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I feel like a different part of my brain has been activated over the last few weeks. Look at how much we all have to learn to prepare for this surgery. When was the last time you used the words "pyloric valve" in polite conversation, on a regular basis? Eight weeks ago, I didn't realize I would be a "sleever", a "post-op" a "full liquids" stage. I was just me, loving life, my job, my husband, my kids, and reading Sci-Fi if I wanted to learn new words (China Mieville, anyone?) Unfortunately, today I also know things like "sliders", "pre-op cheating", "slow loser", "stall", "head hunger", "weight re-gain", "falling off the wagon". And now, these words I've never used before have become imbued with emotions, with meaning--and another way to judge myself and others. Now these words are emotion-laden, and I have to work to make them rational. Now, if I'm not careful, I will categorize myself by these words and find another way in which I could be seen to have failed. For someone who is as motivated as am I by the fear of failure, now these can be new weapons. Unless I refuse to let that happen. Unless I say to myself and those around me, that everyday that I stick to the plan is a successful day. That everyday I veer off the plan is an opportunity presented to me to triumph the next day. That this is my new life, and I intend to live it, enjoy it, succeed at it, and let the Universe unfold the way it should. So I will try not to throw out the old, happy life I had, and live instead by one where I can succeed or fail daily based on an outcome I may not be able to control--like when I stall, or what I lose. I can only control what I do, and that part, I know how to live by that.

HEY there! i am 3 weeks and 4 days out from surgery... and on a stall! i know to be positive and everything, but i just want to be like SERIOUSLY!!!!! i can see it in the tummy that its going down, i know the inches are because i put 3 pairs of jeans in the cant wear bag that needs to goto the donate pile... i joined a slowpitch softball team that plays on sundays and this last sunday was the first game... wow its been 12 years since HS and i sure can tell... i needed a roll cart with air for sure!!!! i have been going to the gym.... DAMN i was so excited to start tho... i get up to bat and totally nerves set in like **** what did i get myself into... i am going to kill myself, but licky me i have insurance lol... well its slow pitch so the ball is no faster than a third grader playing... YEAHHHH!!!! i slam the ball out in the left feild (or i think that is what it was i have forgotten how sad) i was like HELL YEAH the guy dropped it! haha sucker, so i hall off to 1st... as i am running, i start having the running farts like i seriously was farting going to first!!!!!! PRAYING no one heard me lol... pants are able to fall down i was just so excited to get to first! i made it!!!! but then got out at 2nd the next batter... hahah hope you have had a good laugh now!!!! but i am stalling scale has not moved in a week but that is okay... i keep plugging away and going to the gym... i wanted to cheat and not go yesterday but made myself go and was so glad i did!

It seems there is always an excuse not to go to the gym. I'm tired, I don't have clothes, I forgot my shoes, I have to cook dinner, I have to go to the store etc. I have been fairly successful at being consistent with my gym goings. I didn't plan all the things I do...I sort of just fell into it, but these are my tips for making sure the gym (exercise) is part of my day. 1. I practically live in gym clothes. I know it isn't feasible for everyone, but I can wear it to work. The gym I go to is across of my job. I live about a 20 minute drive from my job and gym. Every morning I wake up I put on my gym clothes that way I am ready! I sometimes go before work and sometimes after. 2. I plan my exercises for the morning time before I have anything going on. It leaves less excuses if I can do it and get it out of the way. I still have the "I'm tired" excuse, but I push through it. 3. My car is like a tank. I could survive in there! I have my workout shoes, extra pairs of socks, bottles of water, vitamins, protein bars, workout towels. I never "forget" anything because it is already stock piled in my car. 4. Goals! I am a very goal oriented individual. Each day I am at the gym I envision myself doing something faster, better, longer the next time I hit that machine.

I got this from the "Eating well after weight loss surgery" book. I've modified for my usual shortcuts http://www.amazon.co...t loss surgery Ingredients 1 cup cauliflower steamed in microwave for 5 minutes until very soft Cooking Spray 1/4 c onion chopped 1 tsp chopped garlic 1 oz low fat ham (I used a little bacon) 1/4 tsp lemon pepper 1 bottle clam juice 1 c evaporated fat free milk 1/2 Lb shrimp shelled, cleaned deveined salt Pepper ( I added paprika) Directions 1. Spray large saucepan with cooking spray and cook onions, garlic & ham/bacon until soft and brown 2. Add lemon pepper, clam juice, evaporated milk, cauliflower and shrimp and let it come to a boil, stirring often. Cook until shrimp are pink. 3. Add salt, pepper, paprika. 4. Puree in vitamix or blender. SOOO yummy! Tastes like a creamy bisque with potatoes, thanks to the cauliflower. Serves 4 Calories: 130 Protein: 22 gms (!!) Fat: 1.3 gms Carbs: 11 gms

Six months of waiting and today I was able to schedule my surgery. 28 days from now I will being heading to LGH for a procedure called the Sleeve Gasrectomy. I feel so excited! I have met with my nutritionist once a month for the last 6 months, and have really come a long way in the way that I think about food. I have attended cooking demos, support groups, met with a behavior Specialist and had one on one instruction on strength building. The results I have lost 45 pre surgery pounds. I am so ready for the next step.

Made up this recipe tonight by simplifying a cookbook one. Very rich mushroom flavor. Enjoy! 1 onion sliced thin 3 gloves garlic crushed 4 c mixed fresh mushrooms 1 sweet potato peeled and diced 1lb boneless skinless chicken breast 3 c Chicken Stock Salt pepper Dried Oregano & thyme or Poultry Seasoning 2 c water or broth for pureeing Simple Recipe: put all ingredients In a pot and boil until chicken is tender (medium low). Purée adding 2 additional c of broth or more. Slightly more fidgety recipe: Sauté onions and garlic until soft and lightly caramelized. Caramelize sweet potato at the edges. Add remaining ingredients. Pressure cook for 7 mins (high) or cook on stove until chicken is tender (low-medium heat). Purée adding stock to thin as necessary. This is how I made it to get the sweetness and a richer depth of flavor from the veg, but it will taste good either way. Makes 10 cups. Each c has 1.5 oz of chicken for 11 gms of protein.

Omg I just made the best lobster "bisque". I made it up as I went, hence the note below. Half an onion sliced thin 3 cloves garlic smashed 1in ginger sliced thin and julienned 5 Campari tomatoes 1/2 head cauliflower 3 c chicken stock 2 tablespoons pesto 1 lb frozen langoustine or lobster (see note below) Salt Pepper Sauté onions, garlic and ginger until browned (I used ghee, you can use fat of choice or spray w Pam). Pour in chicken broth and dump everything except frozen langoustine. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until veggies are tender. Put in langoustines and cook over slow heat until cooked through. Purée soup until smooth and voila! Note: We took out two cups of soup and puréed 6 oz of langoustines. That gives us 3 oz each or 14 gms of protein! I'm saving the rest to purée with shrimp tomorrow. If I had a recipe, I might not have so much soup left over but it's very good. Rich, creamy, flavorful and maybe I won't have to do another protein shake tonight. I've had worse in pricey restaurants.

Well.. yes.. once again I find myself being unfair to myself - and NOT exactly on the 'wagon' per se.. However - though it totally maybe stress I did happen to lose about 5-7 lbs... so that's something right? Needless to say - I finally made the big move to California.. and well.. I'm telling you.. its been a LOT harder than I imagined... finding a job has been a bit of a struggle.. who knew it was sooo competitive out here.. but then again.. I did say it was going to be all about the adventure huh?! Boy isn't it true.. be careful what you wish for?! But aside from the stressors in my life - you know.. the no money.. no job.... no family... no friends... I'm still trying to smile.. its not easy to do.. but I'm trying.. I also do get on my scale at least once a week.. just to see where I am.. and its fluctuated up and down since I've been here.. but I've been trying to take in stride... and not allow THAT to stress me out.. because god only knows that finding a job and paying bills are sooo much more important that the number on the scale right? I do have to report that my first two weeks out here in California - I did visit the beach.. and well leave it to me to go to the beach - um on an OVERCAST day.. yeah... no bueno.. talk about being burnt to a crisp... seriously.. I sooo learned my lesson.. heh heh... since then I've had the pleasure of enjoying the beach life a few weekends.. okay... like 5 out of the 8 weeks I've been here.. I may not have any money.. .but thanks to my family - they driven me to the beach.. (I'm thinking they have no appreciation for the beach.... they don't "get" my obsession with it.. lol) I've also spent a lot of this "alone" time reflecting on just what I "gave" up.. and perhaps how much I DID NOT appreciate it ... interesting how I came here - on what was basically a "whim" only to be presented with struggles... but I think this whole experience has already taught me somethings.. has taught me that everything is a risk.. and sometimes even when I don't realize it.. I am already so blessed.. because thats one thing I've realized.. plain and simple.. anyway you want to cut it.. whether I'm here in California or in Arizona.. I. AM. BLESSED... Until next time my friends.. stay blessed.. Just me - Bea

By: Michael J. Orris, D.O., M.B.A., FASMBS Many weight loss patients in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale and Tucson come to our bariatric surgery practice seeking to improve their health through surgery. Like bariatric surgery patients across the U.S., many are concerned about the cost. Insurance coverage for these procedures varies by state and provider, and many other factors are also considered. Most insurance providers, including Medicare, require patients to have thorough documentation from a doctor that says surgery is medically necessary. This includes your weight history and BMI, your obesity-related health conditions and medications, and a detailed description of how your weight affects your daily life. Companies also often expect a patient to have made dedicated efforts at weight loss before surgery. They may want to see gym membership documentation or require participation in a medically supervised weight loss program for up to 6 months. Another consideration for coverage is where a patient can have the surgery performed. Some providers require patients to have their procedures done at facilities with the highest standards and success rates. Your weight loss doctor can be a resource to help you get your surgery covered. Most practices have finance coordinators who can help you navigate the complicated insurance considerations. If you do not qualify, many practices also offer other financing options such as payment plans to help you get your health back on track. Concerning Weight Loss Surgery Candidacy Patients often want to know what qualifies a person for bariatric surgery. All patients must undergo a thorough screening from a physician to know whether surgery might work for them, but here are some factors that might make you a candidate: · What is your BMI? Obesity is measured by calculating a patient’s body mass index, or BMI. Bariatric surgery patients typically have a BMI above 40, or above 30 if they also have a medical condition related to obesity, such as diabetes. You can determine your BMI by using a BMI calculator. · Have you tried and failed with other weight loss options? Most insurance providers and reputable weight loss surgeons require that you have made a concerted effort to lose weight using more traditional methods before you undergo surgery. You should be eating a good diet and exercising regularly under the guidance of a bariatric specialist. If your doctor determines that such methods are not enough to improve your health, you may be a candidate for surgery. · Is your health at risk? If life-threatening medical conditions related to obesity are a factor, you may qualify for surgery. Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea often result from obesity and can be relieved by bariatric surgery. If you have one of these medical concerns and think you may be a candidate for surgery, talk to a bariatric specialist.