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I have been about 1 1/2 years in this process. At one point I stopped due to a new job and hoping I could do it on my own. I completed an extensive program through the VA to get approved for surgery and there was a delay time and again. I finally got the approval but the surgeon I chose also had requirements, most of which I had already done with the VA. I was frustrated and I was so jealous when people would get their surgery dates. But I think the extra time has been so helpful to me. I feel confident I can make this change because I’ve already made massive changes to my diet and lifestyle. Changes I would not have done without the wait. I would have relied on surgery to “fix” everything. They may think your weight gain is due to your depression and anxiety and want that addressed so you are successful. Jump through the hoop and put the time to good use. Your time will come and you will be better prepared due to the wait. We didn’t gain this weight in 6 months and it’s ok to not be on the fast track. Better to follow the advice and lose the weight and keep it off than to find a way to bypass it and undo the surgery a year from now. You got this!!! My surgery is 3 weeks from today and I feel like my time is almost here. But I still get jealous that people are scheduled before me. Good luck!!! P.S., I’m going to talk to my doctor about seeing a therapist on a regular basis just so I don’t end up undoing my surgery.

I quit 10 years ago using Chantix. I smoked the normal amount for the first 2 weeks, got down to one final cigarette and have never picked up one again. It was a little hard at first to break a 30 year smoking habit but not as hard as I anticipated. There is no real reason to use the patches as well since the Chantix blocks the nicotine receptors in the brain.

Thank you for the welcome. I'm going to try to get into being in here. Sometimes I'm not that good about it. But I can't always get to my support meetings so I want to get support any way I can.

Thank you for reading it. It sort of makes me feel good.

Oh is it really inspirational? My surgeon said the same thing. Although I have one word of advice, don't wait until after the surgery to take your surgeon and nutritionist's advice. I've found that my theory of embracing the WLS lifestyle before surgery has give me a lot of help. I bought cookbooks and I go recipe hunting now. I just decided before surgery the only way I was going to survive after surgery when I was in it for life and there was no turning back, was to dive right in before. Started eating the way I would after surgery when I was back on solids. Drink water the way I'm suppose to, take those vitamins. And ask the questions I needed to ask so I mess up before it would hurt me. My surgeon said that was one of the smartest things a patient had ever done. I have no idea if she was telling me the true. But I liked that she said it.

I'm in Gainesville.....not sure if that is as close as you were hoping....

That was totally dumping syndrome, most likely from the brown sugar.

The crockpot is a the best appliance I have in my house....even before I had WLS. We have 5 kids (1 left in the nest and he leaves for school in August!) and they played sports year round, my hubby travels for work and I work full time. There are times I have used the crockpot 3 times a week. Another thing i just started using is the instant pot. Holy heck does that thing cook fast!!! I love it! Start looking on pinterest for recipes.....tons and tons of recipes!!!!

My lunches usually contain a variety of the items below. I usually bring more than I will eat, so I can have what I feel like and then just repack the next day what I don't eat. I'm still adding new items to this list as I progress with trying/handling new things. it proves a challenge for me to pack lunches as I use to just eat out every day pre op. I have had a few things from fast food, but it's hard to find anything that you can eat. Jimmie Johns can makes all of their sandwiches into an Unwich, no bun - lettuce wrapped. I tried the turkey/ham and it was fabulous... it took me all day to eat 3/4 of it, but my pup was happy to get the rest at the end of the day.. also you can order a side of beans at taco bell which satisfies if you have no other option. My lunches contain an assortment of: 2 oz tuna salad (fixed as if it was going on a sandwich) deli meat or some other sort of meat hot soup in thermos olives pickles light string cheese cherry tomatoes apple orange P3 (deli isle) meat/cheese/nuts pistachios 2-4 oz lowfat cottage cheese 2-4 oz yogurt 2-4 oz protein sf jello (unjury.com has recipe) 2-4 oz vegetable, I like green beans 2-4 oz dole no sugar fruits I ordered some of the bariatric pal protein chips in a variety. I liked about half of them, but will not be attempting this again until I reach maintenance stage. I found myself eating more than one individual size bag a day or grazing through more than one portion at a time. It brought out old habits in me, and I don't need that kind of struggle with self control right now. Be careful with these my nutritionist also says they are slider foods, that dissolve fast and slide right through to the intestine, more calories for less satiety.

Also did puréed egg salad. Basically two hard boiled eggs, 1 Tbl each of mayo and Greek yogurt. Lasted a couple meals.