PGee

Check with your nutritionist or your doctor for their preference......mine is the 30 minute rule both before and after....good luck!

I was afraid to weigh myself this morning......did a horrible job on Water & Protein yesterday.......was up late at night just trying to meet my minimum.........BUT I did weigh myself, and a lost a surprising 3 pounds. two goals I've passed....my first being under 200, and my second--getting to the half way mark......the next goal will be weighing less than hubby.....which is just a few pounds away (he's a slim man), woot woot!

Everyone experiences pain differently--in my case, I was a little sore where they made my sleeve, and the day of surgery it was a little struggle to get in and out of bed--the next day I was fine......but otherwise absolutely no pain......never used the pain meds they sent me home with. I'm a klutz.....and have had several surgeries, broken nose, broken wrist, bruised skull.........not sure if that has increased my pain tolerance......but this was definitely easier, less painful than natural child birth.......not to mention less stressful too LOL A few days after surgery I had a sore arm, like I over used it........it was just gas.........I began to walk as soon as I could in recovery, and the entire stay in the hospital......and apparently it really helped......good luck......and don't worry about the pain

Alchaley, thanks for posting.....I'll be saving this in my VSG file. This is a question for the general VSGers reading this thread......is 1.5 cups of milk, a scoop of Protein powder, and a piece of fruit too much to drink at one time? I can't drink a plain shake in one sitting, I'm wondering if adding fruit would just push it over the top (my restriction is still quite tight) Thanks.............and thanks again for posting this......

Woo hoo, you're doing great! I lost 19 preop, and lost another 40 since, surgery was on August 6....loving my sleeve......this is the best thing I've ever done for myself in a long, long time.

The wrinkles on my face haven't blossomed yet......but my neck looks like a deflated balloon, all wrinkly.............however, I'll take that any day over the double chin/no neck that I had before surgery.........

I take bariatric fusion chewable vitamins.......one chewable 3 times a day with meals.......I will have blood work soon to see if it's meeting my nutritional needs.

You'll have to let us know how you like them.

Congratulations to all our Nutmeg Newbies and PreOps!!!!!! My surgeon was Dr. Craig Floch @ St. Vincents.........VSG is a life changer--so very glad I ran into an acquaintance early this year........she shared what she had done to lose over 100 pounds......wishing you all the best on your journeys!

Congratulations! Sounds like you're doing great, keep up the good work.....what is your stage 2 look like, full liquids or pureed foods?

If you're having a tough time finding someone who has clothing in your size, you may want to look at your local GoodWill and not for profit thrift stores.........usually they have certain things on sale for 50% off. For me it's the thrill of the hunt when I go. The other day I picked up two suit jackets for work, leather boots, a shirt.....all famous names like Liz Claiborn, Chicos, etc. and everything is new with tags on them...........for about $18........can't beat it. Hope this helps....

K33 I hear you about wrapping your brain around the tiny meals......some days 3 bites are it.....and on those days I can be heard muttering something like "Are you kidding me? Seriously?!?" But it only takes a few seconds to shake it......the benefits of this surgery are totally worth it for me......I am happy with the weight loss, how I look, how I feel, the extra energy, not to mention the sex is great (TMI? sorry).......and hubby is happy, too.....the woman he married is back. I don't have any dietary restrictions....I make a crockpot meal each week, portion it out and freeze it---always have a variety of meals in the freezer in VSG sized portions to choose from, and the Protein is nice and moist.......I eat slow and my meals are tiny, but to reach my protein goals, I have to drink a Protein Drink for Breakfast. Good luck, HTH!

Like other's said, you can only eat so much, you will lose weight and the bigger concern (for me) is long term maintenance. From a slow loser's standpoint, I want to add that post op everyone loses weight at a different weight (so don't compare your success to others). Welcome to the board Tiffany, and good luck in your journey!

Not to worry, this too shall pass-----totally normal.............I've gone 3 & 4 weeks at a time without the scale moving, then in a blink of an eye there'll be a few pound loss (mine's usually 5-7 pounds when the scale starts to move again) Good luck....just keep following your surgeon/nutritionist's plan

That's great! You look amazing.....love that huge grin in your after pic.......Thank you for sharing your story.....so encouraging.

Have you talked with your doctor about possibly taking something either to help calm your nerves (like Ativan) or something to help sleep? You are going through a lot right now, you may need a little help. When my son died, I had a lot of stress and anxiety--and especially over the thought of his funeral--didn't think I could get through it.....more than I could handle, and someone suggested valium....my physician gave me Ativan (not as strong as valium), and it was a life saver......I didn't think it did anything, I didn't feel any different.....but looking back, I know it did I could sit through the service without freaking out..... Hope this helps.....and hope you feel like yourself...soon.

Is that the same as foamies? I had the foamies once......thick white foam on my tongue......I was early out and mixed some Protein powder with yogurt......and it was way too think for my healing sleeve........

We're out there......you sound like one amazing, strong woman! I lost my only child 4 years ago. He was 17---and I can't imagine what you've been through and then being strong enough to foster children (don't think I could give them up). Was diagnosed with early stage of breast cancer last year. I'll be on medicine for 5 years, and doing well

Thanks for the review! I find the atkins and muscle milk don't have the amount of Protein that I'm looking for (I think they have between 10 & 16 grams).......I'm looking for something in the 20 -- 30 gram range for protein Remember, you can always doctor this stuff up..... add 1/2--1 cup of weak decaf coffee and lots of ice to a vanilla shake/drink......PB2 added to chocolate is always yummie.......I had some Bariatric Advantage i didn't like (chocolate)......and added some nonfat milk powder---12 ounces of Water and a tsp of instant coffee to make it mocha.....yum....... Good luck on this journey, and thanks again for the reviews, they were helpful!

WOW! That dress shows off your waist....as everyone else said, don't cover up your pretty figure! Enjoy your date.....and yes, we want a report!

I also like the Ostrim Jerkee (60 Calories, 1g sugar, 10g protein) and the Ostrim Sticks as well (80 calories, 1g sugar, 14g protein).....Sodium is a little high...........so it's not a daily item....have to look at each flavor as I think there's one that has higher sugar

Without knowing you personally, I couldn't answer your question--I wouldn't have been ready at 18 to make these kind of changes for a lifetime. I still have to exercise most days for an hour...avoid carbs.....and record activity/food on MyFitnessPal.......meals are just a few bites.....occasionally my head still wants a full plate of food. Have you looked in the age specific forums on here? There may be a teenagers forum (I know there's a 20's forum, and you're nearly there)......check those out.... It might be helpful if your father goes with you to an informational session with the surgeon. His concerns can be addressed directly by the surgeon. (it helped my husband to come around, too) Wishing you the best in this journey. Good luck.

I bought my first size Large shirts since VSG.....loving it.........can't wait to get to a Medium/Small.......thanks for sharing...........your energy is contagious!

Show off (just kidding, I know it's not fun.....I am cold all the time now....a first in my life) Last night was a first......hubby is always cold due to a condition......he put a down comforter ontop of our quilt last night.....I was just warm enough and thankful for the comforter......this morning he tells me he was too hot.......we are in a cool spell, and our house is now 63-65 degrees......I refuse to put on the heat until after halloween -- Eight more days, and counting LOL

The concerns I have (and this is for me, personally) would be the carbs from the potatoes & the lack of protein.....I don't eat a lot of carbs.....like SeaGirl, I'd put in some unflavored protein powder.....since it has some solids in it, not sure if I'd count it 100% as a liquid....but that's a good question....on the full liquids phase, we counted the creamed soups as liquid, right?