KS Fort Worth

Yeah, had a BUNCH in my brush this morning! I lost a bunch a few years ago when I lost weight, but thankfully it grew back.

I've seen references to breath strips in the "necessary supplies" posts, now I know why! I'll be getting myself some on the way home.

*********** APPLAUSE *********************

I learned (in response to a similar post I made just today!) that it is the result of ketosis. Unpleasant, but it means we are burning the fat, and that's the goal! http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-ketosis-side-effects.htm

I'll be going to Baylor Trophy Club on the 24th. He only goes there for 2 days a month, usually at the end of the month, but they are Aetna network. I could have had my surgery late last month, but I had some events I wanted to attend, so I'd say approval was only 2 - 3 weeks after my last BEND class.

@Wheetsin - Awesome! I did not know that! I'm sure that must be happening, as I've been active and have lost 9 pounds this last week. Can't ALL be water! @lowe1961 - I keep ice water handy and sip it through the day (good practice for after surgery anyway!)

We all deserve a little self-absorption time. I feel like I've been doing so much for so many other people that it's MY turn. eventually we'll get to goal and life will get back to normal. Keep up the good work, you deserve to brag a little!

I mix mine in the Bullet and use a double-wall coffee travel mug I found at Wal-Mart, looks like a slender Bubba Keg and made by them. Has a nice seal so I can re-shake it before I drink it. I also use ice cubes if I'm going to drink it straight away, but I add a few ounces of water to the skim milk if I'm taking it with me, just for the illusion of more volume. I'm also working on sipping my water through the day to get ready for that, and am surprised that I am not gulping my shakes down, but taking 15 minutes to drink them. I guess my brain wants to savor these, since they're only 200 calories. I'm using the Bari-Essentials, really not too bad.

I have Aetna, BMI of 42 when I started in February of this year, with high triglycerides, diagnosed with sleep apnea in March, no other comorbidities. I finished my 90 day nutrition classes in May, and was approved first time. My surgeon is Dr. Kim, and given how many surgeries he performs his office are experts at putting all the paperwork together.

I've heard some stories of RNY being "taken down" (reversed) but only due to severe complications. I researched all three major procedures and for me, the risks of malabsorption were enough to steer me to the sleeve. If I had NO self-control, I might risk RNY or DS, but if I had no self-control those would ultimately fail as well. I've seen it with friends who've had RNY. I CAN lose weight, as I'm sure everybody on this forum can, but the sleeve will be the tool I need to help KEEP it off, while retaining the benefits of absorbing all my nutrients (just fewer of them!) I too thought about, "What if I really need the extra calories?" A) I seriously doubt I WILL, and it would be very easy to get in WAY too many calories with liquids or grazing. This surgery can ALSO be defeated by bad habits, but starvation is extremely unlikely. Best of luck on your journey. Whatever you decide, believe in yourself; that's the biggest key to success.

THAT'S inspiration!

Good for you! I'm fortunate in that I don't have to cook for others; that must be hard to overcome the temptation to sample. I'm on Day 7 of 14 and am also bound and determined to not cheat. WE CAN DO THIS!!!

Awesome!!! I crossed that barrier twice up and down, and was approaching it a third time when I finally said NO MORE! Keep us posted when you hit Onederland!

What he did is inexcusable, but not unforgivable. I do understand his "resentment," for lack of a better word, with your sickness. My wife developed a chronic illness many years ago, and I would have cheated had opportunity presented itself. I am thankful I did not, and finally made peace with myself when I decided that my wedding vows MEANT something. Best decision I ever made. Your husband may come around, or he may not. I would think twice before I would discard this marriage though, as divorce is not pain-free either. If you have a church, perhaps you two could seek counseling from your pastor. Best of luck...

Starting Day 6 of liquid diet. It's not easy; but I've been fairly active and not cheating, so that 800 calorie limit is making the weight fall off. I've lost almost 10 pounds since Monday! Seeing those results makes it a little easier. I can remember losing a few pound in past and then justifying something I shouldn't eat and undoing most of my hard work. I pray I never again adopt that mindset.

Thanks! Hate to disappoint you, but "KS" is my initials. I've never been to Kansas. My daughter has, and Kansas is one of my favorite bands, if that helps...

If you think you need a behaviorist, it's probably a good idea. If you cannot break the hold food has over you, you WILL fail. I have friends who have had RNY bypass and are putting the pounds back on because they were unwilling to make the changes necessary. Like others have said, the sleeve is just a TOOL, not a miracle. You CAN do this, but you must believe in yourself. "If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse."

On Day 5 of liquid diet, doing OK. Staying busy definitely helps. I misread the instructions and they say water or SKIM milk, so I inadvertently cheated a little days 1 and 2 and breakfast on day 3, but am using skim now. Oops... Day 3 was the worst so far, but I've already lost 7 pounds! Coupled with my dieting since February, I have not been this light for probably 17 years! Pre-admission was 7/12, everything went just fine. Just counting the hours now...

Surgery July 24th, liquid diet starts TODAY. I am SO ready for the sleeve!

Day 2 of two weeks liquid diet here also, surgery date July 24th. I'm just keeping my eye on the prize. It's ONLY two weeks, I WILL survive.

Just added myself to the list for the 24th... ________________________________ Update! July sleevers surgery dates July 1 2 Smoggy, Patrick Curl, Faganberry, sleevertobe, ChristineS NY, ladyarwenrose, emptynesterpam, Milca, Pattyhdz, Bigdogkc, BeatrizS1974, khernandez72, Nettle, justme360, deetaylor, kia, 4myfamily, 3 Nabird77 (Gena) , StarshineMama, letsdothis!!!, Christylove, z3djinn, gingersnap70, dar1983, 4 5 tonileebre, 6 Mishy, Beth-n-e, 7 mizzliz83,Sweetsusie, joyfuljoy,LzL1958, 8 9 Shangefan, Gisele3264, ~Donna~, mel2643, Argnewcan, Twhite, jason, vsgchichi, NuStyle, 10 lacie1221, tjloser, KSDallas, bmooney364, lizzybeth, LauraTarry, aranda510, k8tie1, mary101678, 11 Mimismom, thinmomsoon, biggiesmallz, DelongH, lowe1961, SkinnySmurf, soontobe1/2ofmyself, JenniJune, stephyfly, JenniJune, canidothis?, Love1296, Tameka, Island Girl, 12 wyattgsmommy, GI283, Paulson1304, Danielle Beadle, phillygirl8133,vhoke1, 13 LizEac, juliewantstbthin, 14 lorijo67, 15 Mrslittle (Sharnae), 16 Amyl219, laragarza, Marty McSkinnystein, geno5150, lovelyladynhouston, 17 misschris, purplekt, lynnz, RainyGirl, evelynvsg, 18 aleach0003, momoffive, prisytomboy, ButterflyAngel, cindyintenn, juicyr3d, Rafter Jones, Sparky79 19 Minnie Me, Sleeva, Mommy2three, 20 fbelle29, MsE, ko22, 21 22 23 PhoenixFire, Texarkolina, Mamaof8, StrangelyNormal, dixienms, 24 kimbernada, Red597, skowronski777,Red597, mickey1, Trcyprkr70, thin soon, milkD, KS Fort Worth 25 Tinker, kilzanich, Butterfly7, Jlewis229, justchristy123, CBT 26 Jrabbit81, Purpleswirlie (& my BFF who isn't on here I don't think) 27 Ymabme, Vegassleeve, 28 29 30 newmrsL, Born 2BFree, JaciBear, slim lady, smartypants,KikivonMoonshine, 31 Lovemeifyoucan, Carey, PLEASE ADD/ CHANGE YOURSELF AT WILL

I'm still pre-op, but I think you should call your surgeon's office. That's what they are there for. Tell them the truth; keeping secrets from your doctor is never wise.

Thanks guys. I'm using the stuff you can mix with water or skim or 1% milk, but I forgot to buy 1% yesterday, so my first one this morning was with water and ice. Wasn't bad, but I went and bought a gallon after breakfast. I have a lot of things t do these next two weeks so I don't want to short myself. The way he has the diet prescribed is 880 calories a day using milk, so I'll be losing weight anyway. I did find out that a 'rounded' scoop for me is WAY over 35 grams, so I'll be using a digital scale. I do not wish to inadvertently cheat. SO glad they didn't say "no coffee." (I drink it black.) Thinking coffee subbed for water with the chocolate would be good...

I posted a similar question last week. What I had not considered was what sabotaged me every other time I lost weight, and that is STRESS. I've always yo-yo'd like all of us here, but had two particularly good weight loss episodes in the past that were totally undone when my wife and then my dad got sick. With the sleeve, I will have the tool I need to prevent binge eating. ANY weight loss surgery can be defeated by grazing and liquid calories, so the education part of this is still very important. I start my liquid diet this morning and am very comfortable with and excited about my decision to sleeve. That being said, you have to make the decision that is best for you, and I wish you the best of luck whatever you decide.

My doctor, without hesitation, gave me a card from Dr. Kim's office and told me to set up an appointment! THAT was very encouraging.