Malaika

Bob you are a hoot - I am extremely fair skinned and almost all of my incisions have nearly disappeared - the only one that is still quite noticeable is the largest one where they took the stomach out - but, like Tiffy, it is not ugly, it's "pink" and I believe over time it, too, will fade.

No we haven't and we're quite concerned as last post she was still in the hospital with complications and no one has heard anything since. It's very concerning.

Lynh - welcome to VST, we're glad you decided to come out of hiding and join us. Congratulations on deciding to have the sleeve - you'll be very happy with your choice. Keep us posted on your progress and your surgery date. We're here for you to answer any questions you may have. Just let us know!

return them?

Judy - I LOVED the Atkins RTD protein shakes before my surgery; however I can't tolerate them at all since my surgery. I also tried Ensure - I got one or two down before they made me gag. The nice thing about the Ensure is that they are in small cans so easier to get them down than the larger drinks.

Congrats Jenn - Isn't Dr. Aceves the best? We are so happy to have you on the losing team and look forward to following your progress. For the liquid phase, don't worry too much about your protein, just focus on staying hydrated, the rest will come in time.

It's also less expensive if you buy the Nexium mups in 40 mg and break it in half - that way you get 28 days out of one box instead of 14 as Dr. Aceves prescribes 20 mg. We purchased the Nexium at 3 different drug stores while we were there in June and July and the price was exactly that same at all 3 stores, so am guessing it is something that is regulated in Mexicali. Just throwing that out there so you don't have to "shop around" while in Mexicali for the best price.

Great job Cajun! My highest weight was 287 - that was when I was married and miserably unhappy and used food to comfort me - then I'd see how fat I was from eating the food and eat more food because I was depressed. After my divorce, I started exercising and cut out all refined sugar and red meat from my diet, ate half of what was on my plate and eventually got so I ate half of the half. I dropped down from a 26/28 to an 18/20. I was at 220. Then I met Bearded and happiness set in, so I slowly started regaining. I was at 262 when I decided to have the surgery and 259 the day of surgery. I'm now at 207 and looking forward to ONEderland. I've gone from a 20/22w to an 16W or an 18 in misses; I'm in an XL top and they are getting too big. Judy - Hang in there and don't get discouraged. Check what you are eating and cut out any salt anywhere you can - are you eating Soup or frozen dinners? They have a TON of sodium in them. Drink lots of Water and exercise. Eventually your BP will come down; it may never be perfect, you may be one of those prone to higher BP - my doctor believes that my normal BP is higher than others - I tend to run right about 130/80 without medication. If it gets back up there, I will have to go back on BP pills -- I never had this trouble with BP even when I was close to 300 -- it only started rising in March of this year. I don't let it get me down - if it can be controlled by my weight/diet GREAT; if I have to take medication for it then I'm okay with that too. The main thing is DON'T STRESS yourself out about it - stress will raise your BP -- it's a vicious circle. Accept it, watch what you eat and exercise and drink lots of water - your body will do what it's going to do. Hang in there!

Pink - WELCOME to our VST family - we're so very happy to have you join us. Congratulations on taking this journey now, instead of later - you will be thrilled at the results you will achieve. What a great Christmas gift to give yourself. Think how great you'll look when you're an attorney and arguing a case before a jury -- you will be one hot mamma!

Welcome Kiwi - we are so happy to have you join us. Don't worry about what you're feeling - it's VERY normal. As for the sweets, you may find after surgery that you can't stand anything sweet -- hard to imagine at this point, I know; however, after my surgery I couldn't stand anything sweet - what was "normal" sweet to others was sickening sweet to me. I am 5 months out and still have trouble with sweet things -which is a good thing in my opinion. We look forward to hearing about all your successes and following you on your losing path. WELCOME!

21 lbs and 10 inches - that's GREAT - how can you be doing something wrong with losses like that? Even if the scale doesn't move, you're losing inches - that is fantastic. I know that my scale has slowed down on the lbs. lost; however, I keep losing inches and my "new" clothes are getting looser and looser on me. Keep doing what you're doing and you'll keep losing weight and inches - don't stress out about it - stress will keep you from losing weight - everyone loses at a different rate, the important thing is that you're losing - either weight or inches - so keep on keeping on girl! This "stall" will pass!

Aimee - welcome to the VSG family. We are all here for you anytime of the day or night - I am sure someone will be glad to mentor you, but if not, you can ask questions and find answers here anytime you need them.

Guess I'm really lucky - have never had any acne problems or excessive hair growth at all - either before or since weight loss and WLS

Welcome Carrie. How lucky you are to be able to get your surgery at such a young age - I wish it had been around when I was your age - it's been the best thing and I've lost over 50 lbs.

Actually the blue drink was nothing more than apple juice with blue vegetable dye added - I watched Yolanda and Lucy "mix" up a batch when Bearded had his surgery.

Hello Sharon and welcome to the VST family. We're so happy you found us and joined us. I never had the band, so can't answer questions as to the difference, but believe Tiffy covered it pretty well. Let us know what you decide and keep us posted on yoru progress!

Sounds yummy Tiff - never thought of the pineapple cream cheese - I generally use laughing cow.

I don't get starving hungry unless I've gone several hours (more than 6) without eating or drinking anything; but it is alleviated with a small amount of food - something as small as a slice of cheese. Now the burbing issue is another matter entirely - I have been burping since day one - it used to be after every sip I took; however, that has subsided. I still burb - and we're talking "sailor-type" burbs. I asked Dr. Aceves about it and he said it should subside by 6 months out ... I'm at 5 months right now, so hoping I've only got another month of the embarrasing burbs that just jump out with no warning whatsoever or care for where I am when it decides to happen - -very ladylike I'm telling you!

Tracey - entirely realistic - I had surgery on Friday and returned to work on Thursday - I had planned to return on Wed. but had some intestinal issues so stayed home close to the bathroom.

Welcome to the VST family - if you check the recipe section out you might find some other options other than SF jello and SF popsicles - there's an egg drop soup I made that was very tasty - and I know others have posted suggestions for the clear, full and mushies stages.

That's so cool DeeDee - congrats -- I don't know that I'll ever get into a size 10 - I remember one time I was in a size 10 and that everyone thought I'd been sick or was anorexic - I'll be thrilled if I can get to a 12. I'm happy to be out of women's right now!

I drove the day I got home (also 5 days post-op) and Bearded drove himself home (I don't drive fast enough for him) after his surgery - 4 days post op. Neither of us had pain meds after leaving the hospital.

And we are looking forward to hearing all about it and being here to support you every step of the way!

I've always eaten my eggs scrambled; however they didn't seem to go down so easy in the beginning. Poached worked the best. Hardboiled and then blended with a little mayo (and cottage cheese) was good too. There is also a ricotta bake recipe that is wonderful and contains eggs and cheese. Also, someone mentioned that egg beaters scrambled seems to go down easier than the real thing. I had scrambled eggs the other day and didn't have any issues with them - however, I am now 5 months out. Hope this helps - if you have other questions, let me know.

Norma - Sorry to hear about your bad luck with your knees. I hope they are able to get you in for surgery sooner than later and that all goes well - I am looking at bi-lateral knee replacements (I am almost bone-on-bone in both knees) and my ortho is trying to hold off until I reach 55 (4 more years). I can say that losing 51 lbs. has helped tremendously. Please keep us posted on your progress and your research as many of us here it seems are headed down the same path as you, if not for the same reasons. I am sure you will do fine with your weight loss and you can exercise all areas of your body with the exception of that leg until given the OK - I'm sure if you ask the PT he/she could give you exercises to do for the rest of the body.