mwrarr

Darn thing!! Haha posted & left me in the dirt... Ok' date=' so as I was saying... I've done a few VLC diets before & the same thing always happens...my stomach "shrinks" after a consistent 3-5 days. I'm not sure if it literally, physically shrinks or not, but I definitely cannot fit as much in if I try to eat normally one meal. (still pre-op currently) 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I've done super restrictive diets before (250/500/-800 cals) & 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I.E. chocolate? that's my current issue. Well, sugar in general. So, "slider" as in "slippery slope" foods, then....? 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

What's a "slider food"? Is that like if someone gets RNY/band certain soft foods just pass through the stoma/bandstricture too fast? All I can picture is sliders the mini burgers (mmm...dare to dream lol jk!!) 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

My experience has been this... I'm pre-op & down 65# from my HW. & the girls def showed it. I have found that a lot of upper body work will also work the pecs which will sorta lift the girls, but only so far as the skin will bounce back. I lost the 65# in 2008 & have kept it off & noticed that they have bounced back a bit but I'm vigilant with never going braless (except to sleep) & wearing 2-3 sports bras during cardio/vigorous exercise. Specifically, I do yoga 3-4x/wk (great program but I'm afraid to "advertise" on a thread) & calisthenics (old gym-class style: push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, etc) abt 3x/wk, & something aerobic daily, even if it's only a 20 min walk. 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

my surgeon has said that the flintstones would be ok' date=' but that I'd prob have to take 2. I've been taking biotin since 2010 when my sister had RNY. I was jealous of her fingernails & had to know HOWWW? lol I also have been on obesityhelp.com (I think that's the site I saw it on--been all over lately doing research lol) & they had a bunch of info about not losing hair--all related to getting that minimum 60g of Protein in. 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I'm pre-op, mind you...but yesterday I had a twizzler for the first time in a long time & it made me think about my post-op tummy as I could practically feel it all the way down. And for about an hour after. Did the gummies digest well? 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

That's a great idea, thanks! I'm pre-op but trying to get used to regularly ingesting 75g of clean Protein. 3 of those daily would almost get me there -- & w/o soaking up most of my daily calories. :} 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I'm feeling wushu-washy today, too. Maybe it's the stars not PMS, bc that was last wk. Lol the only thing I can say is that NOW, it's real. I've been "toying" with this idea for years but once the exams & appts & referrals started rolling through, the clock started counting down... And it's SCARY! one of my biggest issues is that this is NOT NATURAL. I'm not overly spiritual about my physical body, but it's a little weird to think that I'm going to hack myself up just to make life easier, regardless of the outcome. I think the bad stories here, & the vapid bitterness connected to them is adding to my own anxiety. I'm just committing to more meditation & ignoring the negatives. I say go with your gut. But, it's normal to have some nervous energy, I'd think. 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I just had to do this on Tuesday. I told my coworkers back in August that I "may have to have surgery" (so they could cover my shifts' date=' if I actually went through with this). They obviously asked why, & I said that I have issues with my stomach/guts & may have to have a portion of my stomach organ removed...& left it at that. But after my psych Eval it finally seemed real. So I said "OK...I feel awful but I've sorta been lying to you guys about my surgery..." and fessed up. & they were SUPER supporttive! Way more so than I ever expected. 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

"Pop Chips" have a lot of crunch like a kettle crisp, but a lot less fat/cals. The Special K cracker-chips are good, too, but a little powdery for my taste. As a baker, i can tell you that you're never going to get a replica taste of cake using artificial sweeteners, flour substitutes &/or by trying to make it less-cakey, nor would I recommend it, but there are "diabetic" online bakeries that do low-sugar, etc options. I'm not sure of the name, just use google. There are gluten-free mixes at the grocery, but truly they have just as much (if not more, sometimes) carbs in them. But, experimenting never hurts. 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

That's great! I wish mine was 100% insurance, but I can't complain really. I only have to pay 10% of the surgeon's fees out of pocket, which is about $500. 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I use SparkPeople.com. It is fairly "low cal" friendly. 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

Hellooooooo! :} I don't have a date yet... Aiming for early Dec. Still have EGD & cardiology clearance to go but I'll be done w/those 10/22! Do you have a date yet? 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

AGREED!! 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

That's the Atkins induction phase :} I've been there... Lots of salad.... & steak' date=' can't lie haha 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I know it sounds ridiculous, but I've been afraid of losing too much before surgery...for a few reasons. Let me reverse a bit & say that I have been trying. It's not that I haven't been reducing solids & caloric liquids, increasing Water intake & continuing with my 6 day/wk workouts, but I haven't really gotten the scale to budge yet. Honestly, I was living off 800-1000 cal/day before I was sent to NUT (bc I wanted to move the scale, NOT bc I wanted surg) & GAINED 15# following their advice (which is what actually prompted me to "give up" on traditional dieting & research surg more). Now...I'm afraid that if I lose too much they won't approve my surg. Although, if I could figure out how to drop 50#, I'd keep going & cancel surgery. *leSigh* this really isn't something I *want* to do...I feel like it's my absolute last shot at a normal (sized) life. (& a wedding...& a baby...) 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I don't even wanna know what that puff thing is.... Hahaha 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

SURPRISE!!!!! haha excellent news, chap! Mine is 3 mos WL, which I already have done, but won't finish the referrals until 10/22. I hope my approval is that quick & startling! haha 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

We all have "that moment." The one that becomes the turning point. If this isn't it, you are definitely approaching it. Take your "name" for example...it's fabulous!! :} Before I even read your post, your name made me smile. It's ok to have a moment of weakness & a little "reality check" about how far gone we've let ourselves go...but always always remember that YOU are here on this planet & on these boards for a reason, and you have every right to a teeny pity party now & then, but you have even more of a right to live the life you love, even if you're still creating it. Everything....is baby steps, one at a time. :} 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I have always had a love/hate with clothes shopping, mostly bc I've always been just a bit too chubby, even from childhood. Shoes were a great compromise, until 2 years ago when I got a stress fracture in my foot. I can't wait to LOVE shopping again! :} 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

Hi all :} I have my psych Eval today--finally!! (his office has rescheduled 4x) I have NO idea what to expect from this. I guess I'm afraid he'll not like me or something I say, & shut the whole thing down. Is that possible?!??? OMIGOSH, this & the EGD are the parts of this process that are messing with me the most. Well, here goes nuthin'! :} 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

Thanks ladies! :} I just got home & he said that he doesn't see any reason to not give his blessing for the go-ahead. I have such an intense feeling of relief!! Haha I actually had to stop by work to drop off keys & I finally told them what the big secret's been all about. They basically said "we had a hunch...you're a terrible poker face!" lol Omigosh I feel like it's going to be OK finally. :} 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)