Tiffykins

Those are great goals, and you'll reach them.

I'm sorry I don't have any knowledge on BCBS of TX. I hope someone else is able to chime in. Have you had an opportunity to check out the Texas board on obesityhelp.com? Sometimes they are pretty good about knowing the insurance stuff. Unfortunately, a lot of insurance companies are still excluding coverage for VSG. Also, welcome to VST, and if you have any other questions feel free to ask away.

I'm not a beer drinker so that has never been an issue. I was released for alcohol consumption about 3-3.5 months post-op. I didn't even attempt anything until just recently (6 months post-op), and I had 2 glasses of Reisling white wine over a 4.5 hour period with dinner in between at my husband's squadron Christmas party. I had absolutely zero negative effects. I never caught a buzz, I didn't feel drunk or tipsy, I did feel relaxed, and enjoyed the wine fully. I love wine, and my tastes have changed back to how they were pre-op so I had zero issues with taste. Some people report a burning sensation with hard liquor like vodka, rum, Jack D or Jim Beam. I'll stick to a couple glasses of wine here and there. I used to be a big rum/coke or Big red soda drinker, and I enjoyed many mojitos in my time before surgery. But, now I try to steer clear of sodas. I do have a Big Red soda on occasion, and the only thing that happens is I burp after each sip, and it takes me 12 hours to drink one bottle of soda. So, I haven't ventured into drinking true liquor drinks, but might have one on New Year's Eve.

Kathy, hi and welcome to VST. I hated life with my band, and I only had it for 8 months. I hope you get good news in January. The sleeve is amazing, and it's so much different than the band. I had complications post-op in June with the revision, and I know they are physically and mentally draining. Please keep us posted on your progress, and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

You have the perfect outlook on this life changing surgery. My fave thing to do is cross my legs without having to kind of lean to the side of the chair. It felt great, and you'll find an assortment of things along the way that totally amaze you ! ! !

I had several complications post-op, one being a leak, and then a 2nd hospitalization in mid-July for Fluid pockets in my abdomen. So, I struggled in the beginning. But, I did follow the program, and stayed around 600 calories a day, and I didn't start working out until end of October, and I haven't been to the gym in a month. Right now, because I have lost so much so quickly, I eat whatever I want, and I eat carbs. I still stay between 600-700 calories a day, around 30 grams of carbs, and I get all my Protein (60grams) from food sources. I do treat myself occasionally with a couple of chocolate miniatures a couple times a week. I just recently broke my first stall. I hadn't lost any weight in about 10 days, and then today I weighed in 3lbs less. So, I am 3lbs to goal, and really need to learn to maintain. Right now, I eat just about anything I want, but I try to follow the protein first rule. I eat a balanced diet for the most part. Some days meat is not appealling at all, so I may skip it and am a bit short on my protein for the day. I had to get my loss to slow down somehow, and really the thing that has helped is incorporating a better variety of food, and balancing our veggies and carbs. Today, for lunch, I went out with a girlfriend and had spicy Thai noodles with chicken. YUMMY. I ate 4 strips of the chicken, the inside of a spring roll (cabbage, glass noodles, chicken, slivers of carrots), and then ate about 3-4 oz of the noodles. We eat a lot of venison, and chicken. We rarely eat beef (except beef Jerky, and I'm obsessed with it). I don't graze, or really snack. If I'm going to eat a meal, I eat, and then I am satisfied for several hours. I enjoy a salad once to twice a week, and this is usually the meal when I skip meat because I love salad. I was extremely disciplined in the beginning, and had some trouble with food so I stayed on mushies a bit longer. I incorporated solid food very slowly. I ate a lot of mashed potatoes and yogurt. I can't put all the blame on the complications. I was pretty stern with myself from the end of July to October. My husband came home from a 6.5 month deployment to Afghanistan, and became the food police. So, I did start eating more food, and found it easier to eat because he was finally home, and I wasn't constantly stressed. Now, food is kind of free game for me because I need to maintain between 145-150. I'm at 153 today so I've decided to eat a balanced diet, and not deprive myself of certain foods. It's working for me thus far.

Nope not at all. I have quite a bit of loose, flabbiness on my upper arms, and inner thighs. My boobs are definitely more saggy with excess skin on the top of the breasts. I think I look pretty amazing with clothes on. Without clothes, not so much, but in that same process, who really sees me naked? Just me and the husband, and he thinks I look great. I do still have a lower tummy roll that a couple months of ab/core exercises I could get rid of it. I'm not mishapen, or bigger in any certain area. I have curves, a smaller waist, hips and a little tummy fat that make me look pretty "hour-glass" shaped. Before I was just round, and plump, fat rolls everywhere. Overall, I'll take the excess/loose skin over being morbidly obese any day of the week.

and I'm not really sure how I feel about it. There is a part of me that is ecstatic that my weight loss has hit a plateau, BUT (you knew there was a but in there), I am also frustrated because I am so close to goal. 6 fricken pounds, and I've been stalled about 9 days. I am by no means disappointed with my results thus far, and I know exactly why I've stalled. #1 - My tastebuds have returned to normal, and I have new found love of chocolate. Especially, white chocolate with crushed up candy canes. Yes, they are divine. Caysen brought a bag of homemade candies from school home, and he nor John like them. So, they are all mine. #2 - I'm not eating breakfast. I have always hated eating breakfast, and I did really well the first 4.5-5 months. The last month I don't think I've eaten breakfast at all. I'm eating 2 meals per day, and I feel great. #3 - I've incorporated more carbs into my meals. I still get in my protein first, but I can eat carbs like a champ. If I want to snack, I eat crackers with flavored cream cheese. And, I have a fabulous habit of eating beef jerky if you're wondering how I get my protein in with just 2 meals. #4 - I haven't been to the gym in almost a month. Our vacation to WV screwed up my schedule. Come home 2 days later and got the blood clot. That kept me out of the gym for 2.5 weeks, and now I have lost my motivation. I have to get back to it PRONTO ! ! ! #5 - I need to maintain as close to my goal of 150 pounds so we can try to conceive late spring of 2010. If I get below 135, I'm in trouble with my surgeon and he won't let me start TTC until I can prove that I can maintain 140-150 for at least 3-5 months. I'm not really upset about the stall because it's not a horrible thing. I'm enjoying a normal, healthy lifestyle. I'm eating anything and everything I want and need. I am by no means complaining about the stall because I know that I am responsible for it. It's a catch 22 situation in all honesty. I could go back to basics, and drop these last 6+ pounds in a matter of 2 weeks and get to goal. Or, I could keep doing what I am doing, lose it over the next 6 weeks, and still be able to maintain. John thinks and verbally expresses that I've lost enough weight. He is worried about me once again, and while I know it's out of love and concern, him being the food police is really starting to bug the snot out of me. He also is on me on the time about my vitamins, and my daily food consumption when he is not home. He even goes so far to ask Caysen if I ate or not. I do not need to be monitored like a baby. I think my independence is being a bit threatened and it's getting on my nerves. I think everyone here that follows my life, knows/realizes that I love my husband, but this food police thing is getting a bit absurd, and I'm not willing to lie to my husband, but for the love of everything holy, he's got to losen the reins or I'm going to go insane. I'm just cranky, and needed to vent. I plan on hitting the gym after the New Year since our trip to Texas has been postponed until Spring 2010. I am not even going to try to go this week. My heart isn't into it, and my work out buddy is out of state visiting family for Christmas. Maybe when she returns next week, we can go a couple of times. I know that I need to get back to basics. Funny thing is that I'm not craving carbs, nor do they make more "hungry" or trigger any further "bad" habits. I still stay below 30grams of carbs per day so it isn't like I'm consuming more carbs than protein. I would say my diet is fairly balanced. There are some days when I just do not want to eat meat, so once to twice a week, I may skip meat at one of my meals. I'm not going to lie to anyone here, or myself, this stall has me frustrated, but it's all on me, and I'm not really sure if it's more important for me to get to goal, or really "feel good" about my lifestyle and relationship with food right now. Maybe, we'll see how next week goes, and if the scale moves. If it doesn't, I'll probably stop all carbs, and go on a protein and clear liquid fest. Until then, I'm going to continue to enjoy my daily life and choices.

You do not have the window open ! ! ! I'm in there tonight for a bit.

She is a military nutritionist, and she got orders to another base. I didn't leave her by choice, she is stationed out of state, and is due to deploy soon. My husband is in the Air Force, and I went to her after my revision, and unfortunately, I can't follow her around the country. It's the worst part of being in this lifestyle.

Keep walking, and sipping. I hope the gas subsides soon.

Congrats on choosing your surgeon. As far as a nutritionist, I've had 3 in total between the 2 surgeries. One was very helpful, but was very strict, and pushed RNY diet on all patients. Umm hello, I didn't have RNY. 2nd one, she was a trip, and I enjoyed her candid, and open opinions about food. She understand the ins and outs of WLS, and she was not all about rules and regulations. She focused on balanced nutrition, changing the relationship I had with food, and that is exactly what I needed. The 3rd one, was a twit, and I didn't click with her at all so I quit going or calling her. I think everyone's needs are different. I'm a very outgoing, sarcastic, and kind of a rambuctious type person. I can't handle bland, boring, or text book type that try to beat rules into my head. I want someone to laugh and cry with me, and educate me on better food choices.

Have you considered increasing your calories to say 800 calories? Maybe you are not consuming enough calories to compensate and your body is hanging onto some of the pounds. I'm not opposed to the DS, and think it's a fabulous tool for some people. I'm just tossing out some ideas for you, if you have tried these, just ignore me, but this helps me sometimes. Change up your menu - If you are relying on Protein drinks, try eating a Protein full meal from food sources instead of the protein drinks. If you have a Protein Drink in the morning, try having one at night instead. Increase your Water intake. It sounds like you have been journaling your food intake so up your calories to see if you can get the scale to move again. Maybe add an extra day of cardio, or even up your weight training. Building muscle will burn the fat thus helping you lose inches. Try some new foods. Incorporate something different every 2-3 days. If you can get the scale moving again, and you continue on at the current rate, in another 4-6 months, you will only have about 20 pounds to go. 76 pounds in 4 months is amazing, and do not allow anyone else to decide your success.

My training program says that if you can do 3 sets of 12 reps at a certain amount of weight with no resistance, or it's extremely easy to do those 3 reps of 12, then you need to increase the weight amount.

Glad to see an update, and that you are recovering. Keep us posted with your progress ! ! !

I, too, have been doing a lot of reflecting lately. All of these changes are fabulous, and there are many more to come.

Totally bored out of my mind so I'll keep the chat window open if anyone is interested ! ! !

Great job on your loss so far. You're are doing fabulous.

Thanks Bill, I'll take a look into the program.

Get back to basics. If you have to you can do the 5 day pouch test to help get you back to basics. Below you will find a brief list of the menu for each day. Please click the "Read more" links for further detail and hints and tips that will enable your success with the 5 Day Pouch Test. Days One & Two: liquid Protein low-carb Protein shakes, broth, clear or cream Soups, sugar-free Gelatin and pudding. Read more. Day 3: Soft Protein canned fish (tuna or salmon) eggs, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy. Read more. Day 4: Firm Protein ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut. Read more. Day 5: Solid Protein white meat poultry, beef steak, pork, lamb, wild game Read more. You have to be dedicated to the process. Yes, I understand that it's difficult during the holidays, BUT, you are in control of what you choose to put in your mouth. I wasn't even released for alcohol consumption until after 3 months. Alcohol is just wasted/empty calories. It has zero nutritional value, and all you're doing is sabotaging yourself and your sleeve. It's okay to have a "treat" here and there, but overindulging is only going to stall your weight loss, and build your frustration.

Hi Stacie, and welcome to VST. It is pretty nerve-racking to have any surgery. Great job on the pre-op, your committment during the pre-op will help you through the post-op diet. Stay strong, and know we're here for you.

Some of y'all know this, but most probably don't. I quit smoking very temporarily post-op. Then once I was home alone, recovering I started again. I quit again when I was hospitalized in July for the Fluid pockets. I came home thinking "ok, I can do this for good." Well, least to say it didn't last. I had told myself I was going to quit on my birthday (Dec 18th). Well, guess what I'm still smoking. I never make NY resolutions, but this year I may really try to stick to it. I've considered getting Chantix, or getting hypnotized to combat this horrible habit. I really want to quit before we try to conceive. I know I need to, and the want is there, kind of. This probably sounds ridiculous to some of you, but my biggest fear with quitting is that I'll eat constantly to replace the habit thus sabotage myself with my loss or heaven forbid gain weight.

Thanks DeeDee. With the food police situation, I don't know if anyone here can tell, but I'm a bit snarky/sarcastic. I just make this siren sound, and tell him that he needs to remember he's only a cop when he goes to work. I know in my heart of hearts that he is simply concerned, but I'm so irritated. There's other stuff going on that has me frustrated beyond belief right now. Staying positive has been a challenge, and staying on track has proven difficult for me. I still have some bad habits that even the sleeve can't break, and that's why I can't decide if I'm going to beat myself over this stall or just live with it, accept it, and enjoy this normalcy. Whatever happens, I know that I'm successful, and will continue to grow mentally, physically and emotionally through this journey. Thanks for your encouragement and support.

Frank today is your day. Give us an update when you can ! ! !

The kiddo has a friend over for a sleepover tonight so I am up with them if anyone is interested in chatting, I will leave the window open.