Rootman

YES it's allowed. It is a fairly good product but contains quite a lot of sugar and as Ami points out, almost sickeningly sweet. Most of these pre-packaged diet shakes have to much sugar or not enough Protein. They do save you time by being premade and packaged. They are also quite large too and I had trouble finishing a whole one early on aftewr surgery. I personally use Boost brand. They are a bit smaller and contain a lot less sugars and a bit more protein per ounce than SlimFast. There are also generic versions like from Walmart or Sams which taste really, realy nasty.

Congrats! You will be there before you know it!

Well not to brag but I used to do the wash regularly and unload the dishwasher too. That is until my wife retired. Now she's home full time and I still work outside the home so I think it's fair. Not ALL of us are troglodytes

Wait till about 6 weeks out. Everyone is different but commonly it is more like Thinoneday describes, it'll fill you up fast and make your tummy hurt if you put anything in on top of it - or it on top of an already full sleeve. Would saltine crackers satisfy your craving? I eat a few a day to quell stomach acid. No matter what you do remember the mantra; Protein FIRST carbs SECOND. Eat your protein first THEN if you have any more room try bread or other carbs. We've only got a limited amount of room to put food in and we have to get the BEST calories in FIRST.

I suppose you meant MURDER or divorce We men can be a demanding lot!

Yes, what NFJF said above, Google can find something for you, put in Weight Loss Clinic and your ZIP code and see what pops up. Alsoon't discount what you can glean from this forum. We got each others backs.

Myrori, congrats! Not only on the size change but on the fact that hubby actually helped with the wash and actually noticed the jeans!

Statistically Mexico is MORE dangerous than the USA - but that's just statistics. MANY, MANY people visit Mexico from the USA and have no problems whatsoever, including me and a bunch of other sleevers on this board. I would have to hazard a guess that you probably take more risk just FLYING some where than you do taking the trip across the border itself. I was sleeved at the Hospital Jerusalem on Dec 6th 2010 : http://www.hospitaljerusalem.com.mx/

Congrats! Keep up the good work!

First of all 10 months out is still way to early about reaching your goal. You should set your goal at 2 years or at least 18 months. The last bit comes off more slowly than at first and you SHOULD slow down as you reach it and balance your weight with your intake. Secondly if you are having psychological problems with food then either see a nutritionist, a psychologist or at least join a weight reduction group like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. The important part to realize is that you probably CANNOT do it all by yourself. We ALL gained our weight by ourselves but if sleevers are anything it's a testament to the fact that we CAN'T lose weight ourselves. We need the physical restrictions as well as a support network to hold us accountable. In a ways it's a lot like AA, you need to get a "sponsor". You've taken the first step in posting here, now go out and find someone or a group who can help you the rest of the way.

Well I was sleeved in Mexico and have 4 small incision and 1 medium one abou 1 1/2" long where the drain was put - it's also where they put the largest piece of equipment and where they pulled the excess stomach out. Strange thing. I was sitting in my recliner and was scratching my stomach, AROUND and not on the largest incision is and it started to burn real bad, sting actually, like a paper cut. I looked carefully at it and it is still closed, the same color and NOT bleeding. My wife looked at it too and said it is no different. But for 2 days now it stings when I rub across it. I was wondering if I broke some adhesions loose from under it? This is my first major surgery scar so I have no experience with it.

Nearly everyone has it. It is due partly to a process called ketosis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketosis , it is basically due to burning off of fat. I still get it after 90 pounds down. It may take 6 months or more to clear up. Take advantage of it as your appitite is off and it is easier to NOT eat.

Don't forget, a LARGE part of the MALE population goes through the SAME feelings as YOU do. They are scared too and don't want to extend their feelings let they get rejected. If I hadn't bypassed my (now) wife's "back off" signal both of us would probably still be single today as we were both pretty fed up with the dating scene. Keep at it, there IS someone out there for you.

It varies with location and "specials" they may be running. Mine was $4500 plus air travel and hotel for 3 nights in San Diego.

I've always been one to save money and go generic but what I experienced recently really surprises me. I have been using Mirilax for years, constipation has been an issue for me my entire adult life. We saw that there was a generic version available for a few bucks less so we bought it. After all, a few bucks is a few bucks. I started using it shortly thereafter and started to get backed up again. I got miserable and bloated and was constipated just like when not on it. I added a dose now and again thinking I just needed extra, still nothing. I stopped drinking as much Water because I was feeling poorly and then got kidney stones as a reward. I wondered if this generic was working the same as the name brand, I mean how could they get something simple like polyethylene-glycol granules wrong? Well they must be able to, because this generic stuff just did not work for me. We went and bought another bottle of name brand and took it. The next morning - RELIEF! I guess there is more to it then it looks, this is one time saving money just didn't cut it for me. So if you're buying generic and nothing is happening try the name brand.

Well I'm in the senior years, been married almost 30 years and am fat - getting thin with the sleeve. I would like to stress that you CANNOT blame being fat for your being single. There are PLENTY of fat people dating and happily married. You just haven't met the right person yet. Now WHY you haven't is a question you have to answer for yourself. Maybe you're just shy, maybe you're just not socially in the right circles, whatever the reason it's NOT because you're fat. I wanted to stress this because I've seen a few people who were fat get thin and then are STILL alone because the real reason they are single has NOT been changed, just their outward appearance. I've seen this for many other reasons too - e.g.: "maybe if I get sober" - they get there and still act like an a$$hole (because they ARE one) - that isn't gonna get the girls / guys. Physical appearance is only PART of the answer.

Yah fo Michelle. You go girl!

Mel, welcome and the best of luck to you on the start of your journey. Many, many of us here have storied similar to yours, even radically different but still as painful. I was a skinny goofbucket and a social retard growing up (sorry if that offends anyone it's the most precise, descriptive word I can use). Now I'm almost 50 and for the first time in my life I feel like I'm in control and taking charge of my life. The important thing is now you are too. Stick with it, it's hard at times but YOU CAN DO IT!

Sorry for the long post and the bragging! I just can't hold it in any more! I went in to my family doc last Friday and had 4 or 5 vials of blood drawn. They did a BUNCH of tests on me. I just got the news today. Everything is almost PERFECT! Iron, blood count, liver function, Vitamins all right down the middle of normal. Total cholesterol is 177, triglycerides is 114 !!! Blood sugar (fasting) 88! All the other figures were spot on! Now the funny part About 6 months ago I started testosterone replacement injections as my testosterone was very low at 150 (300-600 is normal). After just a month it really helped me mentally and physically. A check 3 months later showed I was still low at about 250 but not that bad. I could move the injection dates closer if I wanted to effectively increase the dosage but I elected not to as I was firming up my decision about WLS and didn't want to mess with more injections. Well today is 6 months later and I went in last Friday for a bunch of blood work - including testosterone level. Today he told me that I had skyrocketed all the way to 1050 - a 7 fold increase!! The reason? Simple, there is over 85 pounds LESS of me to spread the testosterone around in! My weight loss has effectively "increased" the dosage I was taking! I have to go in NEXT Wednesday, which is the day I would take my next shot, to measure it again at the low point. This will give us a better idea of the over all range I am in. We will most likely spread the shots out more or decrease the amount I am taking in each shot. Oh, and exercise also increases it too, something I was NOT doing 6 months ago. I was really feeling the high test. amount too. I was getting pissed off at the most insignificant things. I was all in a rage last night because of a stupid cell phone I that was trying to back blew up all it's contacts off itself. AAArrrgggghhhh! I was the "Incredible Bulk". I am surprised I didn't turn green! I will be glad when we get this more balanced. So will the wifey

Yes, safety is a concern, however Mexico and Tijuana is a big place. There are good sections and bad sections. Stick to the area around the hospital and you will be OK. Some people lack insurance, their insurance doesn't cover the procedure or the person does not qualify for one reason or another. Sometimes the procedure is so expensive in the States the cost of the out of pocket will even exceed the cost of a Mexian proceedure. I personally did not want to wait for the insurance which can take from several months to close to a year. I had some dreadful health issues and was plain feeling badly. Nearly 3 months and 90 pounds later I feel like a new man. The hospital I choose is clean, modern and efficient. I was pleased with it and the results. It's not for everyone but for those who choose it it can be a God send.

The self pay option is probably the only way to avoid the extended required diet. MOST surgeons require a pre-op liquid diet, time varies from a few days to 2 weeks.

Well, after my Sunday kidney stone episode I got in to my regular doc today. He again stressed drinking MORE Water and was telling me how to use a product named EmergenC to acidify my urine without it tearing up my stomach like regular Vitamin C tablets might. I then told him I took 4 to 6 Tums (Calcium carbonate) a day when the stomach acid started to make itself known. "AHAA! There's the culprit!". It turns out that VSG'ers should NEVER take Tums as they will probably lead to kidney stones. I was already taking a PPI. His solution for the little upset / acidy feeling I was getting? Plain old soda crackers, saltines will do too but unsalted is better. A few crackers won't hurt my diet, pregnant women the world over have been using them for morning sickness for hundreds if not thousands of years. So tonight I will nibble on a few crackers before bed instead of popping the tums. Lesson learned

Yes, we mostly ALL run through this at one time or another- and most of us MULTIPLE times. We are creatures of habit and we obese people are obese in mind too. We have so much access to cheap hi cal food that it can make our minds spin. Failure to subdue this - at least in part - CAN lead to eventual failure of the sought after weight loss. Try and fill the void with low cal, high Protein food that you DO like. Don't punish yourself but find alternatives that you like. Constantly craving the foods you lust after is only going to make you aggrivated and probably set yourself up for failure. Have you joined a weight loss program? Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig? The psychological help can help you overcome.

The changed taste is partly do to ketosis, the burning of body fat in a larger amount than is normal. Think of it as a car that is burning oil. It leaves a film in your mouth, gives you weird breath and changes your tastes. It is also partly due to the fact that you probably aren't hung any more and not getting the endorphin rush from eating any more. It does get better. Take advantage of this period to, of course, eat less and modify your diet and learn new eating habits.

Yep what Chilo said. I indulge in a can of Diet Dr. Pepper about once a week, I don't intentionally let it go flat but it sits about and hour while I finish it in tiny, tiny sips. I actually find the belching makes me feel a little better.