New and Looking for Support

Welcome...The days will fly by and before you know it you'll be having your procedure. Good luck!

Welcome!  Sounds like life keeps your pretty busy and stressed.  It nice to see you doing something for yourself.  Waiting for insurance approval is nerve racking.  Well the whole process is really, but it gets better.  Keep working towards your goal! This board is great for support, questions, anything really.

HI!  I'd say you've made two of the first steps in success...finding a surgeon you are happy with & finding OH!  I know this is an open forum, yada yada, but bottom-line is that there are bunch of very caring people on here who have all found themselves in a similar sinking ship.  We all have the goal of getting healthier & I've had a wonderful experience with finding 'support' on here!

My surgeon's office gave me a list of 'recommended' readings.  I have read cover to cover, The Emtional 1st Aid Kit, A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery.  I'd highly recommend it.  I found it on Amazon & paid like $25 for it (which I thought was crazy for a relatively small paperback, but it was worth every cent!).  It walked through many, many of the pitfalls that people are not prepared for & it helps you focus on what types of decisions you'll need to make to combat those pitfalls head-on!  Things like establishing lists of activities you will specifically do when you find yourself in an emotional situation (like go surf the web, call a friend, go for a short walk, etc.), a holiday strategy (like make a list of the specific foods you want to at least taste during the holidays & the foods you can pass on).  It's FULL of stuff like that & things to mentally & emotionally prepare yourself for the highest level of success.  I have 5 children, none with any significant disabilities beyond ADHD (not the extreme kind, just busy busy kind), but I still never have the chance to read for pleasure.  I made myself sit down & read this book & it was easy to read, hard to put down, & I think I'll keep it by my bedside long after I've reached my goal weight!  They also recommended "Weightloss Surgery for Dummies"...I'd say if you're fairly certain you're going VSG, DON'T waste your money.  It's almost all geared towards RNY & the other procedures that have been done longer than VSG.  I didn't find anything in that book I had read on mainstream WLS sites or on OH.  I also bought Mindless Eating, but I haven't even cracked open the cover to know how it is. 

Best wishes & I look forward to hearing more from you! ~Melissa from KS!

I also  have this book and it is wonderful!

There are so many supportive and helpful people here! I have 2 daughters with Anxiety. I never realized how many were here that had children that required scheduling and consistency. I am almost 7 weeks post op and this is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. The key for me is taking the proper amount of time to eat. Being a rushed mom-on-the-go, its hard to take a 30-45 minute break to eat a 3 oz piece of fish or chicken, but it must be done, so make sure when you make your schedules that you include this time...Good luck on your journey!

Hello and welcome,

I am new as well and am hoping to have my sleeve in early spring too. I am obsessed with this site. I have learned so much from it and everyone has been great.  Here are a few things that I found helpful:

 OH FAQs For New Members:

http://vsgfaq.wordpress.com/

Suggested Protein Powders: (everyone taste is different, but I heard these were really good---most importantly they offer samples so that you can taste test B4 committing to a whole jug.)

http://www.tryabouttime.com/
*offers 2 samples (you pick the flavors) for 2.99

http://www.si03.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp

Syntrex is currently offering a one time only, limit one per person special on the Nectar ‘Variety Sampler’ containing 13 full serving packets of the following flavors:  Apple Ecstasy, Caribbean Cooler, Crystal Sky, Fuzzy Navel, Lemon Tea, Pink Grapefruit, Roadside Lemonade, Strawberry Kiwi, Twisted Cherry, Chocolate Truffle, Strawberry Mousse, Vanilla Bean Torte and Latte Cappuccino.  The price is $13.00.  The Nectar Variety Sampler receives FREE SHIPPING and orders typically arrive in 2-5 business days via UPS Ground.  If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please give us a call at 866-333-7403 x 803.  Our hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm Central time. I believe they are out of the Lemon Tea packets right now so you will receive two of another flavor.

***They also have an UNFLAVORED powder for adding to broth, etc. (I found it is alot cheaper on Amazon)

Suggested Reading Material:

*Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies
*Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummies

*Shakin' It Up
*Recipes For Weight Loss Surgery Success
     by Chef Dave Fouts
http://www.chefdave.org/



You may already know this and more ...I just wanted to pass it along .I am certainly open to any suggestions that YOU may have as well!

Good Luck