Diane_65

I also had to submit 5 years of documented weight loss. Just a cover page from a Dr. visit will do. I think it's pretty standard.

I get in my protein every day. I have a Protein Drink every morning and every evening (nectar Fuzzy Peach with 8 oz Water and 1/2 packet of crystal light) 23 grams of protein in each drink. The rest of my protein I get from food. I am averaging between 500- 700 calories a day. I have also heard that the shots weren't good for you at all. I did the Protein Shakes with skim milk pre-op but can't stomach those now but I do like the nectar strawberry kiwi or fuzzy peach with crystal light and lots of ice. I get my protein and water at the same time. I hope this helps.

Since this is my first entry, I will introduce myself. My name is Diane and I am married to a wonderful man named David who is also my pastor. I have 4 gorgeous children. My oldest son is 26 and married. They have given me the greatest gifts, GRANDCHILDREN! My grandchildren are 3 years old and twins who are 9 months old. They are such a blessing. My oldest daughter is 19 and is about to begin her 2nd year of college. She is beautiful and smart and is preparing to be a teacher. My youngest son will be attending college in the fall and His plans are to also become a teacher. He is probably the funniest guy around and can melt my heart in an instant! My youngest daughter is 16 and gorgeous. She loves sports and is a sophomore in High School. My children are all very active in church as well as our community. I am blessed beyond anything I could have ever imagined! I began my Weight Loss Surgery journey in 2010. I worked for months trying to obtain a 5 year history. Like many who are overweight, I just didn't go to the Dr. It seemed that regardless of my symptoms, it was always linked to being overweight so I found it easier not to go. I do not recommend this to anyone! I began my journey with the nutritionist. I had to have a 6 month medically supervised weight loss and did this for 4 consecutive months. At my 5 month visit, my mother had an emergency with her heart and I rescheduled my visit. I wasn't able to keep the rescheduled visit either. I made an appointment for 2 weeks later than the original visit and my nutritionist informed me that I would have to begin the process all over. I can't begin to tell you how much fun that was! In the process of beginning again, my insurance changed and my new insurance would not approve WLS. I was devastated. I couldn't believe that God would bring me this far and not make a way. I tried not to give up but didn't really follow the plans set up by my nutritionist. In 2012, I got new insurance. This one would approve my surgery. My new insurance required a series of visits at the gym along with some other procedures. I worked diligently to get all of those things done. In January of 2013, I was done.. Or thought I was done! I went for my pre-op class, had a date set for Feb. Much to my dismay, I received a call from the insurance lady at my Dr and was told that I would have to do the 6 months medically supervised diet all over again because my insurance required it all be done in the same year. My faith in God really kept me from giving up through all of these hurdles! The day I received that call that I would have to begin again, I began to pray. I prayed and prayed and prayed! I don't think I slept through the night because I kept praying. At 9 am the next morning, the insurance lady called and said that my insurance's medical director had called her and said they had decided to go ahead and approve me. PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!!!! I had Gastric Sleeve surgery the morning of March 8th. I was nervous as anyone would be but had a peace about it because I knew that God had paved the way for me to receive this tool! Surgery went better than expected! I was in very minimal pain. I was up walking within a few hours of surgery. I went home at noon the next day and never had to take pain meds. I was a little sore, but nothing unbearable. I have learned so many things throughout this journey and will be blogging here to share them, in case anyone can learn from my discoveries and mistakes! I'm an open book, so I don't mind anyone asking questions!

I am 5 weeks out and eat between 500-700 calories a day and have trouble getting them in. For breakfast I typically have 3 oz yogurt and 1 scrambled egg. Lunch I eat about 1/8 cup turkey and maybe a piece of 2% cheese. dinner is often a soup at hand and I have a couple of protein drinks and a couple of sobe lifewater 0. If I snack, I eat a jello sugar free chocolate pudding or an unsweetened apple sauce. I have lost interest in eating which I guess is a good thing! I eat very consciously! At my 2 week post op visit I had lost 41 lbs and haven't weighed since. I wouldn't buy any of the packaged dinners. They are a trap. I don't eat bread at all. I try not to get any "white carbs" either. ........... Keep at it! You'll be fine!

I found that Vitamin Water Zero both the orange and lemonade flavor are great substitutes! Best of Luck!!!

I was told to try to get 70-100 grams of protein a day. The key to the protein working is to drink drink drink! I get my protein through NECTAR strawberry kiwi or fuzzy navel mixed with 16 oz of water and a half packet of crystal lite lemonade. I really like the flavor and I am drinking on one all day long. I get about 75 grams of protein and 48 oz of water at the same time. I usually drink a 16 oz vitaminwater zero at night too. I keep a water with me at all times besides these drinks. good luck on your journey!

Sorry to hear about your bad labs. I know personally that many things can change your glucose and insulin levels. I know if you've had any illnesses such as flu or a virus, that can change your levels. Praying for them to get these under control. Congrats on your success with weight loss.