DanaInNewOrleans

Just curious if I will be able to count my protein shakes as a liquid?

Keep us updated!! All of us still waiting ( I'm in November) LOVE to hear details details details!! Good luck!! Its the beginning of "the best is yet to come"!

Congratulations Ashley! Looking wonderful! You must be on cloud nine. And girl, your legs look great!!!

I just noticed your surgery is tomorrow! That is great!

Here are some more .... Go back to Hawaii, back Kauai and Maui ....and instead of just walking around the secluded hidden beaches than we found, actually play IN the surf and crashing waves....in a bathing suit instead of jeans and shirt. Actually hook back up with childhood and school/college friends who have contacted/found me on Facebook. I'm sure they think I'm a b***h or aloof... the truth is I don't want them to see me. So so sad how this blubber ruins lives... I wish I could like this like 20x. SO FUNNY!!

I have NEVER EVER worn shorts either. Not even as a kid. How sad it that?

I have a question. Initially my husband had concerns about me having this surgery but since I am determined to go through with it he is supportive. Of course he is still concerned about the just the general risk of elective surgery. His next primary concern is "will this work" and what if it doesn't work? He's seen me struggle with my self esteem and scale obsession. He has watched me sink further and further into depression and isolation. We've been together for 9 years...we met after I had lost 160lbs (low carb). I managed to keep it off for 6 years but in the last 5 years I have gained roughly 60lbs back. Nothing I tried worked -- although I have never reversed back to my old eating habits before my 160lb loss. I have mostly stuck to a low carb diet. Rice, Pasta, bread, potatoes are not a part of my everyday life. I just was not quite as strict-- sometimes I would cheat a little but never full blown. In the last year I have gone back to strict low carb. I could not lose a pound. If I did lose 2 pounds it came right back. It was just crazy. Ok, so I thought maybe my body has become immune to low carb after 12 years. Maybe I need to mix it up a bit -- I joined Weight Watchers. I DID NOT LOSE 1 POUND. I actually GAINED a few pounds. This is where his concern comes in. He is worried that since I already watch carbs closely and limit calories (although of course not near as low the 600 calories after the sleeve. More like 1200) that the surgery will not have much of an impact or shock to my system to be more than minimally successful. He's concerned that I will have put myself at risk by having surgery,put myself at risk of serious complications and changed my entire life for minimal gain ( or loss in this case ) I'm 49 so I know my metabolism has changed. I also take a ton of medications ( who knows what the hell they do to body chemistry) and do have health issues that limits exercise but I feel like I have no other options. I feel like this surgery is m only hope to be able to live a fulfilling life. Now, finally to my question. Are there Sleevers out there who have a similar story? I'd love to hear your opinion and your experience with this surgery. I'd love to be able to show my husband real life proof that it can be successful. I don't have grand illusions. I don't need to be thin. I'd be happy just to be labeled "overweight" instead of obese or morbidly obese. I'm 5'3" and I would be ecstatic if I could get to 160 - I'd probably be on cloud nine. But now his concerns are starting to worry me and making me wonder too. I told my surgeon these concerns -- he told me this surgery actually causes the body to reset its "set points". He did not go into much detail. I searched the internet and I really cannot find any information about that theory other than just the statement that it seems to reset the body's set points. Anybody else know anything about that theory? Sorry such a long post. Any insight would be very appreciated. ~Dana

I just tried Unjury unflavored protein powder and I was really surprised at how really "unflavored" it is.

Hi Crystal, Can you give me an idea of what your daily menus look like 6 months out? Can you eat most everything ( much smaller portions of course)? Are there any foods you cannot eat? Thanks in advance! ~Dana

And if they're not in the basement they're in the dark corners of the store where the "normal" people don't have to be subjected to seeing us!

Are you still crushing your meds because you can't swallow them or crushing them on doctor's order due to a metabolizing issue due to the tiny stomach. I'm curious because I take quite a bit of meds, both in the morning and night...I'm dreading this part.

Gotcha!

Yeah!!! I received my samples of unjury the other day. I've been drinking Atkins and Pure Protein RTD shakes. I doctor them up a bit ( a little low carb milk, 1 tbls SF pudding mix, 2 tbls Greek yogurt, 1/4 banana, 3 ice cubes) and they end up tasting like dessert! I am serious. Now I know after surgery I won't be able to drink the shakes for a few weeks at least (right?) and I've been trying different samples of protein powders. All have been YUCK. Until today. Today I added UnJury Unflavored Protein powder to my shake to boost protein. Not the whole packet --probably 1/3 of the packet. I could not taste anything different. The texture of the shake did not change nor did the taste! So this is how my shake shakes out in the blender! I'm guesstimating -- I did not convert measurements 1 Pure chocolate Bliss Pure Protein RTD Shake: 120 Calories 23g protein 1/4 Cup low carb Hood Milk: 20 Calories 1g Protein 1/4 banana 20 Calories 0g Protein I Tablespoon sugar free Pudding 25 Calories 0g Protein 2 Tablespoons Greek yogurt 35 Calories 6g Protein 3 cubes ice 1/3 packet of Unjury Unflav Protein Powder 30 Calories 7g Protein 245 Calories 37g Protein It makes a large VERY filling shake-- often I just drink half and save the rest for later. Now the next big test will be to put it in something else -- coffee, Soup, etc.... What type of Clear liquids (immediately after surgery phase) would be good with Unjury Protein. I really want to try to get protein in right after surgery. I have too many immune system health issues (MS, Lupus) to get run down so I want to really try to get my protein in during the weeks right after surgery. I hope the powder is still tasteless in other clear liquids.....

I made sure to buy the thermometer when I ordered my samples. Where do you buy your Unjury? Obviously I will be buying a tub of it!

1. Playing Tennis again. Learn to play golf 2. Clothes clothes clothes. I've always teased my husband that it's a good thing I'm not thin because I'd been on Oprah confessing my shopping/clothes addiction. I'd love to be able to wear cute Maxi dresses...and actually look cute in it! 3. Go to Europe and be able to do all the walking that is necessary without getting completely exhausted. 4. Maybe take up horseback riding again. I had horses all through my childhood and teenage years and my dream is to one day live in a place where I could keep a couple of horses. I'm still thinking of other things... I'll get back to you. There are probably hundreds of things!!!!

Great Question! I love reading everyone's stories...

Hi Jenny, I'm in Mandeville (Northshore of New Orleans)....I'm hoping for surgery in late November.... ~Dana

I'm copying this and plan on using your template! Can you give me an idea of what your meals, Snacks and liquids consist of?

So Jello counts as a clear liquid?

Hi Amy, So it was the Unjury broth that was the problem, not broth in general? And when you say broth in broth out, which end are we talking about?

It really is ridiculous that your hospitals don't cover WLS. Maybe you could be a crusader and talk to the administrators? I was in the same boat when I worked for a hospital --- no coverage for WLS. They do cover it now though. It always cracked me up. But most insurances/employers have come around I think. Your hospitals will probably see the light some time in the future. Good luck in Mexico. I have not seen one negative thing from anyone who had the surgery in Mexico(of course I don't read every post). In fact, I was thinking that it seems the Mexico Sleevers have less complications.

That is great! Congratulations! I cannot wait -- I'm chomping at the bit. November can't come soon enough.

How are you doing Shan? ~Dana

How are you feeling? Any surprises... Good or bad?

Hey all the Sleevers who have had surgery Hi Lifesaver! So tell us how you're doing? Any complications? Have the last 3 weeks been what you expected? Or did anything take you by surprise? I know, lots of questions! I'm sorry! It looks like my date will be in late November ( my Aetna 90 days are up Nov 13)