AmyL1352

Hey there, I'm in Omaha and sleeved April 8, 2013. (Dr White at Immanuel Hospital)

Awesome discussion. I found this thread after looking over what everyone's carb intake was. I'm beating myself up lately for consuming 75g a day. Sounds like this is ok. Thanks Butter for putting in some great stuff. There was a lot of misinformation going on. There's one little one though that hasn't been addressed that I'd like to add: If your sleeve was done correctly, meaning that the fundus portion of your stomach was removed, then your sleeve can not stretch. The fundus portion is the stretchy part of your stomach that gets taken out.

I first started with those surgeons that are in facilities deemed as a 'Center for Excellence'. That left me with two centers in my area. My next criteria was how comfortable I was with the staff. Were they helpful at answering my questions? Were the comfortable with me calling them out of the blue with questions? Were they patient? Were they knowledgeable about the insurance process? Those two things helped me decide between the two centers. I chose a center that was farther away; however, the staff was so friendly and actually cared about me as a person. They seemed just as interested as me about my long term success. The other center? I felt like just another patient. I didn't like that feeling.

I just got my insurance approval (yay!) and I meet with the surgeon March 12th to finalize everything and get my date. I'm excited that it's finally happening. And I'm kinda scared that it's finally happening too. I've been working with a therapist to get my mind right for the before and the after part of this surgery (I refuse to call it a journey). I've realized that I'm afraid to try because I'm afraid to fail. So, it's easier if I just do nothing and keep doing what I've been doing. My therapist fully supports my decision to have VSG and says that it will be the kick in the ass that I need. But I'm still afraid. I know that there are people who don't succeed. There are people who are initially successful but go back to old habits. I'm afraid that will be me. I don't want to revert to what I am now. I don't like what I am right now. But but but... This is becoming real and it's scary. I won't back down now because I've not backed down from a fight once I started it. But I'm just so scared of being a complete failure.

Try the hummus with red bell pepper. It gives it a sweet pepper taste. I like putting it on flatout bread. They also make garlic hummus. Word of advice though: check the labels for the Protein. I've found that some brands don't have very much protein in it over others. For example: one brand had 6 g protein in a serving while the other only had 2. I opted for the 6g one to get the much needed protein. My 2 year old also likes it (yay!). I've made him hummus sandwiches (but he licks the hummus out before he eats the bread. weirdo)

Oh good, I'm glad you're in counseling. It will help but it does take time. Not only do you have to identify your stressors but you have to develop strategies in how to deal with them. Don't eat and be on the computer or watch tv (for example). Or when you're craving something that you shouldn't have, picture in your mind eating something healthy...only make it so that in your head, those carrots are the tastiest effing carrots you're ever going to have. Really start to crave carrots...focus on carrots. lol. That's what I started doing when I wanted something from Burger King. I would think of healthier leftovers in my fridge and just think to myself how wonderful the leftovers were going to be. I know for me I have to play mind games for myself. I seriously can rationalize the hell out of anything...but who suffers for it? Me! That's not cool! lol. So, we have to find things that work. Keep your head up, keep trying, don't give in because of a mistake. Just keep swimming.

You know, I think the mental part is just as important than the physical part of this process. I even think that with some of us, it's more important. For myself, I know that the mental aspects were going to be really difficult for me. I had sought counseling a few years ago with a really great lady and so I decided to contact her again. I wanted to sit down with her and figure out how and why I do what I do. Why do I choose fast food instead of healthier options? Why do I get anxiety attacks if I actually do pass a fast food restaurant? How can I move forward? Together we worked on my childhood (what a mess that was! haha) and we figured out the root causes of what made me gain weight. Then we started on strategies that would help me out. Hopefully, your insurance will cover counseling in some forms. If it doesn't, try attending an Overeaters Anonymous meeting in your area. It will help you get your head in the game. It's so important to be mentally prepared so that when we finally get to have the surgery, we're ready to go and we won't sabatoge ourselves anymore.