Tiffykins

Yeppers, totally a clear liquid. Cranberry juice was on my list.

Here's the link to Mac's profile on OH, and you can peruse her blog entry on the front page that has plenty of links for VSG results. MacMadame's Profile

I'll venture over to OH and find the links of successful VSG patients that are 5+ years out. A lot of time VSG patients quit posting because they are living a normal, successful life. Give me a few minutes, I'll go grab the links and send you are Private message on here. LapSF - Dr. Cirangle and Dr. Jossart, considered pioneers of the VSG here in the US, have a lot of information on their website. Laparoscopic Associates: Benefits of Weight-Loss Surgery

You don't have to be as strict once your off the post-op diet, and are closer to goal. Don't give up. I promise it works. I was only super strict for the first 4 months then I started adding stuff, and having "treats" here and there. I use myfitnesspal.com and haven't found one food item/product that isn't listed in there. It's been great for me. I used to just write all my stuff down, but now I use the myfitnesspal thingy and love it.

I always cringe when I read these super strict pre-op diet. I didn't have to endure all of that, and only imagine how difficult it must be. Hang in there, and maybe more water will help curb some of the hunger during those really tough hours. We're here for you, and will listen and support you through this and your surgery.

I just wanted to take a moment and welcome you to VST. I hope your journey goes smoothly, and hopefully you can find a buddy to work with through all of this. Keep us posted, and if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to post away. We'll all be your cheerleaders ! ! !

I'm right there with you. I stay in my recliner with the heat and massage on with not 1, but 2, fleece blankets thrown over me. Our thermostat has been on 75 for the last 2-3 weeks. The guys get hot, but I tell them to take off clothes while I layer, layer, and layer some more.

I wasn't able to find one with sufficient Iron.

Glad you had a good surgery experience, and at home recovering.

YAY YAY I'm so glad to hear eveyrthing is coming together for you.

Not screwy at all. I'd have the same thought process. Good luck in whatever decision you end up making.

Ohhhhhhhh Tracy, how painful. I had a torn ACL repair in 94, and then tore the replacement in 98. Another surgery but they couldn't repair it because my right knee is boogared up as well. I hope you get some relief soon, and some sort of news from the doctor this afternoon.

Dang it, I'm sorry. I wish they would hurry up and cover it because I know several other insurance companies would follow suit.

Definitely sounds like a possible leak somewhere in there. Can you get some sort of diagnostic test to determine if there is a leak?

Thank you bunches, and I hope you keep us posted on your progress. Congrats on getting your date. I'll be watching for your posts! ! !

Congrats on your success thus far, you're doing great. I had to find other coping methods when I was super stressed out, and emotional. I played lots of online games, and wrote my husband tons of emails since he was in Afghanistan. Good luck and keep rockin' your sleeve.

I'm a band to sleeve revision patient, and during the post-op diet, you do have to chew food very well especially when you first get to solids. Now that I am 7 months out, I can eat anything and do not have to chew things to a mush consistency. I eat steak (medium well), ribs, brisket, chicken breast (cooked anyway except I'm not a fan of fried chicken), venison. Really, the only meat that doesn't work for me is pork. We (my family) cut 95% of pork out of our diet months ago. I did try some pork chops once, and they just didn't work. We don't eat sausage or bacon. We did have a ham for Christmas and I was able to eat it. I still have the habit of eating really moist, or wet meat. I picked that up with my band. I used to have to drown all meats in some sort of condiment. I swear I should of bought stock in Heinz Ketchup and A1 steak sauce because I never ate meat without one of them for 7 months. Now, I don't have to use much, but I still like to have something on the meat I eat. It's a habit now, and I think I like the way it all tastes. I haven't had anything get "stuck" in months. Just to let you know, the "stuck" feeling with the band is completely different than the "stuck" feeling I got with the band. When something did get stuck, it hurt for a second then it would just kind of creep back up the esophagus and come out. I did get a bit of overproduction of saliva, but nothing like the band. The bite would come up, and then it was over. No gagging, no wretching at least that has been my experience. I still take small bites, and eat slow. But, it's what works best for me. The slower I eat the more satisfied I feel. Plus, I can get in a bit more food.

Today marks an amazing day in my journey to a healthier, happier, and more active life. :thumbup: I'm below goal:thumbup1: ! ! ! I have been eating more every day, and I'm not sure how this all works, but here I am today at 149. I bought a size 12 pants and they are too big. My 14's were getting a little big so I figured a 12 would be just perfect. I'm taking them back to exchange them for 10's which I know I won't be able to get into completely comfortably. I'm about 5 days short of my 7 month post-op mark. I really can't believe I'm at goal. Now here's to maintaining ! ! ! Cheers :001_wub:I love my sleeve :thumbup:

I've been trying to keep up with the threads here and on OH regarding Medicare coverage, but I've heard mixed answers. I hope someone can pipe in with some hard facts. I've been googling quite a bit to find info, but nothing new has been released that I can find.

I'll be in chat for a bit if anyone is interested ! ! !

So, glad to hear you found success with a Protein, and congrats on your meal tonight working well with your body. I couldn't handle any of the GNC brand Proteins, and I tried 3 different formulas (2 of the whey, and 1 of soy), and about 6 different flavors. But, I'm glad you found one that works for you.

Yes, I would just watch the sodium content with broths. My fingers swelled because when I drank broth more than once a day, I started retaining water like the Hoover Dam.

But, I'm so grateful that school is back in session and that John has returned to work. I enjoy my "me" time far too much, and 2 weeks at home with both them was a lot to handle. I started back at the gym this week. Plus, bowling started again on Wednesday. I had such a good time, and then went out to lunch with a girlfriend. That didn't go over so well. We ventured to Sonic, and I ordered a corny dog and cheese fries. My body no longer likes greasy food. I was uncomfortable all day after lunch, and just felt horrible. I didn't eat but 2 little bites of the breading of the corn dog, and the hot dog on the inside. Then, I only had like 5-7 fries with a little cheese. So, no more greasy food for me. I also keep losing/gaining this same 1.5lb, and it's really frustrating. I have an appointment with my surgeon soon, and I need to go ahead and make a trip to the lab so I can already have my labs done before I see him. He's already put in the order for the labs. I just have to get down there to have them pulled. I plan on doing some core/ab work out today, and some leg work. My tummy is shrinking which makes me happy. It's wrinkly, but at least it's shrinking. Tomorrow, I head back to the gym for my last day of strength training for the week. I do 3 days of strength training, 1 day of ab/core workouts, and I bowl on Wednesdays. So, here's to toning up the body that I've been blessed to have after dropping all of this weight. I'm still smoking, but I'm considering going to my PCP and getting on Zyban (Wellbutrin) to see if will help me quit. All the nicotine supplements aren't working, and I'm super irritable when I try cold turkey. I really need to quit, but I'm mentally drawn to smoking because honestly I don't want to end up with my head in the fridge. I find it easier to quit food than cigarettes. I've got the food addiction contained, why am I so scared to give up the nicotine?

Congrats on getting your date ! ! !