Court

You are doing GREAT! I am six weeks out tomorrow (4-27-11) and I am down 40 pounds. I am not the best patient in the world, as I do not do well with the protein shakes. I do try to make sure I get my protein in my meals. I bought the food scale, and I ahve used it once. I have also found websites with different receipes on it so that I can mix up what we eat. There are several breakfast options to just a scrambled or hard fried egg with cheese and they are higher in protein. try boiled eggs or deviled eggs with some low fat mayo, must and no sugar added sweet pickle relish...really good and a great snack. Good Luck! Keep up the great work

Crabbysal, I am a bad patient! I do not drink the shakes. My husband is looking for the non flavored Whey protein that you can add to any food or drink without changing the taste. I eat about 3 oz at each meal and I keep a bag of Cheez-its on my desk. a small 1.5 oz bag last me about four days because I can only eat three or four at at time. I eat ice all day long every day to get in my water. I am also workin on getting my self on a strick eating schedule so that I don't get so hungry at meal time that I get nauseated adn can't eat. That is my biggest problem. I did try the shakes with skim milk and they were easier to drink instead of with water. It is hard but you have to be in the mind set to do this. Like the blog states my journey was quick so it was a do it now or never for me and I was way past being ready for this change. I am also very lucky to have an awesome support group around me. You can email me any time if you need encouragement. once you are able to start your meals, the hardest thing is learning to cook healthy. You can do this! It does get easier. Good LUck

The decision was made with my husband. We told my parents and his mother first because they would be helping with our children. I also told his paternal grandparents. my co-workers new I was having a procedure but I didn't tell them what procedure until i returned. I chose not to tell a lot of people because of the negative comments about WLS being the "easy way out'...haha if ONLY THEY KNEW!!! Everyone knows now, and my husbands cousins and their partners have started the Atkins diet. I have heard the negative comments but this was the best decision for me and my family so I could care less about what anyone else is saying now that it is over. I just didn't want the stress before hand of having to deal with all that. good luck to you!

Yesterday was my one month mark since surgery, and I feel great. I have lost 31 pounds and my BMI is down 6 points! I am new to this forum, so I have just been reading some of the blogs and I have realized how lucky I was and how lucky I am. My journey to having the gastric sleeve was very short. A friend had it back in November, so I called her and she gave me the surgeons name and information. I filled out all of my forms online on or around February 21 or 22. On February 28 the doctor's office called and said insurance would pay so we set my surgery date for March 16, 2011. My heart breaks that so many people are denied coverage or put through the ringer for approvals to pay. To me this surgery is NOT cosmetic it is life changing and life saving. for those of us who are morbidly obese, this is the only option between a normal healthy long life and an unhealthy short life...why can't these insurance companies see this? I can totally understand them not paying for the plastic surgery after weight loss because that is cosmetic but the WLS itself is NOT in any way cosmetic. Another thing that I have seen with WLS has been the lack of support from those around us. When my husband and I made the decision to move forward with my WLS we told only a select group of family members because so many people have spoken out negatively about WLS. I have been very blessed and lucky to have an amazing husband who has stood beside me no matter what, and my mom and dad and my mother in law. Others have said they support me, but I can see the disapproving looks in their eyes when they talk to me. I am not stupid I know that a lot of people who have never struggled with weight issues have no idea what we who do struggle go through or how hard life is for us. Sometimes I wish for a day they could see what it is like, but then I don't think it would change their way of thinking. My main reason for the surgery is that I have three young children and I want to be able to be active with them and enjoy time with them outside and not always hurting or out of breath or just plain too fat to do something with them. My kids are my world and I want to teach them to eat right and healthy and to exerice. All the women on my Dad's side of the family (my first cousins) are BIG GIRLS! My grandmother was diabetic by the time she was my age (33) and by the time I was old enough to remember she had tons of medical issues because of her weight...I don't want to be that way and I want to teach my daughter, and my sons, the right way. Life is full of things that are beyond our control, but why should we not take control of the things that we are able to take control of???? I know that having the sleeve was one of the BEST decisions I have ever made. I have talked to everyone who has asked about it and I am willing to share my story with anyone who will listen or rather anyone who WANTS to listen, because if I can help one person who is overweight, then they can help one more too and maybe one day we can help to bring this dieseas under control! These first four weeks have been a great journey for me and I am excited to see what the next four weeks bring to my life!

Thank you all so much! It has been a wonderful journey so far! Sometimes I feel like I am not losing fast enough but then I put on clothes that I haven't worn in years adn they fit and I realize I am doing this and it is wonderful! Good luck to all of you also!

You are so welcome! I just read your profile and realized we had our surgeries the same day! today makes FOUR WEEKS!!! YAY! I feel better than ever and I am wearing clothes i haven't worn in over two years. It is still one day at a time and I just bought a scale yesterday. I am down 31 pounds but i see the inches melting away. the little spot on my back where my husband used to "lvoe pinch" me is almost gone...ironic thing is i am happy and he is sad! LOL. I hope that you are doing well. I also read your other blog aout your mother in law, I am so sorry to hear of your family's suffering. We will keep her in our prayers. I saw you drank some chocolate milk, good for you. LOL. I have learned to not deprive myself of something. Nothing works if we do. Keep your head up!

Hey! I remember my surgeon telling me there would be times of little to no weight loss, but that my clothes would fit differently because I would loose inches not pounds. Also, my nutritionist said Whey protein is the best. Check with one in your area to be sure you are drinking the right one. You will make it through this stall and you will reach your goal weight! Good Luck Foxgirl74!!! Remember one day at a time

My name is Courtney and I am 33 years old. I had the vertical Sleeve done on March 16, 2011 and I am down around 30 pounds and my BMI dropped 4 points in two weeks! I didn't tell a lot of people about my surgery before I had it because so many people around me have such negative attitudes towards things, but I have sung the praises of this surgery since then! I was very lucky that I didn't have to go through all sorts of pre op testing or insurance bull and I wish that all people who needed this surgery didn't have to go through all that stuff. I feel so much better, I can walk without having trouble breathing and my hips don't hurt anymore I can actually play with my three children and ENJOY it!!! I wish everyone thinking of having a WLS the best of luck!