Marty McSkinnystein

July 16th....I have 7 weeks before I return so they're gong to see quite a difference. I'm a teacher.

Just today I told the "Zumba girl" at work- skinny, perfect, hard body. I could tell she thought "Just do Zumba" in her sing songy sweet way...she IS extremely happy as these exercise people tend to be...(lol...as if it's a coincidence). But she put her arm around me and said something like "I'll be thinking (or praying?? maybe) for you" and crossed her fingers. And I know she was sincerely in my corner but she "KNOWS" that all all need is a good nutritionist and exercise. She doesn't have another experience, right? So how could I blame her- or anyone else for that matter, when they just don't understand. Hey, I didn't "believe in it" either for a long time. I thought calories in, calories out. Until I was educated about what happens for real with obesity.

Thank you. I'll be around with updates. P.S. I don't understand cabin fever. If I could live with my computer, t.v. and books (and wonderful hubby) I'd be fine. About a week before school starts I think about how I want to be productive and look forward to the kiddies...but apart from that...pfft....happy to be home. And that's the rut I've been in. I'm going to shock a lot of people by getting out.

My surgery is on July 16th and I'm a teacher. I don't have to go back to school until, I believe, Sept. 1st. I don't have children and generally no plans except to see friends and family and do whatever house stuff and teaching preparation for the fall. I plan to do the major moving of crates and organizing of all sizes 6-24 that I have BEFORE surgery. It's kind of a double-edged sword because on the one hand, what a blessing to have so much time to do whatever is needed (esp. if complications- which I am not going to even entertain- positive attitude ) walking, weighing food and writing it down--but on the other hand I will have sooooo much time to THINK and possibly feel sorry for myself (even though today I'm 100% on board and ready). I mean, if I were working I wouldn't obsess over every healing thing happening in my body. So, if you have or had this luxury I have, how would you spend the time? What do you recommend I do to for example prepare to make life easier when I do return to school in the fall? What do you wish you had done? I do have every book written on weight loss surgery to read- so that's another thing I'll do.

Thanks for all the responses. I think mypureed is that long too..That was why I was so glad- getting used to the new way of eating, getting in enough fluids, and not burping, vomiting or whatever stuff some say happens to them. Again, not expecting it but certainly with little kids and the nature of my job (not being able to go to the bathroom for hours etc.) makes it hard in the beginning. Okay, so I guess I'll remain active, make plans now, and try to keep my mind and body busy. At this weight I've been so in pain that I've generally used the summer to hide away from people in air conditioning and "relax" (i.e. loaf around) and eat. So I'm going to need to follow all this advice and really force myself to change in many ways. I do believe I'll enjoy it too because for the first time in a long time I'll have energy and feel better about my body.

Congratulations! I'm pre-op and I'm looking forward to shocking others AND MYSELF it's been so long! I'm going to pass mirrors and wink at myself.

That describes how I feel lately. But.... someone on here said recently, I guess she's a year out, that she eats much less (like a third) but there's nothing she can't have IF she wants it. We don't have to pig out. But it's nice to have in the back of our minds that if we wanted one bite someday, we could. I'm planning to be super strict for awhile to maximize that great losing time...and in that time I believe I will realize those foods weren't what I always needed- it was happiness from real, important things I needed.

YES <<<<(that's a happy period)

I was in a very silly mood. You know..the SKINNY name... immigrants who change names... You had to be there.

Thanks for the info. I'll try that too. Yesterday I went to Vitamin Shoppe and bought $80 worth of all kinds to try. The person working there said her mother had the surgery and she even hooked me up with samples/bars. She uses a lot of them so I got reviews (and they had rows and rows!!- too many decisions). She even explained how I'll be able to have this now, this right after and this later- pretty cool how they understand the bariatric patient- two hospitals are within a few miles of the store. I have only a small amount of all the ready to drinks in many flavors and a few powders. They say your tastes can change so that's why I just bought a little of each. People rave about Oh Yeah RTD so I got that in like every flavor. Also I got many Isopure flavors to use as the clear drink for immediately before and after. I am on a lose 14 lbs. diet before my surgery so I figure starting with the Protein is good now too to fill me up. Whey is an acquired taste so I'm going to hang in there to get the most protein in the least liquid-- hopefully I can stomach it (pardon the pun) after surgery...

I bet the same people who talk about this are the ones who are less private in general. I tend to be an open book, everyone knows my business- but I know many people who are more private- for all different reasons. I do have a little bit of defensiveness with this not wanting to have to explain the whole metabolic process, blah, blah, blah to people who say here's a great program to try instead of "SUCH A DRASTIC...." Also, I have a teeny bit of superstition-- I only want good vibes my way. Example if there's some co-worker thinking "She'll probably gain it back" I don't want that energy coming my way.

Hey FutureSkinnypants, when you come to country you change name. We stay McSkinnystein and proud we are.

I want to know the truth about this. As a teacher my health insurance is awesome. However when I retire I will have to deal with getting insurance. Yes, it's probably about ten years away but I think it's a concern. First I read a post here about it (someone denied) and I have googled the subject and found info. from some years ago about how difficult it is to be insured after the surgery. Assuming you're at goal weight and an insurance company funded the surgery wouldn't it stand to reason that they would see you as healthier?? Does anyone here work for an insurance company or know the deal about it?

Well "yada yada" signifies weight loss surgery where I come from so technically..... Yeah. I personally would not outright lie. That's why this questioning. If there's a way to NOT say it that wouldn't be lying I'll find it. Otherwise this is a little scary to me.

It seems it'd be more difficult because they say what's left is tougher skin- harder to stretch. I sure wouldn't want to work that hard to try it.

You are probably feeling much sexier from having the surgery and you need to hold onto that. This man is interested. Stay focused on the sexy feelings you get when you're with him and try to push the self-consciousness away. Sexy is all in the mind. I've always maintained a sexy attitude even at my heaviest. I'm much more self-conscious at this high weight but when my husband says I'm beautiful- I believe he definitely sees that- even when I don't. So- if he's worth it- your skin won't matter- what's inside it does. You really have to risk it for love. :wub: Good luck! In related and funny matters, read the thread that starts "This may be inappropriate but.." in post op. (warning: it's explicit)

Yeah, I'll just write under surgeries...."Gallbladder, yada yada...wisdom teeth..."

You're allergic to being skinny. Sorry. Hope you get answers soon!

Ah the irony that her great-granddaughter's name is GeauxForit.

Maybe we can win a Pussiter Prize award for this thread.

Me too! July 16th and gall bladder coming out.

I'm a teacher and once took a class in which an activity was designed to take the stigma, I guess, out of the words we (and our students) might use for all genitalia, and sexual intercourse. We teachers gathered around big chart paper and in groups moved from one word to the next and had to list all the terms we could think of for each. At the end of the activity a reporter had to read all the slang terminology for each word. It was so much fun (and we sure learned a lot from the high school and middle school teachers)!

I so agree. It's been fun to see where it's gone from day to day. "Shades of Grey"- HUMPH! We gotcher sexy, exciting reading right here!

How do you explain it if you're a klutz like me and the balls fall out and you trip over them and break your neck while running on the treadmill. "I was...um...er...ah... just put the cast on." -not that I can't keep them in with the best of them......(oohoooh she went there!!!)