Idlewood4

Merry Christmas. Waiting for approval,and jumping through all the hoops is so hard! Good luck, and hope you get some positive news very soon!

Mine is very strict about the coffee. No coffee/tea for at least 6 months. Not even decaf! I can have herbal teas that are naturally caffeine free. The hardest part of all this for me was giving up my daily caffeine. They said it was because caffeine stimulates appetite, and it can also irritate the stomach lining, something I don't want to happen. I do miss my morning coffee.

I'm 2 weeks, 2 days out. I've had broiled scrod. I also had some clam chowder. I threw all the solids in my magic bullet, pureed them, and threw them back into the broth. The scrod made 5 meals, and it was a small piece. The chowder made 3! My nut had no problem with them, except telling me that chowder wasn't a good choice nut wise.

5towner, be sure to join the December sleevers group. There's also a group for band to sleeve revisions. Best of luck to you tomorrow! let us know how it goes.

I got my band in Oct 07. Had 2 port replacements, and finally a slip. In April 2013 I had the band out. Had to wait for the inflammation to settle, and in July started working on my insurance requirements to get a sleeve. I got my sleeve 12/9/13, I absolutely love it. Everything I hated about the band....not being able to swallow pills, slimeing, not being able to eat rice.... Not limitations with the sleeve. Mindful eating, chew throughly, pay attention, don't drink and eat within a 1/2 hour of each other. I adore my sleeve and anticipate being quite successful with it. The band was a problem from the start. Glad it's gone.

Congrats. My band stopped working too. I had 2 port replacements, and finally a slip. I got it out in April 13, and got my sleeve 2 weeks ago. The sleeve is sooooooooooo much better than the band. You will be thrilled with the difference. It's a lot of hard work, but worth it.

Jo-bug, awesome, can't wait till you join us on the losers bench. I'm so happy every day I made this decision.

I'm just 2 weeks out. I was allowed pureed/soft after my post op/ 8 days after surgery. I am into a 1/2 scrambled egg, 2 ounces of broiled scrod, greek yogurts, 1/2 small container, still having a shake a day, adding whey Protein and making it with smart milk. Took some clam chowder, pureed the clams and potatoes and threw it back in the broth. It was delicious. Got sick of the chicken broth and the shakes. Working on getting my protein in, but not happening yet. Ordered some stuff, and will hopefully meet my 70 grams a day goal then. No problem with water/clears as long as I don't gulp, and take small sips. SF popsicles are awesome. Can't really handle sweet, like the shakes, but really craving a good steak. That'll be a while! Contemplating what to have for dinner. Think I'll go for a egg.

You go girl! You've put in tremendous effort, and it's nice to see you reaping the rewards. Change is possible! And WOW that counselor sounds like she needs a wee bit of counseling herself! Whew! I was very fortunate, found a counselor through my program that skipped most of that crap and worked on mindfulness with me. Mindfulness is a wonderful thing! LL love reading your posts. Thanks so much for sharing.

I'm 2 weeks out, and found this topic fascinating. I'm on puree/soft. I can't imagine wanting/eating pizza (even the toppings) at this point. I pureed the clams/potatoes in my chowder and threw it back in the broth and loved it. Of course it made 4 meals. LOL. Then I had a piece of broiled schrod. Been eating that in 2 ounce meals. No one said no seafood, and it's settled just fine. I have 1/2 a scrambled egg. I still have a shake (or two) a day. I'm waiting for some clear Protein drinks I ordered to show up so that I can have a hope of getting all the protein in. Back to the forum, it's an interesting exchange of ideas. The op asked for advice, and the others offered it. Don't have to agree with it, or follow it. We're all adults here. Folks are offering suggestions, doesn't mean you have to follow it, or even take offense at it. It's someone's opinion, and we are all entitled to them. Enough said. We're all fighting a common enemy here, ourselves and our food additions. May we all emerge victorious no matter what path we follow.

I got my band in 2007, had it out in 4/13, and got my sleeve 12/9/13. The doctor couldn't do it in the same procedure because of inflammation from the band slip. I already know I like the sleeve much better than the band. I started at 307, lost and kept off to 256 with the band, got to 240 pre-surgery, and am at 222 now. Glad to share the journey with you and others.

Ladies, best of luck to you both today. You're in my thoughts and prayers, and I'm holding out a hand to the loser's bench. I crossed over on 12/9 and it's one of the best choices I've made. I'm so glad I it. It hasn't been easy, but I didn't expect it to be. You are worth the fight.

I too was sleeved on the 9th. I have been very lucky, and not had a lot of problems at all. I am finding it hard to get down my Protein, and waters. Breakfast today was a scrambled egg with smart milk and cheese. I was able to eat 1/2 of it. lunch was a meatball. One meatball. LOL. I was full. dinner was a tablespoon of mashed potatoes, a tablespoon of stuffing and an ounce of dark meat chicken. I had a CIB shake with smart milk. Half mid morning, half this afternoon, and will have 1/2 at bedtime. I love that I'm full with just a few bites of something. My face looks thinner, and I've definitely lost weight in my legs and butt. Which makes my giant basketball belly look even bigger. I'm a giant circle on spindle legs. Since my postop when I got the ok to move to puree/soft I've had a blast! On the way home I stopped and got a small clam chowder. Got home and put the clams, potato, onion in my magic bullet, and threw it back in the broth. I was able to eat about a 1/4 cup before filling up. This is so awesome. I'm down 30 pounds since starting my preop diet. I feel great. Still have some gas twinges. My artificial shoulder hurts, but surgeon said to give it a few more weeks because of the position they put it in during surgery, plus the gas aggravating it. I only vomited once, and it was pure Water. I had returned to work, filled up my water cup, got distracted, and gulped. BIG MISTAKE, and hopefully I won't repeat. Right now I'm off 3 diabetic meds, and am taking 1/10 of the insulin I was prior to the preop diet. Right now I'm not taking my hbp meds. I LOVE THIS. One of the best things I ever could have done for myself. Has it been easy, HELL NO, but worth every bit of the work it took. I'm so on my way to my new life. I'm blessed to have this opportunity. Good luck to all my fellow 12/9 sleevers. We are all in this together.

One week ago today, I was at work waiting to leave for my 11:30 surgery. I'd decided to go to the office because it was easier than sitting here waiting.... It's been an interesting one week journey, and I sit here drinking my oh so delicious Carnation Instant Breakfast. (That's sarcasm by the way.) Thought I'd share my observations, they are very random and sometimes TMI! 1. I have cabin fever. Yesterday I did a lot, but today is a blank agenda. I'd love to go out, but my street is like a skating rink. Fear of falling outweighs the cabin fever. Have this image of my gut splitting open while I'm laying on a cold bed of ice. Don't want to go there. 2. Speaking of my gut part 1. It looks like an evil rainbow. I have yellow, blue, purple, green splotches everywhere. No red or pink though! Have 2 hematomas, one where the drain was, and the other dead center under my belly button. Evil rainbow it is. 3. My gut part 2. I carry all my weight in my belly. Frankly I have great legs. My feet look skeletal. (Do you lose shoe sizes with wls?) Checking that out in a bit. Meanwhile, my belly is like a basketball on top and a swim ring on the bottom. Not pretty. I want this gone. Note to self-look up losing belly fat that doesn't involve a tv infomercial. 4. Mindful eating is a wonderful thing. I really need to focus when I eat. (Well, drink at this point). I forget to sip and take 2 gulps and I feel it. Boy do I feel it. No more glugging water! 5. If you told me a month ago I could survive without my morning coffee I would have told you it is impossible. Actually, I'm doing okay without it. Miss it though. 6. Speaking of eating and drinking, so far I haven't had to deal with the 30 minute rule yet, but I think it will be difficult to keep in mind. 7. I haven't logged on MFP cause I'm tired of seeing. "You're in starvation mode....." Cut me a break here okay. I decided after the one week lapse, I'd start again today. Give me strength to do this. 8. Mostly I'm pain free, but occasionally get these weird stomach pains. Can't describe them. Rolling, clutching. ouch? It's centered where my stomach was. Then I usually pass gas from one end or the other. Heading into TMI land. 9. Someone here has a list that states, "Never trust a fart." I can attest to it's validity. Nuff said. 10.I'm disappointed that my hunger isn't gone, but from reading these boards I realize that it will get much better once I can start some solids. 11. These boards are a life saver. They are amazing, and I am overwhelmed by the support, compassion, and occasional tough love I see on here. I value each and everyone of you that shares your story on here, and helps each other out. We are comrades on this battle to fight our obesity, and gain better health. I'm thrilled to have you at my back. Now for a nap!

I'd also ask how many surgeries your surgeon has done.

How very scary Andrew. I'm so glad you are heading home tomorrow. Hang in there, and let that positive attitude come back. It's tough after what you've been through, but keep your eye on the prize. Here's a positive thought for you, look how this community has responded to your post. Could you have imagined this many people could be so caring and supportive? Sending you hugs and prayers. Hang in there. .

Hang in there Lifeliver. I know someone has a signature that includes a great link to "the 3 week slump." If I come across it again, I'll try to repost it. Dense Protein, yummmmmm, I'm only a week out. Can't wait.

Woke up from my nap! Thanks everyone for your comments. This is such a great community. I did leave out 2 thoughts before. 12. Totally unexpected, but my begging cat and dog are very very disappointed with me lately. They anticipate me sitting down to a meal, settle into their respective begging spots, and I can see their faces fall when it's a shake! Although the Kitty did try to sneak some of the vanilla before I caught her. Guess that is the first post sleeve relationship changes. 13. The Atkins diet was the only one that ever worked for me. It was almost 40 years ago. Guess all this Protein is good for me. Ashleymidwife, I've been following your progress too. It's great you aren't hungry. I am amazed how quickly I fill up on my Carnation. I'm down 22 pounds since my preop diet too. Funny coincidence. Maybe that Carnation is worth it. It's certainly more tasty than the protein crap I had to drink in 07 when I got my band. Mixing mine now with smart milk for that 2 extra grams of protein, and some ice. I only make a 1/2 packet now as that fills me up. Cheers! Fluffnomore, I've been enjoying your posts and comments too. I actually went to the theater yesterday to see I Love Lucy live. Didn't want to waste the tickets, and Dr said I could if up to it. I was 3 seats in from the aisle and praying I didn't get the urge........ I was good though. And laughter did not hurt - at least not a lot. Bufflehead, great tip, I'll try to not hit the complete my day button on MFP. It's like Pandora's box though........... But I'll try. Teachamy and Teekay887, good luck on your upcoming surgeries, both on the 18th. I'll be sending positive vibes to you both that day, and please let us know when you've crossed to the losers bench. Tadophile and Chefcoll, nice to meet you! Best wishes on this journey together. Now, to make that shake.

Great article. Thanks for sharing.

Awesome, glad you joined us on this side. 6 days out, Clear liquids and Protein drinks, far less than I had before the surgery. Some incision pain, gas pain mostly gone, feel hunger, but from the boards have heard that goes away once I have solids. Was constipated, but stool softeners and Fiber chews helped move that along yesterday finally! I'm tired, but that's always the case after major surgery for a while. I'm thrilled to hear you are doing ok SleevinIT. Don't let the pain get ahead of you, keep up on those pain meds the first few days.

I had the band in 07 and took 2 weeks off. I had the sleeve on Dec 9, one week ago, and am hoping to return to work after my post surgical check up on the 17th, 8 days after surgery. While still recuperating from the sleeve, I think the lap band recovery was worse. .

Best of luck kerraeze. I had my surgery on the 9th and am here to tell about it.sending you best wishes. let UA know how it goes

Good luck Krissyu84. Your persistence through this nightmare is admirable. It's also an indication of your determination to succeed. Keep in touch, and let us know how you are doing.

My blood sugar was a mess when I started the liquid Protein. I was up, I was down... I worked with my endocrinologist and cut my NPH. After a few days I didn't need the Novalog, as my highest was 128. Right before my surgery I was at 34 NPH morning and night, Victoza 1.8 at bedtime, and Metformin 500 mg extended release morning and supper. I had my surgery Monday, and the hospital endocrinologist has me doing 5 NPH morning, 4 NPH bedtime. My highest sugar so far has been 148, but I'm just doing Liquid Protein and clears. I follow up with my endocrinologist 3 weeks postop. Keep taking your blood sugars, and treat with a fast acting insulin if you have to. I had the ok to have have a cup of juice or glucose tabs if I went under 170. Needless to say at 1:30 am the day of my surgery I had a 68 bs and drank a half cup of apple juice. It worked out okay. Best of luck.