Momonanomo

you look gorgeous! I always love your posts; you are very inspiring! I'm the same height, and the thought that I could end up looking as trim and healthy as you look makes my heart sing!

thanks for posting, and congratulations on ALL you successes!

ps -- the 30s can be just as fun --- MORE fun even -- than the 20s, I promise!

ooooh ooh! I love cold coffee too! I have an ice try in my freezer specifically designated to make coffee ice cubes. Then, I can make fresh, hot coffee and poor it over the coffee ice cubes. And I love to make protein-chinos too YUM!

Sorry you're having frustration with your co-worker, that sucks. I can tell you are trying so hard, and you don't need his temptations! But....I just wanted to throw this out there, from a third person perspective: I could be way off base but it sounds to me like this person just plain likes you. Could be romantic, but maybe not, maybe even just as a friend. Either way, the way he always was able to connect with you was through food. And now that's gone and he misses you..... but that's the only way he knows.

Like I said, I could be totally wrong, or I just always want to see the good in people. But perhaps his motives aren't to try to sabotage you (although it seems that way). And just remember, it's challenges like these that make us stronger!

Hi L ~ I agree it sounds like you had a GREAT day.

Good for you on the gym! It's encouraging to me to hear that you've got the energy to do an hour of cardio -- I really do worry how my energy level will be after surgery on so few calories. You sound like you've got this conquered!

I got the call from Mary yesterday that all the records I had sent from various other dr's do add up to 6 months (the required 6 for my insurance). So it's time for Val to schedule me for quickstart! So I'm well on my way and now it's either mid to end of April or beginning of May. Yay!

aloha, B

woo HOOOOOOO that is ah-mazing!!!! Good for you girl!! I am so freekin happy for you!

go get em tiger!

I agree with Jo -- give the new doc a chance (he might surprise you). If he isn't on board with the plans you've already set in motion, get your surgeon to refer you to a better PCP. Don't assume yet though that this new doc won't be on board. Go in there with conviction knowing you're on the path you've chosen -- doesn't matter what his agenda is. Either he's on board with your decision or you'll find a new doctor, simple as that.

best of luck!

Hey! I can't believe it's been 4 weeks already! Sounds like you're doing really well. Do you think the extreme tiredness is from still recovering from surgery, or from the low cal diet? One of the things that has made me move forward with getting the surgery is that my excess weight has zapped my energy and I'm tired all the time....scary to think it could get worse immediately post op before it gets better. Oh well I guess the important thing is that it will get better, ya?

What kinds of protein are you enjoying besides the morning shake & nectar? Are you doing any veggies at this point? How's your hydration ? You're working out like a champ so it must be good!

Thanks for being the trailblazer for me!

And congrats on your successes! Onward!

thanks everyone! I know the majority of my questions are of the just-have-to-wait-n-see variety. I hope to come back in a few months and be able to answer each one with my personal experience.

LifetimeLoser! girl! I read today that you've actually achieved your goal of 30lbs! Awesome! You're doing so well and it sounds like physically you're doing really well as far as recovery from the surgery. I'm so glad! I will ask Dr F for a pic. I'm sure it will be lovely. lol. OOh you should post yours on the board though! People would love to see!

Juny-- I think you're on to something there! I really think, now that you mention it, that 6 mos psych counseling would be infinitely more beneficial than nutritional counseling for most of us. I know me for sure. I've never been afraid to ask for help, so there's no stigma as far as I'm concerned. I ~know~ all the proper diet guidelines. I was a leader for WW years ago for goodness sake! My problem is that I cannot control myself to follow it. And in a way, it messes with my head even more knowing what to do but not being able to do it! I had a dream the other night where I was going into surgery and this disembodied voice said "you need to deal with your food addiction". Ha ! Not very symbolic for a dream is it? My subconscious was being pretty darn straightforward!

Lyra My mom was a military kid, and her philosophy has always been to "walk it off". I've teased that even if I broke my leg she would tell me to "walk it off". BUT...she had a double knee replacement and the reason she has full range of motion now & better than ever is because she was so good about getting up and walking during her recovery!

Lyra you're a sweetheart for having read my whole long-winded post and given me some answers from your personal experience. Thank you!

I also REALLY like your attitude about no remorse. I don't think I'd ever regret it, because I want this change so badly, and I WANT food to not be the focus of my life anymore. So I won't regret it if I don't love food anymore. I think perhaps any remorse I might have will be if I'm hurting a great deal in recovery. I'll just have to enjoy pain meds and know it will get better. If being in a lot of pain even happens. ......Ah, I see that I am worrying about something that may not even happen...that's not very productive is it?

Oooh kickboxing! I hadn't even thought of that! That sounds awesome and I'm adding it to my list!!

I loved reading about your experiences. You've definitely helped. Thank you!

I agree! My sneaking suspicion (and I'm not alone) about the obesity epidemic is that it has its roots in the processed foods that most Americans have come to live on. We live our lives on them and our health spirals down while our weight goes up. Unprocessed, regular food "like peas, chicken, tofu, salad, fish" is no doubt the best way to eat. So while protein shakes n bars n bastard cheetos have their place, they too are really just more of this processed food . We need to get away from the "because it's convenient" mentality as much as possible and have a "because it's good for me" mentality!

what a COOL career you have!! I always thought highly of the people behind Sesame Street, but it's nice to hear that my gut-feeling was right. How wonderful for you! And, now you've got that positive momentum in your life, you can just keep getting better n better!

Congrats on your surgery and your success and all the wonderful things that have happened. I know you have a happy life ahead of you and continued success! I'm so excited for you

Yeah in the past I was always looking for the best deal that would get me the most food...haha. Now I'm trying to find the smallest portions.

ironic isn't it?!

Just wanna say that I love your posts! You crack me up & always have great pics to go along with. Thanks for being entertaining AND inspiring!

Any idea when you will be cleared to do more than just walk?

awesome L, just AWESOME! I'm so happy for you. Can't believe it will be a week tomorrow -- you are a trooper! Looking forward to hearing what Doc says at the 1 week check up!

Aloha! Sounds like you are doing beautifully! I'm so glad!

Thank you SO much for the blow-by-blow Sounds like the drugs are pretty good! Interesting about the smell :/ Of all the things that I have thought will be weird with this journey...I wouldn't have guessed body odor! At least not right away...

And hooray for the fart! hahahaahaha

So does the liquid in the protein you drink count toward your overall fluid quota ?

Keep on rockin girl! Congrats to you!

"not even one lil poof, notta piff, notta fuff"

LOL!

thanks! My mom's coming with me this time -- my husband met him at the seminar back in Dec. We both really liked him. Yes ocd is great in a dr! He seems down to earth as well. Didn't talk to the doc one on one, so I look forward to that. I wonder how many of these he does per week? Per month?

Mary is absolutely awesome -- had a phone consult with her last week. I will have to make at least one more trip, maybe two, before I come for the surgery, so my husband will come next time. I think he's actually still hoping that I will change my mind :/

I would love if you'll give a blow-by-blow of your hospital stay, if/when you're up to it. Do you know what time you're scheduled for the OR? I'll be sending positive vibes your way!!

you rock! 2 more days -- you're gonna do great!

I'm scheduled to come visit Dr F in 2 weeks You're an inspiration already!

lol about the weed dream

I really appreciate that you posted this. WLS is a drastic step and not one to be taken lightly. And even though I've been addicted to this website for months, your post made me stop and really think. I appreciate your perspective.

I sometimes think it's pretty sad that the only way I have a chance to take control of my weight problem is to have part of my stomach removed. If I had only recently developed a weight problem, I would be less inclined to be moving forward with this. But I have tried for 25 years to lose the weight and keep it off. Now my knees are threatening mutiny, and I feel it's time to do something serious, i.e. surgery. As far as not enjoying food like I used to -- I'm ready for that. I want that. My husband, who is very athletic and healthy, is just not that "into" food, and I've admired that. I want to not be obsessed with food and hungry all the time. I want to be a person like my husband who eats to live and doesn't live to eat (yes it's a cliche but a good one!).

If I hadn't tried so many times for so many years only to end up bigger than ever, I wouldn't do this. But I don't want to waste any more time.

The one week count down...... Yaaaay! I'm so excited for you! Good luck on the liquid diet -- you'll do great, I just know it!

Excellent strategy to keep yourself busy

Just think, you're on your way! The journey is beginning!

I went hiking with my husband this past weekend, and as I huffed and puffed (and cheated a little having my big energetic dog kinda pull me up the inclines lol) . I thought of you and of how you said you're looking forward to going hiking when you've lost some weight. OMG I totally agree! I really look forward to really enjoying a good hike!

You'll be doing that before you know it

onward!

Ahh I'm in the same boat -- after attending the seminar I called the surgeon's office and the lady who answered my call kinda indicated that my file had been set aside because my BMI is 'only' a 38. Yeah well the holidays happened since then and I've gained like 10 lbs! No doubt I'm a 40 now. . .

I've got a call in to the dr's office to s specific person who I hope will give me some guidance. I know my patterns, and I know that I'm on my way back up the scale if I don't make a change soon. Do I have to get so much worse before they will accept me in the program? Why wait until I get sick? Why not catch it before I get sick? My knees and ankles and back hurt -- but apparently that's not on the list of what's a comorbidity. I saw my poor mom have to have both her knees replaced, and my grandma before that was wheelchair bound because of her knees. I'm afraid I'm headed in the same direction if I don't get the help I need. But my file has been set aside?

Don't they realize that when I went to the seminar I saw this as a ray of hope? If I was being "set aside" I wish I had been told that! I want to talk to someone who will say a definitive 'yes' or 'no'. Hopefully a 'yes'!

So -- I can relate very much to what you're going through! Being considered "borderline BMI with no comorbidities" is very frustrating!

i hope you and I BOTH get quick response from the dr offices today and that they give us news we want to hear!

Sorry to hear you're feeling not-so-great. A lot of the symptoms sound like Celiac Disease. Including the anemia. Maybe try cutting ALL gluten out for a few weeks and see what happens? I have a friend who is gluten-free and she swears it was almost miraculous how much better she feels now.

best of luck to you!

Hi ! Thanks for the list and cost run-down. I'll be curious to hear what kind of preop diet you're put on and how far in advance!

Question: Does Dr Fowler plan on doing a single incision for your surgery or the traditional multiple little ones? I was very excited when he mentioned single incision at his seminar -- seems like only one puka means easier healing.

I just read this -- Thank you for discussing the binge eating. I'm going to look into getting that book.