Malaika

Valleyfree - welcome to VST. I can't answer your question about the insurance, I hope that VSG falls under one of those categories and that you qualify for the surgery. I suffered with GERD for YEARS prior to the VSG surgery - although I still have some trouble with burning if I forget to take my prilosec, I don't have any acid reflux at all since the surgery. You will need to stay on a PPI for at leasts 6 months following your surgery until your stomach figures out it doesn't have to produce as much acid. I'm hoping to be able to get off of it by my 6 month anniversary which is 12/12.

She posted for a bit the other night - she's around here and there

2 days of liquids, high protein shakes/drinks, broth and etc. Then 2 days of soft proteins, then day 5 solid protein.

I will post it right now in the Recipe Sharing forum.

Sweetie - glad it helped - I had to print it out and post it on my fridge as a constant reminder that I could have more than just broth ...

Sarita - don't buy lots of clothing on your way down - truly you won't be in them very long - buy a couple pair of dark pants or skirt and different tops/sweaters - things you can layer and switch around that will get you through that size ... eg - I bought dress pants 6 weeks ago - they are BIG and BAGGY on me and I now have to wear a belt with them to keep them from slipping down (so far not off, but am sure that could easily happen) - so buy a few things that will get you through until the next stage - also, there is a clothing recycle link on here, too, take advantage of it if possible.

They are called Fiber Advance Gummies - All Natural Assorted Fruit Flavors - they are made by Santa Cruz Nutritionals; Santa Cruz, CA 95060 - 1-866-942-2429. 90 gummies to a bottle - and what I bought at Sam's Club came with 2 bottles (for about $9.88) Free from wheat (gluten), milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts and soy. Hope you can find them and that you enjoy them ... and even more importantly - they work for you.

Thank you Dan, I am glad to know that I am helping you - never hesitate to PM me if you have any questions.

Congrats Dan that is a great loss considering all the temptations that were placed before you - you will lose so much weight after surgery because of your will power and your determination! Keep us posted!

Glad you're home safe and sound Tiff and that you had a good time. Congrats are eating healthy. I'm glad you didn't gain, but you damn girl 6 lbs!!! (Your doctor isn't going to be happy with you though)

I've lost 54 lbs and my boobs are still in pretty good shape - they haven't become deflated at all - and well, they already were saggy - and Bearded says they aren't sagging any more than they were - so there is hope that you won't get too deflated - I am planning on a tummy tuck for certain after I lose my weight and have saved the money for it (figure that will take about a year and that will give my skin time to do whatever it's going to do) and I'll get a boob lift - don't know if I'll do any implants, that will depend on what size they are when I get to goal.

Congrats to both of you - your dates will be here before you know it and you'll be on the losing side.

I love shrimp -- oh I hope it turns out!!!!

AJW - I actually lost 4 lbs. between Wed and this morning. I didn't over eat at TG; however, I didn't deprive myself either - I did, however, get in a lot of walking this weekend and I think that helped. Bearded and I actually lost weight while we were on our cruise - we ate dinner every night - generally an appetizer (Soup, shrimp cocktail or salad), an entree (ate about 1/3 to 1/2 depending on what it was) and a desert - generally one or two bites ... however, we walked alot every single day so I think that made all the difference ...You're on a cruise - enjoy it and don't worry about whether you gain or not - you can't eat THAT much so even if you do gain, it won't be more than a pound or two and you'll get that off once you get home.

Carolyn -- cute avatar! I had evening primrose oil, so I added that to my regimine of Vitamins - don't know if it will help, but figure it can't hurt.

Okalani - Aloha. Did you happen to take your measurements before your surgery and have you taken them since your surgery? Even though your scale may not be moving, my guess is that the inches are melting off ... also, have you started on mushies or solids? It might be that your body is adjusting to the change between liquids and solid foods ... hang in there; or if you're really concerned, do the 5 day pouch test and see if that puts you back on track.

Sounds yummy, Gin, thanks for sharing.

I never did really measure - I know that when I first started on solids, I could eat about 1/2 of the tiny cans of tuna salad - I think those are about 3 oz, so 1.5 oz and I was eating 3x a day.

congrats Chancie on the jeans being too big - what a great feeling - all the dress pants I bought about 6 weeks ago are getting too big - I have to wear a belt with any of them that I wear just to keep them from slipping off my hips -- I love that they're too big, but don't want to buy anything else at this point in time. Let us know how the size 12s work out!

Thoughts and prayers are with you Judy - will be looking forward to your posts when you feel up to it.

Joyfuljoy - I had my surgery on a Saturday, came home on Tuesday and went back to work that Friday. I have a desk job and the only thing I really noticed was that by the end of the day, I was mentally and physically exhausted. That is due to the drastic decrease in calories and Protein. If you don't want to wait, then go for spring break. If it won't drive you totally crazy with anticipation, then hang in there until summer - having 2 months off would be awesome and by the time school resumes you'll be back on normal food, which is easier to manage at work than liquids believe me. You will absolutely LOVE Dr. Aceves and his team - they are the BEST!

Sarita - welcome to VST and congrats on your upcoming surgery. I don't see that you would have any problems whatsoever traveling 7 weeks post-op - by then you should be well into normal food (considering my post-op diet here of 10 days clears, 10 days fulls, 10 days mushies ... then normal food as tolerated). I'd say focus on your recovery and then start packing for your vacation and ENJOY!

Welcome Katrina; we're so glad to have you join us. You'll be through those Kaiser classes in not time - keep us posted!

Congrats Dalite Enjoy your break, your drugs, and your new stomach. The wind and the headache are normal - the "wind" due to the gas they pump you with for the surgery - try a heating pad on your back and/or chest, it helps. As for the headache, more than likely due to the anesthesia. Both will dissipate in due course.

I was told anything the size of an M&M or smaller could be swallowed if I wasn't able to tolerate the pills crushed and/or mixed with water. The ones that I couldn't swallow I would cut into small pieces. I am now almost 6 months out and am able to swallow all of my pills as long as I take them one at a time -- exhale completely - and then swallow.