MIZ60

I agree with your assessment.....tried both of these and was just kind of underwhelmed. The cookies and cream one just tasted a little weird overall and the peach did not taste like peaches. Only using them nowadays as a coffee creamer and I alternate caramel and vanilla. Stocked up at Sam's this week due to monthly sale ($12.66 per 12 pack) so I am set for a while.

Good for you!! I quit in 2009 after 31 years of smoking. I took Chantix and it really helped. Did have to steer clear of smoking situations for about a year but now it does not affect me if I see someone light up which is not often due to the restrictions on smoking here. Stay strong and say NOPE---Not One Puff Ever!!!

These actually saved me since they were the only non-sweet thing allowed. Husband loves them too so we went through a huge Sams jar of BestMaid dill pickle spears TWICE in 2 weeks

I already had the insurance approval and surgery date before I ever started the preop diet. Actually, they called my insurance before I ever saw the surgeon the first time to determine coverage. I would probably give it until the beginning of next week and call the surgeon's office if you have not heard anything. BTW, your preop diet sounds a lot like mine--I ate so many dill pickles that I can not even think about eating one now. Best of luck to you!!

Thank you to everyone who has posted on this thread, I am only 2 weeks on solid foods so it is too early for me to tell BUT I see many foods on this list (bars, cashews, HaloTop) that I regularly consumed prior to starting my preop diet that it strengthens my resolve to avoid these until I am much further along. Cashews and the "healthy" bars (Atkins, Premiere Protein and others) are like crack cocaine to me (even though I have never tried it and I lose all sense of portion control.

I had my sleeve a week before you. Since being allowed solid foods 2 weeks ago I have tried chicken, fish, shrimp, and deli ham. It will be a while before I try red meat since so many have issues with it. I am not a wine drinker but I have tried alcohol (Crown Royal/water and tequila) on a few occasions with no negative effects. I personally would not go to a restaurant and try a couple of new things for the first time since surgery because I would be humiliated getting sick in a restaurant but that is just me. Proceed with caution would be my advice.

I really have not noticed any new or different level of attention but it is probably my age. I am surrounded by people who are genuine, real friends and those people have always been complimentary and supportive to me. Even though I gained A LOT of weight in the past 5 years no one has mentioned that either. People that know about the surgery ask me how I am feeling and tell me I am looking good which is appreciated by me. My husband is my biggest supporter and literally every day he takes me in his arms in a hug and runs his hands up and down saying how much he can tell I am losing weight and "getting my curves back" which is nice.

Ice cold silver tequila straight out of the freezer and poured into a chilled cordial glass. Drank 1 1/2 oz over an hour with no ill effects. Allegedly there are health benefits....

I have this one right here that I bought at Bed Bath and Beyond about a year and a half ago. I had a coupon and I think is was about $32. This past week I weighed myself dressed with shoes on right before I went to my doctors appointment and then When I got there the weight there was 0.2 pounds less than the scale at home so I feel comfortable it is accurate.

I did not have any preop weight loss requirements at all and saw the RD once, cardiologist for stress echo and the psych for a total of 3 visits. When I started the preop diet (two months ago today!!) I was determined to follow it to the letter and I did. My program allowed one small meal (3 oz. protein and 1 cup veg) a day until the last 2 days which were liquid only. I was already a good water drinker so no issues there. Surgeon said my liver looked "fantastic" with no fatty liver at all even though my enzymes were slightly elevated before surgery. I had a pretty easy recovery with 2 weeks full liquids followed by 4 weeks pureed and just started regular foods last week. I have been completely compliant with their instructions and maybe that is why I have felt great since 4 days after surgery, had very little nausea and no vomiting , a little constipation at first and no difficulty tolerating any foods I have tried. I feel very lucky. I am not losing as fast as some but I am 60 years old and very happy with my progress thus far. I feel following all the rules has been helpful to me even though some are a PITA.

Regular Gatorade has a lot of sugar but I do drink some Powerade Zero which has several flavors and is pretty good.

I suppose it depends on the doctor but there should not be a need for a pap and pelvic in order to be cleared for weight loss surgery. You could also ask ahead of time. My pre op physical was basic and took all of about 5 minutes--heart, lungs, ears, throat and abdomen and that was about it. Although this may not apply to you I am going to encourage you to find a provider that you are comfortable for breast exams and routine gyn care. If you have ever been sexually active you need periodic pelvic exams to screen for cancer and other medical conditions. If not sexually active and your periods are normal you probably don't need the exams until you are older. Most women, myself included, are more comfortable seeing a female for these exams. I do many well woman exams on teenagers ( I am a pediatric nurse practitioner) for the first time since they are comfortable with and know me. I hope you will also consider professional counseling to help you deal with the horrible trauma of being sexually abused as a child. It affects so many things in your adult relationships and self esteem. Best of luck to you!!

Awesome blossom!! You look mahvelous!!

This was the summer of 1984 a few months before our wedding. I was 26 years old and in my FLASHDANCE phase.

I think about this too, especially since I turned 60 earlier this year. I know I will never return to my 26 year old size 7 125 lb self. I just want to look and more importantly feel as good as I possibly can for the age I am now. I do see more wrinkles and sagging and fully intend to have a face/neck lift once I have reached my goal. But I am still not going to be the same young woman I was back then and that is okay.

Wow, that is an amazing story and it is fantastic that you overcame some obstacles to get your VSG. Our stats are almost exactly the same and believe me, I have a similar picture that made me cry... All the best to you in your journey!! Walking those dogs will be good exercise for you. And BARBADOS!!!!! my favorite island in the Caribbean, we have been there a few times and always take the city bus to Mullens Beach....love it there.

It is amazing that you are allowed to eat these only 17 days post op. They look like a pretty good choice versus regular hot dogs (yuk!!) They have some similar ones here at Sam's that are chicken with some spinach and asiago cheese in them that are quite tasty.

When I sit here and reflect on how much better I feel than I did on April 18 when I started the preop diet I can honestly say that I have no worries on how long this process is going to take. Before April 18 I had excruciating back pain that limited my activity. Going to the grocery store was a nightmare for me and other activities were just eliminated. I tried a few medications and even had injections from a spine physiatrist with no improvement. My wheezing and shortness of breath (despite 3 daily asthma/COPD medications) was so bad it was hard for me to walk across the street to the mailbox. My pulmonologist was frustrated with the situation as was I. I was a prisoner in my home and feeling really overwhelmed, sad and resigned to the situation I was in. I have been unable to work for over a year. I honestly did not expect the surgery to help any of this. As of today I have lost 33.8 pounds. My back pain has COMPLETELY resolved and I am able to do whatever I want without pain. I am OFF all three of the asthma/COPD medications since 2 weeks post op and have used my rescue inhaler exactly 3 times since. I am able to walk 1.25 miles in about 25-30 minutes every morning in the Texas heat and humidity. If these changes had not happened to me I would never believe them. I still have about 100 lbs. to lose to reach my goal. I do not care how long it takes. This surgery is the BEST thing I have ever done for myself. Sure, I get jealous when I see people losing faster than I am but I can only experience my own journey.

Had the sleeve 5/2 and like many others I had a stall around week 3-4 where I would fluctuate each day up or down less than a half of a pound. Finally started losing again and am down 18.8 lbs. in 5 weeks and 5 days. Added to the 15 I lost on the preop that is a total of 38.8 in 7 weeks and 5 days. I am not losing as fast as many but I am 60 years old!!! I am so happy with the process, enjoying my daily exercise and looking forward to starting solids on Wednesday. The one thing that has helped me is to increase my water intake to about 80 oz per day in addition to crystal light, SF popsicles and coffee. I am done with the popsicles after the current box is gone since the 8-12 carbs per day are not needed.

Sounds like the effects of the MOM and should get better once that is out of your system. Maybe drink some powerade Zero along with plenty of water since it will give you electrolytes that you are losing with the diarrhea.

You look beautiful and removing the equivalent of a 10 year old off your body is something to be proud of. You deserve that mani/pedi!!

Only from curiosity did I take a brief look at the "guys room" and most of the topics at first glance seem fairly generic. We are all adults on here but if something is too private or personal for you to post about on a PUBLIC forum then my suggestion is to not post it and seek the information you want elsewhere. As a nurse practitioner, even though I only treat kids up to about 21 years old there is not a question I have not been asked by members of both sexes (and their parents, grandparents, etc.) and I always do my best to give information openly and supportively.

That is really amazing and such an inspiration to those of us still with a ways to go. Keep up the good work!! You rock!!

After almost 35 years together, annoying does not even begin to describe it.....lol. He is very supportive and onboard with what I am doing and even though he is a normal weight he is trying to eat better and goes walking with me and the pup every morning. A keeper for sure.

It was pretty easy...the preop requirements are dictated by the insurance according to the surgeon. I had a cardiology visit, a stress echo, 3 psychology sessions (one for testing), 2 nutrition classes, 1 session 1:1 with nutritionist and a 1/2 day appointment included EKG, labs, financial counselor and signing papers. The longest wait was for the nutritionist.