Malaika

Susan - we have NO chocolate in our house - so nothing to hide ... he's eating popsicles like crazy though ... hmmmm ...and substitution is up to it if he catches it early in the evening ...

Welcome Barb - you'll love us - we're crazy - and modest too! If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask! Congrats on your surgery date!

Rosey - SO HAPPY to see you post - I was wondering how you were doing. I had that itching too - it wasn't fun. Glad to hear you're doing well -- the more Protein you can get in, the more energy you will have ... I am 4 weeks post-op and still have trouble getting in all my protein - on the days I get in more protein, the better I feel. So just try, try and try some more. Keep us posted on your progress and ask any questions you have. Oh yeah - tell DAD I said HI! (I'm sure he probably thinks I'm a bit crazy huh?) HUGS Susan

4 weeks for VSG recovery? Is your's going to be an open procedure? If not, I was only off work for 4 days after being released from the hospital (and i was in there 3 nights). If you hit quote - then type your response in the box that appears, then scroll down until you see the icons and then a box that reads "submit reply" and click on that, your message will appear with the message you quoted too. If you can't figure it out - no big deal - at least you know how to post!

Dr. Aceves does oversew and to this date has not had any leaks and he has performed over 600 sleeves.

Mac and Jahut will be the best ones to answer the question about Protein and bulking up - they are both runners and Mac is training for a 1/2 Ironman ... Mac's surgeon was also Cirangle - and I know she thinks he's wonderful.

Sounds as though you're doing great. I never got in my proteins on clears or fulls and I'm struggling on mushies - however, I have spasms, so at least I know why. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.

Very intersting and makes total sense -- maybe because I'm always afraid of bad breath, I'm brush my teeth and keep mints (SF) handy all the time and so I haven't offended anyone (yet).

This is a great size - can read it - that is what I use too ... www.vitalady.com and Linda posted this: "Someone from LBT posted this information a while back. I found it while surfing their threads. I called it last week and got 10 full serving packets (one of each flavor) for $9.99. Great way to see if you like it at all and which flavor(s) you prefer. The choices are a bit overwhelming. Also, it is one sample pack per person but you can order for different people in the same household." and Daisy posted this: Protein Sample Information (especially for pre-ops!) (If the link doesn't work go to the thread RATE YOUR LIQUIDS, page 5 and find Daisy's post - the link works from there)

That would be awesome Penny -- if not after your surgery, then definitely in October - and November! Thanks for contributing to our economy Susan -- LOL ... if you and hubby make it back to Vegas, be sure and let us know - would love to meet you in real time too!

So far, NO - I'm so damn tired that I'm barely able to stay awake until 9:30 let alone have energy for sex. Told Bearded that if he wants sex he's got to catch me when I get home from work and still have some energy left in me. It's not that I don't like sex, I love sex, it's that I don't have the energy for it - hopefully once my issues are gone and I'm able to get in all my Protein, I'll have more energy. Right now I'd say - no, it hasn't improved my sex drive. I do believe, though, as I see the weight loss and start to feel better about my body image, that I will start to feel sexier which in turn may improve my sex drive.

Yes, he's just adorable ... :thumbup1: You need to make your font larger - us old folks can barely read it!!!

Okay all - there is a patient in the hospital who is a revision - she had her band replaced once and still had issues so had a revision. She had it on 7/11. She is having some issues and needs all of our prayers. Her BP is low and she has not been able to walk. She has an excessive amount of drainage and Dr. A is going to go back in and check things out to be sure she has no leaks. She is very scared, as you can imagine; and everyone who has been here with left today, will be leaving today, or will be leaving in the morning. I will not give her name, just call her "N". Please everyone, say your prayers for her and that she has a speedy recovery. She is here by herself. Thank you, VegasAngel.

You could check out this link to start with: How to research a Gastric Sleeve Surgeon: http://verticalsleevetalk.com/vertic...-surgeons.html

Want2 -- that is AWESOME. I have an appt. with my PCP in August and I'm hoping for the same result...I only started having high BP about 6 months ago so hoping by having taken off 28 lbs so far and hopefully more by my August appt. that my BP will be low and he won't find a need for me to stay on it. I feel sorry for your daughter - that has to really hurt - plus not being able to swim - that's even worse -- could you possibly wrap it in saran wrap and then tape all around it to keep the Water out?

Day 11 thru 20 ( full liquids ) Cream soups Yogurt Jello-O Boiled pureed fruit ( example apple, pear) applesauce Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces Low fat milk 1 or 2% Water, Propel, tea Soy beverages Sugar free pudding Protein shakes and protein powders mixed with milk Frozen sf pudding is like eating ice cream. I also made egg drop soup with tofu - it was very tasty. If you're going to eat a lot of soup, it is probably best to get the low sodium so you don't retain any water. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

Congratulations Pedro - that is a fantastic weight loss -- I will look forward to seeing more posts from you and any hints you might have for us "newbies"

Clears definitely suck and not getting to chew isn't much fun either. When I was on fulls - almost ready to move to mushies, I was cutting up some celery -- I cut a little piece - chewed it and then spit it out ... it helped get me through a "craving" for texture. Hang in there, this too shall pass!!

That's awesome Judy -- and she'll recover sooner with just having the stent than having to have bypass - my dad had one last year and it made a world of difference. Get a good night's sleep I'm sure the stress of the past couple of weeks will finally start to wear off and you'll need your sleep to keep up with what's to come in the near future.

I bought one off those and I love it too! Put my blender away as I don't figure I'll ever be able to drink as much as the blender holds.

Thanks JOYRYDN for letting us know - funnigirl sent me a PM with the same information - I'm so glad N was able to get strong enough to go home. I had a very nice conversation with your mom while you were in surgery and then taken to recovery - a very nice lady! Tell her I said "HI" Glad you had an awesome experience and that your surgery was uneventful. Keep in touch!

How long of a layover do you have in Vegas? If it's several hours, you can catch a cab at the airport and at least do a tour up the strip and then back down and back to the airport - you're niece can get a great view that way -- otherwise, you'll just have to be sure she gets a window seat and can see the city as you're landing ... and if you make it back to Las Vegas for a real tour- you'd better let Bearded and I know!

Bad breath? No one has ever said anything to me about bad breath - what causes that?

You are doing fine. If you feel a tightness, start with something warm first and then you can move to colds. As I've said in other posts, I am 1 month out and still have a very difficult time swallowing -- this is due to some post-op swelling which still remains, some scar tissue where my surgeon repaired a hiatal hernia and the fact that where the repair was made spasms with every drink I take. Dr. Campos told me to drink something warm before eating to help relax the spasm and that with time, could be up to 6 months, this feeling will pass. Ash - follow your doctor's post-op diet and you won't "spring" a leak -- you'll be okay - I understand your fear, however. That's why I had a GI one month out - wanted to make sure I didn't have a complete blockage and no leaks.

Burping is very normal. I am one month out and I am still burbing - sometimes they just come upon me with no warning - and they are loud -- not very lady like - more like a sailor or truck driver! I asked my doctor about it this when I had my GI on Friday and he told me it would subside with time ... until then, I guess I just say "Excuse me" ALOT.