Beadingnurse

Maybe there are other options? Going to a very good doc in Mexico will be a lot less money. I am not familiar with the care credit offerings mentioned above but they would be worth checking out. You can also try to get a conventional loan to pay for it although I realize that it a longer shot. How about a family member? Anyone there you would feel comfortable borrowing from? If none of these work...maybe you will find a job soon that has insurance! Don't give up your dream! I am sorry that you are going through this and I hope it works out for you. Please keep us posted on how you are.

Wow...congratulations! That is a huge amount of weight to lose just since February....way to go! Next you will have to post pictures!

Congratulations!! You look like a different person and you look great! Isn't it amazing how much your body can change in as little as 4 weeks? Thanks so much for sharing!

My intake is very much like Foxbins. My doc prefers that we eat only 3 meals a day and nothing with calories in between but I can't eat enough during just 3 meals a day so I am splitting my calories up over 4 or 5 mini meals. A typical lunch for me at work is to take about 1/3 of a can of tuna fish w/fat free mayo, have a greek yogurt or cottage cheese as a snack. Breakfast might be a protein shake or a piece of deli meat with a bit of cheese. Maybe over time I will be able to reduce my eating to traditional meal times but that feels a long way away right now. I don't really have hunger but the appetite is still going strong!

I have the exact same reaction that you do in that I barf up only the last few bites...I've never felt like I tossed everything in my sleeve...just maybe the last few bites that made it overfull? I also have the sensation of my mouth watering or just having massive over-secretions of saliva. It is pretty gross. I haven't thrown up in awhile as I am getting better (finally!) at figuring out what the subtle signals are that I am full. Good to know that the restriction is REAL though huh??

The starving children who would love to have my food were always in China for some reason! I suffer from the same problem of wanting to eat every last bite but throwing up several times from eating after I am full has made a big impression on me. Now when I feel that pressure in my chest that says I am full I get up immediately and wrap up the rest of the food if I am saving it ...or toss it in the trash if I am not. It is too easy to eat another bite mindlessly and spend an uncomfortable hour afterwards. I won't even put a drink on the table when I am eating because I forget and take a drink when I am eating. I have a lot of years of programming to overcome!

I am ALL about the jewelry ....hence the name Beading Nurse! ...so I would go for some cool piece of jewelry because you will be able to still wear it once you get to goal. I like this idea so much I think I will do the same for when I lose 50 lbs!

Congratulations on your hard work and in reaching your goal! I will be thrilled if I reach my goal by 9 months out! Thanks for posting as it is so inspiring to hear the stories and see the progress.

I think I know what I am having for dinner tonigh! Sounds great!

I'd try to follow your doctor's plan as much as you can. It seems like forever now but you want to give your new tiny tummy as much time to heal as possible.

I'd probably call your doc and just let them know about anyway since that can also be a sign of thrush (yeast type infection) in your mouth.

I just want to add that I think Tiffykins should update her profile picture to include her dancing on the tabletops!!

Congratulations! I will keep you in mind tomorrow and send you good surgery vibes!! Take care and be sure and post and let us know how you are once you feel up to it.

That's a good idea! I have some instant coffee powder that isn't bad and I imagine I can mix it up with some protein and make a mocha drink that might be nice. I haven't tried CLICK but I know that Shelly at Eggface uses it in many of her recipes.

I know! I am nurse and probably should have known that although it isn't in my area (excuses!) but it makes me worry a bit about overdoing it on the protein levels. I am sure there is an optimal number that we should get each day but I don't know what that number is!

I posted this information on another thread but copied it over here with a title that will make it easier for folks to find. I looked up this article in Consumer Reports because someone posted that they did an article on Protein drinks. The article on Protein Drinks (July 2010) is scary. I didn't type the whole article here but I tried capture the main issues. My comments are in blue...the rest are direct quotes from the article. "Some protein drinks can even pose health risks, include exposure to potentially harmful heavy metals, if consumed frequently. All drinks in our tests had at least one sample containing one or more of the following contaminants: arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Those metals can have toxic effects on several organs of the body. For most of the drinks we tested, levels of those contaminants were in the low to moderate range, when we could detect them at all. But with three of the products, consumers who have three servings daily could be exposed to levels that exceed the maximum limits for one or two of these contaminants in dietary supplements proposed by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), the federally recognized authority that sets voluntary standards for health products..." "The amount of lead in a single daily serving of eight of the protein supplements we tested would require that the products carry a warning in California. State legislation known as Proposition 65 mandates that manufacturers notify consumers when products contain toxic substances at levels the state say pose even a low cancer or reproductive risk." "But federal regulations do not generally require that protein drinks and other dietary supplements be test before they are sold to ensure that they are safe, effective, and free of contaminants, as the rules require of prescription drugs" A lot more was written about regulations or lack thereof that I will skip over to get to the results. " We purchased 15 protein powders and drinks mainly in New York metro area or online and tested multiple samples of each for arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. The results show considerable range, but levels in three products were of particular concern because consuming three servings a day could result in daily exposure to arsenic, cadmium or lead exceeding the limits proposed by the USP" "We found that three daily servings of the ready to drink liquid EAS Myoplex Original Rich Dark chocolate shake provides an average of 16.9 micrograms (mcg) of arsenic, exceeding the proposed USP limit of 15 mcg per day, and an average of 5.1 mcg of cadmium, which is just above the USP limit of 5 mcg per day. Concentrations in most products were relatively low, but when taking into account the large serving size suggested, the number of mcgs per day for a few of the products we tested was high compared with most others tested." "The samples of Muscle Milk Chocolate powder we tested contained all four heavy metals, and levels of three metals in the product were among the highest of all in our tests. Average cadmium levels of 5.6 mcg in three daily servings slightly exceeded the USP limit of 5 mcg per day, and the average lead level of 13.5 mcg also topped the USP limit of 10 mcg per day. The average arsenic level of 12.2 mcg was approaching the USP limit of 15 mcg per day, and the average for mercury was 0.7 mcg, well below the USP's 15 mcg per day limit. Three daily servings of Muscle Milk vanilla Creme contained 12.2 mcg of lead, exceeding lead limits, and 11.2 mcg of arsenic. A fourth product, Muscle Milk Nutritional Shake Chocolate (liquid), provided an average of 14.3 mcg of arsenic per day from three servings." "Cadmium raises special concern because it accumulates in and can damage the kidneys, the same organs that can be damaged by excess protein consumption. And it can take 20 years for the body to eliminate even half the cadmium absorbed today. The products they tested are in a chart which I will try to reproduce. Here are the maximum daily levels of the heavy metals for reference: arsenic 15 mcg; cadmium 5 mcg; lead 10 mcg; mercury 15 mcg; The values after the name of the product are the amounts in micrograms of the heavy metals listed in the order at the top. PM me if this doesn't make sense. Product Name (heavy metal values) Arsenic Cadmium Lead Mercury BSN Core Series Lean Dessert Protein 3.3 3.7 2.5 0.3 Shake Chocolate Fudge pudding BSN Core Series Syntha-6 Ultra 4.2 2.6 5.4 1.1 Chocolate Milkshake Designer whey 100% Whey Protein Chocolate 3.9 1.6 2.4 0.9 EAS Myoplex Original Rich Dark Chocolate shake 16.9 5.1 - - GNC Lean Shake Protein 7.0 3.9 4.9 - GNC Pro Performance AMP Amplified 5.4 2.5 2.5 - Wheybolic Extreme 60 Chocolate Jillian Michaels Natural Whey Protein Vanilla 1.9 - 1.2 - Cream Shake Muscle Milk Chocolate 12.2 5.6 13.5 0.7 Muscle Milk Nutritional Shake Chocolate 14.3 - 6.8 - Muscle Milk Vanilla Creme 11.2 2.0 12.2 - MuscleTech Nitro-Tech Hardcore Pro-Series 1.2 - 0.4 0.9 Vanilla Milkshake Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% 2.5 1.7 1.0 0.2 Whey Extreme Milk Chocolate Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydro Whey 1.5 - - - Velocity Vanilla Six Star Muscle Professional Strength 2.3 - - - Whey Protein French Vanilla Cream Solgar Whey to Go Whey Protein Powder 0.6 - - - Natural Vanilla Bean Hope you can interpret the chart as I have typed it. It is worrisome to read about all of these heavy metals in our protein drinks and I wonder about all of the ones that they did not test. I haven't tried any of the products on this list but I'd love to know what is in mine. It is probably worth your time to get a copy of this from your local library if you don't subscribe.

I had six incisions and I too had one incision that hurt more than the others and still does a little bit. They don't hurt at all unless I poke on them so I am trying to not do that! I walked around in my house for probably the first 3 days because I didn't want to put on real clothes over my swollen abdomen and go outside! Do everything at your own pace...you are the best judge of what feels okay for you!

Kristy, I am so glad you caught the infection early and got it treated! Happy belated birthday...isn't the sleeve a great birthday present?

Congratulations! You have lost an amazing amount of weight in a very short period of time...you must feel great! Can you imagine if you feel this good at 2 months what you will be like in 6 months?

It might have to be rescheduled but if you have a sinus infection, you want them to reschedule. Call your doc and good luck!

I agree completely with what the other posters said. Nancy said everything that I would say and said it better. My only comment is that I "only" had X number of pounds to lose and I too did pretty well on my pre-op diet. I had those second thoughts before surgery and tried to tell myself that I could just focus and do this on my own. But I have lost weight in the past and not been able to keep it off. The big, big, big difference (for me) after surgery is that I am not hungry AND I physically can't overstuff this tiny tummy without vomiting. So even if head hunger gets me and I want to run out have something bad for me...I can only get a few bites in. I am so grateful to have had the surgery and would do it again in a second. You have to make the right decision for you but don't let fear and "what ifs" get the way of healthier future! Good luck!

My sweet sister-in-law who is generally very kind hearted said, "gosh you must feel so much better now that you aren't so bloated". Bloated? No...I was just fat! Notice too how everyone around you who knows about the surgery is on a diet?!

No smells but I do have a gurgly, rumbly tummy at times! Totally worth it. It can play a Brahms lullaby for all I care as long as I continue to lose weight!!

I have found some amazing bargains in work clothes at Goodwill. I have my guest room closet set up with clothes that are too small but lately I have been able to move some things to my work closet as I lose weight!! A great feeling. . I donated a bunch of size 18/20 clothes to a thrift store this morning. Like someone else mentioned, if your pants fit well you can wear a blouse that is a little loose. I also am wearing more skirts as they seem more forgiving of a bit of weight variability. What a great problem to have!!

First congratulations on your journey!! Sounds like you are on your way to getting sleeved. My hubby and I were both worried about how the surgery would affect our social life as we eat out a LOT and use that time to catch up on our day. Our kids are grown so we don't have to cook for a family. What we have found is that we still eat out but I have become a cheap date! I only order Water and don't drink that. I get either an appetizer and still take most of that home or get a brothy Soup. We went out to eat I think on day 4 or 5 after my surgery and I had miso soup and hot tea. Perfect! There are websites that have great bariatric recipes and you and hubby will cook together but maybe add some new recipes! Check out the website..."the world according to Eggface". I have even made a number of her recipes and I don't cook much! Good luck!