girlfriday

I decided that if I was going to do this I had to change my eating habits. If you lurk around this site for very long you will see what successful ppl are doing to lose the weight and maintain it. It just goes to show that VSG is a TOOL. You have to make that commitment or your sleeve will fail (or really you/we fail our sleeve). If you know eating one cookie would be the beginning of a backslide for you then you have to realize you can never have any sweets (which are bad for you anyways). My sister had the sleeve over 2 yrs ago and has only lost 55 lbs. she should have lost more, but she could not give up sweet tea. she thinks because she had to give up soft drinks that sweet tea is okay. she uses it as comfort. Isn't that why some of us have WLS because we have gained weight from letting food comfort us? I know that is part of my problem. I have to find other coping mechanisms. This journey will not be easy but it will be worth it. Being obese shaves 9 yrs off your life if u r a female. that statistic got my attention when I began looking into surgery. So, maybe have a come to Jesus meeting with yourself and decide if you are willing to make that commitment. Sent from my iPad using VST

I made the decision in early May to have VSG. I made the decision on June 2 I would go to Mexico to have it done. My surgery date is July 2, 2012. in Tj, Mexico. Sooo excited. Right now more excited than scared but I am sure I will start getting scared the closer it gets. I think it will be good for me to "blog" about this journey so that I can stay focused. Vent if I need to and praise when I need to. This battle has only just begun and will never fully be over, but this is something I view as to taking a step to saving my life. Extending my life span and being a happier person. I want so much to just feel good physically and emotionally. To feel better emotionally, I need to get better physically. To get better physically, I must lose weight. In turn, I will be healthier and happier. I like this scripture: Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. God will be my strength through this journey. From the song by Casting Crowns, "Praise You in This Storm", Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord The Maker of Heaven and Earth. Amen and amen. That's all for now peeps.

I hit 2 milestones today the first being I faxed in my consent forms and the second being that my passport arrived. so, 2 more things to check off my list.....glad the passport is safely in my hands. was able to expedite it without using one of those companies. took 9 days to get it sent in and received back. Sent from my iPad using VST

Can't wait to try this!!!!

Good point ;0)

It depends on which surgeon you go with. What surgeons are you looking at?

I like Unjury but I haven't tried any other recommended brands. I did some research on Protein shakes and decided Unjury was best for me. There is not really an after taste and I mix mine with unsweetened almond silk milk (I think that is the name). It makes the shakes a little thicker. I am not on my preop diet yet, but I wanted to go ahead and start looking for a Protein shake I could live with so that when I do start the pre-op diet on July 25, I will not be sabotaging myself because I cannot and will not drink something that is disgusting.

Love love love the list. everything listed I would have listed..... I would add for myself......not being able to tie my shoes. Sent from my iPad using VST

The Mexico part. she is absolutely for the surgery. she was sleeved 2 yrs ago. it is purely the preconceived notion about Mexico. She is also concerned about my sleep apnea ( very mild) and the fact that I was put under 2 months ago for a minor procedure. I wasn't going to go and get another sleep study done if the US doctor I had originally chosen wanted one. I was pretty much willing to do any other pre op testing, but my insurance doesn't cover WLS and I am sure they would not have covered a sleep study for me either since it would have been for WLS. It is good to know I am not alone though. I hate that part about it for all of us, but, my sister is very opinionated and that is all it is.......an opinion. Sent from my iPad using VST

the 6 put of 7 people I have told have been very supportive. the one that is not supportive is my sister who completely dogged me out and said I had lost my mind and was being wreck less for going to Mexico. So, she gets to know nothing else and for now I have stopped any communication with her. It is like she is waiting for. e to have it done and something go wrong so she can gloat about it. Up until now, we have had a good relationship. I knew she would be skeptical but not to this degree and I thought she would have tried to talk to me and find out what I have done as far as research has gone. but nope, she hasn't. Sent from my iPad using VST

For any of you that have had surgery in Mexico, if you had sleep apnea did your surgeon take any extra precautions? Sent from my iPad using VST

That song is awesome and uplifting! I just happened upon this forum as I am still learning my way around. So glad I found it. I have found the last few days to be rather challenging since I made my decision to have VSG. good to be here. Sent from my iPad using VST

Thank you lunabella007!

I think it is the fear of the unknown that creeps into our minds. It's the fear of missing something you have grown comfortable with (food) and love to hate. You know in your mind that this is going to be fine. You will be fine. If you are a religious person....find a scripture to focus on. Ask for prayer and pray yourself. I tell myself "God's got this." I have to let Him have it because when I don't put it all in his hands I make a complete and total mess of everything.

Hi there my fellow sleevers, (sleeved or going to be sleeved). It has been a very rainy and dreary day here in Alabama. I have been doing so much research on everything. One thing I was very concerned about was having to do Protein shakes. I know my taste buds are very particular. I have done Protein Shakes in the past. I would just gag, force myself to drink it, and then wondered why I put myself through so much agony (all in the name of dieting). Some of the research I have done has opened my eyes as to why some protein (I am talking mainly powders here) are palatable and why some are just down right nasty. The reason is, and I quote from the unjury website is, " 1. whey protein sources and quality. Not all WHEY are the same. They differ in purity as well as taste. 2. Some whey protein is stripped of the good stuff, so that affects the QUALITY of the protein which in turn affects TASTE, MIXABILITY and PROTEIN CONTENT." I recently ordered some Unjury chocolate Splendor and let me tell you it is AHHHHHHMAzing. I could not believe how good it tasted. I mixed one scoop of powder with 8 ounces of unsweetened almond soy milk (35 cals and 1 gm protein). I also added a couple of ice cubes and blended in my Magic Bullet (finally found use for a late night tv infomercial purchase, lol) and it was like a glass of chocolate milk....absolutely divine. I can only imagine what adding a tsp of Peanut Butter would do for it!!! I know cost is a factor for many, but when I figured it out, one scoop which makes one 8 ounce shake with 21 gm of protein is $1.35 (minus whatever you use to mix it in....not getting that technical.) Well, I know that I don't mind spending over $6 on my 3 piece chicken strip meal from Chik Fil A. One canister of Unjury has 17 scoops. One canister is $22.95. I hope this information helps those of us who are (or for me, was) dreading the protein shakes or are having difficulty with them now pre op and post op. If you would like to read the article go to www.unjury.com and click on "newsletter" then scroll down to the very bottome and you will see 2 topics. They are both short and sweet. Good luck and God bless.

vst addict......lol about the auto correct. hate that stupid thing. I live in the HAM, aka Birmingham, or really just east of it in St. Clair County. thank you both for the feedback. I just don't want ppl to be stressing about this Protein stuff when there is a good product out there.

I think it is a very personal and private decision. I do not like for people to know all my business. I would encourage you to find at least one person you know you can trust and let them know of your decision. that person should be someone who is uplifting and positive. I guess no one should really care what other people think, but we wouldn't be human if we didn't. some people can just brush other people's opinions off better than others. you will find lots of support and love here though. so, just think about it. do only what you is best for you. if you end up telling no one, that is perfectly fine if you are fine with it. NO ONE ELSE MATTERS BUT YOU IN THIS JORNEY. Sent from my iPad using VST

Has anyone tried taking Metamucil capsules for hunger while on Pre op diet? This was recommended on Dr. Garcia's pre op diet instructions. If you did, did it work? my experience with Fiber supplements has not been very pleasant ( tons of bloating). Sent from my iPad using VST

Has anyone mentioned the book "The Sleeved Life: A Patient to Patient Guide on Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Weight Loss Surgery"? Written by Pennie Nicola. Available on amazon for kindle download for $2.99. Sent from my iPad using VST

It took me over 3 years to decide to have WLS. I don't think any of us wake up one day and just decide it is something we are going to go get done. I would make up my mind, then change it. Back and forth and back and forth I went. 30 lbs heavier and $100's later spent on diets and trainers I have arrived at the point of NO RETURN. I am being sleeved July 2 and am glad I am going for it......FINALLY. I am nervous, but I am at peace with my decision. it is not the easy way out. We are all saying we are committed to the lifestyle changes that must go along with WLS. Give yourself a huge pat on the back because you are looking out for YOU :0) Sent from my iPad using VST

She knows I am a pharmacist. She wants to berate me lnobody am nobody and haven't done any research. Good grief. I am finished telling anyone.