Lee

Hi JC, I'm still pre-op, so clueless but from what I've heard in support group meetings that I attend, they say to take up a craft or become an exerciser. Find a passion to replace the hours we used to spend thinking about food, planning food, cooking food and eating food. For me that's a lot of head time to fill. I think I'll probably be walking and reading more post-op.

Congratulations! You must be very happy!!

Good good good good good luck! Sending wonderfully healing thoughts your way for an easy surgery and a speedy recovery! Keep in touch and please let us know how you're doing, as soon as you're able. We'll all be here waiting for you.

Bashful, Welcome to VST. I'm going through the Kaiser Richmond (north) program. I think Kaiser has a great program to get us ready for our new Sleeve life. While there's tons of great information on the net, I think it's important to follow our Surgeon's instructions as they have to take care of us both pre and post-op. You'll do just fine!

Welcome Christabel! VST is a great website of caring, helpful people. You've come to the right place to research and ask questions. Good luck at your appointment today!

Good Luck tomorrow morning Mini!! Sending healing energy your way! :smile:

I had my gallbladder out 11/2/2009. For anyone that's had it out, as well as being Sleeved, how do the two surgeries compare in recovery time etc.

Has anyone found Mootopia in California? I thought I would use the Trader Joe's unsweetened Soymilk with 3 carbs after surgery. I don't use any milk now but was scoping it out for later to puree things etc.

Nicole, That is so exciting. Only two weeks away. YAY! You must really be rockin. How cool that your mom is going to come stay with you and help you. That will be so great to have her comfort close to you. I'm really proud of you and how great you're handling all of this!

John, Check your PM. Vitamins are a little different for Sleeve. What time is that pre-op class on Thursday? How long does it take? Thanks!

Tamra, call CoCo and tell her to come post already. I can't wait to hear when her surgery date is. I'm so anxious to hear how far out they're scheduling surgery. I wanna jump up and down with her in excitement!

Oh Pat, that's MUCH better! You're going to do great tomorrow!' Where is that darn sweet Nicole? I want to hear her Kaiser update from today. I'm worried about weighing in tomorrow with Bev because I was up a pound for no reason this morning. I'm going down to the gym to sweat it off. I'm going to stay optimistic! Candra, how cool that you're feeling your restriction. It's great to hear you so happy with your band.

HI Barbara, I'll definitely be praying for you and sending good thoughts your way!

Hi Lucy, I'm really happy to read that you're feeling great!

Hi Nopatience, Welcome to VST. This is a great website with very helpful people. I really get it about the last five pounds. I'm at Kaiser Richmond. I have what I hoped would be my final pre-surgery weigh in tomorrow morning. Sunday I was 229, great. This morning, 230.6, not so great. I can't believe this is happening. I'm so ready to get to goal and get a case manager appointment so I can get a surgery date. I've eaten very light today and I'm headed down to the gym now to walk as long as my ankle allows (surgery last year). After walking, I'll do the weight machines. I'm determined to be at 230 (with clothes) in the morning. Carolyn, there have been studies that suggest that people that lose 10% of their weight pre-op have less complications post-op. I think that Kaiser really goes with those type of studies. It also makes sure that people are really serious about doing the work both pre and post op. For me, it's given me time to really explore. I thought I wanted the band but discovered in my month before meeting my surgeon that I would only consider the Sleeve. I'm glad I had time to really figure it out and be sure. That said, I want my Sleeve TOMORROW! :001_tongue:

I can't wait to hear from Nicollie about her appointment with Liz! If she got one so quickly, maybe I'll get a fast appointment too! I'd love that. Enough of this waiting. I just want a surgery date. I'm trying to eat very little today so that I can meet my goal tomorrow morning. UGH!

Good Morning! Almost there Pat! Candra, congrats on going back to sleep without eating. Now step away from the chocolate! My scale went up to 230.6 this morning. I think I didn't eat enough yesterday. I'm going to do protein shakes all day, keep the carbs very low and pray for a better scale morning tomorrow when I go to Kaiser. Wish me luck. Have a fun Monday everyone.

Loosing, good luck today! I'm sending good thoughts your way!

Nicolie... CONGRATULATIONS!! Sweet dreams tonight! Who is your surgeon? I can't wait to hear how quickly you get a date!

Hey, where's the pantie pics? How did I miss them? It looks like you all had so much fun judging by the group pics. Candra, you really know how to pose. Tamra, you're doing great! I'm so glad you're down so many pounds. That really makes up for the busted window, doesn't it? Don't let anything get you down right now. Revel in your success. How's babygirl tonight? Is she starting to feel better? Pat, you're so close. You're having surgery on my son's 36th birthday! It's really a wonderful day so I know you'll have an easy time of it. We'll all send lots of good vibes your way. I'll be at Kaiser at 7:30 Tuesday morning so I'll say special prayers in the hallways on my way up to see Bev. I had a good day with the food. Went to a memorial service for a friend's dad, then to watch a movie with a couple of girlfriends. I ate 2 stuffed grapeleaves and the memorial and a tangerine at my friends. Not bad when there were tables full of Cookies and cakes. I'm going to go take my Kaiser test now that I'm so close to my Liz appointment!

I too was sure I wanted the Band because the RNY was too invasive for me. I read about VSG on the band site and was immediately sold. My doc didn't want me to have the RNY or the Band so it worked out perfectly! Good luck in your research. This is a great site to gather information.

Alison, you and your surgeon will make that decision together when you have your surgical consult. I have Dr. Baggs and really like him. He recommended the Sleeve for me. Kaiser does seem to prefer the RNY - GB. At orientation you'll learn about the Band and RNY. They don't say much about the sleeve. You'll get a binder with information about pre-op diet, the surgeries, and forms to track your food, hydration, emotions and changes you're making to prepare for surgery. You'll also learn about changing behaviour patterns like not chewing gum, drinking soda, eating in front of the TV etc. This is so exciting that you're starting your journey.

Good Morning Everyone! I'm so happy to read that you all had such a wonderful time yesterday! Next one, closer to the Bay please. Alison, welcome to our sweet group. Which surgery are you looking at? I'm a Sleeve Sister, but they let me hang out here. Good luck with your orientation. Richmond has free parking which is always a bonus after driving all that way. The first thing they do when you arrive is weigh you in. Don't hesitate to hydrate and eat Breakfast as it's a long meeting. Bring your Water bottle and pen. I'm hoping to be on the hunt for 18/20 jeans soon so if anyone has some.... much appreciated. I'm being very optimistic and got three pairs of size 16 jeans at the clothing swap yesterday. Nobody was taking them and they were going to Goodwill after the meeting so I figured, what the heck. I'm hoping those 16's are just a couple months down the road. Reggie, I'm going to be realistic about the 6th. I think it's really far from me and unless there was someone close to me to carpool with, I know I won't make it. I'm doing the happy happy happy dance this morning! Stark nekid this morning 229.8!! I haven't seen the 220's in about three years. I have to be down about two more pounds so that I'll be 230 with clothes on Tuesday morning. I'll be there..... I'm gonna get a surgery date... I'm gonna get a surgery date... I'm gonna get a surgery date! :cursing:

Good luck with your surgery Mike and welcome to VST. This is a great website to get information. My Kaiser facility will not perform surgery on anyone that hasn't been quit for three months. They do testing before surgery.

Pat, I'm so excited for you!! Have you tried the Trader Joe's boxed broths? I just got a packet of Unjury chicken broth flavor protein powder to try. I don't know about straining the other soups since I'm still Mz. Pre-Op. Funny, this morning we weigh 10 pounds apart. I was 230.4. Tamra, hang in there baby. Just a few more days and this will get easier for you. Mz. Monique and I went to lunch with some Contra Costa people from Obesity Health.com I actually had a fun time and was glad we went! Mo,thanks for going with me!