Cassie1/21

I am only two weeks post-op and the only thing I regret is not getting the sleeve sooner. I no longer use my CPAP nor take any pain meds I have been on for the last 8 months for my degenerative arthritis. The only negativity that I have dealt with is people saying "your taking the easy way!" By all means, this is not the easy way out. It is a tool to help you lose weight and give you the restriction you need so that you don't gain it back. I don't know about you but speaking for myself I have been successful at losing weight in the past but never have been able to keep it off for a length of time and now that I am sleeved I have the restriction that is needed. Good luck to you and remember this is a lifetime marathon...you will learn as you go !!

I am only two weeks post-op and the only thing I regret is not getting the sleeve sooner. I no longer use my CPAP nor take any pain meds I have been on for the last 8 months for my degenerative arthritis. The only negativity that I have dealt with is people saying "your taking the easy way!" By all means, this is not the easy way out. It is a tool to help you lose weight and give you the restriction you need so that you don't gain it back. I don't know about you but speaking for myself I have been successful at losing weight in the past but never have been able to keep it off for a length of time and now that I am sleeved I have the restriction that is needed. Good luck to you and remember this is a lifetime marathon...you will learn as you go !!

I am only two weeks post-op and the only thing I regret is not getting the sleeve sooner. I no longer use my CPAP nor take any pain meds I have been on for the last 8 months for my degenerative arthritis. The only negativity that I have dealt with is people saying "your taking the easy way!" By all means, this is not the easy way out. It is a tool to help you lose weight and give you the restriction you need so that you don't gain it back. I don't know about you but speaking for myself I have been successful at losing weight in the past but never have been able to keep it off for a length of time and now that I am sleeved I have the restriction that is needed. Good luck to you and remember this is a lifetime marathon...you will learn as you go !!

I am only two weeks post-op and the only thing I regret is not getting the sleeve sooner. I no longer use my CPAP nor take any pain meds I have been on for the last 8 months for my degenerative arthritis. The only negativity that I have dealt with is people saying "your taking the easy way!" By all means, this is not the easy way out. It is a tool to help you lose weight and give you the restriction you need so that you don't gain it back. I don't know about you but speaking for myself I have been successful at losing weight in the past but never have been able to keep it off for a length of time and now that I am sleeved I have the restriction that is needed. Good luck to you and remember this is a lifetime marathon...you will learn as you go !!

I am only two weeks post-op and the only thing I regret is not getting the sleeve sooner. I no longer use my CPAP nor take any pain meds I have been on for the last 8 months for my degenerative arthritis. The only negativity that I have dealt with is people saying "your taking the easy way!" By all means, this is not the easy way out. It is a tool to help you lose weight and give you the restriction you need so that you don't gain it back. I don't know about you but speaking for myself I have been successful at losing weight in the past but never have been able to keep it off for a length of time and now that I am sleeved I have the restriction that is needed. Good luck to you and remember this is a lifetime marathon...you will learn as you go !!

I've only been here for a couple of weeks but I am stunned by the number of posts where people ask if it's ok to ignore their post surgical dietary instructions because they really want to eat something they know they shouldn't.
Is it really worth the chance of having complications to satisfy a craving? Do you want to be cut open again to deal with a leak, infection or some other complication? Are people really lacking that much basic common sense? It honestly boggles my mind to read so many posts like that.

I am only four days post op and noticed the cramping earlier in the week but now I use a spoon so I make sure that I take small sips. Popsicles didn't sit good with me until last night. Just take it slow ...I got in 45 g of Protein by doing going slow and using the spoon. Good luck to you.

Welcome...
I am pre-op...started this WLS journey in July. I just finished my CPAP study on Halloween and go to the Pulmonary Specialist today. I just got my surgery date which is January 21st. So happy because I can't believe it is finally going to be here. So far on this journey I have lost 44 pounds by cutting out all processed and sugary foods and exercising for 45 minutes four times a week. I have found an abundant amount of information on this forum as well as many great people to chat with. Good luck to you !!

My surgery is on Monday the 21st and I started liquid diet on Monday consisting of three Protein Shakes a day along with Greek yogurt, s/f Jello, broth, & light low carb dinner consisting of 3-4 oz of lean meat with two cups of salad or non starchy veggies for dinner. According to nutritionist, this shrinks your liver but also the extra Protein in your body will help with the healing.

Try mixing in some sugar free jellos or puddings...that's what I do to flavor my Protein Shakes.< /p>

You look wonderful !!

Tomorrow is my big day for financial clearance for surgery! I have MetroPlus Gold. I pray everything goes without any problems......one step closer to my new life :-)

Just started purée phase last Thursday. Some ideas that worked for me are:
Starkist light tuna in the pouch
Hard boiled egg
Tablespoon fat free mayo
Teaspoon yellow mustard
Purée in my Ninja
3 turkey meatballs
5 tablespoons skim ricotta
1/2 cup fat free turkey gravy
Purée in my Ninja
3 turkey meatballs
5 tablespoons skim ricotta
Small can Hunts no salt added Tomato sauce
Purée in my Ninja
1/2 can fat free refried Beans
1/2 cup fat free sour cream
Just mix up with a spoon
Progresso Hearty Black Bean Soup
1/2 cup fat free sour cream
Purée in my Ninja
All of these make more than 1 serving. I put the extras in small plastic containers to heat for later. Also, I heat in microwave after I purée. I find it works better. I also discovered PB2 powdered Peanut Butter to add to Protein Shakes or really anything if you like peanut butter. I also use Isopure unflavored Protein powder and I mix it with Sugar Free Chocolate pudding for extra protein. You can't even taste it. I bought both on Amazon. Finally, my greatest find was Isopure green tea clear Protein Drink that comes in individual bottles at GNC. It is the only protein drink that I can tolerate right now. I love it! Just bought a case at my local GNC yesterday. Well worth the price for me right now. It has 40 grams of protein in one 20 ounce bottle. Can finish one in a day. Great if you like tea. Drink it cold with ice. Got my Ninja blender at Target.
Hope this helps some of you. Purée is soooooo much better than full liquid phase. I actually feel somewhat normal again.
39 pounds lost since sleeved on November 28th

I use Pure Protein vanilla Creme and mix it with sugar free jellos or sugar free puddings.< /p>

All i want for christmas is...
1. sex under the Christmas tree
2. stockings that fit and dont roll down.
3. calf-high boots
4. Christmas sweaters that dont make me look fat.
5..my VSG on December 26th !!
What are you wishing for?

Congrads on your recent 'sleeves'!! My thoughts and prayers to you for a speedy recovery. I can't wait to be on the losers bench also!!

So I had my surgery today at noon. I'm sitting in the hospital recovery room. 5 small incisions & I'm on a liquid diet for 2 weeks. Overall, it wasn't too bad. A little bit of gas in my tummy from when they inflated it, but I have been walking & that helps A LOT. Anyone that is pre-op.. It wasn't that bad.. Pain is a 2-3/10. Well worth it. Today is the beginning of my new life!

You look great! I'm hoping to get sleeved in January too. Good luck to ya!

You look great!!! Keep up the awesome work! I need to get motivated as well

You are going to be VERY successful with this surgery because you are already committed to doing your part!!!!!! Once you have the sleeve AND are still doing what you're doing now you will be AMAZED at how quickly you will progress! And the fear of yo-yo'ing like so many of us have done will be squelched because you'll have a permanent tool!!!! I was sleeved 2/13/12 and had lost about 40# in the 2 yrs prior to. Since being sleeved 10 months ago I've lost 80lbs!!!!! Still have about 10 to go but am so thrilled with how awesome this has been. So I wish you the best of luck & continued success.

You look fantastic gege...congrats girl and keep up the good work!

ALRIGHT!!! You have done FABULOUS!! So proud of you! We should be having surgery around the same time! I was aiming for Jan 18 or 22nd! (Not submitting for approval till Dec 18)

I just wanted to share my beginning journey and weight loss success so far pre-op. I started this journey in July and am scheduled to have surgery on January 21st. Many times I have felt discouraged because the journey to "my sleeve" seems like forever but than I realize it is just preparing myself and making me stronger for when I finally am sleeved. I have lost almost 50lbs pre-op by following a low carb way of eating and walking on a treadmill with some weight training. I was so happy last night when getting ready for my son's Christmas concert and I could wear a size 18!!! That has not happened in years--so for those who get discouraged put on step in front of the other because slow and steady wins the race !!

Thoughts and prayers to all of you for a speedy recovery!!

Absolutely! Great -and so very true - words of encouragement, Liz . Keep your chin up Alicia. Great and wonderful things are being planned for you. Don't believe me? Find a Bible and read Jeremiah 29:11. Then read Romans 8:28. Then, dear one, take a deep breath, smile and know you are loved and cared for every minute of every day - and have been since long before you we're ever born!