AmyInOrlando

Your risk of dying is higher driving to hospital then having the surgery. Make sure you've got your seatbelt on.... watch your speed... and tell the pre-op Nurse, "Bring on the Versed" Before you know it, you'll be in recovery saying "really? it's over?"

I recently purchased a product called "Big Train" Fit Frappe', coffee protein drink mix. It lists 21 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugar, 130 calories, 22 grams of carbs, and 5 grams of fiber for a 16 oz. serving. It tastes great, and since I opened the container I can't return it. I know whey protein is optimal for absorption and nutritional value. I haven't heard anything about Calcium Caseinate. Has anyone used this product, and what are your thoughts? Any other recommendations for a mocha type shake high in protein?

Comes in several gourmet coffee flavors.... French Vanilla, Expresso, Mocha, Caramel, Latte. 110 calories, 20 protein, 4 carbs, 2 fats. About $28 a bag, 22 servings. Tastes as good as Starbucks or McDonalds Frappes. Each has 80 mg. of caffeine.

I use My Fitness Pal to keep track of everything I eat. I look things up ahead of time and then decide if they're worth the calories, carbs and fat, and make sure I'm getting enough protein. I always check out Restaurants nutritional info before I decide on a restaurant. The first year out is the "golden year". I don't want to sabotage my results and make it harder to lose down the road. I've spent most of my life "dieting", so I choose to track everything until I reach my goal. I guess I'll decide if I want to continue tracking everything once I reach my goal. For now, it keeps me focused, and I'm comfortable with that. Does it take a lot of work? some... but for me it's worth it.

I sometimes use 2 oz of Cookies and Cream Muscle Milk in my coffee.

9/20/13 Current weight 173 Goal for Halloween Challenge 158

My dog Kaity is much cuter then I am, and she's only 3 (of course that's 21 in dog years), and no, she's not fat, just fluffy.

My sleeve tells me when I've eaten too fast (or don't chew enough). I get this lump in my throat... it's very uncomfortable.

I usI usI use them all the time. I had a bunch of (Publix) coupons for $1.50 off a 4 pack. They were also on sale at Publix for 2 for $10. I loaded up on French Vanilla, Café Caramel and Dark Chocolate. I've never added anything to them. They're ready to drink, so I just chill them, shake them and enjoy. They're convenient, reasonably priced when you find them on sale and yummy.

I am unable to load my picture on my FitBit, and when I try to edit my goals and adjust my calories on MyFitnessPal they keep reverting to the preset numbers. Any ideas ??

Thanks... I fixed my goals, but I still can't get my picture to load on my Fitbit. Please help !!! Thanks...

I just want to add.... Dr. Alvarez mentioned on his radio show last night that he doesn't like the phrase "customer service". He doesn't think of his Patient's as "customers". He thinks of us as "family". I really believe he is sincere about this. He shows a great deal of care and concern about us, not only during surgery, but long after. He has "reunions" to be able to stay in contact with us. I really believe he wants to see us all be successful. It's not a marketing ploy.

I had surgery in Piedras Negras, MX with Dr. Guillermo Alvarez. I flew into San Antonio, TX and the hospital is a 2 and a half hour ride from San Antonio. Just a mile across the border from Eagle Pass, TX. The hospital was great, the staff were attentive. Dr. Alvarez is a skilled and experienced Surgeon. I've been a Registered Nurse for 38 years and my experience with him and his staff is rated A+. I would recommend him to any of my family or friends. You can check him out on Endobariatrics.com. I did a lot of research before choosing him. I could not find even one negative review or post about him.

I used to be a black coffee addict. I've tried coffee twice in the past 2 weeks and I've totally lost my taste for it. It was the hardest thing to give up pre-op, and now that it's allowed I don't even want it.

I keep my calories to 600 because I'm short (5') and I will be 61 years old in a few weeks. I'm hypothyroid, so my metabolism is already compromised. I'm only 5 weeks out. Once I can increase my exercise significantly, I'll up my calories to 800. I'm still a slow loser. On my day of surgery I weighed 195. The more you have to lose, the quicker it comes off I've noticed. A "full fat slice of cheese" in my opinion isn't cheating, as long as it fits in with your overall nutritional goals. Always follow your Surgeon's instructions (or your Nutritionist's)... JMHO

I had surgery on Aug. 1st. I'm down 27 pounds including the 9.8 pounds I lost on the 2 week pre-op diet. My weight on my day of surgery was 195.

I still weigh myself every day. My first stop after the bathroom is the scale. If the scale moves, I'm a happy girl. If it stays the same, I'm disappointed. If it's up, I'm bummed. Now I know weight loss is not linear. There are going to be ups and downs depending on many different variables. I wish it didn't have so much power over me. The anxiety would be overwhelming if I put the scale away and only took it out once a week. The positive thing is it keeps me focused. I spent this weekend at my Boyfriend's house. At home on Saturday AM I weighed 179. At his house Sunday AM I was 177.2, Monday AM I was 176.8. I was thrilled... (even though I knew I was weighing on a different scale). Tuesday morning, back home on my own scale I was 178. I was really disappointed. Not only because my scale read differently than Ed's., but because I was so careful all weekend, tracked everything and met all my nutritional goals, and was only down 1 pound. Oh well.... we'll see what it tells me in the morning. Peace out....

I too was researching Gastric Sleeve Surgery on Google and found your site.

I went to Mexico myself. I chose Dr. Alvarez, in Piedras Negras. His Coordinator, Susan hooked me up with my "Sleeve Sisters", Nancy (from CA), and Linda (from KY) a few weeks before my surgery. It gave us enough time to get to know each other via email and phone calls. We each traveled alone and were scheduled for surgery the same day. We had gotten to know each other, so when we arrived at the Hotel, it was like meeting "new" old friends. We still stay in touch regularly, and have a weekly "3 way phone call meet-up" every Thursday evening. Pack light. Arrange for the airline to have a wheelchair escort take you to the gate. They will help you board and put your carry-on luggage in the overhead bin. Ask for a pre-boarding pass and sit in the bulkhead if you can. (the first seat). That will give you room to stretch your legs and exercise them during your flight. (helps to avoid blood clots). Don't take jewelry. I wore my watch and earrings only. I brought my I-phone, one credit card, and $50 cash. I only spent about $15, for a bowl of Soup, a few bottles of Water and tipped the driver. Wear something comfortable to fly home in. Sandals or flip flops so you're not messing with tying laces, etc. Something to sleep in at the hotel and a few toiletries. Don't worry about a hairdryer, shampoo, etc (the hotels provide it). Bring a toothbrush, toothpaste and a hairbrush. Get some gas-ex strips and a chap stick. You probably won't feel like putting on make-up, so don't bother packing it. Bring a hoodie or light jacket in case you get cold on the plane. I had a private room and never worried about my belongings. Hook up with your "sleeve sister (s)", and you'll never be alone. We walked together, had dinner (egg drop soup) the night before surgery together, and were always in each other's rooms once we were awake and walking around (the night of surgery). It was a great experience. I'm glad I didn't bring a friend or family member.... they wouldn't have been able to relate to the experience as my "sleeve sisters" did.

I'm a gulper. I'm one month out today, and I use a "sippy cup" most of the time. Protein shakes I can drink in a regular cup because they're thicker. I can't handle more then about 1 1/2 teaspoons at a time without feeling it when I swallow.

mashed roasted cauliflower with low fat Laughing Cow Chipotle cheese.... my favorite I had it the other night with Blackened Talapia. Yum

I'm one month out, and I still feel a lump in the middle of my chest. It's kind of a pressure, not really pain... and sometimes it just feels like I've swallowed a golf ball. I feel it mostly if I've eaten too fast, took too big a bite, or didn't chew enough before swallowing.

Today is my "one month surgiversary". On the day of Surgery in Dr. Alvarez's office I weighed 195 (fully clothed). Today on my Boyfriend's scale (naked) I weighed 177.2. Of course those are different scales. My "official" weigh day is Thursday. I started my pre-op diet on July 18th at 204.8. Yesterday on my scale I was 179. Of course I'd like to wake up tomorrow morning weighing 125... but that's not going to happen. You look wonderful !!! Congratulations!!

I started bingeing soon after I scheduled my surgery. My Dr. only required me to do a one week liquid diet, but just to stop the crazy eating, I decided to start my liquid diet a week early, so I did 2 weeks instead of one. It was the best decision I could have made. Quitting "food" cold turkey, was easier then trying to control my bingeing. It worked, I lost 9.8 pounds in those 2 weeks on liquids. Had I not done it, I probably would have gained an additional 7-10 pounds.

I started using My Fitness Pal once I started the soft food phase. It takes a while to get used to it, especially if you're technically challenged like me. I used to log everything by hand, but I'm beginning to find MFP a lot easier.