RyanTheGirl

I have to keep it honest--if I dont, then who will do it for me? lol!! Obviously there are tons of health benefits as well, and those are more important to me, but if I were to say the other things dont matter to me, then I would be lying!

definitely sucks lol! Happening to me as well!

A testimonial from the website of the hospital I will be banded..... insipires me whenever I feel like I need a pick-me-up... just wanted to share. I have found that there are certain "stones" that you must claim as your own and use with almost religious zeal to keep the tool of bariatric surgery sharp and effective. I think every person who has this surgery builds their own cairn out of the stones that they discover work best to encourage them. So here are a few of mine. Stone #1—Quiet Reflection This one takes different forms for different people—prayer and meditation, transcendental sauntering, yoga, sitting quietly, being. Take your pick, but this is an important discipline as it keeps the bariatric patient in touch with the one thing that our weight and former dependence on food distanced us from—our feelings. You must think about how you feel, stay aware of how you feel and set your compass each and every day to make all of the choices that keep you feeling good, feeling lean, and feeling in control. Stone #2—Meaningful Movement Do something. For me the compliance to this particular "stone" is profoundly personal and it took me almost four years to figure out that I would exercise far more consistently if I would work out early in the morning versus in the evening when I almost always had a conflict or flagging motivation. Committing to a time that no person or event could challenge and making it virtually impenetrable from interlopers made this one of the most significant assurances for me. If I start with this stone on the cairn—even if it is just a 45 minute energetic walk—everything else seems to fall in place. Put simply, if I even reluctantly walk over and pick up this stone (no matter how heavy) and carry it to my weight loss cairn each morning, I know that I will virtually run and, with little effort, pick up the rest of the stones that day and stack them on the monument of the day's success. Make this stone anything you like—for me it is walking, rowing, dancing, or maybe a touch of light weightlifting that I should actually do more often. Stone #3—Liturgical Vitamin Ceremonies My vitamin consumption has become an almost holy symbol of my intent to honor the body this surgery gave me. I bought a tea box (a wooden box with 12 square compartments) that sits next to my favorite chair. Every morning and night I open it up to behold the vitamin selection that assures my good health. There they all are—the multi vitamin, the Co-Q10, the calcium, the Colace (still needed from time to time). I take vitamins several times a day, and each time I take one, I whisper "I am good to me." Stone #4—The Security of Staples Always, always, always have the staples you need to stay the course for good health. This takes discipline and a list (laminated and always with you). For me, the staples are hard boiled eggs, fat free cottage cheese, Montreal steak spice, Lite Havarti cheese, apples, blueberries, fat-free yogurt, and Crystal Light. These must be in my reach at almost all times or I will most assuredly make the same bad choices that caused my weight gain. Make your own list and carry a small cooler in your car everyday if you must—and I have—so that you have no excuse. Never, never go home without knowing that you have the staples you need there. I do better without too much choice. An important related "stone" to this one was a hard one for me to acknowledge and eventually convince the rest of my family to join me in honoring. I cannot have any food in my house that is not desirable for a weight-loss patient to consume. Once that first year of no appetite passes and hunger makes its inevitable return, the same temptations you once knew will be back. Even though you will feel rotten if you succumb, it is just too tempting. I find the de-temptation of the home environment and replacing it with staples (symbols of on-going health) is critical for me. Any family member frustrated by this strategy can find plenty of excuses to sneak out of the house for a non-healthy treat. Stone #5—Surround Yourself with Stone Masons This has to do with the ongoing support we all need in life to achieve any of the goals we set before us, particularly the goal of good health after weight-loss surgery. For some, this may mean participating in support groups. I have had a mixed reaction to formal groups for bariatric patients. Prior to surgery, I found the groups to be absolutely inspiring with so many stories of success transformation. They were a remarkable source of hope during a time of despair. However, not long after my surgery, I found that most support groups were negative. The participants focused on what wasn't working, what they couldn't eat, or what they didn't like. Since I had been totally prepared for the changes that my surgery was intended to bring, I did not find what I wanted in a group. Look intentionally for a support group that absolutely encourages the excitement (and yes, reality) of a body that has been readjusted completely to bring about a transformation. Yes, our cups may now be literally half full, but our lives and futures are virtually overflowing. Surround yourself with people who see it that way and, do as I did, select your own personal support team. The people on that team are your stone masons who will help you set the stones you choose in place and secure them for life. Stone #6—Celebrate and Play At least once a quarter, take a day to do nothing but celebrate. Keep a list of the things that you always said that you would do when you lost the weight—take a hike, ride a horse, go to a concert, climb a mountain, go sit on the beach and watch a sunset, shop, etc. Write down everything you can imagine and, like a bucket list, do them one by one. Plan these important days, give them to yourself and review the stones in your weight-loss structure. If you can, take the day off on your surgery anniversary and honor your good health. Stone #7—Share the Joy Take some of the new energy of life that is most certainly one of the extraordinary benefits of weight-loss surgery and give it away to somebody who needs it. Do this in whatever way the world calls you to give something back. People carry "weight" in very many ways and I think we end up with an obligation once ours is gone, to help others carry their own or lose it as the case may be. Stone #8—Lighten Up and Face the Facts The reality of my numbers is as follows. The last time I weighed prior to surgery, I was a precious but substantial 327 pounds. I would lose a total of 167 pounds, 18 of which have found their way back. Of course, this predictable weight gain is a fact that strikes sheer terror in the heart of any person who has struggled with weight loss and knows how easy and devious the return of pounds can be. However, using the stone stacking method described here, I have discovered how to maintain my weight within about a two-pound fluctuation over the past year. Put simply, the balance of stones and habits for me that I have in place right now will accommodate maintenance. What I also know is that if I want to be as lean as I have been (which I very much would), I will have to exercise a bit more and trim some additional calories out of my diet to create that outcome. These are facts, not magic and not a failure of the surgery. Just a reminder that I will have to continue to use my stones in different ways everyday for the rest of my life to sharpen the tool of my surgery and create the monument to good health that I want my cairn to be .

I am glad you all have enjoyed this as much as I did when I first read it!

Mine went very well also. I had to take a 165 question test- mostly True/False questions like: I often feel like a failure if I do not do everything I can to please others. I am always sad. I am answering questions on this test to make myself look better than it really is. Etc etc etc.... She (my shrink lol) then told me how obese people often are "people pleasers" and that once we become thin- some (if not most) of the passive attitude goes away, and those people become more assertive- so we talked about my childhood- how my dad was an ass when i was growing up because I was disappointing him by being fat- and she wanted me to realize the possibility of me cutting off ties with him once I became thin- pretty much just bringing up issues that I hadnt thought about. It was a positive experience- and I'm sure yours will be as well!

paint my toe nails myself hahahah!!! Hopefully I will be banded in January- and then my high school reunion is going to be in June 2012- so going to that 100pounds lighter- cant even imagine looks on everyone's faces!

I originally sat down to write this post with positive attitude, with so much to say.... And now I sit here amazed at how quick my mood could be changed with just one simple comment-- from someone who I do actually like and think of as a friend. "Just go get yourself a gym membership and work it off"-- was the comment I got from my friend when they saw that I was logging into this website... How often do people say this to us? (Us being the "over weight" of the world...) And let me clearify- I'm not just "Overweight"- I AM OBESE! I am fat, and I know it. To deny it would be stupid- why would I try to deny what the naked eye can see?? If I could lose the weight I NEED to lose by simply working out- don't they think I would have done that by now?! Don't they think I would save myself a ton of money, a ton of time, and just simply "get a gym membership and work it off"????? I just don't understand!!! The person who happened to make this comment is a nurse- a RN. Someone who is supposed to be medically trained. So, I guess I was wrong as assuming that those in the medical field would understand a little more than the uneducated. But- you know what they say about assuming!!! I should have known better I guess! I guess it's kind of like how extremly skinny people are always told "just eat something!" or "put some meat on your bones!" It's not always that easy. Of course, because I am on the opposite end of that (on the obese side) I would love to be one of those who are told to eat something or put meat on my bones, the grass is always greener, right?! But the truth is, it's not just that simple. Just going to the gym and working out isnt going to make us lose all the weight we need to lose, and just eating something wont make an unhealthy underweight person gain the weight they need. Not all of us get they pleasure of being able to have "healthy weight bodies"- not all of us get to shop in the regular sized departments, not all of us get to wake up with the energy and ability to have a "regular" day. Some of us have to shop in "plus sized" or even "Children's" departments-- some of us have to sit down and take breaks when others can walk the whole mile or play with their children-- some of us have to fight things like diabetes or heart disease (or other diseases) related to our weights... I'm sorry- just letting out steam... people just upset me with how simple minded they are, and the judgements they pass... I am not a lazy person. I am a 27 year old single mother who takes care of not only a 4 year old child- but also my grandmother. I work two jobs, and I go to school... I work out when I can, but honestly- no, I don't do it as often as I should- but when do I have time?! Quit judging me and learn to look at your own self... I don't talk about your situations, please don't talk about mine unless you are here to support me.

Have you already been approved for surgery? Are there local support groups? Is there an informational meeting close? If I were in your shoes, this is what *I* would do.... I would tell my dad that this is something that I seriously have been thinking about, and have honestly already taken the steps towards making it happen. I value your opinion (my dad's) and I understand your fears/concerns... the fact is, it is my decision, and because I respect you, and value you-- this is something I want your support in. I understand that you believe it should be as easy as "eating right and working out"- but that just simply does not work for me- by itself.... me getting a lap-band is just a tool for me. It is the blue prints or the hammer towards remodeling my "house" if you will... I could have every piece of wood needed to build a house- but without tools, it would just fall apart. I can diet and work out all my heart desires, but for some reason, it always falls apart... Because I want your support and value your opinion, I would love for you to come with me to an informational meeting- so that any questions you may have can be answered by a professional- by someone who has years and years of experience and does this every day. I want you to come with me to a support group so that you may see and understand the changes it has already had in other peoples lives, and so hopefully you can help encourage me to make that same positive and HEALTHY change in my life. This is something that I want to do for me, and for my family- so that I can become a HEALTHIER me, and enjoy what is left of the rest of my life, being the person who has been living inside this "fat body" all these years.... I struggled with this and was pained at the thought of hurting you, but was still hesitant about telling you. I feel either way you are going to feel like I am doing something to hurt you- and I would like every opportunity to help you understand the decision I am making, even if it is for selfish reasons- because I want your support. I know you will love me either way, but I would also like for you to support me. Please take the time and think about it, and let's go through this journey together. Now- like I said- not knowing 100% of your situation- that is what I would say if it were me and my father. Best of luck to you, and remember-- you are the only person you have to answer to. You have to look at yourself in the mirror- and though you should LOVE yourself whether you are obese or thin, you need to be healthy.

My consult/first visit was great!! Did the formalities first with the nurse- height/weight/vital signs/current medications, etc... Then met with my surgeon- he and i looked over my paperwork (that was given to me at the informational meeting) and we talked about past diets, my goals, and he was very supportive- told me that I was making the decision he would between all the available WLS-- that I definitely didn't need to have a bypass or sleeve.... gave me my "to-do list" and then informed me that my specific insurance required a 6 month diet and exercise program that was physican suppervised first-- BUT that my insurance was changing that (no longer requiring it) as of January- so he made some phone calls/sent some emails and get it waived for me.... I was SO nervous- expecting to be judged and all that- but I obviously had no reason for it. It all went great!

Well, my pre-op diet is pretty similar.... except added was also low-sodium broth (which, as i remember from years ago, is one of the only things that actually made me feel "full" when i had my tonsils removed and was on clear liquids....) and I am also in the medical field....

One on the way? So, are you pregnant now?