mykdzmom

@@mclorrie Thanks, at my next monthly weigh in I will ask for a referral.

Sounds like you are doing an amazing job! Congratulations!!

No, not yet. I am in month 3 of 6 in the pre op supervised diet, so I figure around June. It seems as it will never get here. I am just trying to gather as much info as I can and make behavior mods until then.

I love this! Each month I chose one or more of these to attack (I am in 6 month pre op diet) and then carry forward. It makes me feel like I am already contributing to my success when I look back and see that I am able to make the changes and stick with them. I haven't had a carbonated drink since December which was really hard for me, but now even my family knows not to order them for me. I think I will start the tracker this month. I have been pushing it off, but I need to know what I am actually eating. Thanks everyone for such great posts! @@vixen1978 - I am right there with you on the waiting...

@@Seahawkgirl great idea for the intros Glad to hear you were able to download on a Nook. I am going to give it a shot. Glad to meet everyone! I am a 45 year old mother of two daughters 15 and 18 years old. I have been married for 22 years and we live in Opelika, AL. I was born and raised in Georgia but we relocated to AL 7 years ago. @@mclorrie I am going to download the book today and get started. It is rainy here so perfect timing. Update - I had my sleep study this week and I do have sleep apnea. I have to go back for a second night to get my machine and they will adjust my settings as I sleep. Question: How did you get your cardiac clearance letter? Did your primary refer you?

A-maaaa-zing!!!! You look fantastic!

I am thinking this thru right now myself so I was glad to see your post. I plan to use the same approach as I did for my hysterectomy. I emailed my manager and told him that I needed some surgery, that was planned for mid year, and that the surgeon was shooting for June. I told him I wouldn't have a firm date until the surgery schedule opened up for that month (what my Dr. told me) and he really didn't question it. He just asked me if I was ok, and I told him everything would be just fine and thanks for asking. He left it at that and thanked me for letting him know in advance. I never gave it a second thought. I plan to follow the same pattern for this surgery and I do not plan to tell anyone what the surgery is for. That is just my personal decision. If I didn't plan to use FMLA, I would just take vacation and say nothing.

@@mclorrie I wanted to as well, but I have an old Nook (only Barnes & Noble). Alex posted how to purchase / download it on the Nook, but I have not tried it yet. Let me know what you think of it if you decide to get it. Great reviews so far.

I love it!

@@Engteacher same here. Let's do this already! I am circling June 17th hoping that's my date.

Glad you are doing better. Sounds like you are on the right track!

@Elode you look fan- tabulous! Such a beautiful face and you look so alive! It is just so hard to believe how much our bodies change. Can't wait until I am there! Enjoy ~

@Seahawkgirl & @mclorrie Thanks for sharing the post about the psych eval. So glad you are both done with them. I have been pushing that off until last, but I am gathering my courage..lol.. I am also half way and getting really pumped. @remzel I know you had to be really dissapointed, but we are right here with you. My BMI is just over 40 too, so I have been trying to focus on one new behavior modification per month as a goal. My first one was to stop drinking all carbonated drinks. It was hard for me, but I am proud that I have not had one since December. The second month I started making sure I was drinking 60 oz of Water a day. This has been harder for me that I realized.. In the coming months I want to stop drinking during meals, and drop caffeine (coffee is a true love for me ) so that all the changes will not hit at once. I had read several veteran posts here that said that one of the things they would have done different is start the behavior mods sooner, so I am going to try my best to do that. I really, really want this..

@laurenella82 Glad you are feeling well! Your dad sounds adorable Keep us posted!

Great group indeed! I am not sure why, but I am anxious about the psych eval. I guess I just feel like once again I am being judged.

Yay!!! I am just thrilled for you and can't imagine how much the kido's enjoyed having you ski with them. You are taking back your life and I just love it. I also want to ski. I never have and it is one of my goals post op. I am excited about the weight loss that is to come, but I am most excited about removing the restrictions that are associated with being overweight. This post really made me smile! Thanks ~

I enjoyed reading this post. Thanks for your honesty and I am so thrilled that you are making progress. I understand your pre surgery comments about getting close to a goal and then feeling some sort of accomplishment only to abandon it yet again for food. It is the reason I did not follow thru with my WLS in 2012, and the reason I am in the pre op journey again today 20 pounds heavier in 2015. I know that you will continue to have success. Keep your chin up and press on!

Well, that just changes everything doesn't it! Choice is powerful. Kudos!

Hello! I think I will be a June sleever as well. I am at the end of month 2 of 6 months Physician supervised diet for Insurance approval, so I figure my surgery would be in June. I have completed my baseline blood work panel, and I am scheduled for my sleep study next Thursday. I still need the psych eval and cardiac clearance, so I am trying to just nail one a month to keep from being out of work too much and to keep myself sane while I wait...lol.. My surgeon has not mentioned the endoscopy so I guess he doesn't require one. One thing that has helped me with the wait is attending the local WLS support group. They welcome folks who have not had the surgery yet and they (at least the folks at my local group) are so welcoming and will answer your questions and love to share their stories. I have attended two and wouldn't want to miss one. I am following this topic.

I enjoyed this post. It is always great to slow down and remember what is really important, wherever you are in life. Thanks Alex

You did it! You look amazing and I have enjoyed many of your posts and words of encouragement. Thanks for sharing your plan and I am sure you will have no problem reaching your stretch and maintaining. God Bless ~

Oh MY! It looks like you had an amazing Valentine's day. You looked absolutely amazing. I have to say that has to be the coolest chandelier I have ever seen and the level of detail in the table, and dinner... wow...

Ok, so I am going to be a Sharpie.. lol... I wonder how large the average stomach is before? Great chart

Hey Minniegirl! I asked mine and he uses the 40fr like the others have mentioned due to less occurrence of leak / complication. He also mentioned that there was a good bit of conversation at the convention he attended this past year among the surgeons there surrounding the loose or tight wrap around it which would also have an impact on the size. I was satisfied with his answer as his leak rate is well below national average.

Just wanted to say good luck on your journey. I have checked out the blog The World according to eggface, and there was a lot of good ideas there for all stages.