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Reggie, thank goodness you're ok! What a terrible thing to have happen to you. Whew, I hope it never happens again!

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I hope you heal quickly and can get on with your journey!

Hi Diane, We'll be Sleeved together! Where are you having your surgery done? Good luck on your week of low cal and liquids, you can do it! Geez, how many diets have you been on in your life. If you're like me, you've tried them all. Kaiser had me on a 1200 cal diet to reach pre-surgery weight. I just stay on that until the day before surgery. She did tell me to eat as light as possible for a few days before so I'm sure I will. After those liquids, you'll start out much lower than me but we can track each other to goal! Please keep checking back in here.

Bkind, I love your name! I've been fat since I was seven. Well just chubby then, but you know how that goes. I just turned 59! I had a short period of being thin after my son was born in 1974 but then it was the 10 pounds a year syndrome. So good that you're nipping this in the bud after just 11 years. You'll have so much more fun with your 11 year old son. Any correlation there with the 11's? By the time you get ready to head for surgery I'll be cheering you on. I hope you keep posting to this thread so that we can encourage each other!

Tina, I felt the same way, liked him even more when I learned about his volunteering. He's actually not in Haiti but on the other side of the world. A friend of mine (she's a Kaiser doc as well) recently went to Central America for three weeks to do "women's health" exams and treatments. I love that they're giving back. Mo, you go girl!! You're gonna break out to Onederland this week!!

My case manager told me to wait a week, then get on the scale daily for the rest of my life to keep me accountable. Finally... someone telling me to weigh daily!

Hey Gary, It's great to read that you finally made it home and that you're doing ok. Congratulations on "weathering" it all.

Oh Tiffy, I was wondering what happened to you! I'm so sorry to read about this glitch in your journey. I'll send lots of good thoughts your way for a really fast recovery. I had my gallbladder removed on 11/2/09. If I had known then that I would have a 2/8/10 Sleeve date, I would have waited, but I really thought my Sleeve would take months and months. If you have a TiVo, load it up and really pamper yourself after surgery. Now that John is safely home, let him take care of you. Please take it easy and you'll be up and your usual perky self before you know it. Sending healing thoughts, prayers and heck, I'll swing a chicken if ya want!

Dr. Baggs is doing his Doctors Without Borders. That makes me like him even more! That said, I did switch docs to get the surgery sooner. Tamra, I got something called Protein Pudding Dutch Chocolate by BodyTech, at Vitamin Shoppe. Mixes with 5-6 oz of water and is 145 calories, 4 carbs and 25 protein. I'm going to use that for my pudding stage. It doesn't taste bad. I bet if mixed with milk it would be even better to make it less sweet.

Pat, I'm so happy to read how well you're doing. Thanks for all the information. Have fun at the wetlands! I've been cleaning all morning and having a fun time of it. Soon I'll need to get myself in gear and go exercise.

Wow Ash, you're on a great roll. I'm so happy to see you doing so well. I'm excited. Last night I started cleaning out my closet. I threw more clothes down the dumpster shoot. Things I haven't worn, haven't looked at and are in bad repair. Even shoes. I'm going to continue with that today. This morning I woke up and started cleaning out the fridge. Throwing out salad dressing etc, taking out shelves to wash them. Now I'm staring down my desk to work on this weekend. I'm just so darn excited now that I have my date! My scale was at 229.4 this morning so I need to really work to get it down a couple pounds in the next few days. I don't want any surprises on surgery morning. Do they weigh us in our clothes or in a gown? How's everyone doing? I'm glad it's not raining which makes for good walking!

I'm so glad to read how well you're doing Carol. Congratulations on getting out to explore. I'm sure that people who need to travel after surgery will appreciate your words. I'll be joining you on that loser's bench very soon!

Hi Maddie, My facility just started adding the Sleeve. Their gold standard is the RNY, but I have a feeling that may change over the next few years when they see the success of the Sleeve. Here's what I have discovered when I thought that I'd have to really prove my case for the Sleeve. If you have malabsorption issues, the RNY isn't a good choice. My mother had Celiac Sprue and I told them that I'm beginning to see the signs of it in myself. Also, if you have had a disease that necessitates drugs (chemo type etc), it's harder to do with the RNY. Arthritis? NSAIDS are out with the RNY. I didn't need my research, my doctor immediately said that the Sleeve is my only option. So I'd say to really look at your medical history and keep researching. Build your own case for why the RNY is a poor choice and the Sleeve is a better option for you. Be prepared if you need to fight about it.

Hello, I'm not a doctor, nurse or diabetic, so I don't know the answer. In my support group I hear people share that their Type II Diabetes went away after surgery. My facility only does RNY, LapBand and now the Sleeve. I just looked at your family pictures. Your children are adorable and you and your wife are a lovely couple. Wishing you much success on this journey to renewed health!

While I can't answer the question, I had to laugh at you being a smurf. Thanks for the heads up that this doesn't go away on the first day. I won't worry when it happens to me! :thumbup1:

Wow Deedee, less than six months from surgery and you're NORMAL! Congratulations on all the hard work you've done to get here. What a great success you are.

Chancie, that's terrific that he wants to see you again! Please let us know how it goes.

I'm single too! I've done the online dating thing in the past and met some great guys. Right now I'm just waiting for my sleeve. I don't think I want to meet someone when I'm just starting out this recovery process, but afterwards, look out! I think this is all a little more difficult at 59 then it is at 29 etc. I think it's great to have a place to discuss the issues that come up, because they're the same at any age.

Coco, I'm laughing because I'm about to tackle a closet! If I'm not crazy about my big clothes now, I won't wear them in the next month so they may as well go this weekend. John, thanks for reminding me to practice. I think I was so crappy with that thang at the meeting from 3.5 hours of sleep and an Ambien induced fog. I'm glad they're catching those terrible guys that were part of the shooting. Jes, congrats on those three big pounds! Wanna come to Oakland to walk tomorrow? Ash, I'm so proud of you for keeping up with the diet and taking care of yourself. Tina, where you at tonight? Pat, it looks like you're doing great. Stage 2 starts on the 4th day after your surgery day. Surgery is Day 0, then count three, then start the next day. Whoever said corn is out was right. Corn and celery because of the fiber. They talked about it again yesterday in class. Please be careful. Pam, where are you today? You're generally on here. Mo, I'll get you that website. It looks like I'd better clean my desk before I head for that closet, so I'm outa here. :biggrin:

Congratulations on getting your surgery date!!

Hi Dawn, Welcome to VST! You've come to a great forum for information and friendship. Congratulations on getting your Sleeve done. You're on your way now. At my pre-op nutrition class yesterday, the NUT recommended the Trader Joe's boxed soups. I particularly love the Organic creamy tomato soup and the butternut squash soup. I hope my taste buds still love them post-op. I like them because they're organic without a lot of the additives of Campell's and other brands, plus they have Low Sodium versions.

Hi Bambi, I'm thrilled to hear that you're doing so well. How is it to lay in bed to sleep? Are you able to get comfortable? I'm very excited to watch your progress!

Hey Hershey, Congrats on giving up the smoking. That's a huge step towards better health. I smoked for 22 year, quit in 1990 and haven't looked back. It's great not to stink all the time. :smile: Keep going on your pre-op diet. You can do this. Take it one day, one bottle of fluids at a time. You're doing this for great health and you'll get your reward. I like that you don't have the F*it, I screwed up so I'll really dive into the dumpster attitude. You've picked yourself up and you're going to do fine. My surgery is the day before yours!

Sarah, I am scheduled 10 days before you. I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed the last few days as I finished my appointments, classes and met my weight goal. Once I got my date I really did a mini-meltdown of emotions. It just felt like too much at once. Now that I've had a good night sleep, the anxiety has dissipated and I know it's the right decision. I feel like I can't go into this with any doubts because I need to pour all of the positive, healing energy into this for myself. We can do this together!

Great news Loosing! I'm really glad to read that you want to venture out today. I'll be joining you on the loser's bench before long.