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Doctor said when I felt up to it. (That would've been day 10 ) Hubby said my libido is at an all time high. Little does he know it will get a lot higher. LOL..... Deb

I just made Burbon chicken. It is wonderful. I wanted to try this receipe however it was carb loaded for my taste. So I subsituted the brown sugar with splenda brown sugar and omited the apple juice. Not sure how much the carbs were lowered. By using the receipe the way it is the carb count is 23.4 grams. So I figured what the hay, and give it a shot. Also I used the low sodium soy sauce. (no rice or noodles. I did use green pepper, mushrooms, celery, onion and broccoli. Once sauce is ready place the veges in and simmer for 5-8 minutes. Then add chicken and simmer another 10-15 minutes) Enjoy!!! Deb 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces 1 -2 tablespoon olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed 1/4 teaspoon ginger 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 cup apple juice 1/3 cup light brown sugar 2 tablespoons ketchup 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1/2 cup Water 1/3 cup soy sauce 1 Heat oil in a large skillet. 2 Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned. 3 Remove chicken. 4 Add remaining ingredients, heating over medium Heat until well mixed and dissolved. 5 Add chicken and bring to a hard boil. 6 Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes

http://www.ghc.org/all-sites/clinical/criteria/pdf/vertical_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf

All you can do is research and trust in your Surgeon's decision and choice that he/she will be using for your surgery. My surgeon used a 40 fr bougie on me. I am very happy with what I have lost so far. Yes I asked why so big? His reply was the difference between a 36 and 40 was just mm. That he felt it would benefit my loss. I trusted his decision in this choice for me. He did over sew the staple line. Which made the 40 a 38. ( In my mind anyway LOL) This journey is what you put into it will be what you get out of it. I give it everything I got everyday. I understand that the potential for re-gain is with all wls not just with the sleeve. I know that this is a lifetime change not just for the moment. The changes we make are for the long run. I live to be stronger, healthier and wiser for the choices I make everyday. Good luck with your journey. Deb

Woke up Sunday just like any other day. Felt fine a little tired. (been working a lot of overtime) so sent hubby off to work. Began the ritual of cleaning, out of no where came this evil woman. I have never acted like that. I knew this time was coming, i just wasn't expecting anything like that. What intensified this day was the end of TOM. Oh boy I was so horrible to my husband on the phone he didn't have a clue. I so apologized to him. He laughed and said he now knows what to be on the look out for. He had no idea what came over me. He honestly thought I went over the edge. (straight jacket stuff) Way too much estrogen here. Hope next month isn't as bad. Deb

Two weeks for me. I was ready after one. Some mild discomfort not bad. Deb

I am sorry if I offended anyone with a band. I was just making a statement. She expressed how she wished she had the sleeve and could not get it with her insurance. She did not seem happy with her choice and was telling me how many problems she has had. Which is the reason I did not choose the band. Everyone has their reasons for their choices. As for the weight loss, she was not happy with that either. She expressed how disappointed she was. That it wasn't what she had hoped for. I am happy that you have done so well with the band. You are one of the lucky ones that hasn't had any problems with your band. It seems you have done an amazing job. Some just aren't that lucky or are happy with their choice.

Yesterday I went to get my nails done. My nail tech ( which is my hair dresser too.) had a new customer. She has the lap band. Well it was my turn and I was discussing how two co workers are almost there to be sleeved. And the new lady commented oh you have the sleeve??!!! I said yes I do. And I just love it!!! She proceeded to tell me of all the problems she is having. If she swallows air and she has eaten she has to make herself throw up. I just thought to myself how horrible. I almost got the band. Soooo glad I didn't. Anyway she told me how she wanted the sleeve but BCBS of Florida did not cover it as it was not FDA approved. I just felt bad. Now here is the kicker.... She has had the band for four years and has lost only 80 pounds!!!! I was like OMG!!!!! really????? How could that be???? I am so glad I have my sleeve. ( the crazy part of this whole conversation is there was a RNY, Lap Band and a sleeve at the same table.) I would've never imagined.... Deb

LOOK AT YOU!!! Amazing!!!!! Fantastic!!!! You are so rockin' your sleeve!!!!!! Deb

Five weeks is what I did on full liquids. Yes it seems like a long time. There is a reason behind the madness. NO CHUNKS is what I was told. As the chunks of food can get lodged/stuck in between the staple line. You don't want that to happen. Please strain your Soups and other foods that you puree. The five weeks will go by quickly. Take it easy. Relax. Deb

I did a lot of walking. I just kept moving, the gas x strips did nothing for me. The more I moved the better it became. It will get better. Deb

Okay here are some PICS after 50 pounds.. I'm so PROUD!!!!!!

I'm extremely excited this morning!!! I have officially shed my first fifty pounds! I feel great! What a difference!!!! Just so happy!!!!!

Protein, protein, protein. Fluids. Exercise even if it is walking. I'm a little over 12 weeks out. I'm lifting weights now. It feels wonderful. I have eliminated certain carbs from my diet. I do eat watermelon, lettuce and a little tomato. I haven't had bread, potatoes or Pasta since before my surgery. And I don't miss or crave them. I also don't miss sodas either. It's been almost a year since I had a mtn. Dew or pepsi. I think giving up all of those has made my transition a lot easier than if I didn't give any of those up. I don't regret having the sleeve done at all. Deb

Okay, I have been re-introducing veges and fruits back into my diet. Fresh of course. No canned or pre packaged. I like lettuce and watermelon Oh so good on a hot Florida day. I did have grilled tuna steak on a small bed of lettuce( a pinch of lettuce and spinach) and one small ( I do mean small ) piece of Tomato. Dressing was 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of red wine vinegar. Now for two days I have eaten the exact same thing and lost 1 1/2 pounds. I do not get a "heavy" feeling but a more satisfied feeling. Not sure why. But I think Mahi and scallops are on the menu for tomorrow. Maybe a little grilled shrimp too. Deb

I started with 102-105 pounds to lose. So far I have lost 45 pounds. ( I haven't weighed this week) with that amount to lose would I be considered a lite weight? By that I mean is it possible that I would lose the total weight or as some say only about 60-70 pounds? I have read so many different opinions on this subject that it is giving me a migraine. To be straight I do not indulge in what put me at that weight to begin with. I abide by the guidelines that were put in front of me. So with that my brain is thinking yes you can lose every bit of the excess weight. However, I am second guessing myself I know that I shouldn't . I am very strict on what I eat and the exercise that I do. But I do. Thanks everyone for responding. I won't let this ruin my day. Deb

Okay. I have read different topics on this question.(at what point does the weight loss slow down) I have read where it is after six months, one year. And it depends on the individual. Well I had a converstion with my hair dresser ( who had RNY) she had said to me that now that I have reached my three month mark my weight loss will slow way down. Now if I'm not mistaken, I was to understand that the honeymoon period can be anywhere between a year and eighteen months. Then the weight loss will slow down. So, am I to believe the articles and the individuals that have lived this period or my hair dresser ( that seems to be hell bent on dissing the sleeve???) I think I'll go with the articles and the ones who have lived it. She seems to be another hater of the sleeve. She was doe eyed when I told her how much weight I lost. She is almost four years out and still not at goal. So yea I'm sticking with the ones who have lived it. Deb

No to the sweating. Yes to the hiccups. When I get that one hiccup I stop eating. That is my signal I'm done eating. I find that is my cut off point. I do not eat till I'm stuffed. I feel satisfied with my one hiccup. Don't know if that will be a forever thing or just temporary. Don't know if that helps or not. Deb

For a week I have been battling this one pesky pound. Back and forth we went trying to just reach an understanding , that it needed to go away. With much Water amd exercise it stuck to me like glue. No matter what I did, there it was, laughing at me. So on Sunday like every Sunday I start washing my car and drinking a lot of water ( this Florida heat can dehydrate you in a new York minute) I then proceeded to wax the car. Well wouldnt you know it I weigh myself this morning amd ta-da that one pound has taken the hint that it wasn't needed. So glad to see it go. Deb

Welcome Leslie, everyone here would love to help answer your questions. Just ask away. Deb

Amazing!!!! Well Said!!!!!

Congrats Smiles!!!! Dr. Jawad's team is great!!!! Love Sue at ORMC. She is so nice. Keep in touch! Deb

Okay, I promised myself that I wouldn't try and or buy any new clothes for awhile. (Until I shed my first 50 pounds) I needed new shoes to wear to the gym this evening. So I went and picked up my mom and we went to the mall. As we were working our way to the checkout, mom said,"Hey Deb what size are you now?" I said, "I really don't know mom. I haven't tried on any clothes in a long time." She grabs two pairs of jeans and said here try these, If they fit I'll get them for you. Not seeing what she grabed I was like oh boy. I went into the fitting room I was nervous, anxious and excited all in one. They fit!! So I went from the size 18 spandex jeans from lee riders, to size 16 levis (NON SPANDEX). Now granted I may only wear them for a month. But it damn sure feels good knowing and seeing how much smaller I am now. I haven't worn a 16 IN YEARS!!!!! OH YEAH!!!!!! Deb

Okay, I promised myself that I wouldn't try and or buy any new clothes for awhile. (Until I shed my first 50 pounds) I needed new shoes to wear to the gym this evening. So I went and picked up my mom and we went to the mall. As we were working our way to the checkout, mom said,"Hey Deb what size are you now?" I said, "I really don't know mom. I haven't tried on any clothes in a long time." She grabs two pairs of jeans and said here try these, If they fit I'll get them for you. Not seeing what she grabed I was like oh boy. I went into the fitting room I was nervous, anxious and excited all in one. They fit!! So I went from the size 18 spandex jeans from lee riders, to size 16 levis (NON SPANDEX). Now granted I may only wear them for a month. But it damn sure feels good knowing and seeing how much smaller I am now. I haven't worn a 16 IN YEARS!!!!! OH YEAH!!!!!! Deb

Okay I gave In to my hubby as he wanted to join a gym. I was like okay we can go check it out. We have a treadmill, bow flex and free weights here at home. I have been dilligent with my routine not missing a day working out. But he wanted to go and talk to someone. He decided we should join, I checked out the classes that are offered on the weekend as right now I am working some mad overtime. I would like to be at goal before my next visit with my surgeon. (Oct. 24th) He (hubby) said that he wants me to be at goal before my next visit too. Now that made me feel so good. Knowing that he is so supportive and willing to do this with me. He has even changed his eating habits, and he has lost 30 pounds. We even get a personal trainer for three sessions for free. I know this will keep me in check. I am so hoping it will fast track the weightloss as well. More machines to target specific areas and toning. We will see. Deb