Kindle

That really sucks. Are they looking for bariatric surgeons or just a regular doctor? My PCP has done my postop blood work...I basically just told him what OCC recommended and he wrote the orders. My OB/Gyn also volunteered to order whatever labs I needed. As long as they aren't having any complications, getting blood work at 3,6,12 months and then annually is all your daughters should need a doctor for. And I guess If they are having issues, the ER has to see them. Sorry you are having such a hard time with the doctors in your area. My PCP, OB/Gyn and even gastroenterologist have all been very supportive.

Actually your labs won't always be abnormal. I have had 2 gallbladder attacks (worst pain EVER) and ultrasound shows thickened walls and sludge. All 3 of my liver function tests have been normal.

I am a vet tech with a very active job...standing, driving, lifting, squatting, bending and holding animals all day. I went back after 7 days, but I couldn't lift more than 20 pounds for 3 weeks. (I shaved a couple days off, though, and started to lift 60+ pounds about 18 days out.). I was on full liquids for three weeks, so I had to make sure I brought plenty of protein shakes and water and sip sip sip all day between appointments.

Premier protein comes in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. 30g protein/160 calories Syntax Nectar comes in lemonade, cherry, Apple, peach, tropical (and more) 23g protein/100 calories Syntax Matrix vanilla (probably other flavors but this is the only one I have) 23g protein/110 calories Garden of Life Raw Protein comes in vanilla, chocolate, and chai 17g protein/90 calories

PB2 is a low fat powdered Peanut Butter. Basically real peanut butter with the oils pressed out and then dehydrated. It's great to mix in Protein shakes or can be reconstituted with Water and used like regular peanut butter. P3 protein Snacks are little packets of meat, cheese and nuts (made by Oscar Meyer). Come to think of it, you may want to hold off on those because of the nuts. From your snack list, its not surprising you are having a hard time with your protein intake. I didn't eat anything that didn't have protein in it for the first several months. I also mixed unflavored protein powder into things like cream soups and mashed potatoes. And Like I mentioned in my other post, Protein Shakes are an easy way to get both protein and Fluid.

So what are you snacking on? There's really no protein in pizza or egg rolls so they would be wasted calories at this point. 30g protein is actually a pretty low amount....most postop plans call for 60g or more. Too little protein now can lead to hairless later. here's a lot of stuff I snacked on.... Refried Beans Hard boiled eggs Baby bell cheese String cheese Avocados (I actually ate a lot of homemade guacamole) Greek yogurt flavored with Protein powder Spam Deviled ham Tuna fish chicken salad Peanut Butter P3 snack packs Split pea Soup Bean Soups Cottage cheese Quest bars are soft, come in a variety of flavors and have 20g protein each For fluids I drank diluted fruit juice, diluted Vitamin Water and Sobe, skim milk (lots of protein there, too), flavored water, and herbal teas. I had a water bottle with me at all times and never stopped sipping. Even at 10 months out I drink a large protein smoothie everyday....30-40g protein and 24-32 oz fluid in just one "snack". With so many different powder flavors and extras like Torani syrups, fruit or PB2, the variety is nearly endless.

I'm actually able to have MANY cocktails without feeling sick. I didn't have my first alcohol (wine) until 4 months out or so. I've had multiple drinks (rum, whiskey, vodka, etc) a few times since then with no problems. I could pretty much out drink a football team before surgery, and I am not affected by alcohol any differently now. Three weeks ago I was on vacation and had 1-2 cocktails nearly everyday. I did notice I started getting a little indigestion, so I took Prilosec for 10 days and my tummy feels fine now. And if you're looking for a really yummy (but very high calorie) cocktail, I just discovered Rumchata while on vacation...OMG!! Oops, just saw this was in the bypass forum, and I had VSG? But a friend of mine has had bypass and she has a rum and coke a couple times/month. I can't do carbonation at all.

It's made by Muscle Milk. They have lots of yummy flavors. It's really good by itself or with a squirt of Torani Caramel syrup. I also mix it with Greek yogurt and chopped nuts and freeze it for a protein ice cream treat. I ordered it online, but I think GNC carries Muscle Milk, too.

Totally normal. In the beginning your stomach is swollen and irritated so you feel a lot more restriction. You will definitely be able to eat more the farther out you get. I'm only 10 months and I can eat significantly more than I could even 3 months ago. I've read posts from veterans that claim much less restriction 2-3 years out. Thats why a commitment to lifestyle changes is so important for long term success. I get hungry and have to eat every 3 hours or so. Just need to make smart choices.

So I posted before and after pics back in March when I was down 50 pounds. But now that I'm actually below goal, I'm submitting this as my "official" before and after pics. 8 months and 92 pounds later.... December 4, 2013 August 3, 2014

My surgeon said if it goes through a straw it's full liquid. But I still strained my cream soups after blending. I also use the Muscle Milk Cake Batter and Red Velvet Cake protein powders and neither have chunks.

Unfortunately I can't tell you that you won't feel hunger. My surgeon uses an oversewn 32Fr. Bougie so I have a teeny sleeve. But that has nothing to do with hunger. In the beginning, my physical "hunger pains" were acid, despite taking 40mg omeprazole daily. But Rolaids or maaloxx usually helped. I was even fortunate not to suffer from head hunger for a pretty long time. Eating and drinking were a chore that I didn't enjoy. But around 3-4 months out I started feeling more normal and my hunger came back in full force. I basically have to eat every 3 hours or I start chewing on my own arm. The key is to make smart food choices and to eat in moderation. I eat just enough to feel satisfied, not full. I overate just once and that's all it took. I didn't puke, but I sure didn't feel good. They don't say it's not the easy way out for nothing. It is still a lifetime of hard work and commitment to eating healthy. The sleeve won't make you not want to eat, but it can help you eat less (unless you just graze all day, then all bets are off)

Happygosusan....we both hit our goal weights on the same day! Way to go yourself.

Had to share this one

You will do it! I was a slow starter and actually lost better after my two month mark than before.

I would highly suggest not cheating. Each time you cheat, it becomes harder to not cheat the next time. And each time you choose not to cheat you become that much stronger. Your WLS journey is a lifetime commitment to making good choices, you might as well start now. I never cheated the entire 2 months of my my pre or post op diet regimen. And this was all through 3 Christmas parties, New Years Eve celebration, two birthdays parties, a funeral, and a baby shower. Ended up being 34 days of liquids, then purée, then soft food. It's really just a tiny period of time in the big scheme of things and I was determined to be completely committed to this process. My reward was reaching goal in under 7 months and easily maintaining more than 10 pounds under goal. Not cheating during the hardest part of the process gave me mental strength to kick ass through the rest of it.

So close you can taste it! (Even if it does taste like a protein shake )

I gave the bellhops and waiters a couple bucks each time. Left $20 in the room for the maids (we were there 4 nights), and my sister and I tipped our driver $50 at the end of the trip (4 days worth of driving)

HW 238 SW 216 CW 138 TPL 100 !!!!! TGP 88 Down 5 pounds since last weighin (10 days ago). Lost the 4 I had gained on my carbfest vacation plus an extra pound. Even though I didn't mean to do it, hitting the 100 pound mark still feels pretty cool!

Slvsax, congrats! Can't wait to see pics of your sparkly dress! My stats...surgery 12/20/13. High weight was 238. As of today I am 138 - down an even 100 pounds. (12 pounds under goal). I'm in size 7 jeans and medium tops. I refuse to buy any more clothes, so I'm really trying to load on the calories, yet still eat healthy. It's harder than it sounds PS did I mention how much I love my sleeve?!

Ditto to most of what VSGAnn said....I had surgery in Mexico so had no formal "education" or preparation before surgery. I soaked up all of my information on this and other forums and by talking to others I knew had WLS. Even though they had a band and bypass, their mental and emotional struggles are no different than mine with VSG. After all of my research, there was really nothing that took me by surprise. Other than perhaps how easy my recovery and weight loss ended up being. I was glad to have been "over prepared" with the good, bad and the ugly. And the variations of postop patient behavior and outcomes that VSGAnn described seems right on.

This morning my avatar is a yellow smiley face. And last night, Alex, your face was showing up as lady1000's avatar and jjinWA's flowers were your avatar. It IS a fun matching game!

Algae, bravo!

Jim, you're right, and I specifically stated in another post that I'm not talking about shouting from rooftops or posting on social media. I have done neither. This was about the answer you give when specifically asked about how you lost so much weight. VSGAnn give a good answer of how truthful disclosure may affect her career. Others gave examples of how the news ruined relationships with friends and family. I am totally disgusted when I hear these stories. As for friends, good riddance, I wouldn't want those types of people in my life anyways. What's the point of having "fake" friends? Of course it gets more complicated with family when you are forced to deal with them even after discovering what jerks they are. The dilemma is weighing the potential negative outcome of full disclosure against the perpetuation of WLS and obesity stigma and myths. Because with the stigma comes the embarrassment and shame a lot of obese people feel, and shouldn't have to. Those that choose not to disclose will forever be the example of how much weight you can lose by simply exercising and eating less.

Check outs the thread "Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Obesity Control Center" in the self pay and Mexico sub forum. Everything you ever need to know from dozens of OCC patients.