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Omg ours are super similar I was 249 signing up Then 228 day of surgery And now I'm 216 So cool! I'm three weeks out of surgery .

I am 3 days post op and managed to get in 90 grams I Protein today. I started at 5am and got in half a premade shake which I finished at lunch. In between I had 8oz of milk. I then had some unjury chicken broth. For dinner I had a Protein Shake made with milk that pushed me up to 90. Is this not normal? I don't want to screw up my surgery. Was anyone else able to hit this 3 days out?

I don't see anything wrong with it, except the recommendation for packaged meals. My surgeon has 2, 4 and 6 week pre-op diets and I guess it depends on your current health as to what one you'll need to go on.

I actually stalled early. After day 14, my weight didn't budge even .1 lb for 5 days. I greatly increased my water intake and thankfully the stall stopped. Just do your best getting in lots of fluids, and just be reassured that it is normal.

The dreaded 3-5 week stall strikes again! There are tons of posts about it if you look back through the threads. Best thing to do is focus on hydration, Protein, and healing. Put the scale away for at least 10 days and you should have a little bit of a loss in a couple of weeks. Don't drive yourself crazy by weighing everyday. Good luck!!

WoW, 111 lbs in 3 months.....your doing awesome...great job!!

drinks to help pay for health care reform while dissuading people from overconsuming sweetened beverages. (Another proposal would raise federal taxes on alcoholic drinks). Of course, the mere fact that a tax is effective in reducing consumption doesn't by itself mean it should be enacted. Indeed, the same argument can be made against imposing taxes. Reducing consumption reduces sales, which hurts business, which could hit workers and stockholders. And soda pop ain't cigarettes. Any amount of smoking is bad for you, but as the otherwise-disingenuous beverage industry correctly points out, it's possible to consume sugary drinks in moderation without seriously degrading your health. Still, given the alarming rates of obesity and diabetes in the United States, and given the dire need to finance health care reform, such a tax may do a lot of good. I say "may" because the effectiveness of the proposal is far from clear, as is the impact it might have on the beverage industry, which is already struggling with declining sales. I don't really have a strong position on the issue (despite what happened the last time I wrote about this, when a particularly insistent young anti-tax zealot repeatedly e-mailed me to complain, as if I were trying to take money out of his bank account to give it to the Socialist Workers Party). It's also far from clear that such a tax will pass. A similar effort in New York recently failed miserably, perhaps because the rate was way too high?18 percent. The Associated Press reported that while there has been plenty of lobbying activity on both sides of the federal proposal, it has been relatively "quiet." The beverage industry and allies such as the corn lobby have not wanted to appear too zealous in opposing schemes to finance health care reform, it said. But if you look hard enough, you'll find plenty of strong language coming from the sweetener lobby. Like this gem from Neil Trautwein of the National Retail Federation: "Are they going to hit couch manufacturers? School districts that have canceled physical education?" The AP characterized his questions as jokes, but given the similarly bombastic language from other tax opponents, I'm not so sure. Last week, the New York Times editorial page came out in favor of the tax. While the Times did put some of the onus for health on consumers themselves?where it surely belongs?it also recognized the obesity epidemic for what it is: a public-health problem.

Thanks ladies! Makes me feel better. I have my 2 week appt with Dr Cribins today. So we shall see. By the way- does anyone drink coffee? Or is this a total no-no?

I know I probably should have posted this in another topic area but I figured I get more input here. Thanks y'all! To Whom It May Concern, I am hereby requesting a reversal of the initial denial for the bariatric surgery(WLS) known as the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy/Gastric Sleeve (VSG) by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. This request is made due to BCBS's assessment that my BMI is below 40. At my initial consult with Dr. Rantis, my BMI was 40.5. At that time, I met your requirement of a BMI greater than 40 without comorbitities. BCBS required that I follow a 3 month, medically supervised diet. In doing so, I lost weight and therefore, my BMI lowered slightly. To deny me for WLS because I followed BCBS requirements is profoundly confusing to me, not to mention unfair and devastating. I HAVE met the medical requirements to establish medical necessity for VSG. I am a 35 year old, morbidly obese female. I have been overweight or obese for my entire life, childhood through adulthood (my medical records prove this). While, I currently do not suffer from any comorbitties, it is just a matter of time until I develop the many disease that run in my family. Type II diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, arthritis and Cancer are diseases that are in my bloodline. It is not "if" I develop these horrific diseases but "when" will I develop these diseases. At my current state, I am a ticking time bomb. I have tried countless times throughout my life to lose the weight and keep it off. I can manage to lose a little bit of the weight but always gain it back and then some. Again, my medical records prove this. I have 3 young daughters and I need to be healthy and live a long time for them. I am confident that the VSG is the tool I need that will save me from the misery that obesity always causes. This surgery will open a new door in my life. I will no longer feel ashamed of my body and my health. I will no longer have to worry about the impending diseases I will most certainly face. I will not have to worry about about my children having to watch their mother suffer because of obesity. The surgery will allow me to live the life I have always wanted and deserved. I am asking for you to reconsider your denial and approve coverage of the VSG. Please take a closer look at my request and approve for the VSG. You will see that I have met the requirement of a BMI greater than 40 and successfully completed the 3 month medically supervised diet. Thank you.

Congrats! I was banded on Feb 5th, so I am a newbie too. You will do great. First week is a bit rough, but it gets better. I am just now starting to see the light. You will grow to love broth - oohhhh yeahhhh! Best wishes, Kim

I am set for surgery April 10th but I have been doing some test because I have been under an enormous amount of stress with work and home issues and I had an echo cardiograph done and the Dr. said for me not worry but I had an enlarged left side of my heart and some high blood pressure In my heart. I really don't want to postpone my surgery but the soonest I can get to see the cardiologist is May. I know that this surgery will help improve my over all health and need it ASAP. Question is should I wait or not? I am starting the liquid diet this week. So.... any one have advise for me??.....

Wow!! That's a long pre-op diet! I was just given mine ( for two weeks) and I thought that was bad! Well I pray for you, and just hang in there! I'm day two and it already sucks!!

If it is not bleeding or oozing in any way and it looks like it is healing well, I wouldnt worry too much about it. Just give your doctor a quick call in the morning. At two weeks post op the majority of your healing is done and you should just be careful. Definitely avoid picking at any other scabs though. You will already have a scar just by having surgery, but it will look nicer in the long run the less you touch it.

Ladies, I returned back to work today, and was very surprise by the overall achiness I felt. and I was tired by noon. I also have a desk job, but was up and down all morning. I think that was the problem, using the stomach muscles. when I got home this evening, I had my cream of chicken Soup and slept for 3 hours! lol we will survive

Onmyway, did your dr give you a timeline on when to change to the next stage? Mine was liquids for 1 wk (2 if needed) then 1 week mushies then 1 week soft then the next week regular food. I didnt switch all my food when i advanced to the next stage. Example--i still did all liquids but added some greek yogurt one day. Then maybe the next added sf pudding. Just go slow and try new foods. You cant not advance bc you are afraid of a stall or gain. You are healing!! That should be your focus. I was weighing myself daily or everyother day and i decided once a week only!! Right now i am just focusing on making good food choices, eating when im hungry and walking. Oh btw--best mushy meal ever some ricotta cheese topped with marinara baked then sprinkled with mozz cheese. Oh my goodness. So good. Beats a cup of chicken broth any day!! J Banded 9/22

i agree myfitness pal is the best thing to help track. you can over eat calories on mushies measure everything out. I was 4 week post op until i felt hungry so transition was not hard. I still don’t have restriction yet 8 weeks out so my challenge is pushing away and to stop myself . i did plateau a bit when i went to mushies and then solids but exercise helped me over the plateau.

For guys out there who may be like me: you buy clothes and wear then for long periods of time. well for those men who just sleeved and for the prospective ones: Start a clothing budget! I'm buying different clothing sizes almost twice a month. I was sleeved in January 2012 and wore a size 46 waist. Today I had to buy size 36!!! And I just fit into the 38s three weeks ago. Remember not to over buy in a particular size because you will only wear them for a short while. Thought I'd share this with the guys out there. Sometimes this isn't something you realize is going to happen and it helps to plan

So understand!! Headhunger... Sigh... 3+ years out and still get it... PS... Congrats on the 12 pounds enjoy the ride!!

One week out and I started itching. Everywhere I had any surgical tape itched and had raised whelps. It was HORRIBLE. I took benadryl every 5-6 hours & slathered benadryl cream around my incisions for almost 3 days. (NOT on the incisions, but AROUND them). I walked around kind of dopey, but it was the ONLY thing that stopped the itching. it went away in approx 4 days. I had to just lay around on that weekend with my belly exposed (no bandages) to try and let it all dry out. I am now at week 3 and NO residual affects of the hives. I was very worried about taking the benadryl so soon after being sleeved, but there was NO problems.

:clap2:The 19th has finally got here. I am so excited I cant even sleep. I have been up all night. I have to be at the hospital in 3 more hours. My husband has set up with me all night. Lets hope he dont give out! I cant wait till Im banded and on my way home. Well, got things to do, fat to lose. Wish me LUCK!!!

Why are you nervous? Are you nervous about the surgery, the diet, or both? The surgery was easier than I expected. My only challenges were the gas pains that lasted for almost 2 days and getting in enough liquid. My pre-op diet lasted for one week and was actually pretty easy. I didn't really feel miserable like some people say they felt. I made sure to drink at least 3 Protein shakes a day and eat about 2-3 light and fit yogurts a day. Also, drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself fuller longer. Good luck!

No I was on liquids for 2 weeks then he wanted me to try eggs but I can't handle any of it. So after several hospital stays I got the picc line to help with nutrition. Now I've been not eating or really drinking anything . I'm so afraid to keep getting sick. It's like I end up thinking I might be OK then the next thing I know im more sick then before.

Since were talking about pre op diets, during your last 3 days, you're supposed to be on clear liquids. Do you still do your protein shakes?

Naw - not Second Helpings - a Second Fill! I asked the friendly folks at SCOR to crank that baby tight - and I think they have. I made a point to ask about how much fill I have - a total of 4.6cc's in my Vanguard Band. That's a bit less than half full. So far, it seems that the restriction is holding. I went in on the 20th - so this is day five. Again, I have just the right restriction. I can eat everything that I have tried - but am not compelled to eat a TON. I am staying full between meals - for at least 4 hours - and if I WANT to eat more - well, I can... or I cannot. It's up to me. If I can keep this level of restriction forever, I will be happy. The control is all in my hands. All I have to do is chew and take it slow - which gives me time to think about what I am eating, and why. No PB's to date - but I can sometimes feel the bites go down. Not exactly a golfball - no slime or anything - but maybe a Pre-golfball. Just a reminder to chew, chew, chew - and then chew some more. I went to Catherines this weekend just to try on clothes - I was a little disappointed that the clothes still look as crappy as before - but I guess that I will have to lose another 50 lbs or so before I can really see a dramatic difference in the clothes. It doesn't help that the bulk of the fat is centered - hanging on my belly, butt & thighs. It's pretty hard to buy shirts when the top fits fine - but the bottom part is sucked up tight to your belly. *sigh* On the brighter side - a few more things could be scrunched on - in size 28 vs 32/34 - and given a little more time & weightloss, I will be able to have more choices in what to try on and whether I want to go a size up or a size down. My first Mini-goal is to be under 300 lbs. My lowest scale weight at home has been 316 so far - and I puff up every time I go to NY (every month!) so the weight chart would look something like a roller coaster on an overal downward track. Day before last trip: 316. Weight upon return: 325. Yeah. I don't think I gained almost two pounds a day over a five day trip. But then it takes about a week for the puffies to go away. Great. But, I know that I can still be losing fat without losing weight - so I keep on plan while the swelling goes down. One leg is still puffy (LOVE the Venous Stasis - NOT) but the scale is teetering between 316-317 today - so I am hoping for the continuance of the downward trend. I am trying to hit that 299 mini-goal prior to my next trip in May. My second mini-goal is to be able to shop at Lane Bryant and Torrid and all those other really awesome stores for Fat Chicks that top out at size 26/28. I have been banished from those stores for a long time - and I am ready to go back. I want to get one of those sexy corsets. The size tops out at 24 on those - so I guess I will call this a Third Mini-Goal. ESPECIALLY since that 24 has to be true of the PANTS size, too. Of course, I am looking forward to not having to ask for a seatbelt extender on the plane... I am only 5-6 inches from that now. I don't know where that will fall into the ranks - but it's definitely one of the short term goals. One of the things I am doing NOW for myself is not waiting to put together a costume for the Scarborough Faire. I thought I would wait until I could fit into one of those cool & groovy bodices that they sell - but I have decided that waiting sucks. I want to be able to Play this year - vs next. Since they don't MAKE bodice patterns in a size 30 - I went to the store and got one in a size 20. Then I looked through the pattern books for fat-girl patterns with similar shapes. *I found one that is almost exactly the bodice shape - just not laced up the front/sides. I can modify for that by studying the pattern pieces for the size 20 and adjusting the size 30 pattern to make it work. PLUS - the pattern for the top also comes with a skirt pattern that works, too. Woo Hoo! So, that is my "Fun for me" project over the next couple of weeks. Now all I have to do is figure out how to put the bones in - and what to use for bones! I guess I can go back to the fabric store for those. Thank goodness for Joanne Fabrics! Well, let's see. Exercise - nope. Not happening right now... but I am trying to do more moving around type shopping and stuff. Diet - Low Carb - high protein. Doing pretty well, except when I travel. Weekends - I have been allowing myself some carbs - during the week, I am a Carb Nazi. Water - not getting enough over the last several days. I had gotten so good about slugging back that litre in the car every day - and I have not done very well with it since my fill. I think it has to do with how much/how quickly I am able to drink. I am going to have to drink more in the car. It was a good habit. Vitamins - Taking a multi + calcium. Thank God I am almost done with the nasty Viactiv waxy horrid vitamins. Give me those chalky childrens vitamins any day. Thank goodness I didn't get Viactive Calcium supplements, too. I use the Caltrate - chalky chewables - to scrape the waxy vitamin residue out of my mouth. My PCP says I need extra B vitamins due to my meds - but I haven't been taking any. I guess the multi has enough, since my last bloodwork said I was fine. Official weight: 325 (3/20 - last visit to Surgery Center of Richardson) Unofficial Weight: 316 - my scale - this morning. (my scale about 2 lbs low from SCOR or Dr. Fox's scale) The official weight was artificially high due to still puffy from flying on Friday April 14. Two days earlier - my band doc weighed me in at 327. I have made a point to schedule my next visit with him for the very first day of the month of June. That way I will have had at least a week to recover from any trips to the NY office. Well - work is calling. I haven't managed to win the lottery, yet - so I guess I had better get back on task.