DanaInNewOrleans

LOL! I'm am so sorry Carrie! I have no idea what weirdo thing made me think you were a guy! Obviously I didn't pay attention to your name!

Hi Amy! Welcome to VST. The people are so great here. The veteran Sleevers are very generous with their time and knowledge and are always willing to answer questions, give support, and when needed, give a little nudge to help get you back on track if you veer off. I've been on the board for a little over a month and I've learned so much. I'm hoping for a late November surgery date ( my 90 day Aetna requirement ends on Nov. 13) It will be so nice for us Novembers to be able to support one another since will all be going through it together! ~Dana

Hi, I believe the insurance companies require a definitive diagnosis. None of your labs indicate definitive disease. Your blood pressure is great, LDL and HDL are slightly elevated. Your A1c of 5.8 may be indicative of Metabolic Syndrome. ( I work in the Clinical Laboratory industry.) What is your BMI? Some insurance companies don't require a co-morbidity if the BMI is extremely high.

Hi, I felt the same way about almost all the shakes and protein powder. For me Atkins and Pure Protein were the only ones I could tolerate. Now LOVE the Atkins and Pure Protein shakes because I doctor them up. I swear to you it feels like I'm cheating! Here is one of the shakes I just recently made. There are so many things to do to doctor them up ...once I realized that I'm sure I can handle the liquid diet. Now I am still concerned about the clear liquid stage because there is not much to work with to doctor that up. But I believe that is only for a few days. I just put everything in a blender and they come out awesome! 1 Atkins Cafe Caramel shake 1/4 banana 1 tablespoon sugar free Banana Cream pudding 1-2 tablespoons plain Greek Yogurt 1/5 cup of Hood low carb milk 1/2 teaspoon of Coconut Extract 3 ice cubes This was my morning shake today... Atkins French Vanilla shake 1/4 banana 1 tablespoon chocolate sugar free pudding mix 1/2 cup Hood lowfat milk 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons Unjury unflavored Protein Powder ( just to boost the protein grams) 3 cubes of ice Quote MultiQuote Edit

Hi, I felt the same way about almost all the shakes and Protein powder. For me Atkins and Pure Protein were the only ones I could tolerate. Now LOVE the Atkins and Pure Protein Shakes because I doctor them up. I swear to you it feels like I'm cheating! Here is one of the shakes I just recently made. There are so many things to do to doctor them up ...once I realized that I'm sure I can handle the liquid diet. Now I am still concerned about the clear liquid stage because there is not much to work with to doctor that up. But I believe that is only for a few days. I just put everything in a blender and they come out awesome! 1 Atkins Cafe Caramel shake 1/4 banana 1 tablespoon sugar free Banana Cream pudding 1-2 tablespoons plain Greek Yogurt 1/5 cup of Hood low carb milk 1/2 teaspoon of Coconut Extract 3 ice cubes I just finished my morning shake--- Atkins French vanilla shake 1/4 banana 1 tablespoon chocolate sugar free pudding mix 1/2 cup Hood lowfat milk 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons unjury unflavored Protein Powder ( just to boost the protein grams) 3 cubes of ice

I just tried the Pure Protein Chocolate RTD shake. I did not care for it much -- it was not horrible but I didn't think I could get down more than a few sips. So I doctored it up and it came out GREAT! Its VERY filling so I know after surgery this will be 3 meals ( at least). I think I will try adding some Unjury unflavored protein powder to boost protein. I've never tasted the protein powder -- I hope it doesn't ruin it! Here is what I did using Hamilton Beach Personal Blender I added the following to Chocolate Pure Protein Shake 1/4 banana 1 tablespoon Sugar Free Banana Cream pudding 1-2 tablespoons plain Greek Yogurt 1/5 cup of Hood low carb milk 1/2 teaspoon of Coconut Extract 3 ice cubes ~Dana

Congratulations! I'm hoping and praying that my experience will be just like your experience!

Would your doc allow you to make your own shakes or choose a different one? My doc uses Prescripfit, which I cannot tolerate. It is gross. I switched to Atkins and Pure Protein shakes and I doctor them up. They taste like I'm cheating! Seriously! Can you explain your feeling to the nutritionist?

You might want to talk to another surgeon. I'd ask your current surgeon, What if it happens again? Will he do the open surgery or close up again? If he says he'd close up again I would look for someone else.

I was just getting ready to post the exact same thing! It really does look like you lost a lot more! You look awesome! Very handsome!

Hi Cas, What type of Protein shake are you drinking?

600 calories really does seems awfully low on a long term basis, especially for a guy.

We actually left and went to Dallas the day before Isaac hit because we knew we'd be without power. We stayed with friends and made sort of a vacation out of it. The power was out until Saturday but we stayed the until Monday. We made out really well. Just a little Water under the front door which kind of ruined our wood floors and some fallen tree branches. The hurricanes and evacuations are just a fact of life around here!

Good luck! You're in the home stretch!

Hi, I see most people here exercise quite a bit and naturally believe it to be a key to being successful. Is there anyone out there who was successful with only limited exercise? When the weather gets cool/cold I can walk, which I plan to do. I am limited on my exercise options because of the following: (yes, I'm a train wreck!) ACL Tear and Meniscus Tear - Left Knee ( my fat a$$ was playing tennis, which I am now forbidden to do by my ortho) Multiple Sclerosis - I have to avoid getting overheated ( among other reasons) or my symptoms relapse. Lupus - I have to avoid exposure to sunlight I would love to lose enough weight to be able to be more active -- bike riding, hiking....etc (in cold weather) My surgeon and nutritionist are aware of my limitations but did not seem to believe it would affect my ability to lose weight...or maybe they were just being kind and they know I will only have limited success. But a small weight loss is better than no weight loss/gain right?

Hi, We are right around the same weight/height (before you lost so much! ) My husband has suggested a stationary bike too. Maybe that would be a good thing too. I could put in the bedroom and it would take up any space living room space.

Hi Jane, Yep, my biggest embarrassment is my inner thighs and they're only going to get worse with weight loss. I will DEFINITELY need plastic surgery for them. I've heard that that surgery is one of the more difficult recoveries. Biker shorts are a great idea!

Hi Sassy, I love your attitude!! I know I shouldn't care as much as I do. Chalk it up to 40 years of shame.... Actually if I lose a little weight I think I could manage the courage to wear shorts and t shirt. If only I could find a pool with a "plus size night or day". ~Dana

Hi Lissa, I am more determined than ever after reading everybody's responses. My take away message is to do whatever you can -- even a little means a lot. I plan on getting started on light weights - although I really don't know any of the different weight lifting exercises. My husband does and he'll work with me. And one good thing is that my surgery will probably happen in late November -- just in time for cooler weather which will allow me to get outside. And when its too hot I'll just walk fast around my house! And I'm hoping that once a lose some weight my knee won't be as much an issue. I'm sure it will still be a problem but I think I'll have more options with regard to activity. One thing I want to let everyone know-- I do not use a wheelchair. I am still mobile, thank God. I'm very lucky. I always enjoy reading your posts Lissa! You are a wonderful ambassador for VST!! ~Dana

Hi, Many people have mentioned weights so I think that is something I will start! Thank you!! ~Dana

Confession -- I LOVE to swim but there is no way I will get in a pool. I'm too embarrassed in front of people. Now, let me lose some weight and get plastic surgery ( I'm getting way ahead of myself!) and then I will go swimming.

HI Sassy! Looks like we're in the same boat! I do plan on walking --even if I have to do it inside my house and go round and round! LOL And I think I will start lifting light weights too. You look fantastic -- I always like reading your posts! Congratulations of 106lbs GONE!! That is awesome-- you're beautiful now and I'm sure you will even more of a knockout ! ~Dana

I'm sure you be look fantastic!! Keep us posted! I can't wait to see your "after"pics ( if you share them!)

Sweetums, I hope your mom is doing well. I think I will have to just be more calorie restrictive, even as time goes on. My activity resolves around whether it is Summer or Winter. In New Orleans we have 4 seasons -- Unbearably hot and humid, Not quite as unbearably hot and humid, Cooler but still sometimes warm, Sometimes cold but mostly cool and still sometimes warm. LOL.... The heat is just a killer for MS patients. Fatigue is the other big one for me. We try to take vacations to someplace cool/cold so that I can enjoy them and be active.

Thank so much for the suggestions! Something you said clicked -- my nutritionist said that I have about a year to lose as much weight as possible- then it becomes much harder. She may have been thinking the same thing you said about the 9 month mark and realized I will probably have get the most bang for my buck in first year and then it will be much more difficult, especially because of the exercise issue. I think the weights are a great idea!