Babysteppin

Sounds like you're nearing the home stretch! I wasn't really 'freaking out' until today when I got my date...I think it's because the surgery didn't seem real to me. But it's definitely becoming a reality now! I would love to hear how things end up going for you. Hope all goes well!

I like the Syntrax nectar the best out of everything I've tried. I love the sample packs so that I can switch things up often. But I always buy the big tub of the vanilla bean torte flavor. It tastes good, and I think it's the most versatile because I mix all sorts of flavorings into it...things like: unsweetened cocoa powder (why pay separately for chocolate shakes when I can make my own!), spoonful of instant coffee, PB2, flavor extracts (cocoa powder w/ mint extract yummy!), even spoonfuls of sugar free Jello or pudding mix powder! My fave right now is blending the vanilla Nectar w/ frozen raspberries and a spoonful of lime jello powder. Tastes like rainbow sherbet yumm.

woah, didn't know those huuuge pictures would show up!!! yikes!

This was the case for me, with my family. Initially they weren't 100% supportive, but I realized it was just because they were worried about me. Any surgery is a totally valid reason for family to worry in general...but in my family's case it was because they didn't know anything about the procedure itself. Showing them some YouTube animation videos really helped them come around, because it wasn't an unknown to them anymore. To ease their worry even more (you can tell I really planned this out!), first I showed them the clip about Lap Band...then 2nd, the clip about the Bypass...and then I showed them the Sleeve clip last - because to me, I think the Sleeve is somewhere 'in between' and it helped family to have better perspective of how the Sleeve is a great alternative to the other 2 procedures. Just sharing what worked for me. Here are links to the clips I used if it helps: Lap Band: Roux-en-Y Bypass: Sleeve Gastrectomy:

Both are fabulous in my book! But Butterthebean is right about inches being directly linked to your overall health, even more than the pounds. Often times a loss of inches can mean you're building muscle, which helps strengthen your metabolism...or it can mean that your body is losing its 'visceral fat' which is all the unhealthy (and dangerous) fat that accumulates in and around the internal organs of the body. Either way, losing inches is good news.

Sounds like you're almost there! That's wonderful. I just had my final NUT appointment, and she's clearing me for surgery. I have an appt with my PCP next week, and then I'll be submitted to insurance. I'm thinking my date might be right around when yours is.

Oh wow, didn't know you were from Beantown too! I've heard great things about both MGH & Lahey's programs. I chose Mount Auburn's Weight Mgmt Ctr in Waltham and they've been absolutely wonderful so far. We're lucky to have our pick of great hospitals.

A few years back I told myself, ok...I'll try losing the weight ONE more time, and if it fails...THAT'S IT, I'm having the surgery. So I sort of 'scared myself straight' in losing it all...agaaain. But needless to say - I gained it all back...agaaain. (All 160lbs of it) I realized I just can't do this anymore. I can't keep going through the wonderful high's of losing, only to crash and burn into the low's and disappointment of gaining it all back. So I literally said to myself, "Stop the ride, I want to get off." I know I'm a 'professional dieter', and I can lose it all when I set my mind to it. But for me, it's just keeping it off that I need help with. My 'full switch' is broken, and I'm hoping to use this new tool as a way of retraining my brain to recognize when I'm full, and to be more likely to stop when I'm getting there. Also, my doctors have told me that my body just goes into panic mode when I'm at a lower weight...my bio-chemistry goes haywire, and I get hungry all the time and put on weight just by breathing!! lol. So there's the whole biology part working against me too. I can totally relate about going through all the pro's and con's until it all jumbles together...I did it for over 6 months. But I think it's important to take your time through that phase, and to learn all you can from books, online, and those who've had the surgery....so that in the end, you'll know with your mind and your heart what is right for you (or not right for you). Good luck in whatever path you choose! And ask lots of questions on these boards! The folks on here are so awesome, and I couldn't have decided either way without them. :wub:

As someone who is still pre-op, this is absolutely encouraging (and comforting) to hear. I cannot wait for it to happen to me too! Thanks

You could maybe make a veggie chili with beans, and/or morningstar farms veggie crumbles. You can't go wrong with chili

I use Syntrax nectar powder. A big tub of it is a little pricey, but it goes a long way. So far it's the best tasing I've found, and there are a lot of different flavors. I get mine in bulk from The Vitamin Shoppe, but first I tried a sampler pack to see what I liked. I got it from here: http://www.bjsbariatrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=bjb&Product_Code=synSamplePack&Category_Code=syn I like to blend in things like frozen fruit, PB2....right now my fave is a spoonful of cocoa powder with a spoonful of intant coffee powder...it tastes like a cafe mocha! Also like cocoa powder with a few drops of mint extract. Believe it or not, using a couple spoonfuls of either sugarfree Jello powder, or pudding powder to flavor the shakes is great too. Hope this helps!

Nice!! That's gotta feel pretty amazing.

I wouldn't be a true New Englander if I didn't take a moment to complain about the weather. But this nor'easter in Boston is ridiiiiculouuus! I wonder when we'll be able to go outside again. Sunday?...Monday, maybe? Ah well, it's Beantown...we can take it. On the plus side, my arms are gonna be wicked jacked after all the shoveling is over!

Yup, pretty much:

I just LOL'd watching the news, when I heard the newscaster say: "and the governor is saying to Boston: Stay off the road, or else."

I dunno, but it must be A LOT!! I know it's high impact aerobic activity, and it works out pretty much every large muscle group in your body. Who needs a gym membership, eh?

That's true, we've been really lucky so far this winter. You're so right about everyone and their mother stocking up on junk food (and booze) whenever there's a blizzard, heh heh. I'm gonna try to stay occupied with one thing or another till this thing is over....and I've already told myself that wing eating challenges don't count!! Good luck down there in NJ!

Hi there! I'm from Winchester. Decided to go with Mt. Auburn. The surgery will be at the main hospital in Cambridge, but their actual Weight Mgmt Center is in Waltham which helps, because it'll be an easier commute for me for post-op appts. Hope all's going well for you so far!

Thanks! Going to Mt Auburn

Excellent! I hear they're wonderful. Good luck, you'll do great!

Congrats! I'm from Boston too. Which hospital are you going to (if you don't mind me asking)?

Being pre-op, I've had the same concerns over how much(or more like, how little) I'll be able to eat after surgery. This is a great new perspective to take though...and true! Thanks for spreading the Ah-Ha! around.

Don't really have any advice b/c I'm still pre-op. But it's great to find a fellow Bostonian on here! Best of luck and Happy Bday. I'll bet it'll be a memorable one, because it's the year your life changed for the better!

Thanks for sharing such an uplifting post. I'm a nervous 'pre-opper' and your story helped me today. Congratulations on all of your successes!

I am SO looking forward to having more energy...more mobility(without pain)...not feeling 'invisible' to strangers out in the world...being able to buy clothes in any store I choose(and to actually LIKE the clothes I buy, instead of feeling like it's all I could get.)...feeling a boost in confidence...and generally just feeling comfortable in my own skin! Even if it is saggy and wrinkly by the time I get there.