Lissa

You look great!!! Congrats on your success so far!!

Pre and post-op lovenox self-injections, 1 week on each side. I had a clot and 2 pulmonary embolisms about 3 months previous to surgery. Matter of fact, I'm still on coumadin, although I was taken off of it for 1 month, then had to start taking it again. I had the horrible bruising as well.

Slow and easy wins this race! You are doing great if you can manage most of the liquids in a day this early! Keep sipping and sipping, then walk, walk, walk. You will be amazed at how quickly your body can handle more sipping and more walking! It is more important to get liquids in than Protein, especially very early post-op. You must stay hydrated because dehydration will cause WAY more problems than lack of protein right now. Good luck!!

My aunt is selling them. So are the clerks at both UPS and Fed Ex, where I go almost daily. And now, apparently, one of the salespeople at a community I work for is selling them for her DD as well. I'm surrounded and not sure where to hide! I actually asked my aunt if I could just donate $5 and not have to have the Cookies at home, so we gave them to her hubby!

I was sleeved August 30, 2011 as well. I'm having wierd weight loss issues. I'll got about 10 days with no loss, then whoosh 5 pounds off. Last time that happened, I dropped 10 pounds overnight and it stayed off! I still don't understand that one. But, then I didn't lose an ounce for three weeks and, in fact, bounced up and down 2-3 pounds during that time. juice is HORRIBLE for us right now. It's basically pure sugar and doesnt really have enough Fiber content to keep us regular. I think you're right on track to start over with Clear Liquids, but you might try Lil Miss Diva's Boot Camp. It's a great way to reset your metabolism and I've already dropped 3 pounds in 3 days. Pure Protein and green veggies only for 5 days, then back to strict sleeve rules on food. Are you getting in all your Water? Oh, and if you started at a lower BMI, you might not lose as fast as others. Besides, "only" 45 pounds? That's FANTASTIC in 5 months. How much could you have lost on your own in 5 months without surgery? Good luck!!

I agree that it's a lie that you have to file a paper to keep a doctor from talking to your parents! I've got two adult sons whose doctors often requested that I leave the room while they had private talks with my sons. The kids usually told me what it was about (drugs, alcohol, sex), but the doctors never would because of privacy laws. My youngest was dx with diabetes at 14 and his endocrinologist often asked my son if he wanted to doctor to go over the diagnostic tests with me in the room. ALL patients are entitled to privacy. As for the surgeon deciding not to operate, F him. There are other doctors and you can go to another doctor. Your insurance has already approved your surgery. If you're determined, and it sounds like you may not be?, then call that surgeon back and explain to him that YOU are the patient and it is YOUR decision that counts, not your father's. If the surgeon still refuses to do your surgery, call the insurance company and ask for another doctor's name. BTW, if I lived anywhere near NY, I'd offer to be there for you on the day of surgery. I'm a good mommy-figure.

I drink Premier Protein shakes regularly, too. My Nut and Surgeon both recommend them. I did ask about the protein bullets and got frowns from both because of the collagen. The first place I read about problems with collagen protein was the weight-lifters' boards. If you google "collagen protein" and "weight lifting", you'll find some very long and involved discussions on those boards. They sound just like the science nerds I knew in HS. I was a nerd, but not over science, for clarification! LOL The discussions I read convinced me; then my Nut and doctor backed it up. I won't be using collagen as my protein source. I was really intrigued by the idea of getting 30-48 g of protein from a 3 oz drink, too!

I have to agree with the suggestion to keep a protein bar in your purse, or keep several in your desk if you have a desk that is all yours. It makes it much easier if you get caught without lunch for some reason. Most of the convenience stores down here carry some kind of protein shake, which gives a decent option if you are caught without lunch. The tuna packets are great, too. I keep one in my car at all times because I do a lot of travelling every day and the tuna pack is easy to put together just about anywhere.

I have a card that says I've been sleeved. I keep it behind my driver's license in my wallet. It asks restaurants to let me order from the kid's or senior menu and also alerts medical personnel not to do a blind NG (nasal gastric?) tube on me. My doc had it waiting for me at my first post-op appointment. I also have a note under ICE on my phone that says who my contact is and to see the Notes section of my iPhone. In there I keep a list of my meds, updated weekly, along with my surgeon's name and phone number and some quick information about my health. Hopefully, both my phone and my purse will be handy if there is an emergency. Oh, and I didn't get that idea out of my thick skull. There's a long thread about emergency information somewhere here.

Kwyant, I so wish I could figure out how to link you to a post from a couple of days ago. You sound like the opposite side of the coin from that guy. Let me preface what I'm about to say with this: I have been where you're at right this minute, so maybe I have a little insight into what you're dealing with. I don't know what the problems between you and your wife are specifically, but, from your post, I assume that she thinks you have anger issues. Nothing scares a woman worse than a man being angry and yelling at her, especially if he's "getting in (her) face". That exact scenario moved me out of my house with my "loving" husband. I think that you both probably need some counseling, probably alone for both of you, then together once the two of you have your separate issues worked out. I know you are devastated right now, but I think you should carry forward with the surgery if at all possible. It will help you in so many ways to lose that weight. Your self-confidence will improve. You will have more self-esteem and, despite the fact that yelling at someone else seems like an aggressive act, it's usually more about not having the confidence in yourself to find a better way to handle a problem. Yeah, it will be tough to go through the surgery without her support, but you will be stronger for standing on your own. Once you're through the surgery and are starting to develop more confidence in yourself, maybe you and your wife can work on the issues you have. Maybe she's scared spitless right now and doesn't know how to support you through this. That could be a factor in how she's reacting right now. The one thing I do know is that you MUST put yourself and your health first and be happy/at peace with yourself before you can have a true, loving relationship with someone else. I wish you luck. I know it's hard, but tomorrow is another day and you WILL handle this.

I have done lots of the insides of fast food when I am stuck without another option. The fillings of most burritos and tacos aren't bad if you're on mushies. I took apart a couple of soft tacos at Taco Bell a couple of days ago because I forgot to put a Protein bar in my purse that morning! At 5 months out I still can't really deal with breads or rice. For chinese food, we have a great chinese buffet here. They have 4 or 5 lines of food and some friends took me out to dinner last night. I had some chicken w/broccoli and a bunch of shrimp prepared different ways. On soft foods, you could do the Soups, the egg foo young (removing big pieces of veggies or meat), the seafood "salad", which is basically a tuna-salad like mash of crab, fish and veggies. I don't like it myself, but I have an aversion to raw fish unless I can have wasabi. My sleeve does NOT like spicy food still. I would avoid the rice like the plague, though. It still beats me up!

I'm another one who knows that VSG saved my life. I was self-pay, so I had my choice of any surgery my doctor offered and I chose VSG. My reasons were 1. I spent a lot of time on the Lap Band forums reading about people's experiences. Very little positive with lots of negative. 2. I did not want to have my entire intestines re-routed. 3. VSG allowed me to reduce the size of my tummy without having to have major dumping issues. 4. I can still absorb vitamins and nutrients from my food, although apparently ALL weight loss surgery patients have to take some combo of vitamins and minerals. Good luck with your decision. You'll reach goal pretty quickly because you have a slightly lower BMI than others, but it still won't be "easy" or a cakewalk. You'll still have to put in the head work and the foot work to get to your goal. It will be worth it, though.

jasleeve, I've been offline a lot the last few days. DARN that real life stuff anyway! I'm glad that you're on your way to having the leak heal, but was really upset to see that you've had to go back to ER again! I'm truly hoping that the Reglan pills help the acid issue very quickly. I think you're doing a good job of keeping things real for yourself and in your posts here. Yeah, you sound upset, but I would be upset, too! (((Hugs))) to you and I'll keep you in my prayers.

You're going into surgery as I type this! You're in my prayers and may God guide the surgeon's hands. Let us know when you're able to do so. Welcome to the loser's bench!!

Maria, I'm going to say this as gently as possible. Your family doesn't need the junk food any more than you need it. If you think it's necessary to keep junk food in the house, then make it something you don't like. However, they will be healthier, and your kids will learn better eating habits if you keep the junk out of the house. Having it there is too much of a temptation for you and will cause you to have problems making your goal. Saying that you have to have trigger foods in your house because you have them to feed is negative self-talk. I can't keep certain things at home because they WILL cause me to eat junk. Crunchy Cheetos are my nemesis. Do I allow myself to eat them? Yes, on rare occasions, I do. But, I will purchase a small, single serving bag and munch on a few each evening until they are gone. However, my self-discipline related to those cheetos is not good, so I cannot do that on a regular basis. I have committed to avoiding everything except Protein and green veggies for 5 days, then I'll move back to strict sleever rules (64 oz of Water, 70 g of protein, veggies and whole grains after that) for at least the rest of this month. So, no cheetos for me in February! You are doing great on weight loss right now, 33 pounds in 2 months is terrific! But, it will get harder as you move further out from surgery and the habits you create right now will either help you make it to goal or cause you to stumble as you get further post-op. You didn't have surgery to lose half your weight! You want to lose it all so you can be healthier and live longer. The surgeon sleeved your tummy and now it's time to sleeve your head. Who know, maybe by providing a living example of someone who eats right and exercises daily, you will help your kids avoid obesity and you may even encourage hubby to get healthier. THAT would be a couple of terrific NSV's right there! Good luck!!

Calitrells, I don't think the WLS procedure is really a factor in how much skin we'll have left. I think it depends a lot on genetics, age, condition of the skin prior to WLS, and how fast you lose. You sound like you'll be one of the lucky ones with little loose skin. It seems that women of color fare better in this department than women who have pale white skin. (Sorry, Tiffykins, I stole your line!) I'm praying that the Native American bloodlines in me help with my skin elasticity. I'm halfway to my goal and have some loose skin on my upper arms, although my tummy is showing some improvement. I do have horrible stretch marks and I already had an "apron", so I may not be lucky in that department. If you check on You Tube, several people have posted their WLS journeys and a few of them have been brave enough to show how much loose skin they have. It might help you better estimate what your skin might look like after losing your weight. Good luck!!

I saw one on FB the other day that was hilarious. It said "If we are what we eat, then why don't I recall eating a sexy beast this morning?"

You really need to be trying to get in the Water. Protein can wait, but lack of water will put you back in the hospital QUICK! Dehydration can also impede healting of your sleeve. Try to get up to the 64 oz goal for water, although it will probably be a few days before you can hit that goal. Work on the protein along with the water...and Protein shakes CAN be counted as liquids also until you are back on regular food. Good luck!!

Kiki, I only saw the psyche doc once for about an hour. She determined that I WILL be an alcoholic! LOL I'm glad I don't have to return. Good luck! You're getting closer!!!

I need a LOVE button for BrandyMarie!!

LOL Malyss!! I cannot imagine being totally responsible for an infant or toddler at my age. I'd do it if I had to, but I would be very tempted to ask if the pound would take it! I raised mine and I'm looking forward to grandkids!

My surgeon recommends them, but I hated them. UGH. I actually just sold him 2 unopened cases of them. The diet plan he gives recommends 3 of the protein drinks per day. I couldn't tolerate the first one. YMMV

Dorrie, At you!!

This makes me thrilled that I had a tubal in my late 20's! I can't imagine being 45 and pregnant!! My granny did it, but that's one Family Tradition I can do without!!

LovingHusband, and I use that term loosely. You are being close-minded. It appears that all you want to hear from us is that you are a great guy because you're threatening your wife with divorce if she has this surgery. It's not gonna happen on this board. My hubby told me the same thing. He now lives alone and about falls all over himself every time he sees the new, improved me. I'm sure he needs a roommate if you're interested. I don't think anyone said your wife had low self-esteem. What we all said is that SHE deserves the opportunity to make her life better, and she deserves that chance BEFORE she hits health problems because of her weight. In the long run, YOU don't get to decide whether she has surgery or not. You just get to decide if you're going to support her or be a stumbling block. If you're going to be a stumbling block, you won't be married for long, especially if she's half as smart as you say she is. I'm sure that you didn't read the responses, though. So we're all wasting our time trying to give you information.