JerseyGirl68

My NUT suggested adding a scoop of powdered milk to shakes to double the protein, I liked to add some PB2 to bulk it up. Which shakes are you using? I know the protein content varies drastically in different brands.

I thought about needing surgery that way for about 30 seconds.. .then it hit me how much harder it was for me to go through with it, take control of my health and finally do something that would get me where i need to be. This process is not easy, it is not a cure all and it is not a cop out. It is a permanant, life-altering change that we have to work at to be successful. I am proud that I took the steps necessary to move my life forward in a positive, healthy way. I make better choices now. No one makes me... I make me. You may not be ready and that is ok. You need to do what is best for you. Figure out if you're mentally as ready as you will be physically to undertake surgery and post op. It's great that you have started the pre-op diet, its not easy and it takes committment. Only you can know if now is the right time for you. Best of luck.

One day at a time... You are doing so great! Looking GOOD!!

Ugh. I'm so sorry you're not feeling the support you need. From what you are saying it seems that their concern is coming from a good place. Understandable if you have had some complications from surgery in the past. In that sense, I believe it is common for those that love us to be scared if they think what we are doing is unnecessary. I was very lucky, I really did not get anything but support from those closest to me. I had one friend who wasn't thrilled, but kept it 'mostly' to herself. You have to trust in what you have researched and what you need, make your decisions based on that. If we only made decisions based on fear, God knows where we would be. Take strength from your husband and if others are not capable of support, try not to count on them for it - they have told you what they think, and unfortunatley you probably won't be able to change their minds. Come here, post/vent/whatever. We are a built in support system. Best of luck to you, you can get through this.

Good luck! Keep us posted!

Hey there, What food stage are you at? If it were me, I would take a step back and start slow. Try full liquids for a day or so, sipping or drinking from small cups just to get you started. It might just ease you in so you can progress as you are supposed to. Sounds like you're beating yourself up enough, so all I can add is remember you are still healing. Give yourself and your body time. Good luck!

Have you tried unjury chicken Soup? I recommend it a lot, as it tasted great to me, went down easy and gave me the Protein I needed. Good luck!

I had to write a letter to submit to my insurance. I started it off with my name, age, weight and the statement that I was morbidly obese. I did get somewhat personal, meaning I explained my limitations and how it effected me day to day. I listed all my efforts throughout the years, the time, money and energy spent and my desire to be ablet o finally find a tool to help me succeed. I explained that I understood that this was a permanant procedure, uncompromising and life-long, and that I was ready and willing to embrace the changes necessary. My coordinator told me it was heartfelt and clearly showed my need and desire for approval for surgery. I did not have any co-morbidities, but I would detail them and how your quality of life is deminished by these weight related issues. Good luck!

A newborn baby Giraffe.. LOL nice

Good luck tomorrow!!

Best of luck tomorrow!!

Not one single moment. I just got tired of being tired. Tired of not having the energy to play with my neices and nephews. Tired of being in pain at the end of the day and when I woke the next morning. Tired of making excuses why I didn't join in some activities. Tired of always thinking ahead, concerned how my size was going to effect what I was doing. Would i fit comfortably in the seat, would the seatbelt fit... just everything. Single best decision I have ever made. Yes, it was scary, but no scarier than wondering what phyical weight-related ailment was waiting for me around the corner.

It is such a personal decision to move forward with surgery. One that only you can truly answer. It is scary, and it has its risks. If you believe you should give it another try on your own to lose weight, you should. Surgery is not for everyone and though it was not the case for me, I have known people who lost weight and kept it off on their own. You have some time, it absolutely won't hurt to start on a diet plan now. I took that route and lost almost 60lbs. on weight watchers prior to surgery. I believe transitioning from WW to the sleeve helped prepare me for what was to come. Best of luck in whatever you decide!

Also from North Jersey. I was sleeved on December 12, 2012. Everything going really well. Very happy with my decision. Super smooth recovery and, though I wish I was losing faster, I am very satisfied. Good luck!

Have a safe trip, smooth surgery and uneventful recovery! Good luck!

Best of luck to you tomorrow! Keep us posted

Ugh.. the last few days can be mentally draining. Have you shared your surgery with your family? If you have followed what your surgeon asked leading up to surgery, I am sure you are fine. Doctors have very different pre-op plans for us, all you can do is what you were instructed. It is normal to be anxious, this is major surgery with life-long changes. Keep reminding yourself why you made this choice, all the things you can't wait to do as you get healthier and try to keep yourself busy. I'm glad you shared, this forum is a great place full of folks who have all walked or are walking this path. I hope these last few days go quickly and you have a safe surgery and smooth recovery! Good luck!!

I love this post! Thanks so much for sharing. You must feel just amazing.

I'm going to jump on the dust yourself off bandwagon here. There is nothing you can do to change what happend. Do your best to remember how you feel about it and hopefully that is motivation enough to not take that first bite. I know I can't even try some things.. not because my sleeve has a problem.. its all me. One bite of certain things just makes me want more. There will always be people around who belive one bite won't hurt you. And for the most part they are right, unless you are a food adict and then all bets are off. Start fresh now, and begin tomorrow with a plan for the day and make the best choices you can. You can do it! I hope the rest of your day is beter.

Welcome Shannon! I've found this forum to be a huge source of information, compassion and support throughout the entire process. Best of luck to you!!

Awesome! Congratulations!!

I was the same as CowgirlJane. I tried it all, a few times with varying success. It is a personal decision, one that you have to be ready to embrace. Doubts are normal, it is major surgery. You need to follow your heart and do what is best for you - and only you will know what that is. Unless this is a dire situation and your comorbidities, if any, are making it a necessity, take your time and be sure in whatever you decide. Best of luck to you!!

Hey Rebecca! I'm so sorry you are struggling. The only advice I have is reboot. You can bash yourself for letting it happen, but that won't serve much purpose. Choose YOU! Start today new and move forward with a plan of attack. I know I need to stay away from the carbs, because once I start, that's it. I will only crave that. I won't even buy the Snacks that could derail me. Clean out the cabinets and start fresh. Go back to basics and follow a plan. You had surgery in Mexico right? Do you follow up here with a nutrionist? I know mine has been a god-send. If not, try tracking your food with MyFitnessPal or something similar. I've found some good Protein Bars that are high protein/low carb/low fat that satisfy me when I want a snack. Nuts have also been a great snack option. Be strong, you can do this! I am so happy you posted, it is harder to put our struggles out there, you are stronger than you think. Good luck.

Hi Shauna! Welcome! I'm 8 months out and could not be happier, feel better or be more certain that this was the best choice for me. I don't presume this is the optimal route for everyone. I have been incredibly fortunate that I had a very smooth recovery and steady loss since my surgery. In my mind, I am a slow loser, but that really is just in my mind. I've been averaging about 10lbs a month since surgery. I no longer turn to food every time I'm having a bad day or weak moment. Not to say I haven't thought about it, I just don't want to derail myself. I want to suck every ouce out of this honeymoon phase for as long as I can. It is not the easiest thing I've ever done (gaining the weight was) It took some restructuring, some patience and a lot of support from my family/friends and the good folks here at VST. They have been my greatest advocates, cheerleaders and butt kickers when called upon. I read everything I could get my hands on to prepare myself and feel I went into this fully prepared. I agree that making the decision was probably the hardest for me. Only in the sense that I had to be honest about my needing help to finally be successful. And committing to the life-long changes I needed to make. It's never fun thinking you can't do something on your own. But I keep reminding myself that the sleeve is only a tool. I AM doing the work. I'm making the choices, I alone am accountable for my success. Boy to I feel like a motivational speaker rep. . I decided to take this year for me.. Focus on me, my health and my commitment to this process. the first few months I purposfully avoided situations where it would be harder to stay the course. We all have those in our life that say "just one pices of cheesecake won't hurt"... Those tend to be those that can stop at one piece, in my experience. 8 months into it, I'm stronger than I thought and enjoy events /dinners out as much as I ever did. With my choices in place, and my home stocked with those good choices, I am finding this to be the "easiest" way I have lost weight. I am lucky that I do not feel hunger, though I expect it may return and I am ready for it. I know that if I am struggling I have this forum full of those that came before me that know exactly how I am feeling and can be of tremendous help. The restriction for me is key, I still portion my food, mostly just not to waste. I now have a blast running around with and after my young neice. Something that was much harder for me a year ago. No regrets at all, unless you cound wishing I had done it sooner a regret. I wish you as smooth a journey as I have been fortunate to have. Good luck!!

I also have an office job. I was sleeved on a Tuesday and was back at work the next Monday. I had a very easy recovery and felt strong enough to go back. I also work pretty close to home and only had to drive on local roads a short distance. I recognize that my reflexes were not 100% so I don't know that I would have been comfortable driving long distances on highways initially. I also did not lift anything over 10lbs. for 6 weeks. or reach for anything where I had to stretch. I was a little more tired than normal for the first few days but otherwise ok. I did make sure to get up and walk around at least every hour. Good luck!!