MINI-Me

I was out with friends and my choices were not great. I was starting to beat myself up when I realized it was silly. I'm human. Today's "bad" choices do not rule my life. It doesn't mean that my journey is over. And, when I put it in myfitnesspal.com, I was just over 1000 calories. Pre-surgery, would you ever have beat yourself up for limiting your calories to 1000? OK ... today is done and tomorrow is a new day filled with all kinds of new choices. Rock on!

Congratulations and thanks for posting. It's always encouraging to see people make their goals (or surpass them)!

I second the idea of taking him to a seminar with you. They really lay it on the line that this is a disease & you are not taking "the easy way out". This is treatment - and it's not fullproof. You have to work and be committed to get results.

Sorry you are having a rough time. eggs are hard for many people - especially 5 weeks out. Toast can also be a problem. Protein shakes are nasty - I agree. How do you do with refried Beans, cheese, Soups, etc.? Have you been able to eat any meats?

From my experience, the medical loan companies have very high interest rates. They kept telling me that because of my excellent credit, they were finding me great rates. I had to laugh, my credit card had a lower rate. We ended up taking out a HELOC Loan instead at 3%. The best rate I got from medical financing was 8% + fees. You may also want to try a personal loan from your bank. Like I said, it was just my experience, but I thought the medical financing companies were much higher than my other options.

Spydersong ... I am so happy for you. Dr. Umbach is great and very personable. Can't wait to see your YouTube posting.

Good for you! (Though, don't feel too guilty ... we understand your point of view too.) But, he sounds wonderful. Some smooching is probably just the thing to make it all right again!

I couldn't get past it either. I ended up finally finding Any Whey ([ame=http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Instantized-Protein-2-7-Pound/dp/B000GIUQOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1271715736&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: 100% Any Whey Protein: Health & Personal Care[/ame]) and Unjury Chicken Soup (unjury.com) ... I put 1/2 Scoop of Any Whey into my yogurt to boost it up 9g of protein and use the Unjury (mix with 4 oz of warm, not boiling water). Unjury will send you sample packets so at least you aren't stuck with a tub of something you can't stand. Never tried the other proteins since my surgeon was strict about only using Whey protein. Best of luck - it's no fun gagging stuff down. Hopefully others will chime in on their discoveries.

No, my husband has kept very mum and was starting to feel guilty telling people "she's just REALLY watching her portions". Poor guy, I felt sorry for him & ended up telling the people who had been asking. I know it's your body and your privacy, but I feel for your husband. He is so proud of you and wants to shout it from the rooftops. Maybe you could push that energy into something the two of you can enjoy! :crying:

I'm so sorry - straws have helped me tremendously in getting in all my liquids. Maybe it will just take a little more time.

I am really proud of you & your success so far. As we talked about in PM's last week - you are DEFINITELY going to prove that surgeon wrong!

Glad we can help. I love this site too. I have a wonderful husband who truly supports me in every way he can. Unfortunately, he just doesn't "get it" - he's naturally thin & doesn't understand what it is like to be obese. I think he's coming around. I know he sure is um .... "appreciating" the new me. :biggrin2:

Before I had surgrey, I told very few people. I wanted it to be private and asked those I told not to say anything. While they had questions, they were very supportive. To be honest, I think part of my reservation of telling people was that I was afraid I might fail. What if I was the one that the surgery didn't work for? What if I only lost a few pounds or gained it back shortly afterwards? I mean, everyone who knows me, knows that I am always dieting... But, I am a bit different now. I definitely don't tell everyone, but I do tell people who seem generally interested in what's happening to me. I mean, you can't very well hide a 40 pound loss, can you? I don't want to come across as secretive or dismissive of their questions. So far, I've only had one negative response. It's been great having the support. And for one negative, I'm not really blaming her. We haven't seen each other in about 2 years - I was so excited and just gave her the whole story really quickly. What I didn't know, is she has a friend who is battling stomach cancer. So, I guess I really freaked her out. After all was said and done, she is still concerned, but excited to hear about my progress.

You said it! :thumbup:

Awesome work!

I'm almost 12 weeks post-op. I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism for 16 years. I think I've done really well & my TSH levels are in the normal range. I go tomorrow for another check-up of the levels.

I do not experience real hunger. Like Tiffy, my body signals (sometimes) that I need fuel, but not like the hunger I used to have.

Yep! That's me. Sounds like you are doing awesome - 52 is great! You will start noticing the sizes changing very soon now. Say hi to Monica.

I think many of us can identify with what you wrote. I don't know what to say except be true to yourself and learn to love who you are. Love may come or it may not - but you always have to live with yourself. Hugs to you.

So ... has anyone else had a day where you were totally able to eat more than usual, but the next day your restriction was so tight you hardly got anything down? That happened to me today. Weird!

You betcha I am ready. I've got my plan all ready to go!!!!! We are going to be two of the healthiest, hot babes around. :001_tongue:

I'm sory you are having such a difficult time with pre-op. I didn't have a plan like that, but I'm sure I would have had problems too. Just try to take it one day at a time, or one scoop at a time. You will get through this. As far as post-op, MOST of us had difficulty getting in our Protein the first weeks or even that first month. It will get easier. Just remember that it is temporary - you will be back to real food shortly. Best of luck.

Thanks all. I cannot let this become a habit (of course), but this morning I jumped on the scale and I was down 2 pounds. What???? That means, I broke the 40 pounds down mark. Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First of all, welcome and congratulations on your surgery! I live a bit too far west of you for face to face support ... but I'm willing to give a shot at answering any questions you have. And, there are lots of others who will do the same. Can you tell us a little more about yourself? What foods are you eating now? How are you doing with all the changes?

Yes, it can be dangerous to track to others, but for me, it helps to see someone who had surgery about the same time as me & similiar starting weight tracking along about the same. We are both working our tools! :smile: We Are Sleevers and We Are Proud!!!!!!!