MINI-Me

Best wishes for a terrific wedding. Enjoy yourselves. Everyone should be married the way they want to be married - not like everyone else wants. Can't wait to see pictures!!!!!

You are definitely in the right place. Any questions, just ask.

I was advised to eat 2oz of Protein at each meal. When I first started, this was a bite or two too much, so I would deduct a bit from that portion. Now, I've been eating a consistent 2oz. While I won't say it's really like hunger (at least pre-surgery hunger), I don't seem to stay full as long as just a week ago. I even contemplated having a non-planned snack. To be honest, that scared the crap out of me. Here I am a little over a month out & I'm thinking of snacking?!??!!?!? My plan says I should be eating 4-6oz a meal now. 6oz sounds like a full banquet, but I was wondering if I should go to 3oz??? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Anyone have any suggestions of when you started increasing your portion sizes? Thanks in advance.

Too funny!

Yes, you are normal. You will see it come back gradually each week. I'm still exhausted by the time I get to sit down each night, but I get up at 5am & usually don't sit down until 8pm. Two weeks ago, I was much worse!!!! I promise it gets better.

I work a full time job and am the mother of 3. By the time I work, get dinner on the table, pack lunches, etc. I am EXHAUSTED. I'm just giving myself time to heal and get back my energy levels. So, I haven't started walking yet, but I am losing. Maybe slower than some, but a good pace for me. I hope to get started in a walking routine in a few weeks.

I'm 24 pounds down & feeling great about the changes to my body. Happiness? I don't know if I measure my happiness by my weight. But, I do judge it by what I can and can't do. Before surgery, I couldn't participate in a lot of physical activity - and with 3 boys and a husband, there is a lot of that in my family. So, will my quality of life improve? I believe so. Will that help me to be happier? I believe so. I'll touch back this summer & let you know how hiking with my boys goes!

It looks like you live in Texas. I've seen some pretty amazing deals from there, but I don't know about surgeons. Any Texan sleevers out there that might be able to provide some local or somewhat local options?

In my opinion, that really is the best approach. I said this in another thread, but I really can't figure out why taste change - they worked on our stomachs, not our tastebuds. But reality is, taste do seem to change. (Maybe I will finally like brussel sprouts? :sad0:)

I was able to get down almost 3 ounces last night. And, was full the rest of the evening. No thoughts of snacking at all. Yeah!!!!!!!! I'll keep watching this & keep you guys posted with my progress. Thanks for your support!!!

I had a very hard time with Protein and finding one that would not produce a gag reflux. And, I tried A LOT. I finally found 2 that may help out: Flavorless Any Whey - [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Instantized-Protein-2-7-Pound/dp/B000GIUQOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1267727884&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: Optimum Nutrition 100% Any Whey Instantized Whey Protein, 2.7-Pound Tub: Health & Personal Care[/ame] unjury chicken Soup -https://www.unjury.com/store/protein/protein-containers/chickensoup-protein-container.html I add a 1/2 scoop of the Any Whey with my carbmaster yogurt (Fred Meyers or Kroger) to give me 80 calories with 21 grams of protein. The soup is like salty chicken broth. I mix it with 3/4 cup of warm (not hot!) Water and drink it down - another 21 grams of protein for 90 calories. (You can buy sample packs from their website. That way you don't have to invest a lot to see if you like it.) I truly wish you luck. I searched for several weeks before I found something. I felt desperate and alone - just keep looking for what works for you. As far as adding protein without (many) carbs, try fresh meats. Pork Loin, Tuna Fish, Tiff's Protein Meatloaf, etc. GOOD LUCK!

I think I could have written this myself. I keep telling my husband that "it's just too much trouble to eat". Last night I went to my favorite Mexican restaurant. I ordered a taco with just beef and cheese and a side of refried Beans. Mind you - this is my FAVORITE restaurant, but I didn't like the taste of the meat. :sad0: I think Tiff is right - we need to experiment with recipes and spices. I had no idea that this would affect my tastebuds. I wonder why it does???

Take a deep breath. I know your heart is breaking right now, but you want to be in the best health possible before undergoing major surgery. Now let out that breath ... any chance you can get in this week & not have to wait the entire weekend?

I agree with Tiff. Above was my guideline for 31+ days out, but I have yet to add nuts, plain/grilled chicken, steak, or raw veggies. The stories have scared me too much. I figure it can't hurt to push them out longer, but it could hurt to go too fast. I think we all have to listen to our bodies when we make the transition decisions.

Thanks Tiff. I really needed that today.

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm going to start tonight with increasing to 3oz & see if that helps keep me satisfied longer. It's amazing how much can change in just a week's time. I have to admit, I fell into temptation & had a Girl Scout Thin Mint. I chewed the heck out of it & put it down on MyFitnessPal.com. I figured if I was going to cheat, I was going to be accountable for it in "writing". Oh well, I'm not going to beat myself up for one cookie - at least it wasn't an entire sleeve.

Sounds like you are right on track! I wouldn't change anything with your diet as long as you are losing on a consistent basis. GREAT JOB!

So today makes 1 month past surgery and time to take my measurements. I was floored by the results: Waist - down 5.25 inches Hips - down 3.5 inches Right Thigh - down 2.25 inches Left Upper Arm - down 1.25 inches Neck - down 0.5 inches Under breasts - down 2.75 inches Breast cups - down 3.25 inches (well, that's not such a good one :frown1:) Grand total loss? 18.75 inches gone forever. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A friend of mine is a dog trainer. She carries around 2 big labs and her equipment in one. (Yep! I really need a job as a MINI salesperson - I would have sooooo much fun all day.)

Mine was self-pay. If it had been billed to insurance the price would have been mid-$20K (needing to meet certain guidelines & paperwork, etc), but the labs and such would have been the same. Pysch visit was $275.00 and Labs/PCP visit was about $500.00

You are welcome. I really could have written that same opening topic in mid-January. Trust in your research and your surgeon. Things will go great!

Shhhhh Tiff - please don't let our husbands know this. :crying:

I was so where you were 1 month and 5 days ago. I kept saying "You don't know how hungry I get - this may not work for me". My pysch and dr just smiled at me. They knew it would work. And, they were right. You will need to learn the difference in head and real hunger. At first, it can be hard & I really have to question myself sometimes. But, the signals are getting easier to interpret everyday. But, the only way to prove it to you is to have you experience it. You WILL LOVE your sleeve!

I think you have to let him process it a bit. Be there for him, answer his questions, but give him some time. You've been thinking about this for some time & you know your struggles. For him, you are mom & he thinks you are great the way you are. He hasn't thought about it all like you live it every day. My kids are 8, 16, and 19 - The youngest one was concerned, but he did ok after a week or so of talking about it. The older ones were in-tune enough with me to know my family struggles (they lost their grandfather last year from obesity related issues) to know it was a good thing for me. I know it's not an easy answer, but he will be ok. Make sure he knows that someone will call him once surgery is over and give him a status. Then, you call as soon as you can so he can hear your voice. Best of wishes for a successful surgery and smooth recovery.

Don't tell that to my husband. If he thinks I have 24/7 PMS, he might just reserve a room at the local hotel for himself and the boys! :crying: