SpaceDust

Welcome, and the best of luck to you!

I'll second the Barilla Plus. We've been using it, as well as whole grain pastas for quite a while. The nice thing about the Barilla Plus is the texture and flavor is still pretty much like normal white pastas. The whole grain pastas, while they taste good to us, do have a noticeably nuttier taste and a slightly less risilient texture.

My one week pre-op diet will be 3-4 Protein shakes a day plus a light dinner. Total calories are under 900. Same goal of shrinking the liver. Good luck!

Hi, all. I'm from Monroe, and if all goes well I'll be getting my sleeve in July sometime. I'm working with Dr Michaelson at NWWLS. I've done my obligatory 6 months of supervised diet with Sarah, had my psych evaluation with Linda, and now just waiting to do the last bits closer to my planned surgery.

Ain't THAT the truth?!?! Only it seemed more like a train wreck to me. Engine jumped the track, boxcars all derailed and tanker cars carrying hazardous materials on their sides with flames starting to creep really close.... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

What do you take us for? We aren't going to be your suppliers! Have a Vicodin, but you'll have to go find your Snickers fix somewhere else, missy! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Sure, I have some extra! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Can I take Vicodin instead? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Oh, my.... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Actually, per my studies and conversation with bariatric specialists it's highly unlikely to cause any significant stretching with a sleeve. The fundus (the stretchy part of the stomach) is the portion of your stomach that is mostly or totally removed in a sleeve surgery. The idea of stretching is a holdover from the gastric bypass, in which the pouch does include fundus material and will stretch. That said, carbonation can create discomfort, the acids in many sodas can be hard on your stomach, and regular sweet sodas are like drinking a sugar bowl. It definitely isn't anything I want to play with early on, and when I'm ready to give carbonation a go, I'll stick to sparkling Water with a splash of juice. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Your English was fine. Welcome to the site! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

It is safe, but with such a low BMI, people will ask questions. Here in the US, it's tough to get a doctor to even consider doing a sleeve if you're under 40 BMI, unless you have co-morbidities like diabetes or sleep apnea. Even then, they usually aren't willing to take on someone with less than 35 very often, though I won't say it never happens, of course! That's why you're hearing so much concern. Don't worry, there will still be plenty of support, it's just a bit worrisome Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

It might be worth doing some research on facial exercises designed to reduce double chins. Can't hurt, and might help start tightening things up. Good luck!

Good to hear! I think it's probably useful to some people, but it's good to be aware of the potential complications!

Hi, Paul - Did you try the usual means of dealing with constipation at the first sign, by chance? I had "issues" after abdominal surgery a few years ago, and went through the usual battery of OTC stuff, but what finally worked for me was a suppository. I'll tell you, though, I was about ready to try that nasty stuff they give you to empty your digestive tract before colonoscopies, and I HATE that stuff! I'm glad you got it resolved, though. Congrats on your success thus far!

Hang in there, Samica - you've got this! Just don't let it overwhelm you. You need to lose 2 lbs in the next 11 days. That's your first goal, and it's very short term, but also very doable. KimMarh suggested a liquid diet for a week. That would almost certainly take care of the 2 lbs, and more, but if that seems overwhelming, maybe think about doing protein shakes for breakfast and lunch, then a sensible dinner. You've already cut the carbs, it sounds like, so a lean protein and some healthy veggies would do the trick. Drink lots of water. Try and get 30 minutes of walking in each day, if you aren't doing so already. I'll bet that you could even manage to do the sensible dinner at a restaurant if you put your mind to it, right? Order grilled meats/poultry/fish, no sauce or at the least sauce on the side so you can control it. Ask for your veggies to be prepared without butter. Hey, it's just a little more than a week, right? Easy-peasy. Once that is done, think about what you need to do to get the other 10 lbs off. You'll have 3 months to do that. That's less than a pound a month. Focus on one week at a time. I'll bet if you try, you could even manage more than 10 lbs before July 9! Keep us posted - we'll be your cheerleaders

Congratulations! You look fabulous, and you look like you FEEL fabulous, which is even more important!

Take a deep breath. Okay, now, think about this - you are now 21 lbs lighter in a little over a month. How often have you managed that on a diet? Maybe once in a great while, right? My NUT told me that getting enough Water was absolutely key to my weight loss, so try to get that up a bit more. Are you getting out there and getting some exercise, even if it's just walking around the block? It helps to get your metabolism perking along. If you can, it would probably not be a bad thing to start incorporating a little bit of strength building exercises, as well - remember that muscle burns more energy! Another thing is, did you measure yourself before? Have you remeasured to see the inches you've lost? If not, are your clothes fitting better or even getting baggy? Sometimes those changes don't immediately show on the scale. There are lots of sleevers here who haven't lost weight in a huge hurry - I'm sure you'll hear from them, too. But the big thing is, don't panic. The weight IS coming off. Good luck!

Meanwhile, here in Western Washington, near Seattle, we are enjoying beautiful mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 60's (F). It's weekends like this that make up for the gloomy late falls and winters around here! Seriously, congrats, Cathy! I hope to be able to join you in that carefree mode by this time next year!

"Normal" meaning what a naturally thin person might eat, rather than the old super-sized portions, right? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Welcome! Come on in and kick your shoes off. I think there's a seat over on the couch, and plenty of Water to drink. We can even scare up some diet-appropriate flavorings for it if you like! It's pretty much a big family around here. There are sometimes very vocal differences of opinion, but in the end it's a pretty affectionate and caring bunch who are happy to help . I know I'm glad to meet you! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST