JT2013

Hi there, I'm glad you started this group. Not a lot of us so far but I hope it grows. I'm currently going through the process of getting ready for gastric sleeve. I have not heard of having to have 2 surgeries, unless you are talking the Tummy Tuck for when you are done. My highest weight (about 2 months ago) was 518. Over the last 5 years I have bounced between 440 and 518. I have heard as well that those 500+ loose weight faster if they stick strictly to diet and exercise as much as they can. I am a 42 year old female with chronic back pain and have been "disabled"... I call it 'limited' in my movements for about 3 years. I expect my sleeve surgery date to be June 2013, and my endoscopy is April 24th. <a href='http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com'><img src='http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/tickers/55657-jt2013/bodyweight.png?ts=1365033777' /></a>

I have a Cuisinart Icecream maker and now 6 weeks out of surgery I was thinking about icecream.... and the fact I need to get Protein in formost. I found these on a website and am going to try them out. Nutrition data will be dependent on your Protein powder & ingredients. Any numbers listed here reflect my protein powder/ingredients. You can use NutritionData.com to run your own numbers (it's free!). **Note... you can sub Water for the almond milk (or coconut milk, rice milk, soy milk, etc) if you need to. BASIC: 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (chocolate or vanilla unsweetened) 1.5 scoop protein powder (chocolate or vanilla to match the almond milk) 6-8 drops liquid Stevia (**optional**) Blend. DREAMSICLE (orange/vanilla): 1.5 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 tsp vanilla extract (pure) 1/4 tsp orange extract 1 cup almond milk (vanilla, unsweetened). Blend well, then prepare in either ice cream maker or ziploc method. Calories: 182; protein: 21 g; carbs: 7g; fat: 7g; sodium: 350 mg; sugars 2g; Fiber 2g. CHOCOLATE Peanut Butter 1.5 scoop chocolate protein powder 1 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk 1 Tbsp natural peanut butter. Blend well, then prepare in either ice cream maker or ziploc method. MINT CHOCOLATE 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 1 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk 1/4 tsp mint extract Blend well, then prepare in either ice cream maker or ziploc method. MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP 1.25 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 1/4 tsp mint extract 2-3 Tbsp chocolate chips Blend well, then prepare in either ice cream maker or ziploc method. MOCHA 1 scoop chocolate or vanilla protein powder 1 cup unsweetened almond milk - vanilla or chocolate 1 tsp decaf instant coffee crystals. Blend well, then prepare in either ice cream maker or ziploc method. strawberry 1 cup strawberries (frozen or fresh) 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk 1/2 tsp vanilla (optional) Blend well, then prepare in either ice cream maker or ziploc method. banana 1/2 cup mashed banana (frozen or fresh) 1.5 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk 1/2 tsp vanilla (optional) Blend well, then prepare in either ice cream maker or ziploc method. CHOCOLATE FUDGE BROWNIE 1.5 scoop chocolate protein powder 1 cup chocolate unsweetened almond milk 8-10 drops Capella's Chocolate Fudge Brownie flavor drops (or other flavor drops) Blend well, then prepare in either ice cream maker or ziploc method. CINNAMON SPICE 1.5 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk Sprinkle of Cinnamon Sprinkle of Nutmeg Sprinkle of Cardamom (*optional) 1/2 tsp vanilla (pure) Blend well, then prepare in either ice cream maker or ziploc method. APPLE PIE 1.5 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk 1 green apple, peeled & diced 1 tsp of Cinnamon 1/4 tsp Nutmeg Sprinkle of Cardamom (*optional) 1/2 tsp vanilla (pure) 1 Tbsp butter

Hi Michelle, My sleeve date was June 11th so I haven't been on the other side for very long. I am a food lover, not for the sake of eating but the sake of taste and variety. I must say after getting through 3 weeks of post operation liquid diet that my food relationship has changed some. First of all I don't persistently think of food like I used to. Food used to haunt me, I'd be full lying in bed and some tasty treat on my mind keeping me from sleeping. Now I am limited to a 3oz meal, which can be a little frustrating since you have to get quite a bit of Protein in your diet. However you eat a lot more little meals and they can be very enjoyable, You just eat slower and take smaller bites. If you are on a food budget like me you can Celebrate eating higher quality meals since you are purchasing so much less. There is a chinese buffet down the street from me and they sell by the pound. I went in and had mongolian bbq made up with beef, mushrooms, onion, cabbage and some brocoli. Some chicken on a stick, chicken curry, and indian curry. It came to 1.5 pounds.... that's 7 meals for me al for $6.50, So don't worry that you might lose your "foods" they are part of life. You can still enjoy food after a sleeve you just learn what are higher priority choices for nutrition and get the joy of eating a very small amount and being full.... plus the lack of hunger all the time. I wish you luck in your surgery. j,

Hi again folks. Yes Ema good luck on your surgery. 52 years... oh come now I bet you have well over another 15 good years left! I am a decade behind you at 42 but almost twice your weight. Let us know how your surgery goes. I just got my operation date today, June 11th... I'm in tears of happiness. It has been a long road getting here (and to this size really.) I was a "fat" kid and had a very "interesting" childhood. I remember arguing with my Aunt at 6 about being allows two sandwiches for lunch and her only wanting me to have 1 and a 1/2. By the time I was 13 my family had been homeless for awhile, I'd been in foster homes and out again but I always was a very active person. At 13 although I did not know it I was underweight, 110 pounds and 5'10 with a medium-large bone structure. I remember my dance teacher (an adult) being angry when we were fitted for dance costumes and her waistline was bigger than mine... "I'm so fat I cannot believe it, she cannot be smaller than me." It was later in my teens when I remember telling a girlfriend that it didn't matter what I ate because I'd always be fat. (She was warning me against consuming too much and gaining weight, she thought I was thin.) Pretty much from 15 forward I began to steadily gain about 20% of my body weight per year. Not knowing I had PCOS, I just kept trying to enjoy life and run around like I always did. At 25 I was around 300 lbs.. by 30.... 400lb. Like most of us I tried dieting and yo-yo'd quite a bit. I'd lose 50-60 lbs and then a year later I'd have gained that back plus more. When I turned 38 I got a big surprise. My back gave up on me. For some reason it didn't like a 450lb. individual running around, crawling on the ground, playing tag, and all the other things a nanny does. Almost 2 years of therapy brought me to the realization that I just couldn't move anymore... not without my back going haywire and crippling me to the point a walker was necessary. I tried hard to keep active, with the Water aerobics, hot yoga and walking as much as my body could take. I dieted and knocked a lot of junk out of my lifestyle, but still my weight has crept up. This year in February my insurance finally changed due to my disability and finally it seems I have a chance to get the surgery. At check in less than 2 months ago I was a whopping 518 lbs. I nearly broke into tears on the Docs scale. After researching and talking to the dietician team over at the weight loss center where I am going to get my sleeve, I adopted a "shadowed" version of what the diet will be after surgery. I eat 3oz. taking 20 minutes to do so and then I wait 20 minutes and have another 3 oz. I drink 1-2 Protein Shakes a day and eat less than a total of carbohydrates. It's becoming easier everyday to do. I'm down 42 pounds as of a week ago and I just got my approval and surgery date today. I am excited and probably the way most of you feel a little scared. This isn't something to take lightly. It has been a long long journey for me to get to this weight... a 1/4 ton.... and it will be another journey to get to even a lower bmi category... but I think I'm up for the challenge. Wishing you all best regards to you and yours and great thoughts for everyone for a better healthier tomorrow. jt.

I put together a "recipe" book from all the old posts on this site, I hope it helps. I have tried a few of these. Among my favorites is the Tuna Casserole. Ricotta Bake Ricotta cheese 1 egg Tomato sauce Mix then top with mozzarella cheese Bake for 20 minutes on 425 Crab salad Crab meat 1tsp garlic powder 1tsp onion powder 1T of mayo 3t lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste Protein pudding 1 ¼ cup soy milk 1 scoop protein your choice 1 small box sugar free instant pudding Tuna Casserole 6 oz. tuna 1 egg 2T Greek yogurt plain 2T cottage cheese Garlic & Onion powder Cheddar cheese grated Blender it all and put in cupcake tin; Top with cheese and bake 20 min at 350 Quiche 1 egg 3 T Ricotta 1 T grated cheese Mix egg n ricotta top with cheese Bake 20 mins at 350 Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Low fat cottage cheese Sugar free vanilla syrup Cinnamon Blend then eat White Beans w/garlic 1/3 c navy beans 2 t olive oil 1 t minced garlic 2 t balsamic vinegar 2 leaves fresh basil Blend and eat Faux Cheesy Potato ½ cup cauliflower steamed till soft 1 t cream cheese 1 T grated parmesan cheese ½ t minced garlic 1 t butter or butter substitute salt and pepper to taste Combine and puree pumpkin Pie Custard ¼ can pure pumpkin 15oz. ¼ c skim milk (or soy milk) 1 eggs Pinch of salt ½ t vanilla extract ½ t pumpkin spice ¼ t liquid stevia Blend ingredients then pour into ramekin. Bake 20-30 mins at 350 until knife comes out clean. Set aside and cool, and then chill. Pumpkin Pie Puree 1 c cottage cheese 3 T pumpkin puree 1 t pumpkin pie spice 1 scoop vanilla protein 1 t sugar free caramel syrup Blend until smooth. Apple Pie Puree 1 c cottage cheese 3 T mashed cooked apple 1 t cinnamon 1 scoop vanilla protein 1 t sugar free caramel syrup Blend until smooth. General food ideas pureed canned soup Creamed soup cottage cheese mashed cauliflower hummus fat free refried beans liverwurst pate deviled ham avocado applesauce mashed banana tuna salad scrambled eggs egg salad sugar free Jello sugar free pudding

I agree, although I have not had my surgery yet, I have gone through many nutritional classes in college and a variety of conferences as well. Remember weight loss is not the only goal for us, it's being healthier. There are things in your body you want to keep that do weigh something,... like muscle. If you are following most post op diet advise you are probably eating a lot more Protein than you used to which keeps your muscles "fed" as you lose the fat. Just think of the low loss weeks as your body readjusting and becoming fortified for the next "drop". However I'd contact my doctor/weight loss support team if after a months time there hasn't been any change. They are there after all for you and maybe able to give you specific advise on things you can adjust to get the results you want.

Wow it is great to hear that things are starting to go in the right direction for you. What are you doing for exercise, anything besides walking? I hope something fun. Right now I get to the pool whenever I can and I do very short treadmill walks daily. Curiously Thorne how long were you on a liquid diet before surgery? Were you on any supplements with that? I have my endoscopy on this coming Wednesday and a week and a half later they finalize my "file" and submit it for insurance approval... with any luck I should have my date set by Mid May. Sorry to shoot so many questions at you but you are one of the first I have heard of in my weight category that has had the surgery. I assume you have a over happy droopy belly like mine... did that cause any issues with where the incisions were for the scopes/tools? Any advise for someone that is about 3 months behind you in this process? Best of wishes for you on this journey. I'll keep in touch.

Hi there extraordinary sleevers My name is Joyce and I'm in the whoppering 500+ category. Someone started a group for us but it's just me and the founder so I figured I'd join you all 300+'s. I hope noone minds, because like you I have a hard time relating to those 250<. A bit about me... what I am ... 518 lbs.. with a long slow build up of weight from 6 to my 42 years of age I am today. I have pcos, sleep apnea and chronic back pain with a right knee that is giving out. I have been classified as disabled for about 3 years and finally this year Medicare took me under it's wing allowing me a chance to finally get weight loss surgery. Who I am... I have been a professional Nanny for over 20 years with an AA in early childhood education, I adore children and was devastated to find out that the PCOS issues had built up so much that by the time I felt I could support kids with a loving husband and a home in my mid 30's, I find out that it's highly unlikely I can have them. My children have become my 3 kittens who I adopted within the last 2 years and they are ragdoll, and ragdoll lynx mixes. I like to do crafty things and I love to swim. For those of you looking for some way to get a work out in without your body breaking down on you. Look into your local community center. If you are under the age range of "Senior" don't be afraid to ask if it would be ok if you join their classes to get started, I found that those classes are at my current pace and many of them don't mind someone in our situation joining in. I got to where I am today by eating too large of portions, some of the wrong foods, bad hormones and not enough of the right kind of exercise. I have been pursuing the ability to get surgery for about 3.5 years, but right now is the most likely I've ever come to it. I can really relate to you Sophia with your troubles getting approved and jumping through hoops. I'm looking at a possible sleeve surgery date in mid June. I'm in that stasis of "maybe just maybe it'll happen this time" and a "omg it's going to happen, will it actually work for me.... well it seems to work for everyone..." kinda swing of inner-monologue. I wish you all the best, and hope that we all keep on trudging towards that goal of be healthier.

My doc/nutritionalist have me under tight reigns for carbs. I think it's because I'm so high bmi wise. 15 carbs and aim for 80-100 Protein per day. For me that means all those >1 carb pretty much add up to my carb intake. Sometimes I pick a smaller portion of something that falls into the 15g per serving range to get variety, like yogurt or Beans.

I haven't had my sleeve done yet but that was what it was like when my gallbladder went bad. I wish you the best, JT

Congratulations, I'm so waiting for my date.. but by my timeline estimation (and the fact I'm going on a cruise for a week) I'll be a June sleever. Best wishes to you on your jouney, jt.

My doc is rather rigid for after surgery consumption. Doesn't want anything at all with Fiber for the first 3 weeks. So I am stocking up on nectar sampler packs and sticking to the plain vanilla before surgery so I don't bore my taste buds before I hit the long hall. For those like me that have to do the shake regime for weeks, you might want to consider picking up sugar free Torani syrup. I've got sugar free versions of vanilla, peppermint, orange, caramel and hazelnut so I can make more complex flavors. Orange syrup + vanilla Protein = creamsicle peppermint+ chocolate protein= peppermint patty etc.