MINI-Me

Sarah - I am at goal & got there in less than 9 months. Want to know something? I cheated BIG time in April (2+ months from my surgery date) - the Easter Candy was just too much temptation. I too felt like a failure. The worst was that I snuck around and ate it so no one would know I had already failed WLS. I came out here and confessed (a.k.a. begged for help). Got lots of support & "bootstrap" talk. Then, I told my husband. He was concerned that I felt the need to sneak & offered me any support I needed. I bawled like a baby & admitted I was stressed out and afraid to fail. Just being able to admit it out loud and knowing I had a tool that kept me from eating the whole basket was a HUGE eye opener for me. Having surgery didn't make us "perfect". BUT, it did give me a tool to manage my food intake. I've had times where I haven't made the best choices (Halloween was another slip up - I really do think they should outlaw Reese Cups)... but I don't have to throw in the towel just because I made one bad choice. The next meal can get me back on track. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! I KNOW YOU CAN!!!

You may have been reading from a poster who is only a few days out & still on liquids. Most people don't feel any restriction on liquids. And for some, not on mushies/purees. BUT, when you get to regular foods with Protein first, you will definitely know your stomach is a lot smaller. I still laugh at the ridiculously small portions that "fill me up" now. For instance, today's lunch was 2 Tortilla chips, the meat and cheese from a small taco, and 1 spoon of refried Beans. That was at 12:00 & 3 hours later I am still satisfied and not wanting my snack.

That is a NSV worthy of a post. You ROCK those stairs!!!!

Sorry no one talked to you. I try really hard to get on here each day & look for new posts, but sometimes they get "lost". Glad to hear that you are researching the sleeve. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. Harry Potter in 5 hours!!!!!

Congratulations. Great news about the knees and ankles. I've also battled knee pain for years - this surgery has helped so much. Thanks for keeping us posted.

We still eat out quite regularly. My husband does not need to lose weight, but he recognizes that food served at restuarants is much more than he really needs. So, we split a lot of meals. I love it when he is in the mood for steak - it just tastes so good & fills me up really well. If you don't want to split, look at the appetizer list or order something that is easy to take and reheat for future meals. Fortunately, I really haven't found foods that I "can't" eat. There are ones that I avoid due to calories or low nutrient value. At McDonalds, I usually asked for a grilled chicken breast (will sell for $2), apple dippers (no caramel), and drink Minute Maid light. If I'm feeling really wild and crazy I will order a 4 peice chicken nugget with the apple dippers. My son loves it because I order the Happy Meal and give him the toy.

I am so sorry. I can totally understand wanting to avoid that.

Thanksgiving is at my place this year as well. Everyone is pitching in with items, so I only have a few items to prepare (including the turkey). It's always a little distressing being the one responsible for the main dish, but I love the Reynolds Turkey Bags - hard to mess up with one of those. Also, I am a HUGE Black Friday girl. I'm one of the crazies who gets up in the middle of the night to do the sales. I spend most of Thanksgiving afternoon (when everyone is in their Turkey Coma) planning my strategy and finding the best sales. I'm a nut, but I LOVE IT. I've even convinced my husband to go out with me the past few years. We shop a while, go have Breakfast and then shop some more. Actually, I usually shop that day until the early evening. We go pick up the kids, have dinner, and then go home and CRASH. Can you tell how excited I am????? Hope everyone has a great day. I have 5:00 tickets for Harry Potter - so it should be a good night. And yes, I am having buttered popcorn!!! It's planned so I am not going to feel one bit guilty about it. (OK - maybe a little guilty, but I'm still gonna have it!)

I say buy Tiff a plane ticket & get this out in the air NOW!!!! He is disrespecting you and your relationship. You guys need to talk and talk sooner rather than later. Confront him with the lies, share your hurt & ask him what is REALLY going on.

Are you by chance using liquid Tylenol or Tylenol PM? For some reason, I get restless leg syndrome issues at night when I use those products. Odd huh?

Maybe just say that you are watching what you eat in an attempt to be healthier. Say that everything is so good that you want to take a small sample of each, but you are watching your calories and you've hit your limit with what is on your plate.

Tracy - Sorry I missed this post. Welcome to the board. I saw your other post about pysch eval. Mine was a little different, so I will let other chime in on their experiences (I took some weird tests & then we just talked an hour or so about my weight history & how I was going to be so successful with VSG.) If you have other questions, just ask away!

Awesome!!! Congratulationsm

Here's a copy of the above with an update from me. Yahoo!!!! SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Chilo1.............216...................169..............154................15 Dansha...........220..................220...............195................25;) DJackson........246.................246...............220................26 Filosophia Scandinavia...205...205.............187...............17 (Will be sleeved on the 30th November) Fit ..................290.................250.8..............235.8............15 GayleSBennett ....232.................201................189...............11 Good Luck everyone! =) Juliarh............303.6.................247..............225................22 Kgremmy........225..................221..............199................22 (being sleeved 12/14/10) Labrys............238..................208.................193...............15 Laylasmojo......242.................200.6.............185.............15.6 LilMissDiva........247...............245.2.............226..............19.2 Lisalu..............210..................137..............130.................7 Maddie............257.................167................147................20 merieri............240..................206...............190................16 Mini-Me...........203...................131.4..............125.................6.4 (Down 1.6 - This challenge is working!) Mommy2Girls....275..................256.............240...............16 mp8btpc.........199...................160...............145...............15 pattimomof3NJ.....203.4..........183.4............170...............13.4 (start NY on an even number!) Sleeve 4 me ...204...................176..............164...............12 Stacy160.........258..................174...............148...............16 StaySea........299...................299.................275.............24 twoboysandagirl..226..........212................199..............13(being sleeved 12/6)

With being at goal now ... I am concerned about the holidays. So ... thought I would start a post to see what others are planning to do the next few months with the holidays, people getting together, and all the food that seems to be EVERYWHERE. Here's what I am thinking for me: I've met my stated goal of 135, but think I can still go a bit lower. I will not go below 125 though - that seems too low for being 5'6" (and the fact that I promised my husband not to go any lower than that ). My plan is to continue eating like I have been (meaning 90% following plan and 10% allowing some "treats") through New Years. If I find that I'm losing too much, I'll move to maintenance & start adding more healthy foods to my daily eating. However, the old me is still here. I'm very concerned (ok - obsessing) about gaining during the holidays. I am hopeful that a mindful approach will keep that from happening. Plus, putting it out here in writing will keep me accountable to everyone else. Anxious to hear your thoughts as well...

That's a debatable issue ... some surgeons say no ... others say it's ok if there is no pain or issues. I've been drinking diet sodas since 3 months out & have had no issues. Just have to watch the caffeine so I don't dehydrate. Of course, listen to your surgeon and your plan.

If I looked like that at 190 pounds, I would have already stopped!!!! You look AWESOME!!!! Edit - Do this for YOU and you only. Let them have their petty comments. You and your surgeon know what is a healthy weight for you. Would they be qualified to tell you what your sugar levels should be or when to remove a cast if you broke your leg? Just smile, say thank you, and go on with your life. It will drive the petty ones crazy!

My experience as well - but more like an hour. And, wine makes me REALLY sleepy.

SN....................Starting Wt........Current..........Goal.......Lbs to Goal Chilo1...................216..............169.............154...........15 Dansha...................220..............220.............195...........25;) DJackson.................246..............246.............220...........26 Filosophia Scandinavia...205..............205.............187...........17 (Will be sleeved on the 30th November) Fit .....................290..............250.8...........235.8.........15 GayleSBennett ...........232..............201.............189...........11 Good Luck everyone! =) Juliarh..................303.6............247.............225...........22 Kgremmy..................225..............221.............199...........22 (being sleeved 12/14/10) Labrys...................238..............208.............193...........15 Laylasmojo...............242..............200.6...........185...........15.6 LilMissDiva..............247..............245.2...........226...........19.2 Lisalu...................210..............137.............130............7 Maddie...................257..............167.............147...........20 merieri..................240..............206.............190...........16 Mini-Me..................203..............132.............125............7 (1 down from start of challenge!) Mommy2Girls..............275..............256.............240...........16 mp8btpc..................199..............160.............145...........15 pattimomof3NJ............203.4............183.4...........170...........13.4 (start NY on an even number!) Sleeve 4 me .............204..............176.............164...........12 Stacy160.................258..............174.............148...........16

I did that with ice cream. Not a fun feeling at all. Glad you made it through and that it, um .... "flushed" out your system. Gotta love that 2.4 pound drop!!!!! I am down to 132 even this morning. Only 7 pounds to go on the Holiday Challenge!!!!

This will DEFINITELY go away!!!! You are falling right in line with what so many of us went through. That first month or so is so hard. Your body is recovering ... your emotions are all over the board ... and the first stall hits. Just keep going. Take it easy & don't expect too much too soon. You will get through this & it will be a blur soon. PROMISE!!!!!

Just a thought here ... and maybe this was already investigated ... But how much does Aetna allow for the surgery? If it's lower, then you 20% would be for the allowed amount, not the billed amount. For instance: Billed: $26,000 Allowed: $15,000 Deductible: 1,650.00 Aetna 80% Pay: $10,680 Your 20% Pay: $2,670 Your Total Out of Pocket - $4,320 I know it's still a lot, but it's less than the $5,200 + $1,650 deductible you estimated.

Interesting ... I didn't know they did the two procedures together. Won't that cause A LOT of restriction (and stress on the banded portion) if both are in place at the same time?