my goals. I think I might be finally in a Misses 14. Everything at LB is just a bit too baggy. I plan to go to the mall tomorrow to check it out. I might have to swing into Old Navy. Congratulations Jenn! It has to be a WONDERFUL feeling.

Okay - for anyone interested. The Calcet Calcium Creamy Lemon Bites are not half bad. Pretty tasty I thought. A bit difficult to open since they are individual wrapped in blister packs. They advertising them as tasting like lemon pound cake. I thought they tasted more like lemon pound cake batter. I think 40cal is a bit high for me to take 3 times a day, but a nice change from some of my other calcium options and will definitely have a least one a day.

Chancie, How interesting. It was knee surgery that prompted me to finally take the WLS plunge also. Made me realize that it wasn't bad knees that were the problem. I had knee surgery on my left knee end of May. I attended a WLS seminar mid-June. What a difference the weight loss has had on my knee and my life. You said it all. I love my SLEEVE.

We are NEW DVC members as well and going to Disneyworld for Thanksgiving. We are so excited. I have two boys 8 & 4 and are staying at AK. I have a mini goal of being under 185 before our trip - 4.2 lbs to go. WhooHoo!

Ooh, that would be fun. Le's try to put somehing together. I'm in.

Hi. I'm from Dallas area also and had my surgery with Dr. Nicholson on August 4th. My insurance had a WLS exclusion, so I was self pay. I don't regret my decision at all - it was the best thing I could have done for myself. My only regret is that I didn't get the Sleeve earlier. Go to Dr. Nick's seminar and let me know if you have any questions. I would be happy to help.

Yay Bob!!!! Congratulations on the Two-fers (Two-ferland...?). You look GREAT!!! Keep up the good work.

I can totally relate. I am at 11 weeks post op and am stuck in a stall for the last 10 days. Nothing. Not up, not down. I know it is normal for our bodies to stall from time to time. It's frustrating, no doubt. Apparently the laws of physics don't apply in my body this week. How is it possible that I can eat 700 cal a day, burn off on average 500 cal a day at the gym and NOT lose weight? I know in my head, the Laws of Physics will prevail and the weight will come off.

Anyone try the New Calcet Calcium Creamy Lemon Bites? I ordered some online last night. The marketing says they taste like little squares of lemon pound cake. Hmmm:001_unsure:... we'll have to see about that. I am not convinced but willing to try anything to get my calcium in.

Judy, Alex posted a thread with Ticker instructions/tutorial on the VST Forum Assistance and Suggestions Forum. Way down on the bottom of the Forums page (4th from the bottom I think). I hope that it helps.

Hi Tara. Welcome to VST. I was sleeved in early August. I am very familiar with post-op gas pains, I was miserable after my first c-section. However, with my sleeve surgery, I did not have very much gas pain at all. I was pleasantly surprised. I kept my drain for several days post-op. It was kind of weird, but didn't hurt. My advise post-op is walk, walk, walk. It's the best thing you can do for your recovery. Good Luck with your journey!

Susan - I track the same way. Daily planet both on my laptop and iphone. Keeps me honest.

For a while, I just used SF International Delight. Last week I received some Bariwise protein hot chocolate (15gm protein), I now turn my morning coffee into a mocha by adding coffee to the protein hot chocolate powder. I get my coffee and breakfast together. I also received some Bariwise protein Almond Cappuccino but haven't tried it yet in my coffee . Linda

Happy Birthday Dee Dee!!!!!!!! Llinda

Hi Dancer! Welcome to the VST. I was really tired the first couple of weeks, but at exactly the 2 week mark, it was like someone flipped a switch and I was back to full energy levels. It was strange but very welcome. Since then, feel great and losing weight. Keep us posted on your progress. Good luck on your journey.

Dee Dee - I find it interesting that we have lost almost exactly the same amount of weight. I lost exactly 20lb before surgery on 8/4 - down to 226. Since surgery I am down to 194lb. 32lb since surgery. A total of 52 pounds. Glad to see you are doing well. My sleeve and I are working together. It gets easier every day. I do find however that on days that I am busy, I seem to make better food choices and stick to protein. Just enough to get the fuel I need to keep going. Whereas on days I am sitting at home, like on Sundays while doing laundry and watching football, I want to snack all day. I know it is boredom and head hunger but WOW. It kills me. Keep up the good work. Linda

Once I got to where I could swallow pills without additional problems (only the same problem I've had for 20+ years - I don't like to swallow pills), I gave up searching for a chewable calcium form and just tried to get down 6 Citracal Petite tablets every day. It didn't work so well. I would be doing laundry and find caclium pills in my pockets. I had the best intentions of taking them through out the day, but it just wasn't executed. Well, I think I may have found my Calcium regimen. I got some samples of the Bariatric Advantage Calcium Crystals (unflavored) and added it to my Fuzzy Navel Nectar/Crystal Light 24 ounce protein concoction I drink every morning for breakfast. No problem, didn't notice it at all. First dose, check. I also got samples of the Calcium Lemon Chews, not bad. I can handle for an after lunch "treat". Second dose, check. I can also gag down a couple Citracal at bedtime . Third dose, check. Between all three dosage forms, I may just get in my calcium.:001_tt1: