BeagleLover

No, you just need to stop.

Why set yourself up for dumping if you don't have to? You enjoy sugar and might be able to have some with the sleeve. You still have restriction. I really don't see how you'd fail. So many people have lost weight and kept it off with the sleeve. I have had diabetes for 4 years and still love sweets! Granted, it would be hard, if not impossible, to reproduce pecan pie without corn syrup. But, there's a whole world out there in sugarless...you can make pies out of Splenda Stevia that you really can't tell the difference! I add about a little lemon juice to whatever fruit I'm using, add an extra third of the amount of sugar in the recipe, then add cinnamon if I want and, 16 star anise seeds, put through a grinder or smushed in a mortar & pestle. If I think there's going to be a fair amount of juice, I put in a little instant tapioca. OMG, it tastes so good! I'll be sleeved on Sept. 26th. Whenever I can tolerate "pies" again, I would change the above by not making a crust to minimize the carbs, and put a Splenda-sweetened oat and cinnamon topping on it, finished off by a spray of PAM. There are plenty of other dessert recipes that very closely mimic the real deal. You could also check out the blog, The World According to Eggface.

My primary doctor discouraged me from having WLS, talking about how "he would have to pick up the pieces... they're not going to take care of you afterwards." It was all about him. Unfortunately, with his being so adamant about it being a bad idea, I dropped it. I still wasn't able to lose weight and keep it off and eventually got diabetes. I also notice people that are very heavy. I see them as ticking time bombs, so far, going down the path destined to lead to a much shorter life. I think of the people that love them, frequently with them, that will be in absolute misery if this person died. I carry around doctor's cards from the hospital in which I'll be getting my surgery. I write a short note about why I'm giving them the card, including that my doctor didn't tell me; I feel as though I need to let them know. I also write the URL of Bariatric Pal on the card. Although it scares me to death to do this, I stop them and talk to them awhile, telling them there is help out there. I apologize, hoping I didn't offend them. To be honest, I chicken out as many times as I've done this. I've only received positive feedback and thanks.

On day 2 of pre-op diet. Just tried unjury chocolate Splendor + 1 Tb. malted milk powder and added extra Sweet N' Low to 1 c. unsweetened soymilk. Wow that tastes good... just like a chocolate malt!

The best (most absorbable) Protein you want to look for on the label is 100% protein isolate. There are a few brands: Syntrax nectar, unjury (chocolate Splendor is highly recommended + 1 Tb. malted milk powder) and ISOPURE. I suggest you go to the Syntrax site and buy their set of samples to check out what you like. Nashua Nutrition also packages up individual samples of various protein powders. Many people like Chike Iced coffee. If you get tired of sweet shakes, many people seem to enjoy UNJURY chicken Soup. If you get chocolate and vanilla, you can use Torani or DaVinci sugarless syrups and PB2 Peanut Butter powder to make lots of variations. You can do a search on this site to get lots of recipes. I also purchased a book, "The Bariatric Foodie Guide to Perfect Protein Shakes" by Nikki Massie. That should keep you busy for awhile! Have fun.

Wow! Good thing you are going through this process... sleep apnea can be life threatening! Whatever it is, it's always better to know. What's that phrase? Forewarned is forearmed. Hopefully, you will get a chance to ask your questions at the endoscopy appointment.

Tonight I wanted to feel a bit fuller than I did earlier in the day. I boiled 1 lb. carrots (not peeled, to leave the fiber), and 1 onion in a large container of chicken bouillon + a medium-sized can. I pureed it in the blender and added juice and rind of 1 orange, then added salt and cinnamon to taste. By the time I ran it through the blender, it had cooled somewhat and wasn't too hot to add the Protein powder. I put enough of the puree in a large Soup bowl and added a scoop of unjury chicken soup Protein Powder. Whew! Feel better. There's plenty left for tomorrow.

Yaaay! Best of luck to you. You'll be on the other side before you know it!

I just started today. Yeah, it definitely isn't easy!

If you eat for emotional reasons, I suggest checking out this book which helped me: Emotional First Aid Kit http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_19/184-6706169-9702664?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=emotional%20first%20aid%20kit%20for%20bariatric%20surgery&sprefix=Emotional+First+Aid%2Cstripbooks%2C153 Good luck!

If you eat for emotional or other reasons, this book may help you. It helped me. http://www.amazon.com/Emotional-First-Aid-Kit-Practical/dp/0976852659/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410960897&sr=1-1&keywords=emotional+first+aid+kit+for+bariatric+surgery

Nah, you look great!

@@Kindle, What! Where!!!? You look incredible!!!

@@LumpySpacePrincess, I don't have a specific recipe for Cookies, but have heard of folks using the cookie-flavored Protein powder in place of (all or part?) of the flour.

I suggest you check out the blog, "The World According to Eggface".

As in the post link provided by @@Kindle, I suggest flax seeds.

What kind of surgery did you get? Are you getting enough Water and Protein? According to my NUT instructions, when you introduce new foods, only try one new food that day and a very tiny amount-- 1 or 2 thimblefuls. If that doesn't help, I suggest you call your surgeon's office.

"You" are not your weight. There are SO many factors in someone gaining and holding onto extra weight. Please don't beat yourself up over it. Kudos to you for recognizing that you need a tool to help you get healthy, stay healthy and taking the steps to do so!

I am speaking in general, because your requirements might be different, driven by your insurance. First determine whether they cover bariatric surgery. There usually are BMI requirements. Most follow NIH guidelines: > 40 BMI for a certain amount of time; > 35 BMI with 1 or 2 co-morbidities. Sometimes the insurance company requires that the surgery be done in a Bariatric Center of Excellence, sometimes not. Your insurance may have a certain number of nutritionist appointments you need to complete, usually 3 or 6, one month apart. If you miss one, you may have to start over. The hospital usually has a nutritionist they are associated with that has the schedule set up for these monthly meetings. Your hospital program may or may not have a bariatric coordinator that keeps track of the requirements met and those that still have to be completed. Sounds great that you are proactive in getting things scheduled!

It sounds like she is using the hospital program to get private clients!

Dump her a-$-$! Go to a different doctor! You can get the report done in one visit with another one.

Congratulations on your 52lb. weight loss! I suggest looking at meetup.com to find groups in your area that are exercising together, particularly biking or swimming. I'm thinking that would minimize too much stress on your joints, yet make it social and fun. Good luck... you are well on your way!

I suggest you look at the blog, "The World According to Eggface."

You look great! Congrats!

Wow! You look so much healthier and happier! You and your arms look awesome!