SnohoGal98296

http://www.nbcnews.com/#/health/health-news/after-huge-weight-loss-sagging-skin-remains-n44481 Hi Everyone Just thought I would share the above article with everyone...

I hear ya! Yup, if that business travel happens, I may just move my date to after. ..

Hi Everyone Got all of my dates yesterday, finished my nutrition and psych evaluation, so now have dates for my endoscopy and my vertical sleeve, the big day is June 11th! There some risk, because I may have to travel for business in June, but at least I have this date reserved. Just a reminder, I am selfpay, so my hurdles have been my own research, funding, and my work travel schedule.

I am so on board for the "why do our insurance companies not get it?" question, driving the need for people to gain weight for insurance acceptance! Being in the middle of the scale, the "don't gain any weight or your surgery will have to be in a hospital" area, I just wish all health insurance covered the surgery especially since it is acknowledged that this procedure saves the insurance companies money in the long run. Hopefully they catch on soon!

Hi Rj- Saw this new article on NBCNews.com - http://www.nbcnews.com/#/health/health-news/after-huge-weight-loss-sagging-skin-remains-n44481 it says "After the body contouring is done, patients routinely lose another 10 to 15 pounds of loose skin alone.", thought you might be interested in reading it if you haven't already seen it. Hope this Helps ;-D

Love the protein plus milk idea, will hit Safeway on the way home to see if it is here in the Pacific NW, thanks!

Whoop, there she goes! That is funny! I totally get your CAT5 remark, because I feel that way sometimes too, what an amazing NSV, you go Madame R, you are an inspiration to us pre-op'ers!

This "addiction" or whatever you want to call it, is real for me too. I can do great for a week or so, and then one slip up with carbs and I find myself desperate for that next fix. I am pre-op and intend to raise this issue with my nut and possibly even the psych evaluation. I am afraid that if I reveal this issue that it may raise some concerns, but I am more afraid of setting myself up for failure. I am looking forward to the tool that this sleeve can be...

Vanceheather5, you look marvelous darling! Keep up the good fight!

Ditto! This is a great book! I also liked weight loss surgery for dummies, it had tons of good tips, but keep in mind it is much more general as it covers all types of surgery.

Oh geez, I already dream about food, and my surgery date isn't set yet! I had one the other night, but I had fallen pursue hard off the Wagon of my pre- pre-op diet! I have been trying to lose a few to show the Doc that I am indeed in the right frame of mind, well one telecom that went to 8 pm and driving home starving, well I stopped and fell victim to my vices diet coke and a cheeseburger. That night I dreamt all night about eating bad for you foods and felt just awful in the morning. .. And this is before the sleeve! Hold on to your butts! This is going to get interesting!

Ree, i was told last year that gall bladder pain can feel like shoulder pain, do you also have pain under your rib cage, right side? Not trying to diagnose! but share my experience... I complained of shoulder pain and under rib pain, my gp said "textbook gall bladder" and then sent me for a ct scan. Luckily it wasn't serious. I am pre surgery, going for a June date.

Welcome! And congrats on your insurance approval! I recommend reading, reading, reading. .. There are tons of posts with helpful info and great folks who really try to help us pre-op folks learn what we need to know before surgery. Again, Welcome and Have Fun!

Great video! Very inspirational! I look forward to my surgery so I can "make beautiful things" too!

Syntrax nectar sweet chocolate truffle with unsweetened almond milk is the bomb! For rushed mornings Premier Protein RTD from costco. I have been trying different brands, I recommend buying a few sample packs and giving them a try, search "sample" for tons of website recommendations.

Have you exhausted non formal loans, I.e. Mom and Dad? Another option is borrowing from your 401K, so no credit checks. ..

RJ I support you and respect your trials and tribulations, I have to say I was proud of your daughter for defending you at the grocery store, I don't care anyone's history - Why should a stranger freak out over spilled milk? Your Daughter obviously loves you very much and her Mama - Bear has come out to protect you. Do you remember that comic where the Mom would turn into a bear when she needed to protect her son? Like his first trip on a school bus? I pictured her as big Grizzly in grocery aisle. Anyway, you hang in there girl and we are here to support you :-D

RJ, You have come so far, you know what to do, eating healthy with more calories is still eating healthy and that why we are all here. To get healthy! And to stay that way even after we reach goal. You can do this, what would you say if you were the reader of this post and not the poster?

Yes the huge Tubs are expensive, you can find single packs at places like gnc, or my bariatric pantry, I think Syntrax' s website sells taster packs too, sorry meant to say that earlier.

Ok, my latest taste tests have been Oh Yeah! RTDs this past week I tried their strawberry and Vanilla. Strawberries n Cream - I found this to be a little sweet, but tasty. The strawberry flavor is not cloying, and tastes good. Maybe not the best strawberries and cream but definitely will be one of my go to RTDs. Vanilla - I basically tolerated this flavor. I normally drink a shake in the car on my way to work and this is the first one where I put it down and had to remember to finish it. Actually had to say to myself, you'd better finish that. .. There was gritty feel to it and the flavor seem fake. My mouth felt dry afterward, and I had to drink a Water to get that dry feeling out of my mouth. Maybe it is telling that between these flavors I always go back to my Premier Protein chocolate RTD from costco. More soon

There are several flavors from Syntrax Nectrasweet powders that are fruity, like fruit punch, lemonade, peach, etc. I really like the Syntrax line and it is available on Amazon. This line mixes easily and doesn't have an aftertaste or a gritty texture. There are also some RTDs by Isopure that are punch type too, even grape. But I haven't tried them yet, the Isopures are on my list though!

Vita-Cost sent me an email apologizing and refunded the entire amount including shipping. Refund came through Amazon. All is well - and Amazon's guarantee is worth it!

I have to say I haven't tried it myself, she says you don't taste the cabbage at all. I guess stuffed cabbage is always served with tomato sauce, so it can't be that bad. But I love the spaghetti squash!

I was wondering why they were not around, maybe it's because they are gross :-D I have also mixed flavored protein powder into a 6 oz plain fat free greek yogurt, it was yummy. But I am pre-op and had trouble finishing it. .. It was very filling! Don't forget unjury broth protein mix, I have seen posts about their chicken broth. ..