TheRealMeIsHere!

majk1001you really need to avoid all simple carbs (sugar/bread/rice/potatoes/pasta) and severely limit starchy veggies, a bite or two rarely. As carbs will increase cravings and likelihood of falling into old habits. My NUT told me to avoid anything but lean/FF Proteins until I was reaching my 80gm per day. This took 18 months. Good sources of Protein are: Egg substitute (It's pasteurized so can even be used in shakes) Lean meats fish FF Greek yogurt, plain or no sugar added. (plain is good with Splenda and cocoa or various extracts) FF Ricotta or cottage cheese ( I have a yummy cannoli cream recipe or ricotta can be seasoned as if for stuffed shells and topped with low carb sauce) 93% lean ground beef or turkey (I have a recipe for Italian sausage that can be used for burgers, pizza crust or any other place you may use Italian sausage) low fat or fat free, low sodium deli meat (turkey/chicken/ham or roast beef) Tuna etc....

Where do you get the 1 carb tortillas? What brand? That pizza sounds AMAZING!!

It will be helpful to go to your insurance website and look at/print criteria for panniculectomy. Bring that to you appointment as every insurance is different and the doctor has no way of knowing what your insurance requires

Just wanted to share my answer to pizza. I make this, flatten out on cookie sheet, top with low carb sauce or fresh diced tomatoes, fat free cheese, garlic, onions, broccoli, olives, peppers, etc....... maybe turkey pepperoni. Bake till desired doneness, DELISH!! Even my carb addict sis, does not miss the crust. I also use this to make burgers (great on the grill) or anyplace else I might use Italian sausage. If you like spicy, you can also mix in some red pepper flakes. http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/prt/RecipePage.aspx?Type=1&RecipeID=261465010

Totally know what you are talking about! Liberating, isn't it? Instead of being a slave to INTENSE cravings and binges, I practically have to set an eating schedule, or I won't even want to eat, sometimes. In the past, I would see a commercial and HAD to have that food, would even write it down, till I could go get it. Now, I see a commercial, and think, hmmmmm, that looks good, then I move on. No obsessing, and if I do crave something, one, literally ONE bite satisfies. My sis knows that if she's having some kind of junk food treat, that I will want one teeny bite. She thinks I am crazy, well I might be, but not about this. lol

18 months, because my NUT said until i was able to reach my Protein goals, of 80 gms, EVERY day, I was to eat NOTHING else besides Proteins.

I understand your frustration. Happened to me MANY times on my journey. Though I would NEVER get to where I am today. Looking back, though, the journey was actually fairly quick. Try upping your Protein and liquids. Sometimes a stall is from not enough calories/protein. Without enough protein you body will go into starvation mode and hold onto every calorie. Good luck and may the scale start moving in the right direction again. I may also be that your body is adjusting, you may lose inches and clothing size while you are not losing pounds.

You are so lucky to have this tool at such a young age. If I could have had it 30+ years ago, it would have eliminated yo yo-ing between 300 & 115, years of isolation, NO self esteem, hating myself, bulimia/anorexia, etc....................... GREAT job, you look wonderful!!

freeze FF/sf Greek yogurt, eat when it thaws or partially thawed, like ice cream. Dannon light & fit Greek is awesome for this. Jerky and pork rinds, just watch sodium. almonds, maybe some Peanut Butter. Freeze bottled Water and freeze some half full bottles too and add water just before you head out. That way you will have something to drink, while waiting for the others to thaw. baby carrots, grapes (frozen or not) to snack on And have a wonderful time!!

you can also make homemade hot chocolate with 1 T. no calorie sweetener, 1/3 c. powdered fat free milk 1 1/2 T.unsweetened cocoa and 1 C. Water. Heat gently while whisking on the stove.

you need to have a record with your doctor regarding the sores and treatments that have been tried. That doctor should say that skin removal is necessary to remedy the problem and refer you to a plastic surgeon. All insurance is different, my ps said that one company even told her that the sores need to be so bad that in patient IV antibiotics are required. Go to your insurance website and look up qualifications for panniculectomy. My tt/panni was covered 100% because my pain management dr. referred me due to spinal problems. I brought the list of qualifications from my ins. to him and he made sure his referral touched on all points. I also wrote a letter stating the comorbidities that were resolved from weight loss, how exercise is important to keep weight off and how excess skin impedes me. Good luck, hope it works out for you, too

The dr. should give you a scrip for Actigall or something similar, ins. most likely will cover it, mine did. As far as hair loss, it's inevitable, but can be minimized by getting all your Protein in. In the beginning that is difficult, just do your best and do not fill space in you new tiny tummy with anything NOT high in protein. My tummy was so tiny, that I had NOTHING besides protein for 18 months, No veggies, salad, fruits, and especially not bread/pasta/potatoes/rice, still rarely, maybe 1 or 2 times a month will I have potatoes/pasta/rice or bread

I have recreated all of my favorite foods to be high protein/low fat/low carb with all the flavors & textures I crave. So when I am craving something I have alternatives that do not derail my maintenance. That being said, cravings are not what they were pre-sleeve. I may crave something for a second, then it's gone. Cravings no longer equal OBSESSIONS!

the link to the poll doesn't work

baked choc chip Quest bar-cut into pieces and bake , watch closely as it only takes a couple minutes Protein cookie recipe: http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/prt/RecipePage.aspx?Type=1&RecipeID=407562039 melt Shedd's stir in sugar substitute add Protein Powder and just enough Water to form a ball nuke 15-30 secs variations: different flavored protein powders various extracts yesterday, I added vanilla extract and topped with cinnamon before nuking I also have recipes for protein muffins and pancakes that are amazing!

adorable!!

when they did my tt/panni and relocated my belly button, there was no vertical incision. Why is a vertical incision, sometimes, required?

I think you mean lower body lift. I looked just like that before my tt/panni. So happy with my results. If I could have afforded the lbl, I would have, though, because I still have hanging skin on my thighs

stayed the same size just they fit better. But at first, was 2-3 sizes larger from swelling, then slowly went back down

stalls happen to all of us. You may lose inches during a stall. Are you getting all your protein and liquids and avoiding carbs? If not, that can contribute to fatigue and stalls. If you can (I know at 2.5 wks, it's not easy) try to increase your protein, sometimes extra protein calories can break a stall. All in all, sounds like terrific progress, great job!!

I had a TT/panni and was able to do most things within a week or two, albeit slowly and walking like Quasi-modo! No lifting for, I think 6 weeks. And shopping for clothes, my doc. said I wouldn't see the final result for 3-6 months, so I didn't buy any new clothes till then. Just take it easy, you don't want to increase swelling or rip any stitches (internal or external). It's sooooo worth it in the long run. But I totally understand being stir-crazy. It's not easy slowing down, once you've gotten used to being on the move.

my incision didn't hurt too much, I just had to stay hunched at all times, no straightening out. Also having spine problems, my best sleeping position was on the couch, semi sitting, pillows under knees and leaning towards the back of the couch on another pillow. Surprised your drains are coming out so soon, my first one came out after a week, the second, was about 2 1/2 wks. For the best final result, once you are not wearing the support garment from the doc. get yourself some firm control body suits or waist nippers. I was told the longer I wore compression, the better the final result. Wore compression for about 3 months, figured I was lucky enough to have the surgery so what's 3 months in the scheme of things? These are what I wore: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007QMK2S/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cupid-Women-s-Extra-Firm-Control-Waist-Cincher/23653041 http://www.walmart.com/ip/FLEXEES-by-Maidenform-Women-s-Lose-A-Size-Ultra-Firm-Shaping-Waistnipper-83067/35499238 http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cupid-Extra-Firm-Control-Bodybriefer-Style-5908/20931991

don't feel silly, we all have our 'DUH' moments, lol

Perfectly normal. Freeked me out too, when I gained about 20 lbs after TT/Panni. Takes 4-6 months till you see the final result. Wear compression at least 4 months, it helps with swelling and the final result

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