Katie713

I have 3 mixed drink choices that I usually enjoy....first a bloody mary made with clamato juice. Second, either a cosmo or a Washington Red Apple martini made with Crown Royale. I stay away from big fizzy sweet drinks. Generally I like a drink small and strong. I can drink 2 martini size drinks or 1 bloody mary and I'm feeling good. I usually drink on the weekend if I'm hanging out with girlfriends and if we are out to eat, I usually have an appetizer and I'm good.

Completely normal. I get them too, but usually after a meal. Like clockwork! I do get them other times as well though, and much more than I ever did before surgery. I don't worry about them, they go away by themselves.

Sannah, I hit the one year mark last month. I have been very lucky and did not experience complications. Certainly my diet has changed and the amount I can eat in any one sitting, but I tolerate my vitamins, get most of my protein from real food and not protein shakes. I am wearing a 14 but look forward to getting down to an 8-10 when I reach goal. The weight is very slow coming off now, but that is ok. I feel amazing, strong and healthy. Some foods do not sit well with me, so I avoid those, there is so much I can tolerate, that I don't feel I'm missing out on the foods I love. Fish goes down the easiest of all the proteins, and glad I love fish! Hope all your stones pass and you do not keep making new ones. Are you taking meds or doing anything to address the formation of new stones? Give Venla a big squeeze and enjoy your week!!

You might have to be crafty to find the Protein sources that will work for you. I noticed amazon does feature lactose-free products, and I'm sure your local Vitamin Shoppe or GNC or Bariatric pantry have products that will do the job. http://www.amazon.com/Plant-Fusion-Supplement-Chocolate-Pound/dp/B0021FAITU/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1367872766&sr=1-3&keywords=lactose+free+protein+powder I was looking at plant fusion and it has good reviews. I used to make Protein shakes with lactaid to eliminate some of the lactose, but I am not really intolerant, but our nutritionist said that many people for some reason become lactose intolerant after surgery. Other than that, if you can tolerate soft food, perhaps look into Quinoa as a protein source. Do some research, it looks pretty good, and of course there is soy. Sorry to hear you are having trouble eating. Keep working at it, little by little you will hopefully make progress. As tough as it is, this period is where you will lose most of your weight and as it gets easier to eat, the loss will slow down, so it actually works in your favor. Look at this as a positive if you can. Good luck on your journey!!

Sannah...good to hear from you again and glad you are feeling better with more nutrition, and hope it gets easier. Hope your tests reveal your sleeve is ok!! Take care!!

Just wondering if you are breastfeeding and most nutritionists would give you a guideline as to how many calories you should be consuming for optimum nutrition for your baby. As I remember it, breastfeeding helps with weight loss anyway. Perhaps giving yourself time to let things work out before obsessing (I know, I know easier said than done) but this is a transition period for you anyway.

Greens, like lettuce break down into a small amount when chewed, just as they do if you put them in the food processor. They seem to have a lot of volume at first, but break down in to a MUCH smaller and denser amount when pulverized. I can eat a decent sized salad these days, and your combination sounds mightly familiar!!

The co-pay is usually handled before surgery at the final pre-op appointment. I called benefits to see what my co-pay was going to be before hand so there were no surprises.

Sometimes a stir fry works well....I'll sautee some lean pork chops or chicken sliced very thin and cooked quickly, then removed from the skillet and then sautee onions, garlic, julienned carrots, tiny bits of broccoli, almost a whole cabbage shredded, and then at the last minute topped with bean sprouts. The seasonings are basically soy sauce, garlic salt and pepper, maybe some ginger powder. Add back the meat back at the same time you put in the bean sprouts. It makes a generous serving for family members and is low carb/low cal. For my family members I might put a bed of chinese crunchy noodles on the bottom and serve it on top, for me, just the protein and veggies.

Sannah...hope you're doing well, I'm sure you must know we all think of you often and pray you're getting stronger everyday and able to tolerate most foods these days. Have a great day!

I have no regrets. Sure, it has taken time to get used to my dietary restrictions, but I go on and about my life and can get through almost any social event knowing I will find something I can eat. I love my restriction, there is no more gourging on foods. I quickly know when to stop by the signals my body gives me, a bit of discomfort and then 2 or 3 hiccups. I can eyeball what I can tolerate pretty well these days. I have so much more energy and I feel comfortable with where I'm at. I still have more weight to lose, and it is slow going now, but I have nothing but time in front of me so I know I'll succeed in time.

Vitamins! If I have a day where I forget to take them, I have noticed that smell goes away!! Also if you eat low carbs, and are in ketosis, that's another reason for the odd smell.

Liquids that are not clear. That includes creamy soups, protein shakes, thinned out hot cereal, yogurt drinks, sugar free puddings.

So being 3 weeks out is a bit early for the introduction of solid Protein. Even if you can tolerate it, it's not a good choice. Give it a couple of weeks, and then proceed. Make sure you chew everything really well.

Curious...were you given dietary recommendations? Most of us were given a specific timetable for introduction of new foods and solid food (dense Protein & veggies) not allowed until about week 6. Prior to that it is a slow introduction from liquids to pureed food, then soft foods, then slowly toward full solids. Most of us have also been told that for weight loss, stay away from white bread, buns, sugar, Cookies, cakes, white rice and white potatoes. You hit the double whammy here with firm solids and half a bun very early in the game and that is why you are getting a lot of feedback. It's not to be mean, but certainly there are risks when your stomach is still healing, that suture line takes time to seal up and there is also inflammation from the surgery itself. The chili is a better choice than the cheese burger and bun. Later on you will be able to tolerate the burger but I would say NO to the bun.

Congrats, she is a beautiful little girl !! Glad to hear you are doing so well !!

It appears the family dynamic is playing havoc with your emotions and I get that and understand your pain. From a purely practical standpoint, if you suffer no complications, you can take care of yourself. I did it with no real problems and I went through the surgery on my own as well because that is what I wanted to do. I am very independent and knew if I didn't have complications, I would be fine as I am fairly strong and resiliant. Also, my hospital told me that if I didn't have a ride, they would help me secure transport with Access paratransit or something. My son came and picked me up so I didn't need it, but it was available to me. Perhaps you can research this. I'm so sorry to hear that your mother is trying to make you feel selfish. There is a time to prioritize your own health, and I give you kudos for that. Do what you need to do girlfriend.

Shari...for most of my adult life this is how I felt and I finally feel more "normal" whatever that is, still one of the shortest at 4'11" but no longer the fattest. I still have a ways to go, but I don't feel ashamed of my size anymore...great not to feel like you stand out and are subject to everyone's judgement of your weight. My closest friends and family never really made remarks before, but I know the truth....and in some ways that truth set me free. The other side of the coin is I have energy. I can run up and down the stairs without huffing and puffing, I can fit into almost any booth, I no longer snore or get winded and out of breath, I love to be outside involved in stuff and no longer live the sedentary life....it is a miraculous change and this has made me feel so much better about myself. Good luck to you!!

Sounds amazing...I love salads during the warmer months!

What kind of salad dressing are you using for your salad??

Good luck to you. You seem to be embarking on this journey for all the right reasons and you are young enough to be able to enjoy many more years to come of better health. It's just amazing how much better you will feel without all the excess weight. Hope your pre-op program continues to be a source of achievement for you, and this will help you immensely post-op.

Sorry if you feel I have judged you. I feel for your pain. I had no idea it might involve the next step of invasive surgery. You are making decisions as you see fit and I respect that.

Have you thought of having the surgery in Mexico for a cheaper price than your deductible? My understanding is that since it is self pay - you don't have to go through the rigorous pre-op qualifications. Go to the forum on this site - there are plenty of great recommedations for surgery outside the U.S. Check with OTR sleever...he has nothing but great things to say about his surgeon. Good luck!!

Sannah...by surgery do you mean the lithotripsy or surgical removal of the stone through an incision? Obviously there are friends here who have HAD the lithotripsy and can advise you on how invasive or painful that might be. From what I've read, it doesn't sound too bad, and then you don't have to endure the painful and sometimes long road ahead. I understand your hesitance at surgery, I get that, but if it's more of a procedure that is not invasive such as using sound waves to break apart the stones, why might I ask are you hesitant of moving forward to improve your quality of life NOW, especially because I know how much you want to get back to your full time role with Venla. The decision is so personal. I was just wondering...and not judging in any way.

I see that you can purchase the Amazing Green Superfood capsules on amazon. I think this might be a great option for me, since drinking my "greens" doesn't sound very appealing to me. It's about $22 for 150 capsules which is apparently a 30 day supply if you take 5 capsules daily for maximum delivery of nutrients. I have been lacking energy lately, and looking for a low calorie approach for optimum nutrition, since I literally cannot eat enough servings of veggies and fruit daily with my sleeved stomach. I am looking for more energy and better nutrition. Let you know how I feel once I've received the product and started my new regime!