Snufflegus

I could drink a 20 oz gatoraide after week 1 in about 45 min-an hour. Nurse said this was okay as fluids were important. BUT 8 oz of protein shake took a full hour until about week 3. A 5.3 oz cup of Greek yogurt would also take an hour, just the difference between true fluids and full fluids. I am now 9 weeks out and just fine and still drinking my minimum 64oz and getting the top end of my protein each day.

Oh cool I'm in FL too!! I was sleeved in Orlando

Where in FL are you having surgery? I would say sleeve as many doctors will not do bands any longer. Mine wouldn't and he is very reputable.

I just have to put in some personal experience, I was sleeved 2 months ago. I am 25, was 24 when I got sleeved and made my decision. I remember being in 6th grade wearing a 2xl shirt, although I am 6 foot tall now and was probably 5'10" then. I have always been a large girl. But I always loved myself and didnt let what other people thought of me affect me. I was involved in what I loved and was physically active. Now 10 years ago my mom had RNY and I was with her during her surgery process, back then it was a very big newly accepted surgery. My dad had RNY 4 years ago. Both are doing well at goal and maintaining. In 2006 my mom was so concerned with my happiness (finding love, finding a job etc) she offered to pay out of pocket for my surgery if I would agree to it. Mind you I was a freshman in college and I can not honestly say that I had given it my all to try and lose weight. Eating and good addiction was my families mo. I said no thank you I can do this by myself. I tried very hard in college and right after graduation I went through almost every prescription diet plan there is. Still never had an issue with weight, if you didn't like me I'm sorry was my attitude and my logic in college and still stands true is if you don't love yourself, how can you expect someone else to love you (romantically). I graduated in may 2010, moved away from home in with my fiancé and got a good job. We got married and during this time I didn't gain or lose weight despite the many shake and low calorie, high Protein, low carb plans I was on. I decided I wanted to see a personal trainer and loved it!! Was confident in his plan workout and meal wise, cut out everything that was processed worked out 6 days a week weight training 4 and cardio 2....busting my butt an did have some major body composition changes, BUT only lost around 25lbs in 6 months. 6 months prior to this I had joined VST, exactly 1 year from joining VST I sat in my surgeons office for my initial consult. I had finally given it my all my 110% and realized that there is something holding my weight on that is bigger than I can control with mind over matter without some additional help. I looked over all my research and decide on VSG. This all 6 years after I turned down surgery because I was not mental nor physically prepared for it. I see you say she is excited, but at 14 my body was not finished growing and developing, it makes me question if it will affect her even more being this restricted through high school. Although one of my friends on VST LJ was 17 when he was sleeved. My long drawn out story, but at 14 seeing my mom go through RNY, if she would have offered back then to pay for it, I wouldn't have done it then either....

I agree with everyone else...although being a Floridian and having been to the nice upscale places in Miami I do have to say that regardless what you order there is a chance you will get the looks and things from the wait staff. Enjoy your vacation PS my husband and I try to take advantage of "early bird" specials or late lunches and split things as we both have been sleeved. We have become fans of tapas and appetizers and have told wait staff before oh we're are just here for some appetizers, we each order one and share and take the rest home as leftovers (but I know this is easier because its just the two of us)

Mark - can you post a link to your stack from the other topic? I tried looking and couldn't find it. Much appreciated!!

I wore a sports bra (got a 3 pack from wal-mart) or the first 2 weeks!! It was a life saver until my staples were taken out.

Sugar free frozen yogurt, make a smoothie, if you go to a medical store or health food section you should find sugar free cake for diabetics, and a little piece of that wouldn't be bad. I can not lie I went to the frozen yogurt place in town and about 2 oz of the REAL deal for a treat for my birthday. Just the yogurt, no toppings or anything. It was a nice treat, although I did get a sugar headache and wolnt do that again for a while!

String cheese is a good stand by as well as the little cups of Peanut Butter for kids lunches (is your allowed peanut butter) these are good in a pinch. I was also allowed Protein bars after 4 weeks so that would be an option as well. You will find there are lots of options out there for easy on the go just figuring out what fits into your plan and your lifestyle BTW I love Branson! Used to live in NW/central Arkansas

My surgeon was Dr. Jawad he and his team were amazing!! Tomorrow I will be 7 weeks out. I was a self pay patient I went to my first consult in January and would've been done with my appointments and good to go in march, but scheduled my surgery in may because of my husbands work schedule. I took 2 weeks off work for recovery could've gone back at about 10 days with no issues! I had very little pain at all during the recovery, the worst was end of week 2 into week 3 at the large incision because my muscle was repairing itself. My husband went to Mexico for the sleeve dr. A Ortiz at OCC during my week 4. My journey has been wonderful!! If you have any questions feel free to ask!

I'm from central Florida and was sleeved 7 weeks ago! Not familiar with that doctor sorry!! But welcome aboard!

Go to the hardware store and get a decent sized pipe (3-4 inch pipe) that is about 10-12ft long put an end cap on one end and a twist off cap on the other fill with water. Now carry said pipe in a crooked arm carry around the yard, now lift the pipe over head an do it again. You can vary the exercise by adding more water or also try walking backwards. One of the best core work outs I've ever done...using these slush pipes seems to target your weakest muscles in the back, core, and arms so it seems to work different things each week.

I was sleeved on 5/22/13 and my husband was on 6/18/13! He was going to wait another year but we decided it would be best to do it closer together!! We are enjoying each others support now!

My husband used dr. A Ortiz at occ and we contacted them and had a surgery date options the next day, confirmed information and sent in deposit within 48 hours holding date, then 14 days later he was in TJ so he was able to get in pretty quick. All experiences were good and he is home doing very well!! He was sleeved a week ago yesterday.

My husband just got sleeved last week there. He has not had any problems and was taken good care of. He said the hotel took excellent care of all of the bariatric patients. My husband had a 5 1/2 hour flight back and he did fine with the flight other than the normal complaints, I will recommend calling the airline and requesting a wheel chair and an aisle seat (just in case you need the restroom). Good luck on your journey and welcome to the losers bench!

I grew up in Dover, about 10 miles north of there and moved about 2 years ago to Florida. I don't know much about that doctor, when I was in Arkansas I was going to use Dr. Lambert in Batesville for RNY but things didnt pan out he is an excellent surgeon, but have been told he is no longer doing surgeries. I know the hospitals in LR are amazing and good quality. I'm sure when you go meet your doctor they will have group meetings and my surgeon even has a Facebook group for his patients to use as a sounding board and support group! I wish you luck, I'm sure you will find this site a huge help and great resource!

Power Crunch can be found at gnc, vitamin shoppe, and many grocery stores. If you go to their website they have a store finder! I just ordered some from vitamin shoppe and try we're on sale on line 2 days ago

Vitamin shoppe online had muscle milk lite (powder) on sale like half price off and their delivery is usually 2-4 days. I love mixing it with milk 32g protein for 10oz drink! Ill take it

Someone on another board recommended the power crunch bars, I tried them and fell in love!! They are not too dense and I can complete a full bar in about 30-45 min

Sleeved on 5/22 and down 32.6 lbs way to go May sleevers we are rocking along!

I bought my multi/vitamin from celebrate as well as my b12. My calcium I bought from an online vitamin shop. All are chewable, well the b12 dissolves under your tongue. I bought a 3 month supply of the chewable and will reevaluate then if I want more chewables.

You are not a failure and you could've done something way worse than some peanut butter!! Just get back on the horse and stick to it!! Not sure about what your pre-op consists of but I was allowed sf pudding, Popsicles and Jello to help when that hunger snuck in. In no time you will be done with pre-op and on the losers bench!

I paid $14,400 for everything including 6mo follow-up. I am in Central Florida.

My hubby is going to TJ going on Monday to OCC for dr. A. Ortiz

I was sleeved on May 22 and my husband leaves Monday to be sleeved on Tuesday in TJ. We are both self pay but I'm excited to be on this journey with him!