Marbear

I just found out that I am to be a March sleever, too. I just got off the phone with the surgeon's office, and 3/25 is my date. My doctor is in the "lose weight before surgery" group, and I am having trouble with that. And I'm really, really anxious about this. Glad to see I'm not alone! Best wishes to everyone!!

b***h isn't a bad word!! dang it.

Love the tofu recipe sue! dee...that is one heck of an allergy. the dairy/nuts/fish/soy/aspartame/gluten/waffles/wheat allergies folks at least get warning labels. Not sure if going vegan will help, but the Skinny b***h ladies have a really good vegan cookbook. Not many recipes online, though. http://www.skinnybitch.net/recipes.html

I have gotten some really good recipes off this site (can sort by vegan, hi protein, ingredients, etc.): http://www.101cookbooks.com/high_protein_recipes/

I've been so encouraged by other people sharing tips and tricks, frustrations and also how they've moved past setbacks. I don't feel so crazy lol. I also found a name for my sudden panicky inhalation of all things edible (last supper syndrome), and am ready to tighten up and lose the liver pounds pre surgery! No date set yet, I am hoping for end of March but I suspect it will be more like April something. Best wishes to you JSI, and congrats on meeting all the goals on that pre op list!

This week I've done several of the pre-op requirements, including the ultrasound, CT scan, support group, nutrition and exercise class, and the psych eval. I think I may have hit the support group on an off night; it wasn't very helpful for me at all. I told the evaluator that I'd found a really active online forum for this procedure, and that I've learned more lurking for an hour here than in any of the classes and groups combined so far. He was very enthusiastic about it and wanted me to keep up with this site. So thanks, all. Everyone has been extremely helpful and I really appreciate being able to read about so many different experiences!

NG, can you get on a day shift as a workplace accommodation? I know you are looking and that isn't necessarily the best time to ask, but just wondering if that was a possibility in your field. Congrats on already fitting into your workout clothes, and for stepping back and recognizing whats going on. I enjoy your posts, thanks for the inspiration.

I am in the paperwork started, met with the doctor, waiting for insurance approval, etc. phase of this procedure. This is a great forum, I've learned so much already! I'm trying to start making changes now so the pre-op diet will be an easier transition. I have a lot of room for improvement! Among other things, I scarf my food down in lion-sized chunks. I have just discovered that I really don't like chewing my food as much as is needed. I get to chew 18 and then I almost can't help swallowing. I really dislike the texture of food when i chew it to a paste. Is this just years of habit? I'm fine with things that are pureed or mush before they go in my mouth, but making that texture with my teeth is just making me icky. How do i retrain myself to chew? Thanks!

I haven't heard the waiting 5 minutes between bites before. That's a long time! I've been trying to practice chewing with my front teeth, kind of nipping my food to death, in an effort to keep it in my mouth longer. I really don't like practicing this at all, but by god this is not going to be my show-stopper. I try to focus on each bite and pretend I'm getting it ready to feed a baby bird. I have a strong aversion to gum as well, no idea why. Maybe I should just eat more to desensitize (I'm kidding!!). Thanks for the replies! ETA: Aaron what is "chewing normally" in terms of chews and timing between bites? I feel silly even asking, pretty sure I should know this lol. Thanks again!