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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!

Hello everyone, I finally got my date on Wednesday! I'm being Sleeved on February 8th. Anyone else being Sleeved that week? How are you doing in getting ready? Last week I was filled with anxiety as I had to go for my final weigh in to get scheduled for surgery. I had a terrible time sleeping as I just worried that I wouldn't make it. After finishing my pre-op class on Thursday and having my physical, the anxiety just melted away. I know I've made the right choice and I'm excited to get it on! Last night I started cleaning out my closet and making piles. Dump, Donate, Consignment Shop. I found so many things that have been in the back of the closet that I haven't been able to wear since 2006 when I gained weight. Lot's of other things that haven't fit in way longer than that. What was I thinking in keeping them? At my pre-op class, the case manager this week said that we'll be replacing everything, down to our shoes and not to buy anything until the current clothes are falling off. This morning I woke up at had the urge (crazy, I know!) to clean the fridge of all the salad dressings etc that I won't be using anymore. I feel like everything in me just wants to get ready. I'm staring down my desk for cleaning this afternoon. It all just feels like a fresh start to me and I want to get rid of anything that makes me feel cluttered in. I've been tossing things so fast all week. I don't have a pre-op diet except to eat 1200 calories a day and stay at my pre-surgery goal weight of 230 on Kaiser's scale the morning of surgery. That means I need to be at 227 or 228 on my home scale. This morning I was up to 229.4 so I need to really be careful or they'll cancel my surgery. It's actually great because it gets rid of all thoughts of "last supper syndrome". How are the rest of you doing?

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.

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.

Congratulations Charity! You must be so happy!! :smile:

Hi Katldy, I just wanted to say congratulations on setting a date!! What a great step you're taking to improved health. I'm still pre-op so can't really help alleviate her fears, but from everything I've read on both this board and OH, people do great in Mexico!

My Kaiser program is different from the others that I've read. At orientation everyone is given a 1200 calorie a day diet to follow, to help us get to our pre-surgery goal weight. The recommendations are lower carb than most people coming into the program, but some carbs are allowed. Other than that, there are no liquid diets or anything else. Last meal by 6pm the night before, eat light for the last few days. I think the difference is that we have to lose weight to get a surgery date, while for others, the two week (or whatever length of time) pre-op diet takes care of getting some pounds off.

Pat, Robin said the same thing today. My surgery is Monday so I'll advance to Stage 2 on Friday. Surgery day is day zero. Pat, I bet you wake up feeling a little better tomorrow. Coco, so great to meet you and John today. Duh!! Why didn't we have a camera and get our pic taken together? I went to work, then got a call saying that Dr. Im is out this week and they rescheduled my pre-op history with Dr. Park for 4:30 today. That made 4x at Kaiser since Tuesday. I think I'm done now! At least now I'm ready to go. I hardly slept last night, so I'm exhausted now and can't wait to relax and sleep. John, what happened in your noon meeting today? Candra, congrats on finally feeling your band, in a good way! Maria, it looks like you're doing terrific and you're rocking that band. Way to go. Hey Mo, the contra costa women said to tell you hello. That's all my brain can hold for now... sweet dreams everyone PS.. Nicole, I'm holding you and your family in my prayers.

Congratulations!! I can't wait to watch your wonderful progress.

Hi Sarah, I wanted to come give you a hug. How you're feeling sounds completely reasonable to me. I don't know how we'll feel afterwards, because my Sleeve is 10 days before yours. I do know that when I'm eating poorly, I feel really unattractive. I'm so tired of yoyo dieting. I know that once the weight starts coming off and I want to move and exercise more, I'll feel better about myself and have more self-confidence. We're not having this surgery because of great eating habits. It's not surprising to want to slip back into old habits as surgery gets closer. All of this is a scary process, regardless of how exciting. I have to be at my pre-surgery goal weight on the 8th or they'll cancel my surgery and send me home. For me that's a great incentive to just keep eating healthy. Keep posting about how you're feeling. I know everyone can relate.

Twobluecats, this is a great report to read. My program doesn't allow protein shakes or supplements but wants us to get all of our protein requirements from food. I'd love to read about what you eat over the course of a day or two. Do you post your food anywhere?

Judy, you look terrific! Work out clothes are good! :laugh0:

Suzanne and Rosebud, Thank you for posting these awesome results. Congratulations to you both. I'm 59 and having the sleeve in 10 days. I hope to see great results too!