cindymg

Just my opinion but if I had to live on Carnation Instant Breakfast, I'd want to cheat too! Not the best quality Protein. I used Bariatric Advantage and unjury Protein shakes for my pre-op. Both avail on the web. Get some good quality protein shakes, Soups and I'll bet you will see a huge difference. Also what is your plan for post op? Again, get some good quality protein shakes. You're going to be them for awhile. Finally, add some broth into your day. You can use the salt. It will give you energy and help with Fluid intake. Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!

Sorry you are sick. I haven't had a cold since I started mass-loading vitamins (a couple of years), so I am probably not going to be much help. I know that Tylenol Cold is liquid Tylenol with mint flavoring. There are sugar-free versions of cough medicine out there (Delsyum and Robitussum). When I do have a cold I usually just take Claritin and Sudafed -- both are really tiny pills that should go down easily. Plenty of rest, fluids and a call to the doctor are in order. Feel better!

Appendix is on the lower right. Female problems perhaps? Constipation? Call your surgeon.

I too was impatient to get sleeve surgery done NOW once I heard about it and realized it was for me. Then I had to go through a six month insurance wait, and was I annoyed! But I found out that with all of the preop tests, meetings with surgeon and nutritionist, and getting my life organized so I could take a month off, the six months actually flew by. Plus, the wait gave me time to figure out of the sleeved life was really for me. I read every book I could get my hands on about weight loss surgery and sleeve surgery. Here is a link to a thread where several if us reviewed books we read. It will give you a way to pass the time. Good reads thread http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/85547-good-books-for-the-emotional-aspects-of-post-surgery/

This is my Facebook Cover pic. Says it all.

Gamergirl -- tummy rolls, what tummy rolls? I wish I had your tummy rolls, instead of mine. Looking good -- both of you!

I went right from baby clothes to a misses size 14 -- then up from there. After 40 years of yo-yo dieting, even at my lowest weight, I was never under a size 14 or under 200 lbs. Now, nearly 6 months after my sleeve surgery, I am under 200 lbs and in a size 12! And I'm staring down a size 10. It's pretty freaking scary. I don't know who is looking back at me in the mirror sometimes. 'Cause it's not like I have ever seen that person before. Some sleevers were once slim, then gained weight. But some of us were never thin, or even normal weight. So it's a whole new world for us! And it's an exciting discovery. Wouldn't trade this ride for the world. Keep moving forward. Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!

Took 4 months for my blood sugar to drop enough to discontinue all diabetes meds. I kept cutting back and cutting back, but after 20+ years as a diabetic it didn't happen overnight.

I don't have room to drink with my meals. I don't even miss drinking with meals anymore. Sticking with my 30 minute delay.

Okay it's 199, but the first time I have seen a number lower than 200 in like 25 years. In the past I would get down to the 220s then start back up. So that's 58 pounds in 5.5 months. Granted most of that was in the beginning, and my weight loss has slowed to about a pound a week. But at least that's in the right direction. Oh, and off all diabetes and high blood pressure meds. That was my original goal. Now my goal is WORLD DOMINATION! No, seriously, now my goal is 25 more pounds to get to "normal."

Yes, it happened to me. I could take or leave cottage cheese or yogurt before my surgery. Now if I don't have my cottage cheese and 1 or 2 four-ounce containers of Greek yogurt every day, I can't get through my day. I am nearly 6 months post op.

I go to Boston Market a lot. You can order a senior plate -- at any age. I prefer to get a regular Chicken Market Bowl in a to-go bowl. Eat half at restaurant and take the rest home.

When someone asks me how I have lost so much weight, I look them in the eye and casually say, "I had weight loss surgery. Specifically, I had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy." Then I wait to see the pained look on their face as they try to think of something to say. It's really pretty funny. Also I think the more people who learn about VSG surgery, the faster we can remove the stigma around WLS. And, as I want to be a poster child for successful VSG surgery, it's important to me that I tell everyone. Maybe it will help someone who is thinking about WLS if they see more success stories. Come on people!! Who's with me?

I have 3 rules about weight: 1. Never weigh 2. Never tell anyone what I weigh 3. Never date anyone who weighs less than I do

I like Atkins bars. No sugar and high in protein. Very low in sugar alcohols. Right now I am eating 1 Atkins Chocolate Oatmeal Fiber bar every day. It has 10 grams of Fiber, 6 grams of protein. Most Atkins bars have 10-15 grams of protein, but right now I need the fiber.

By the way, with Unjury you can order individual packets to figure out what you like. And they accept returns in case you don't like a flavor.

Back to selling your kid for a tortilla chip . . . Maybe you need salt. Are you drinking broth? With salt? On a full liquid diet, if you are only drinking sweet things, you aren't getting any salt. That can make you tired and grouchy. During my 2.5 week pre-op and 3 week post-op liquid diet, I would go to restaurants and order chicken noodle Soup -- just the broth, please. I guess a lot of people do this because no one batted an eye. You can do the same with French onion or vegetable soup. Also, what are you using for Protein? Good quality protein will help you make it through. unjury and Bariatric Advantage make excellent powders that you can put in the blender with skim milk and ice and it's like a milkshake. Unjury also has a chicken broth that is loaded with protein. You can also take their strawberry Sorbet flavor and mix with sugar-free Jello. It's good for post op. Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!

Forgot to post this pic of me at a 5k a couple of weeks ago. I am the one in pink on the right, looking like I am freezing (because I was). And yes, that's a guy in a wedding dress who was also running.

StonyField Organic Greek plain, 0% fat yogurt comes in a 4 pack, with 4 oz containers. It's just the right portion, very filling. I add powdered Fiber, Splenda and a tsp of no sugar added fruit preserves (blueberry is my fav). It's my nightly treat. Beats the heck out of the pint of Ben and Jerry's that used to be my nightly treat. So how come 4 oz of Greek yogurt can fill me up but I can eat 8-9 oz of no sugar added frozen yogurt from a place like Froyo?

Sleeved May 15, 2013. SW: 258 CW: 199 GW: 175 Down 59 pounds. Off all meds!

Back on topic, I found the most wonderful running bras from Le Mystere. Called the Energie Sports Bra. Underwire, no show through, maximum control. And so comfortable! I bought mine from Von Maur, but you can get them from this site for $54 each. Goes to 40G. http://barenecessities.com/product.aspx?cmp=bpp20&pf_id=LeMystere320&search=&cm_mmc=GLSR-_-le%20mystere%20sports%20bra-_-Le%20Mystere%20-%20Energie%20Sports%20Bra-_-A&source=GoogleA&term=le%20mystere%20sports%20bra&LID=77952896&gclid=CL6PyYWQz7oCFeYWMgodQw4A9Q Also, check out Title Nine's website. They actually rate their sports bras by bounce factor. And some bras exceed size 40.

I love my sister and she has been wonderfully supportive -- even flew in from Knoxville for my surgery. But when I told her I was headed towards size 10s, she blurted out, "but that's what I wear!" She has always been the small sister; I was always the largest. Guess what sister, I'm buying some 10s for the next time I see you (Christmas)!

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/many-health-woes-teens-seeking-obesity-surgery-study-8C11518991