MeAndTinyTina

I'm on soft foods and like a few slices of banana on greek yogurt or cottage cheese.

I'm also on soft foods. Love ground turkey sautéed in seasoned tomato sauce with onions and zucchini. Add a little shredded low fato cheddar and enjoy. Made half a pound with one small zucchini and quarter onion and enjoyed for several days. Chew well and slowly or you may be tempted to eat more than quarter cup.

Good luck all you Sept sleevers! I am almost 4 weeks out and feel pretty good. After the first couple of days and a few hickups along the way with blood pressure, it's been smooth sailing. Only problem is the scale has hardly moved! But, my clothes are getting bigger and bigger, so I'm not too disappointed yet. Well -- off to the gym! Have a good evening! Ellen

Hi -- Choboni 100 has the fruit flavors, but lowest sugar of all the flavored and still has the Greek style extra Protein. Whenever they're on sale for 10 for $10, I stock up. Now, at only 2 ounces per meal, one cup will last a long time! Ellen

Hi - I'm just finishing up my 2-week pureed stage. I look at the tiny 2 oz and I think how is this going to fill me up? Then I eat it and my brain is still thinking this isn't enough. Then I wait about a minute and I actually focus on my body and not my brain and can feel the fullness. But I have to actually direct my thoughts to Tiny Tina (that's my stomach). I also have noticed that some really thin purees feel more like liquids. Tiny Tina feels the fullness much more on thicker purees, like the cauliflower and cheese puree I had for a snack this evening. But I also noticed that the feeling of fullness is kinda like a hunger pang. If I let my brain take over, I can convince myself that I'm hungry. I'm not saying this is what's happening to you, just sharing my experience, for what it's worth. Hang in there, Elle

Hi. My screen name is MeAndTinyTina, but my real name is Ellen (Tiny Tina is my new stomach - a story for another time). My grade school taunt/nickname was Ellen, Ellen Watermelon (chanted over and over again). I was a plump child and then an overweight teen and so on all my life. The taunting had lots of negative impacts, but also one very important, positive one. I believe it made me a much more empathetic person, a good listener, and a champion of important causes. My whole life I have tried to stand up for those who can't and speak up for those who are too timid to do so themselves. The core of my belief system for almost all of my life has been to try to change the things I don't like if I can, but to remember that I can ALWAYS change my reaction to what is happening. I have been fairly successful in keeping to that philosophy. But with my weight, not so successful in changing the situation, although I am mostly happy about how I have dealt with being a larger than life person in a normal-sized world. Now, in the second half of my life, I am tackling the change in the situation itself. But I am very interested in weight-related discrimination and just logged onto the Obesity Action Coalition website, which I learned about yesterday from Bariatricpal. Sorry for the loooong post. I hope your nick names from the past can now give you strength, as we move beyond them.

Hi - I had the sleeve surgery on August 13. It went very well, I'm in the middle of the puree stage with no problems getting in all my Protein and Water, although it is something of a job to get all the drinks and small meals in when you're trying to work. My biggest challenge is staying organized and focused! I would love to have an in-person group, even if it was just informally. Went to my first support group at Yale on Tuesday evening. It was nice, I will go back, but very large, expensive parking, and at 6 pm a bit for my work schedule. If enough people here are interested, maybe we can meet up at a Starbucks (there are low-cal options there and they don't hustle you out the door). Hoping to meet more of you soon on this board. Ellen

I'll haveto look into it. I'm working out with a trainer now so it will be nice to track that.

I got my first dog after I had a stroke at age 40 16 years ago -- he was my rehab buddy, so I know what you mean! Now my current babies are looking forward to a more athletic mom. Today we are taking two introductory classes; a rally obedience class and a nose work class (I want to see if all that sniffing can be put to good use). How do you like the fit bit? I just joined a gym and got a trainer, but estimating the exercise/calories burned is tough in My Fitness Pal. Is the Fit Bit worth t? Ellen

Sometimes I'm glad I'm single! My dogs never question my motives or decisions! However, my parents said the same thing in the beginning, but now are super supportive. I think because they saw me getting happier and happier as the surgery date approached and because I explained that not doing it was a sure form of slow suicide. I am still losing very slowly, but according to my clothing, I am loosing a lot - so maybe things are shifting, or there's a lot of Fluid in me - at any rate, I'm happier than I have been in years! You'll be happy too -- I'm sure of it! Ellen

LindaLue -- I use Unjury. They are whey based. I mix with light, unsweetened soy milk or skim milk. To the chocolate flavor, I sometimes add PB2 (low-fat powdered peanut butter). The vanilla and the strawberry is good too. I tried Muscle Milk Light and EAS, both premixed, and they tasted like chemicals. These are very "clean" tasting, even when mixed in just plain Water. Ellen

So I went to the grocery store this evening to buy stuff for my puree stage starting tomorrow. I was like a deer in the headlights. I haven't been in a grocery store since July 25!! Before the surgery I stocked up on liquids, Jello, Protein powder, Soup, etc. I bought fat free Greek yogurt (unflavored, cause I am tired of sweet shakes), egg beaters (I'll have to cook and puree), hummus, small curd cottage cheese, light mayo, and canned chicken and turkey (which has to be pureed too). The single-serve hummus cups look so small, but I'll only be eating 1/4 of them for an entire meal! Tolerating Protein shakes and Water has been easy for me -- fingers crossed that the purees will go down well, but not so well that I don't want to stop I'm hoping that the floodgates will stay firmly CLOSED! Finediva -- have you moved on to soft foods yet? Ellen

Lindalue - If you try the shakes, you may be pleasantly surprised. I was on them for about a week before my surgery and I never felt hungry. Did 2 shakes a day and one small Protein plus salad and lost about five pounds in that week. Of course after the surgery, they really, really fill you up!! Keep trying - you'll get there! Ellen

Hi - I'm now 12 days post-op and had my first session with a personal trainer this evening. I am also now the proud owner of my very first sports bra! All my life I have rationalized away the need for exercise, but I can't live in denial anymore. Actually, reading a lot of the posts on this site from veteran "losers" have helped convince me. Honestly, I was almost as nervous for this training as I was for the surgery. But now that session one is over, it wasn't that bad. Alright, I'll admit it, I kinda liked it. Maybe because the trainer is a 23-year old hotty. I know at age 56 I'm supposed to be harmless, but whenever he asked me "where I was feeling it", I had to bite my tongue Well, we'll see how I feel in the morning - hope I can get out of bed. Three more days til purees -- yippee! Ellen

Hi - I got tons are classes, one-on-one appointments with a NUT, with the surgical team, dietician, support groups, etc., before the surgery and it continues now post op. I also purchased (thru Amazon for my Kindle) the Big book of Gastric sleeve" - which is written by Bariatric Pal and there are links to it on this site (not sure about the phone app). It was a bit repetitive for me, since I received a binder's worth of handouts from my surgical team, but tkauhi, it would be great for you. Has all the stages of diet, starting from liquids, to purees, to soft, to harder foods, a chapter on what Vitamins you need, exercise, etc. Even has sample menus. I might help you tkauhi and others who didn't get enough info from their medical team. Ellen

Hi - tomorrow I'll be 12 days post op and I have my first session with a personal trainer - so I am right there with you olsonjb! I am losing slowly, but I promised myself that I would commit to this transformation 100% and that does include exercise. They gym is actually a medically-supervised facility. A lot of people go there for cardiac rehab, after joint replacements, etc. They have some experience with bariatric clients. I went to Koles earlier to buy a sports bra - 56 years old and my first one. I feel so athletic . Good luck I guess to both of us - I am more nervous about the trainer than I was about the surgery! Ellen

Nice to meet all of you. IcanMakeit -- great news about the A1C level. Talk about a non-scale victory!! Not great news about the earthquake

I had the surgery on a Wed, and started working on the following Monday. However, I got permission to work from home, since I do a lot of writing, conference calls, etc. Can't say that I have been super productive, but without the commute and the running around on our very large corporate campus, it's been OK. I'm glad I've had the time at home, since bathroom breaks are very, very frequent! Ellen

Thanks- I can't wait for salad. I'm not hungry, but I do miss chewing! Ellen

Hi Fezik23 - how much salad were you able to eat? Was wondering if we go by volume or weight? Ellen

Wow - love the picture - you look like a movie star!

Hi - I start purees on Wed and you just expressed my fear - opening the floodgates! I feel like a developed an eating disorder since surgery - now I am afraid to eat again . All kidding aside, I relate to your concern -- keep us posted. Ellen

Hi - I have been lurking on this forum since May - figured now that I'm sleeved, I might as well jump in! My name is Ellen. I'm 56 and live In beautiful Connecticut. I have named my sleeve Tiny Tina (although I might change it to "she who must be obeyed" .) When I was in my early 20s, I was dragged to a gay bar by my sexually ambivalent boyfriend to see a female impersonator named Tiny Tina. She was probably 400 lbs, but boy could she move! She showed me that you could be fat and fabulous. Well, now some 30 years later, I want to be slender and fabulous! Tiny Tina was born 10 days ago. The surgery was a breeze. Had it at Yale New Haven Hospital. The nursing staff was really nice. I almost didn't want to leave. I went home to my parent's house for a few days and believe me, the hospital was less stressful! I love my parents and appreciate them so much, but oy vay, are they loud! They're in their early 80s and Dad is so hard of hearing. At least they didn't hear my trudging back and forth to the bathroom all night long! Every time I got up, my 2 miniature poodles would get up with me. Towards morning, my boy dog was starting to give me dirty looks! I actually gained about 8 lbs from the surgery, but I've lost that and the scale is now going down, but of course not as fast as I would like. For those of you who are waiting for surgery and have read so many posts about gas pain, nausea, trouble drinking, etc., please be comforted to know that not everyone goes through that. I actually called my program because once I was home I was worried that I could drink and get my Protein Shakes in no problem and had to ask them if I could exceed 64 oz of water! I have been lucky, lucky, lucky. Supportive friends and family, understanding boss, no issues with the insurance company. I took the week of the surgery off, and my boss is letting me work from home until Sept 8. It is nice to not have the long commute and the peace and quite (now that I'm back in my own place .) I'm still on full liquids until Wed, then on to purees. The best thing I have learned on this board is about PB2. Have you all heard of it? It's dehydrated Peanut Butter powder with most of the fat removed. 45 calories for 2 tablespoons and 6 grams of protein. I add it to the unjury brand classic chocolate Protein Powder and mix with light soymilk and boy is it good! I don't see myself giving up that drink even when I'm back on solid food. I think that will be lunch at work. Although I am somewhat tired, I have to say that I am getting more and more excited as the days go on. When I set up my ticker earlier today, I knew in my guts (or in Tiny Tina I should say), that I will be successful and I hope that I can make some new friends here who will be equally enthusiastic! Sorry about the looooong post - hope to meet more of you soon. Ellen

My surgery is on Wed too. I've been lurking on this site for months, but this is my first post. Hard to believe it's finally happening. I am so overwhelmed. I took today and tomorrow off to get my stuff together, compose myself, etc., and all I can do is obsessively read posts on this site! I need to pack - going to my mom's straight from the hospital - get my dog's things together, etc. I think I'm worrying too much. One thing I did do was contact a lawyer and have my will done. At age 56 I figured no tine like the present! Now I'm superstitiously wondering if I'm sending a bad message out to the universe:) The pre-op diet has been fine. I'm a very good short-term dieter. Haven't shown much weight loss, but my "regular" habits are all messed up. Wish I knew how big my liver was! Bottom line for me, and I suspect for all of us with close dates, is no second-guessing!!! Living as an obese person all these years is probably much harder than the next few months are going to be. Good luck to all the August sleevers! Ellen (aka ECR)