2BThinAlways

I would avoid fruit juice because of the carbs, but they always have diet soft drinks available.

I'm headed to Mexico for surgery on March 27. I'd be waiting ten years or more if I wanted to have surgery here

Yes, I did ... here's my experience: In 2004, when I weighed 330 lbs, I had a surgical consult with a very good surgeon here in Canada. I qualified for surgery but the waiting list was years long. This surgeon raved about Atkins and inspired me to try it. The first 30 lbs was gone fast, but then I lost slowly, with stalls. However, when I reached 270 I was happy to take myself off the waiting list (this is when my BMI dropped below 40). I continued to stall off and on but I did eventually make it as low as 255 lbs. I found Atkins quite restrictive and tried various other plans, along with stretches of not dieting at all. The constant feeling of deprivation while dieting was disheartening. I was frustrated that no matter how much I felt like I was sacrificing, I couldn't seem to get down below the mid-200s ... a huge quality-of-life improvement from my all-time high of about 350, but still undeniably fat. Over time, I chose to eat more and diet less and gained back to 290. I knew I had to try something different, and I began paying more attention to the medical literature regarding outcomes of surgery versus dieting. That's when I decided to have surgery after all, and I'm thrilled to be able to choose the sleeve now, because I was freaked out about potential malnutrition issues around bypass. I believe, now, that for me I will need surgery to achieve a sustainable weight under 200 lbs. That's why I'm doing it.

I see you're in Canada (so am I) and so I'm wondering if that 12-18 months wait list for surgery might not turn out to be much longer. I've heard it's TEN YEARS if you're a "healthy" morbidly obese patient here in Nova Scotia (that seems criminal to me). I wonder, have you considered going abroad for the surgery if that would be possible for you? That's what I've decided to do. You could be having surgery within weeks if you could go that route. That said, if I were you and the 12-18 months wait was necessary, I would probably work on eating right, exercising a LOT, and try for a baby right away. Perhaps you could put yourself on the waiting list for the surgical consult at the same time so that you're at least in the queue? Good luck with it all!

If you switch out the grapes with berries and switch the yogurt to a sugar-free yogurt (or maybe greek yogurt that you mix up yourself with stevia or Splenda), it could make a pretty big difference Edited to add: You could probably find a lower-carb protein bar and protein shake too ...

Good luck, Rachael! Hope you will keep us posted

So good to get an update, Capt Derel! I've been watching for it Hope that 90% is up to 110% very soon

My surgery is $4500 plus airfare and a hotel night before the surgery. I feel fortunate to have found a doctor who is both affordable (for me) and experienced so that I could just go ahead and get it done

I decided around the third week in January and scheduled for March 27 ... but I think I could have likely booked something in mid-February. I booked later because of my own scheduling needs.

I'm not saying this to lecture, but just in case there is a chance that you are unaware: eating any sorts of solid foods this early after surgery can cause your stomach to leak, which can become a life-threatening complication. I'm not judging you; every single one of us struggles or we wouldn't be here. I hope that you find the way to keep your eating safe for you and your sleeve. Hugs!

I'm thinking of growing edamame in the garden this year ... how soon after surgery were you able to start eating it?

I loved reading through this thread today, seeing the old posts and looking at the signature tickers to see how successful people had been. And then to see Holly's update! So inspirational! Congrats to each and every one of you!

Anger's a really strong trigger for me too You did well!

It's definitely a shock to the system! Hang in there

I used to ride horses but I haven't for maybe 25 years ... it's definitely on my to-do list when I get smaller

Capt, I'm so excited for you Sounds like you are right on track! Have you got a bunch of post-op clear Protein Drinks as well? Fingers crossed for you that your cold clears up entirely before surgery. I got a flu shot on Friday because I've been paranoid about getting sick before or after surgery ... Please keep us posted!!

I've booked my surgery for March 27 and it's been a few weeks since I booked so I guess my subconscious has had some time to work with this ... and last night I had the craziest dreams. In my first dream, I had just been sleeved, woke up, and was making my way home. And on my way home I was snacking on almonds. Suddenly (still in my dream), I realized what I was doing and was horrified! I was going to ruin my sleeve, get a leak, and all sorts of disastrous things because here I was absentmindedly munching on almonds hours after my surgery! When I woke up for a few moments, I was SO relieved that it was just a dream. I wonder, did anyone else get these sorts of anxiety dreams about "what if I eat the wrong things"? On the bright side, after I fell asleep again, I kept dreaming about life post-sleeve and dreamed about being in a thinner, lighter body with a vividness I have never had in my waking imagination

Similar dream last night, only this time it was a spoonful of mashed potatoes immediately after surgery (as if!) ... I guess my subconscious mind is really working on all my anticipation and anxiety

That's so cool!

Exactly my reason as well.

I'm doing it alone too, but I'm already lucky enough to know of someone else from here who is also going on the same day

Great advice, thank you so much!!

Congratulations and thanks so much for sharing your experience! Did you spend the night in San Diego the third night after your surgery? I'm tempted to do that too. I'm also going to be flying back to Canada after the surgery. Was there a lot of walking at the airport in San Diego? I'm a bit nervous because I occasionally tend to have low blood pressure and faintness and I'm going to be traveling alone... Loved reading your account and I'm so excited for you!

I'm fully expecting to feel exactly the same anger you do. We have been treated as "less than" so consistently and for so long. I'm glad we're talking about it. Thank you for writing this post!

Helen, congratulations! Your photos are amazing ... I absolutely could not recognize you in your before picture! Inspiring!