moregoodtimes

Is there a special Bcomplex made that has a large enough amount of B12 to cover both or is it best to just do them both? Thanks for the help. MGT

Wow!! Gratz to you and all the work you put into that amazing accomplishment. I can't wait to be able to post that message.

Thanks so much.. the water and the blender air really helped!

Thanks so much... really liked this article. Stored away in my "Stalls/Down in the Dumps" file for review as needed! MGT

You are a complete nut and you enjoy it! =] Don't stop! Wait..have you passed your psych eval yet?? =\ MGT

First let me say I am not yet sleeved but do know others who have been. This is an observation of mine so perhaps those a year out can chime in as to whether I'm accurate or if this is wishful thinking. =] I will have turned 60 by the time I get the sleeve so I'm already prepared to accept a smaller, healthy body and whatever, hair loss, skin sag, wrinkles, I end up with.... but I will be dropping to the floor to play with my grandkids! One thing I noticed is that after a huge loss, it takes time for things to "shuffle" around. I knew one person, with whom I had a closer relationship so actually saw more of the under clothes areas and a few others with more clothes on. It took a good year but the weight not only redistributed itself over their bodies, but the sagging skin also changed... not disappeared, but reduced some and improved because of the weight shuffle. Be kind to yourself, get the weight off, exercise and target the most problematic areas, and then learn to dress in ways that minimize the problem areas and play up your assets. The pouch does not promise added inches of height or a different body type but it helps us be the very best we CAN be. It seems that VSG and patience go hand in hand through all phases of this JOURNEY! Good luck! MGT

No kidding! Well I'll be... can't wait for my next omelet! Thanks so much!!

FAN-freaking-TASTIC !! Bet you'll be walking around with a silly grin on ur face for days!!!

Its major progress my dear! Good gravy! 75 pounds in less than 5 months! Freakin fantastic!

What a super inspiration!

I’ve started my pre-preop diet.. at least 7 days of record keeping before the visit to the nutritionist - eating better, smaller portions, etc. I’ve been making Soups, grilling meats and veggies, etc. I now have bags and containers of measured and ready to eat meals. Great right? Yeah maybe except - Some I can tell what they are, but others – I don’t have a clue! Things in baggies are easy..I’ll start writing on the bag with a marker, but what about containers? I don’t want to write on reusable containers. Does anyone have a system that works or some great ideas so I don’t have to recreate the wheel? Thanks for your help. More Good Times

Thanks Iggy and LosingIt... I even have some of those dots I'll try first then may have to order. This weekend I'm thawing out off the mystery items, using what's identifieable/useable and starting fresh! Thanks all.

Love this... Nice to cook for just me so this would work well. I need the grab and go. Thanks OTR

Soups, broth, blended foods... If I have extra, I pour in a container and drop them in the freezer... now I have 10-12 containers which I can't tell what they are. I'm trying to modify my way of cooking and eating now before preop and surgery. I didn't used to have leftovers!! I cook for one - me and usually it's only one meal and it's gone. I work so am trying to cook more and pack a good lunch instead of doing fast food. Just trying to make some of the changes now. Thanks BB. I appreciate all you comments. Loved the one.. sometimes what I say gets someone off the ledge...sometimes it pushes them over! =]

"Put a piece of tape on the container and write on the tape." OK smart guy! Yes I'm the person who said I really like your straightforward responses! =] Guess I'll have to eat this one! I was hoping for a bit more creative ... at least more specific.. I'm sure scotch would peel off in freezer, duct would leave goop on the container.. maybe masking but betting it peels too. Just thought there might be an easier way that had not occurred to me. I guess a reply of any kind is better than none so thank you very much!! =] More Great Times !!

Sooooo inspirational.... thank you for posting!

This really hit home with me but more so for those on this site who can't get insurance approval and can't manage a cash payment. Once I made the decision, every time something happens that pushes the surgery date out further is such a blow. I just feel awful for those who have made the decision, but can't make it work. I "think" I'm headed for a January surgery date so I've been able to focus on changing my eating habits, stocking up on supplies for pre and post op and getting all my tests done. I don't know what I'd do if I heard there was going to be a major delay at this point. I just can't imagine how those that have either been waiting for months and years and still don't see approval in sight, manage to deal with it emotionally. It's all I can think about nearly every waking moment.

I quizzed my surgeon last week over this very subject. I wanted to know not just "if size matters" regarding long term restriction BUT ALSO about completely controlling ghrelin levels. He teaches others to do this surgery and I feel blessed to be able to have him do mine. As I understand it, this is a relatively new procedure so 8 years is the most historical data they have. He has done over a thousand of these (no leaks) and said he uses a 36 because with the available data, this level of restriction is as effective as the smaller sizes (they only go down to 32) and he sees fewer difficulties adjusting to the new stomach with 36 as compared to the smaller sizes. I went in thinking I wanted a 32, but after the visit, will go with his recommendation. 32F = .40" 34F = .425" 36F = .45" 38F = .476" 40F = .5" 46F = .576" 60F = .75" More Good Times

I'm going for the fitbit and the Fitbit Aria wireless scale to sync with myfitness pal.

Thanks all... sounds like stairs are one less thing to worry about!

WOW - Great to begin with, but magnificent now!! Keep up the fantastic work! How neat to be able to do it together!

I'm with you.. took me nearly 60 years to face the fact that I cannot successfully reach my goal weight and when I do lose, I cannot keep off. I joined this group a short time ago and seldom post but read what everyone writes hour after hour. I feel totally confident going forward with all the info I've learned here and love the fact that I have a support group waiting to help if I faulter. I had my first consultation appointment this week and have already made each and every appointment needed to have everything wrapped up by surgery time in January when insurance will kick finally kick in! I was a little down, having to wait now that I've made the decision, but fully understand making sure I'm physically, emotionally and mentally prepared for this journey so I now look forward to start eating more like I will post op, getting into the exercise habit, and stocking up on all the food and supplements I'll need post op and planning my new life. Good luck to all of us 60ish people who know we still have some of the very best years of our lives ahead! Can't wait until I can post my surgery date! Good luck to you..it's not long now!! Keep us posted. MGT

Love it! I've been logging some of the quotes I like that I've seen on VST.... Here's a couple more: Trust the sleeve! Do your part and it will work. It's a tool - not a magic wand. Now yours! My body is not ruined! I'm a goddamn tiger and I earned these stripes! MGT

To the amazing VST community! You are all awesome in my book! The decision to have WLS hit me about a month ago and I began my research. I went to an informational meeting and have my consultation appointments this Tuesday on October 9th, 2012. I refer to the decision as "hit me" because that's pretty much what it was. I am 59, have been obese nearly my entire life and have been unable to maintain any significant or tiny weight loss. I considered surgery about 4 years ago and had the same thoughts I see others have... I should be able to do this on my own, why would I take such a drastic measure, etc, etc... But this time...it is right for me and I know it without a doubt. I have, so far, had an amazing life but I'm about to take an action that will extend my life and make it much more enjoyable! I will able to retire in a few years and move back to another state where my grown sons, their wives and my two little grandsons reside. I absolutely cannot wait! My entire focus the past few years has been to position myself for that new portion of my life, but now this new and thrilling option of the gaining the help I need to claim control my weight and its limitations, has taken over my every waking moment! You guys on this site are amazing. The positive way you deal with those of us with only the dream of a better us, is to be commended. I've found several of you to be my "faves" particularily OTR Sleever, LilMissDiva and AngelBaby... mainly because the positive way you provide truly pertinent content in your postings. There are tons more of you who have provided amazing info so my intent is not to start out my journey with any "haters." =] It's all love and caring here!! One of my concerns that I have not seen anywhere here is this: I have to change insurance options so will not be covered until January of 2013 which means I'm at least 3-4 months out and self-pay is not an option for several years and most likely never. I currently have a 241 BMI with only hypertension as a comorbidity. I am so stoked, excitied, reved up..insert whatever word fits here to describe my over-the-moon excitement to get going on my healithier life but here's the problem. I lose weight pretty easily because I can follow healthy eating and great workout plans to a "T" for certain amounts of time. I would not be here if I could maintain that lifestyle - thus WLS to add to my toolbox. According to my calculations, I could easily hit a lower BMI BEFORE the surgery and knock myself out of insurance qualifications. I basically need to maintain or loose very little. Currently I've been thinking over these possibilities but thought I'd get some good advise/opinions from all of you who know more than me about this adventure! I have just joined this site, myfitnesspal.com and have preordered a fitbit. I have extensive info on pre and post op food options, proteins/carbs/fats required and I know how to calculate exercise/calories burned. So the only option I see for me is to monitor carefully my weight while replacing muscle weight with fat weight and with changing my current horrid eating habits with those I will be following post surgery..with the exception of amounts I guess. I also have to remember there will be a pre op diet plan which could very well pull several pounds off. I don't mind the time and energy this level of management/monitoring will take, but I just want to get it right..not spin my wheels and sabotage myself. I expect on Tuesday, when I see the NUT, I'll be handed the "usual" info which is to start the eating/exercise plan now. I'd love to channel all this excitement and energy into that, but it could also mean no surgery if I'm successful! So how am I supposed to manage this?? Finally, if I'm nutzo here please just say so! I've constructed a pretty tough shell over the years!! =] I truly appreciate your thoughts, suggestions, ideas, comments... You have all contributed more than you can ever know to what is going to be, my next "best years of my life!" Thank you, thank you, thank you! MGT !

Only hypertension One of the 4 I see on Tuesday is the finance person. The questions about what weight/bmi timing the nsurance co uses, and if they'll include the dr supervised program .. will be good to ask then! And what they require regarding previous attempts- Thanks.. have a list for the doc, but had not begun one for the others... here we go...more lists! Sincerely appreciated MGT