i1Linda

Congratulations Judy! What an awesome victory. Keep it up GIRL!!!

Hi - Basically, none of these products are PPI's (proton pump inhibitors) like Nexium. Protonix is a PPI (available in generics, but not on the $4 lists at most pharmacies) and very comparable to Nexium. However, with that said, my Dr. put me on Pepcid (and H2 antagonist - generic is Famotidine). In effect, it does the same thing as PPI's (reduce stomach acid) but works in a different way. My doctor puts his cash customers on Pepcid 20mg to save them money (I got 90 tablets for $10) and he said it works fine for most patients. He will prescribe the a PPI if requested or if Pepcid 20mg is not effective for a patient. I did fine on the Pepcid and weened off of it completely at 12 weeks post op. In my opinion, if an H2 antagonist will work for you, it is worth the cost savings. You won't know until you try it. If it doesn't work, I would definitely ask for Protonix since it is available in generic and would be cheaper than Nexium. I hope this helps.

Tiffy, You are definitely an inspiration to so many of us. Congratulations on this great weight loss milestone. You look wonderful. Keep it up!

Yay! Congratulations on your surgery date.

I was released to start exercising at 4 weeks - no abs until 6 weeks.

Norma, Sorry to hear about your knee. What a bummer. Don't worry though, the weight will still fall off. I scheduled to have my other (right) knee surgery for mid-December. I am looking forward to my knee not hurting anymore, but not looking forward to the reduction in exercise required to let it heal. Good luck and keep us updated.

Susan - having gone to my OB/GYN last week, I can totally relate to the gown thing. I could snap my up with no gaps too, I was so happy. Don't wanna show too much too soon :blushing: Chancie - I discovered the towel thing too. Over a year ago I bought some oversized towels so I could wrap them around me and tuck in to stay put. Last week, I grabbed one of the standard towels without thinking and wrapped around, tucked and walked into the bedroom before I realized what I had done. :crying: I nearly ran into the kitchen to show my husband. On a typical day, it's not about the number on the scale that makes me smile; it's about the little things I rediscover. Little things that I blocked from my overweight mind because I was embarrassed I could not longer enjoy/do them.

I downloaded CardioCoach this morning and used it for my workout this afternoon. It ROCKED!! I usually grind thru 25-30 minutes on my eliptical and get bored looking for an excuse to quit early. Today, with CardioCoach I went for 45 minutes and still wasn't mentally ready to quit (physically however, I was done, what a great cardio workout). I am actually looking forward to working out again tomorrow. Thanks Jachut for the recommendation. :crying:

Down in Socal - No, not a model VSG'r - my weakness is currently RF Wheat Thins. I haven't bought another box so hopefully I can resist them. My family and I eat out several times a week after ball games and I definitely eat some of the "wrong" things at those times, I just don't have very much of it. My goal on most days is to eat well for breakfast, lunch and snack so I can have whatever I want for dinner. If a happen to be home for dinner, I usually eat well; if we go out, it's hit or miss. As for pictures, I will have to get my husband to take some new ones to post. I starting to feel the pressure

Lucygoose - Unfortunately, it is just trial and error. Everyone's taste are different. Something I love, you may think is horrible and vice versa. There is a thread under food that rates different Proteins - everyone has their favorites. I would explore that thread and then order a bunch of the samples from the sources listed in the thread. Until you try them, you just don't know. Linda

Chancie - What protein powder do you put in your coffee? 52 g protein - wow! I had that same Lean Cuisine the day before yesterday. I couldn't finish it all. I had to laugh because never before could I imagine myself not being able to eat a WHOLE Lean Cuisine.

Sorry to hear about your problem. Go to VerticalSleeveTalk.com - lots of Band to Sleeve revisions over there. Good Luck! Linda

I used CareCredit to finance my surgery. I selected the 18 month no interest option. I pay enough every month so it will be paid off at 17 months - let's me hold on to my own money longer. Good Luck!

Dee Dee - unlike you, I went to Mcdonald's today and bought a Happy Meal. Luckily it was for my 4 year old. Boy, I really did want some though. We went through the drive thru after soccer practice and I had to ride in the car all the way home with it. I knew I really didn't WANT it but my head wanted it. I drank a big gulp of water and popped a stick of SF gum in my mouth. I made it all the way home without even a french fry. Now that I am home, and my son has eaten all he wants, I don't even want what's left over. Prior to surgery, I would have ordered a meal too and and extra order of fries to nibble on for the drive home. Gotta love the SLEEVE!

Well today I tried DownInSoCal's ham roll-ups (although mine were Turkey) - light cream cheese, artichoke hearts & spinach blended together and spread on deli meat. I added some minced garlic and sea salt to the mixture as well. It is SO YUMMY. Thanks for the suggestion. I have a big bowl (like 6oz - how my perception after VSG has changed) of it in my fridge and I am already looking forward to having it again tomorrow. Anyway, here's what I had today: Breakfast: Protein Hot Chocolate made with coffee 24 oz water Lunch: 2 turkey roll ups (3oz turkey) 20 oz water w/ crystal light Snack: 1 turkey roll up (1.5oz turkey) 20 oz water Dinner: 1/4 cup leftover taco meat with just a sprinkle of 2% grated chedder and a tbsp of light sour cream and salsa 24 oz water w/ crystal light Dessert: ?? Probably a Bariwise Caramel Crunch Protein Bar (like a 100 Grand candy bar) - yummers!

Today I reach my second "mini" goal. My first was to make it to onederland which I accomplished on Sept 24th. My second goal was to no longer be obese with a BMI of 30+. Today I weighed in at 185.4lb which is a BMI of 29.92 for my height - I am officially OVERWEIGHT. My initial goal was to reach this point by Nov 20th (we leave on vacation for Walt Disneyworld). So I am 16 days ahead of schedule. I guess my stretch goal for Nov 20th is to be under 180. Probably not possible at the rate I am losing, but you never know. Even if I get close, I will be elated. I saw my OB/GYN today for my annual exam. :ohmy: Always a fun time. His nurse had RNY several years ago and she was very supportive of the surgery. He didn't know that much about the SLEEVE - he said "oh, you got the new one they started doing, good for you". I explained it to him and he said he was going to look into it just for info. He congratulated me on the 62lbs lost so far and for doing something proactive for my health. He said I looked great!

WhooHoo Chancie!!!! I bet you look fabulous in your new JEANS even if you weren't able to provide pictures. Congrats on your NSV! :scared0:

Congratulations Dee Dee! Happy 3 month surgiversary! It seems like just yesterday we were getting ready for our surgery. But on the other hand, it seems like so long ago - so much has changed. Keep up the good work. You will be wearing your size 10 dress any day. Linda

I'm in. I am having another knee surgery on Dec 16th (the other knee) so I will be off work and hobbling around. Shouldn't be on crutches at that point, just walking gingerly. Lets try to work out the details as we get closer. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone! :crying:

You really don't realize how much your kids absorb. Up until today, he hadn't mentioned my weight/size at all, good or bad. Apparently however, it did not go unnoticed.

Vegas, I'm sure that particular style of shirt runs a little big but I didn't care. There wasn't an "X" in front of the "L" and that made me SMILE. I initially grabbed and XL just to see. I tried it on with the jeans and stepped out to check the full length mirror. The sales girl working, said "that shirt is really to big for you, do you want me to get a smaller size?" I'm sure my jaw dropped to the ground as I mumbled something in agreement about trying a smaller size. I about fell over when it fit perfectly.