Hi I am a new member to the site and looking for some friends who would be willing to encourage me as well as be encouraged. I live in Jacksonvlle area, but don't mind making friends in any part of FL. I will be having my surgery on Friday (May 4th), and would really like some advice on how to get thru the next two weeks of pure liquid.

Hi, I live just north of Jacksonville. How are you doing?
Mandy

Good morning,

How are you doing, and how long have you been on this journey, and are you having difficult times with what to eat that doesn't bother your stomach?

I haven't been here in a while, but I'm doing well, I have lost a total of 59lbs I believe, if my calculations are correct, but now I feel as if I'm at a stand still. I still don't go to any support group meetings, and I feel that is so important in winning this weight loss battle.

I will make an effort to come here daily just for the encouragement, and support....

thanks for responding to me, I look forward to a growing friendship with you.

Hello,
My name is Natasha. Im at the beginning stages, i dont really have Support. Which is why i joined this site, im in Miami But i can have friends in ANY part of florida. I look forward to your reply.

Hi Natasha,

it's nice to meet you, I would like to be a friend with you, we can walk this journey together, it doesn't matter what part of FL you're in, as Miami really isn't that far away....LOL.

I am into this for a few months now, and I find my hardest struggle is to find foods that doesn't bother my stomach,; it could be I'm eating the wrong foods, or I have a sensitive stomach, but I'm going to ask my doctor about that.

I've lost a total of 59lbs if my calculations are correct, but now I feel as if I'm at a stand still, which could be to lack of exercise. I have to get more of that in !!!

I look forward to hearing from you, and know that we'll do this with great care.

Hi!! Thanks for replying. Did u have your surgery already? And dnt feel bad 59lbs is good dnt be discouraged. Keep pushin, and keep fighting. Do u believe in God? Ask him for strength. If your arent use to exercising it could be a challeng but u have to reframe, change your way of thinking. But you can do it!

Hi....

Yes I had my surgery on May 4th of this year.... it was a long process to get it scheduled, but it was worth the wait; I am not discouraged at this point, just amazed is more like it. Yes I do believe in God, He is my Salvation.

I know I have to evidentially get out there and start moving my feet one foot in front of the other; a co-worker of mine mentioned that she gets up and walk before work, I think that would work for me, because it's still early enough not to be too hot out for walking, and I could also take that time to watch the morning begin to come alive.

Yea walking is really good. I havent gotten my surgery yet, I'm goin for my first appt on the 9th of August. I cnt wait to start losing weight and feelin great.. Which baristric surgery did you get?

Good morning,

I'm so excited for you. I know you're excited as well....just focus on what is expected of you, and keep moving forward. I was anxious and excited all at the same time, when I had my first appt, and I was like "oh yea" I'm one step closer to my goal.

I had the gastric sleeve, I have been doing research for about the last three years, and found this one was what I felt would work best for me, and I'm not regretful at all. The weight comes off because I'm only allowed to eat so much, and I've notice that things I wanted to eat before surgery, my system won't allow me to eat now.

I have no desire for sweets, and trust me when I say I was a sweet tooth person, now I replace it with fresh fruit. I had to figure some things out on my own; like what foods my system would accept and which ones it won't, so I'm where I know what I can and can't eat now.

Make sure to have plenty of water on hand, and drink your protein shakes (they do make a difference).

I'm really anxious! Im thinking about the sleeve too. Question, ok so I know that with By-pass u have to take all these vitamins for the rest of your life... Is it the same with the sleeve?

I'm take vitamins, because it's something we should do daily anyways; however which ever surgery you have, you'll find that you'll need to take vitamins for energy and to put back some of the things that your body is missing.

I take a multiple gummy vitamin, and I take B-12 like twice a week; I wasn't use to taking vitamins and I was able to start doing so without any problems. When I first came home my potassin was low, but it seems to be mellowing out now.

I found that as long as I eat foods that are healthy for me, and drink plenty of water, I'm doing good. Some people told me to use crystal light, but I prefer plain water to the flavored water, and I drink about two protein shakes a day between meals.

I do have a weaknees for potatoe chips, so I started buying those chips that Special K makes, and since I can't stand to eat like two of them, I'm good...LOL I sometimes get the tortia chips and instead of cheese dip I do the plain ole salsa.


Well now that I've given you my eating habits....LOL... I hope that I was able to help you to decide with of the two surgerys you were going to go for.

Yes and thank you for sharing. My big sis did the by pass and she takes 12 vitamins a day.. Thats pretty extreme to me. She said I should consider the sleeve. I just cant wait to get started. At the seminar I saw sooo many ppl that were alot bigger than me and they looked miserable. One girl asked why was I there and said if she could just be my size. This made me sad for her and me. I replied Looks can be deceiving and I cnt fill your shoes just as u cnt fill mine. But God made our shoes, he knows our size and through him we can get through any and all things. U keep pushing and striving

I saw quit a few people that were way larger than I was, and I felt so sad that we as humans had let it get to that point; there were people smaller than me there as well, but I didn't know their story and felt they had their reasons for wanting to change. One thing for sure if you were too small they would never have allowed you in the seminair at least not here in north FL.

I'm glad you didn't let that person get all in your head and discourage you from doing what you need to do for yourself.

Just continue to walk forward and don't look back; make sure you stay in touch and let me know how you're progressing, and if you just need to vent or chat I'll check my page.

I'm in Miramar (south Florida) and I had VSG on 7/19/2012.
They do require you take calcium and a multi vitamin daily. I take liquid vitamin supplements (B-complex with C and calcium with D3 and magnesium) and add them to my 2 shakes daily. The sleeve being solely restrictive makes for less of a need for extra vitamin supplementation post op.

Where did you find the liquid vitamins from? I would prefer those to add to my shakes as well; does it alter the taste of your shake?

thanks for sharing this, I knew I might be missing a few vitamins, but I figured the multi had me covered along with the B-12

 Got my liquids at NutritionsMart. I've been using them since before surgery. The calcium is lemon flavored so I do notice it in my vanilla shakes, the B-complex multi is fruity/apple flavored and it blends in really nicely. You can also just drink it by itself as a shot or in juice. I just put both it in with my greens+ superfood and vanilla protein, in 2 separate shakes as to time the calcium and b appropriately.

Hello Adhara, I know you posted this back in August of 2012,but I just joined this fourum and I am here in Hollywood Fl. Just starting my journey to have the sleeve. I would like if you could give me some insight on your journey.

Ok I will and Thanks for ur help... Hello Adhara congrats on ur surgery. I live in NW Miami Dade.. Liberty City. So we are very close

 Hi! Wonderful! It's great to know there's someone's ese on this journey nearby!