On2Living

And I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Let me know if you have any others. :-)

They are 11 ounces so it still takes me a while to drink them but I do drink the whole thing. I'm still struggling with eating slower. It's so hard for me. I really struggle with not drinking with my meals. That is the hardest part.

I eat pretty much everything. I always start with protein. I drink a premier protein each day too. It helps me get to my protein goal each day.

I usually measure my food to help with portions. It I don't eat more than 1/2-3/4 cup, I'm ok. My stomach gurgles when it's empty though. It's different than hunger. So I have to eat every 3 hours or so.

How are you? Still feeling good?

That is awesome! I've been walking a lot but haven't been able to workout. I was in five hotels in different cities the last two weeks alone. Many don't have workout equipment. IM managing though. My current weight is your starting weight! :-)

I am so happy for you! Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Can't wait to follow your progress! The biggest things for me the first few days were pain management and managing my liquids. I used those little plastic 2T measuring cups to drink my liquids. I set my timer for 15 minutes and would drink every 15 minutes. When you aren't drinking a shake, drink Water. You will struggle to drink enough water and shakes at the beginning. The timer really help. I had that anti nausea medication that lasted a week. I could tell when it wore off. Keep the zophran nearby if you need it. You do not want to vomit. I haven't even once and am so glad. They are fairly stingy with the pain meds, which is a good thing since they are powerful drugs. Don't be afraid to ask for a refill if you need it. And track everything. My fitness pal is awesome. I was 8 weeks out last Friday and lost 31 pounds. As of yesterday, I'm down 33.

Great job KariBari! I'm down at least 21 from my start. I'm traveling on business and don't have access to a scale. I'll weigh again Saturday. Friday is five weeks post-op. Part of me is scared that I will be the one that just doesn't lose anymore weight. I need to think positively. IT is hard to manage my new eating plan when traveling internationally. There's a lot of guessing. But my sleeve restriction really helps. I've passed on every dessert and continued to focus on Protein. Love the strawberry unjury packets. They are great for travel.

My insurance covered 100%. My BMI was just over 40. 35 is more challenging. You have to have other issues such as type 2 diabetes usually to be covered.

Can't wait to see them. Best of luck. Sending good thoughts your way! Keep in touch. I'm here if you have any other questions.

Hi there, The first couple of days were a bit rough but in the hospital they give you better meds so it made up for it. After that, I felt better everyday. Following the docs instructions helped. It's funny. When you take all food away and introduce things back one at a time, the simplest things are delicious. My favorite meal while on soft foods was canned chicken and cottage cheese. I'm just now able to get to 800 calories a day. To do it, I drink one or two strawberry unjury shakes. I love it mixed in Water. It was important to get there because I was really tired when I wasn't eating enough. I'm on a regular diet now but can't eat more than a half a cup at a sitting. I don't regret this at all. I feel great and have lost 22 pounds. I use my Fitbit and myfitnesspal app to track every step and but of food and water. I will probably drink a premier Protein every morning for the foreseeable future because it has 30 grams of protein and gets me halfway to my goal in one go. A few days before my surgery I had doubts and wondered what I had signed up for. I think this is normal. I was terrified. I spent the first couple of weeks sleeping a lot and concentrating on drinking my shakes. Each day my husband and I would walk our dogs to the end of our culdesac. It was hard at first but got better. The more you do, the more you can do. :-)

Hi everyone, I got my date. Aug 13 is all my pre-op and the 22nd is my surgery. I'm so excited!! My first appointment was June 18, so it has gone pretty quickly. I will have two weeks recovery, which will be covered under my short-term disability. No liquid diet required before my surgery. I'm having my gall bladder removed and my hiatal hernia repaired with my sleeve. Hopefully no complications with having all three at once. So happy to be in the August group!

How are you feeling? I ended up staying in the hospital until Sunday. Feeling pretty good but exhausted. Doc says it's because I'm not getting enough nutrition. I'm averaging about 700 calories a day. Today I was weighed at his office. I've lost 15 pounds. He said 10-15 at this point was average.

This is my first update after surgery 4 days ago. I forgot how loopy I would be on the pain meds. My concentration was shot. I couldn't post coherently. I am so glad that I have done this. I was pretty scared at the end and am feeling so happy that it is done. Dr Johnson is my surgeon. He completed my sleeve, removed my gall bladder, repaired my hiatal hernia and did a liver biopsy. With all of that done at once, I've been in a bit of pain. But it is getting better every day. I was hospitalized for two nights because I couldn't pee after the general anesthesia. My bladder just needed more time and now all is well. I'm am tolerating the Protein shakes and Vitamins well. The flavor isn't great but it isn't horrible. No nausea at all so far. My hospital gives all bariatric patients Emend. It is amazing. It may also be because I didn't eat or drink anything in the hospital but Water. So my new stomach was able to rest. I wish I would have known how bad the dry mouth would be. Biotene is a miracle. I used that, my Chapstick, my pillow and not much else during my hospital stay.

Yes! Good luck today! Wish you all the best. I have to admit I'm a bit freaked out but it's going to be ok. :-)

Hi there, Congrats! My surgery is Friday morning and I'm getting nervous. How do you feel? Would love to keep in touch. My BMI is 40. I'm 5'6-1/2". I weigh about 260. I started gaining weight in my twenties after my first child. I hovered between 200 and 220 until I had to take a thyroid suppressor. I gained 40 pounds in the last year. I'm ready to do this but the butterflies have set in.

Only four days left! My pre-op appointment went great. Thursday I have my last meal (scrambled eggs and white toast without butter) and switch to a liquid diet. Friday, we head to the hospital at 6:30 am. My doc said I could go home same day or stay over. Has anyone gone home same day? I'm feeling nervous about it. Overall, I'm excited. Reality is setting in as one by one I eat some of my favorite foods. Praying for an easy recovery.

Hi there, I would love to be buddies. Feel free to private message me. Good luck!

Thank you!

Is the group private? Can others see it in your list or on your FB page? I'm not telling anyone but a select few.

All my testing is complete. My first appt with the surgeon was June 18 and the submitted my paperwork to BCBS Illinois Thursday, July 2. Still hoping to make the July group but August is more likely. Fingers crossed!

Congrats!

Hi there! Best of luck on your surgery. I wish I were going in July. I certainly hope so but it would be wishful thinking since my first surgeon appt is June 18th. My insurance approved though and my only requirements are nutritionist (also scheduled for the 18th) and Psych consult so it is possible...:-)

Hi everyone, I have finally made the decision to move forward with weight loss surgery. I am in my mid-40s and married with two college age kids. I was that skinny kid growing up that could eat anything. Getting pregnant was like flipping a switch. Each year, I gained more weight until reaching my highest today at 263. I have tried Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, diet pills, Vitamin shots and even denial. None have worked for me. I have a BMI of 42.4. My inner skinny girl is anxious to come out! After extensive research, I am considering the sleeve gastrectomy. So far, I attended a seminar. My appointment with the surgeon is June 18. Looks like my insurance is requiring a psych consult and nutritionist consult. Nutritionist will be done the same day. This site has already been extremely helpful. Thank you all for sharing such personal information. It really makes a difference. I will try to follow your example and do the same. Hospital - Emory Johns Creek/Atlanta Bariatric Center Surgeon - Undecided, probably William H. Johnson, MD, FACS

Thank you! Can I make an appointment for the psych consult now or do I have to wait for my dr appt?