JerseyGirl68

So happy for you! Best of luck!

Fantastic! Congratulations, you look amazing!

Added a nice 15 mile ride yesterday, 2 more miles walking and 7 walking Saturday. Total: 29 miles

Got in 5 miles to start my month. Good luck everyone!

You can't control being hungry, but you can control what you snack on. Don't keep "bad" items in your house if at all possible. None of us got fat on fruit, granted it does not comfort us like chocolate, but if you're hungry eat. But eat wisely. You can control that. Break things down to what is and what isn't in your control and focus on the little changes you can make that will get you on your way. You took a huge step getting sleeved, I believe you have the strength to start small and those small changes will make for better habits overall. I'm so glad you posted and equally sorry you are struggling. We're here to help. One day at a time.

Not assuming to counsel, but try tackling it one day at a time. Make the best choices you can for today and deal with tomorrow when it comes. You're not done, you can do this. Go back to basics if need be. Stay strong Anna.

What a great gift for you both! I'm sure he will be thinking how happy he is to have his healthier sister around for years and years to come. Have a wonderful trip! You deserve it!

Hey there, I'm just a month ahead of you and can understand the frustration. I copied this months ago from another poster, gmanbat, knowing one day I would need to refer back to it. "You have beaten the greater part of your enemy. It's on the ropes. Kill it. Go over your battle tactics one at a time, cover all the bases. Water, Protein first, exercise, Vitamins, Fiber, sleep, no browsing, and whatever you use in your fight. Accept no excuses, show no mercy, don't lie to yourself. You can take it to the goal and beyond, it is in you. Grab it. Get mad, get mean. Win. " The best part is you know exactly what you need to do, you just need to re-focus your desire to meet your goal. You have come this far. Go for it. Thanks Gmanbat! Good luck.

5.3 walking yesterday, 5.2 walking today and 3 more on the elliptical. Total: 166.4

soups, Chicken or tuna salad, Calzone (but only the inside with a little sauce). Broiled fish . The only thing to watch for is that any foods out would have full fat content. But you won't be eating a lot. First thing I had out was the inside of a calzone.

That is just awesome! Congratulations!!!

It really is a personal choice. I also won't lie about my surgery if asked, but there are some people I did not share it with. I am proud of my decision to have surgery. It was a positive pro-active step in my owning where my health was and doing something about it. Sunshine hit it on the head. This is a tool. You make it successful or not. You have to do the work and make the lifelong changes. Anyone that says it is a cop out, is uninformed. period. That is where I drew the line at who I told. Those close to me that I knew to be open minded and accepting of things they didn't know about, I felt comfortable sharing with. Before I shared with anyone, I had all my own questions answered and knew I could speak from a place of knowledge and facts. I know a bunch of folks that believe what they believe and that is it. I also know people who talk too much about other people's business without all the facts. Those two sets of people I don't share any personal information with. It is my news to share or not share and I asked those I told to respect that. I also have a very close friend who was not as supportive as I had hoped, nothing really negative, but absolutely nothing positive either. Oh well. I can be happy enough for the two of us on this one. I try not to let it effect the friendship. You are making a very positive decision for YOU. Try not to let other's shortcomings influence your feelings on this. If you know you have all your information, and are confident in your surgeon and your ability to follow through, then take comfort in that. Anyone who can't get on board, then you'll have to take this trip without them. Stay strong and good luck on Thursday!!

Best of luck to you!!

When in doubt, do what your doctor recommended. You don't want to progress to quickly, give your body a chance to heal, you are still swollen inside and may not feel discomfort as easily. What works for one, may not work for everyone and with your health, I would err on the side of caution. Good luck and congratulations on your surgery!

Was able to get in 5.3 miles walking yesterday. Total 152.9. I wont' likely see that number again until it warms up. I've found that <36 degrees is brutal. Have a great finish to the month everyone!

I'm in! I'm Chris. In October I managed 150+ miles walking and biking thanks to some beautiful autum weekend mornings where I was able to get in long rides. With the cold weather and earlier darkness upon us, I don't think I will reach that this month. I'm aiming for 100 miles. Good luck everyone!

Added 12.5 this morning, total 147.6. The cold weather is going to get tough.

I agree with the posters above about you being able to enjoy the same things after surgery. From your original post you stated that it wasn't quantity that is your issue, it's what you're eating. Sleeve or no sleeve, if you're not committed to making those changes than it might be something you want to tackle before you have surgery. The best thing you can do for yourself is be honest going into it. You may not be willing to give up the vices just yet and that's ok. Only you will know for sure. For me, I was ready and willing to change whatever I needed to for this to work. We all have our 'a-ha' moments that start us off. Surgery sounds great and "easy" to some but there is work involved and you have to be ready for it to get the most out of it. The sleeve will only limit how much you can put in , not what you eat. I applaud your willingness to question yourself and get feedback. I think we are all stronger than we think. For me, the desire to be healthy far outweighed my desire for certain foods. All that being said, I do not regret one single minute I've been sleeved. It was what I needed, when I needed it. I feel better, I look better and I enjoy my life in more ways that I did before. Good luck!!

Welcome! Glad you shared your story, so many of us can relate. Best of luck going forward!

To this day, the only thing I ever really crave is a good burger. I'm post op, but remember pre-op well. You have the right attitude, stay strong.

Got in 5.2 miles at the park last night. Total 135.10

Awesome! Lots of high Protein options now that you are cleared. Greek yogurt, chili, even lean delii meats. I sometimes order a turkey sub, no bread, no mayo just a little oil/vinegar. I get the flavor and none of the carbs/fats . if you cook at all check out theworldaccordingtoeggface.com and emilybites.com lots of easy to follow recipes all geared toward diets after bariatric surgery. God luck and congratulations on a great start!

I'm surprised that the office won't call for you. My doctor is out of the same office, and I could'nt set a date before I had my approval also. Stay tough, it will come. These two may not have any effect on each other, but I know at the office, we have been having a bear of a time getting info from Horizon this month. They claim it's because of all the new Obamacare regs, they needed all hands on deck to get that straightened out. I don't think taking longer is an indicator of denial. I think if they found something to deny you for it would be quick. I also can't imagine them submitting if they thought your paperwork wasn't in order. I think I've said this before, but hoping for a day or so turnaround was just that.. Hoping. It can take a few weeks, in my case (also Horizon BCBSNJ) just a day or so over a week. Nothing you can do but wait, try not to let it get the best of you. Keeping you in my prayers for a quick answer.

Interesting topic. I decided last June I was going to take steps toward surgery. My start weight was from that day. I think it was probably my highest weight , at least if felt that way. So as to not confuse what I lost post op, I have it in my signature what my Day of Surgery weight was. But for me, my journey started the day I made the decision to move forward, and all my efforts had the same goal in mind, so I count it!

Congratulations!! Good luck with your test and have a smooth recovery!!