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I wanted to FINALLY post a pic. The before picture is a couple days after surgery...probably about 300 pounds. In progress photo is my current picture (on my way to the gym) at 208. I am 5'6" My highest weight was 311 before surgery, but got down to 298 on my 1 week liquid diet for surgery day.

I had my 6 month follow-up appointment with my surgeon and nutritionist yesterday. It was basically a waste of time. The receptionist and nurses were all shocked when they saw me, said they barely recognized me. That felt nice. The scale said 189, so they have me as an 85 lb loss. I still go by my home scale, which puts me at an 88 lb loss. He said I was doing great. I mentioned that people were telling me that I was losing too much weight and needed to stop, and he told me 'tell people to shut up, you're doing great'. I then went in to see the nutritionist. She is basically useless, I could do her job at this point. I asked her how I stop the weight loss. She said "I don't know, I hope it will just stop on its own". I pressed her further, and she said "You could try eating more". I told her I can't eat more than I do now. She said "You can try eating more often, more snacks". I said I could try, but that it was already hard to space my eating and drinking apart to get in enough liquids. She said "You can try adding in some more carbs, maybe some oatmeal or potatoes." I said sure, even though I know if I eat them, I won't be getting to my protein goals. Oh well, guess I'll have to figure it out on my own. She said that I should try to make it to one of the support group meetings they have once a month. Not that I need the support, but that I would be an inspiration to all the people who go to them. I will try to make the next one, but it's hard because it's at the same time as my son's drum lessons. The best thing about the appointment was that I got my gold star. My surgeon gives you a keychain when you start your journey. When you lose 10% of your total weight, you get a bronze star. 20% gets you a silver star, and 30% a gold star. I've attached a pic of the keychain and stars here. It's kind of a cheesy idea, but gives a sense of accomplishment.

I lost 6 pounds in August. All by myself! I did have a fill, but i don't notice any difference ... so that means the 6 pounds I lost this month were all on my own! I am so happy. This really motivates me because if I can lose six pounds all by myself, imagine how much I will lose with my next fill ... maybe 8 pounds! I can't believe I'm losing weight. And I can't believe how happy I am.

Today I met with my surgeon. This was the second time of every talking with him. The first time was 6 months ago. I was excited to go back in and show him how hard I have worked these past 6 months. The nurse was so nice and so positive. She complimented my dress and said too bad it won't fit you much longer. : ) Happy thought! I weighed in at 222 making it a total of 48 pounds loss since my first appointment last February! Dr. Ku came in and was so great to talk with. He said he could hardly recognize me from the photo that they had taken back on that first appointment. (New hair style, new hair color, and weight loss). The Dr. went over my test results from my EKG and Blood work. Everything was in the normal ranges. So it is full steam ahead. The next time I will see Dr. Ku will be Wednesday morning September 11th for SURGERY! After work today I went to savemart and stocked up on my vitamins, Calcium Citrate, B12 and protein mix. Everything came to $160. That was painful, but think of the grocery money that we won't be spending, not to mention eating out. I have been getting a lot of support from my co-workers at work. I am glad I shared about my surgery, because at first I wasn't so sure I wanted anyone to know. Now I tell everyone who will listen!

So I have completed all the testing require by my surgeon.Today I went to my family doc. she is clearing me for surgery. I am nervous about making the decision. I know it is the right thing to do. But I worry about how I am going to be able to handle all the changes to come. Obviously I have not been successful at dieting or I wouldn't be here. This is what I am worried about..... I like food, I enjoy going to happy hour and I love having a glass of wine when my husband and I cook.How is this going to work? ​We have a family wedding, a visit to my daughter college the holidays,do I tell family and coworkers etc... The positives of this surgery are.. my body will not be in as much pain as it is now (arthritis, fibromyalgia ,asthma) I hope to have more energy,and of course my clothes will look better on me .I am not sure if I will qualify according to my insurance plan. My BMI is 37 but as of this moment my blood sugar is high, heart rate was high .But I do not have diabetes(yet) High Blood pressure or sleep apnea. I will find out around the 3rd week of September 2013. I will be blogging to keep my self sane. only my daughters and hubby know that I am considering this so you are my connection to people who will understand.

Hi! I just wanted to introduce myself. I've been thinking about vsg since 2009. doubted getting it done after getting 90% of the process done then decided not to. Now I'm all in for it and almost ready to go. All I need is to get the stress test done so my doctor can clear me for surgery. She needs that because I've complained to her about chest pain when I'm rushing up the stairs (as I live in a 6th fl walk up bldg). I scheduled everything fast. I had everything scheduled for August. within 2 weeks all my appointments were done. I'm getting it done at St Lukes Hospital in Harlem, NY. I switched my insurance from Health First to Affinity because they don't require the 6mo weigh-in or supervised diet. I have an appointment to see Dr. Koshy on Oct 3rd to get my surgery date and submit paperwork to insurance. I am anxious and so ready to finally get this done. I want to be able to enjoy my kids and engage in the outdoors activities and not just sit down and watch. that's my main reason to do this. MY KIDS!

Well I did! I am ending the month of August right…. I am going on a Family Trip! Once again my mom plans a nice getting away for the family. Where are we going? Branson Missouri! I am too excited because me and my family really needed this. So what is my plan for this trip? I have packed healthy snacks for the road. I grab a couple of packets of tuna so if we do stop at a fast food restaurant on our way there I will order a salad and add the tuna in the salad. I will try my best to make good food choices when we eat out and I have my restaurant card handy. I will work out for an hour each day that I am there. Well my parents will be here soon but I wanted to give you guys an update. I almost forgot I didn’t buy the kids ice cream but they did get suckers. There at 60 calories in a tootsie roll pop! Who knew? Thanks for reading.

I checked in to the hospital earlier than anticipated Monday, Aug. 26th (they called and said they had a cancellation and could I come in early!). After a few hours of prep and waiting and more waiting, I was finally wheeled away. Surgery went quickly, doc said about an hour and NO hiatal hernia to repair after all! Apparently sometimes the endoscopy will pick something up but then when they actually get in there, there's nothing to sew up. Recovery was long for me. I had a hard time waking up from the anesthesia. I was in a ton of pain and almost collapsed when they got me out of bed the first time to go to the bathroom (no catheter for me) but thank goodness for my husband and a strong nurse that held on tight. First night was rough - not going to lie. I wasn't prepared for the pain from the gas they fill your tummy up with. I have 6 2 inch incisions on my stomach and no bandages! I came home yesterday the 27th and took my pain pills religiously thru the night to allow me to sleep. Each hour gets easier and easier pain wise. I'm up and walking a bit and doing 2 oz. or protein shakes at the top of each hour and as much water as I can get in. My daughter just shared her chicken noodle soup broth with me and it was HEAVEN. It feels very strange at first to have anything going down to the stomach pouch but I'm getting used to it. I weighed 266 going in to surgery and gained a few pounds from the gas, fluids, etc. but my weight is going down quickly. I can't eat until 9/19 when I go back for my 3 week appointment but I'm prepared with all my shakes and supplements, etc. I'm so happy to have the actual surgery behind me and be moving on. And I can't say enough about the staff at Swedish Hospital in Seattle - they are AMAZING!

Recipe adapted from my favorite Indian cookbook, Raghavan Iyer's 660 Curries. If you love to cook and are willing to spend a little extra time to make sure everything is made fresh and authentically, this is the one to choose. Best places to get all the spices are either whole foods, central market, or other stores that have spice bins, or an indian grocery store. Ingredientss 2 tbsp Coriander seeds 1 tsp cumin seeds 1/2 tsp whole black cloves 1/2 tsp cardomom seeds from green/white pods 2 dried bay leaves 3 dried red chiles or 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or red chile flakes (the kind you put on pizza) 1 2-3 inch piece cinnamon Method 1.Put all ingredients into a clean coffee grinder and grind until it's a coarse-fine powder. I use a this type of coffee grinder. Shake it about as it's being ground so all the seeds and bits get under the blades. 2. When you're finished, unplug the grinder, and turn it upside down. You want all the spice to collect into the lid so you can easily scoop it out without cutting yourself playing about around the blades. 3. Finished! Use in the palak paneer recipe I have posted as well as the chicken curry recipe.

Ingredients 8 oz halibut steak 1 carrot, peeled & julienned 1/2 Leek (I know, what will you do with the rest?? I will come up with a diff recipe for it) peeled & julienned 1/2 Red pepper, peeled & julienned 2 sprigs fresh tarragon or 1 tsp dried tarragon 1.5 tsp butter 1 tbsp vermouth (option) Salt Pepper Method 1. Saute vegetables in 1 tsp of butter. Don't brown them, just soften 2. Place halibut on parchment paper 3. Place sauteed vegetables on top. 4. Cut up the remaining half tbsp of butter into little pats and place them over the fish and vegetables. 5. Sprinkle with vermouth if using, salt and pepper. 6. Seal parchment paper into a bundle as shown in the picture and curl up the edges 7. Put on a cookie sheet and bake in 400 degree for 15 minutes. 8. Let the fish rest for 5 minutes. Make a big deal of opening the packet on the table and inhale in the wonderful aromas. In my house, this feed two new sleevers and a 90-year old---with leftovers! Probably feeds 2 adult sleevers and a child is my guess.