Becca

I do like the no snacking idea. I do have to have one snack in the afternoon because second graders drain me of my energy. I will eat like a maniac at dinner if I don't have something in my stomach. I am going to eat one Protein only snack in the afternoon. NO MORE popcorn or carbs for snacks!!!

Coops, I think it's awesome that you had a fun girl's night! Sometimes you just need to have a good time and cut loose! Diva, let us know how the kettleball workouts go-- I'm very curious! Becca, I have the snack demon as well. I am thinking that I should just accept that I am going to have a snack but make sure it's a healthy one (because I keep planning not to have a snack and end up eating something unhealthy). That might be a good route for you to try as well! OK, I am off to do my Sunday night laundry! Here's to an awesome February--just around the corner!

Okay, checking in over here and waiting for the day our lovely Coops tells us that she strutted her stuff at the pool!
I have some wonderful news to share!!!!
I FINALLY AM NO LONGER OBESE(according to the BMI scale!) WOW! I've been waiting over 15 months for that WORD to disappear from my medical profile. WOW.
However, this week was bad workout-wise and I'm wondering if that is partly why I finally slipped below >30 on the chart. My whole family has been sick, started with my oldest (11 yo) DD, she got strep. Then my hubby was sick. Then my youngest DD (9 yo) got strep and I finally went and got tested but it came back neg. So I muddled through the week, (starting feeling ill Mon. night) and today, Sun AM I think I am finally better. So I did not hardly work out at ALL this week, and I can feel it. I plan to get some exercise today, and again on Mon. and hopefully get back up to where I was before falling ill.
So other than being SICK, this was a great week since I finally am no longer medically obese!!! :horn:

Ok, just thought I would make this public...lol... I've bought myself a new swimming costume. Thought it was a good idea to go and now that I will have one that (hopefully) fits, it might spur me on to go and sort my head out...lol
All I need now is for you guys to nag me to go!! I should be here by the end of the week, so I am thinking the Friday after? That gives me two weeks to work on my head!!

Just absolutely *love* this! Wonderful advice from a wonderful lady!

Ok day today... felt hungry in work but sipped on Water to get rid of it! Good on carbs, Protein and cals today and I went to my boxing gym! No change on the scales yet but I am feeling good... *chants to herself, you must stay positive; you must stay positive: repeat as nec!*
How's everyone else doing...?

Posting private emails even without the name is very rude as this is a "public" forum.
As for the subject behind this thread, I don't get it. I use the quote button sometimes and will continue to if I am referencing a particular post. I don't think many people come here to "feel important". I think we just come here to learn from the vertical sleeve experiences of others.

I tried the gender diet to have a girl twice- and both times I had boys.
Then I gave up and figured there was nothing I could do to get the gender that I wanted- and low and behold I had a girl!

I know this must be hard for you, but I am so happy to hear you are having the surgery. I wish I could have had surgery at 18. I really feel like morbid obesity took away part of my happiness in my twenties. It is so great you will be spared that pain. I think telling friends that you are having laparoscopic surgery sounds like a good plan. Hopefully everything will go perfect and you will recover quickly. Please come here if you have any questions! You are making a great decision.

Your fears are normal. food has so many emotional ties and it can be hard to let it go. You wouldn't have had the surgery if you knew deep down you could do this on your own. We all can lose weight on diets but keeping it off is the hard part. The sleeve be there for you all the time helping you to change your life. You will enjoy food again, just in way smaller amounts. Once you see your body transforming, your feelings will change. Living life is so much better than eating it away. Hugs. You will get through this.

There are certain situations where sometimes you have to pay full price. We had a work get together with catered food and I paid the same price even though I only ate about 1/4 of everyone else there. People would have been mad if I asked to pay a reduced rate in that situation. With Church, I would feel like the money is going to a good cause. Just my opinion though. I can understand your point.

Instead of drinking that straight nasty chicken or beef broth, simply buy a normal size can of campbells chicken noodle soop and strain out the noodles and meat. I did it into a coffee cup and nuked it. Tastes SO much better than straight broth and actually has more Protein in it this way.
Thats my take on the broth.
B

First of all, YAY that you are so close to getting sleeved!!! I know how hard the preop diet is. I was an emotional mess when I was on it. I recommend keeping lots of the foods you are allowed for Snacks to help when you are hungry. I visited this forum lots and watched Youtube videos to help. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! It is a huge challenge, but it is SO WORTH IT! The sleeve WILL change your life.

First of all, YAY that you are so close to getting sleeved!!! I know how hard the preop diet is. I was an emotional mess when I was on it. I recommend keeping lots of the foods you are allowed for Snacks to help when you are hungry. I visited this forum lots and watched Youtube videos to help. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! It is a huge challenge, but it is SO WORTH IT! The sleeve WILL change your life.

AMAZING!!!!

Your body is adjusting to all of the changes and recovering from surgery. Just be patient and you will see the loss. Most of us have hit a stall here or there. The weight will come off again! Start walking if you haven't already. That really helps.

How great is that!!! Yay! I am so happy for you.

I'm open to help, assist, butt kick, pat you on the back... all that.
I absolutely believe in this tool with all my heart! It has done for me what I couldn't do for myself nor even the lap band was able to do for me either. It was the best find and I can't say enough how it's given me my life back!!!
I won't say I know everything, because I DON'T! But in my career I always say, if I don't know the answer - someone else does. I'd like to open the discussion for anyone who needs someone to listen or to answer those millions of questions that come with this life altering surgery.
Blessings to all!!! Your dreams are at your doorstep now with the VSG.

You might try upping your calories. 800 seems kind of low. It's worth a try. Good luck and keep us posted!

I ate like crazy right before my sleeve surgery. I thought that I wasn't going to be able to eat anymore. It is totally normal. The sleeve surgery changed my life! (And I had a band,which did not help me much at all, except to make me feel like more of a failure). With the sleeve, the ghrelin is reduced way down. I believe that is what took away my obsession with food. Then your stomach is so small, that you are forced to change your eating habits. You don't have a choice. You are going to do great. I know February seems like far off, but it will be here before you know it. I am so happy you are making this life changing decision. We will be here to support you!

The head hunger gets better once you can eat real food again. There are days when I still have the head hunger at a year out. Usually I just will eat a bite of what I am wanting and then I am through. My sleeve always wins!

OMG! I thought it was just me being too fat!
I hear ya on the "hurts the ribcage". Plus, if I ever got the thing on I'd never be able to go to the bathroom ALL day! Whomever is in the stall next to me would think I'm wrestling alligators in the loo just trying to put the thing back on.

LOL! I was thinking the same thing. How about show us how it will actually look and work on one of us at our goal weight at least!

I don't know but one thing I am sure of, the people they have modeling the stuff sure as hell don't NEED it.

Sorry, just had to vent

Hello fellow sleevers,
just thought I would start a thread for all those who want to get to goal in 2012, regardless of where we are in the process.
I posted it the 'Slow Loser' thread, because that is what I am!! (I am not complaining by the way, just pleased to be a loser...lol)
For me to get there, I know that at 18mths out I need to be strict, accountable and have support from those in the same 'place', who understand that the sleeve isn't a miracle but a tool.
I have done well so far, but the weight hasn't 'melted' off me and since 6mths post op I have had to fight for each and every pound. At first it made me a little bitter, frustrated and I started to get into a 'dark place' about it, now the scale victory tastes sooooo sweet!
I have taken the month of December 'off'... I needed to rest from the constant worry of food, cals, Water, carbs and protein... my head was spinning and I was starting to feel very frustrated and overwhelmed at not being at goal again. I needed time out!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas period and I have eaten what I wanted and when I wanted it; this includes ALL foods, no food was off limit and I let my sleeve do its job! The quantity was low but I still enjoyed every mouthful. Interestingly, I found that my cravings were satisified very quickly... 1 or 2 biscuits/sweets, and so on, hit the spot, instead of 5,6,7,... you get the picture. Subconscious damage limitation? I don't know but I like it!
I have learnt a lot by doing this. I now know that I can eat a little more if I 'try'... I know that I can enjoy food again without feeling guilty and I know that food doesn't have to be the enemy. So, with all that, what was the outcome? Yep, I have gained 2lbs above my personal bounce! Oops!
I am not, in the slightest, worried about this because I KNOW what is the cause... sugar and salt! And this time, I am sure it will come off as quick as it went on!
So, what is the plan?
Per my surgeon's instructions: I am going back to basics... yep that ole one...lol
3 meals a day - no snacking.
Weighing my meals between 6-8oz depending on what is on the plate.
Protein first, followed by veggies.
Plenty of water.
A limit of 1000 cals a day.
Continue with my exercise - boxing twice a week, gym in work 1-2 times a week (depending on work load) and walking my dog (just over a 2 mile circuit). The exercise is the only thing that I have stuck to in December... I actually enjoy it now!!

As a side note, and I ain't sure if my American friends can get this, but here in the Uk, on SKY there are a few fitness channels. I have recorded some aerobic workouts that are really good... they're free and can be done at home... this is saving me some money on classes and DVDs and if I don't like the workout I can delete and look for another!! Bonus!!
Ok, who is ready to join me on the final stretch to goal... hope on board and enjoy the ride my friends...