sroan05

I just started using MyFitnessPal again yesterday to help me remember what I ate and calculate my calories. I'm usually good at doing it for a couple of days, but I don't have enough discipline to keep at it; I'm gonna really try though! I'm in Columbus have you had your surgery yet?

I haven't lost any at all ....I've been mostly maintaining, or bouncing between 268-272lbs. I submit my paperwork next month...so in the next 45 days, I want to try to lose at least 7lbs to show that I put forth an effort. Every time I get weighted in at the dietitian appointments, she doesn't seem too concerned with my lack of weight loss. I think you've done awesome so far...I wouldn't stress about it!

Wow. Thank you all SO much for your positive and helpful feedback! I haven't told every person that I cross paths with; but I have told those who I think (or thought) would provide me with support through this new chapter in my life. I find myself getting really sassy...and defensive...when explaining my reasons behind my decision. I think my biggest problem isn't with the people who have never struggled with their weight...it's more the overweight people who I thought would be supportive. Talking to my counselor today, she made a valid point: some people feel like you are "betraying the overweight community." I had someone who is overweight tell me that WLS is cheating and not a tool. I'm really not letting her opinion get to me...but all I wanted to say is "seriously?!" You are all right. This is a choice I've made for ME. No matter what others say, they will never know or understand what it's like to live in my body. I am proud of my decision and I'm so anxious for change to take place. I am grateful for those people in my life that support me...and I'm also grateful for the support from you guys! You're f'n awesome!

I'm so sorry you're at a stall. But remember, you might not see changes in the scale, but that doesn't mean you're not losing inches. I would def listen to my doctor vs the trainer. The trainer is looking for you to gain muscle and have extra calories to burn during exercising. Im sure you're not at the body building stage yet! Lol

Whoo! TWO more days until your surgery!!! Have you heard anything about what time you'll be going in yet? I just got back from a counselor appointment and I had SO much to talk about. She's been really good for me and really supportive. I've been struggling with getting support from my sister. She is also overweight and has been her whole life. She's mad at me because I'm having surgery and I complain about feeling uncomfortable. She says "I have always felt uncomfortable." And she's upset with me because I used to poke fun at her regarding her weight. She never told me that it hurt her feelings...she usually just laughed along. I know, I know, she shouldn't have had to tell me to stop, but I was young and slightly overweight compared to her. So, I asked her if she was going to follow my story on youtube and she said "maybe". I was really upset. Then she began ranting again about how it's unfair...that's when I bluntly said "I am sorry for all the pain I caused you, but this process is about me...please don't make it about you." At the end of the conversation, I finally told her that if she doesn't want to know details, then I won't talk to her about wha'ts going on with me. Blah. Anywho. I actually have myfitnesspal on my phone..I'm just lousey at keeping up with it. I have to be better at tracking what I do though. I know that after surgery, counting protien and other things, will be very essential. I went to the grocery store last night, and made MOSTLY smart choices I was really happy with myself when I got home. This morning, I talked to my boyfriend and told him that he has to be better at bringing stuff that's no good for me around. Like I told him, I don't care what you eat...or even that you're eating it in front of me...it's just when you have extras, it's very tempting for me. He apologized and threw away the pack of donuts (he said they weren't that good anyway.) But GEEZ was it hard for me to see those donuts in the trash!

Hi Sandra...and welcome! This site has been aweseome for me! I started my process back in October. 1.5 months of pre-op requirements and I will be able to submit to my insurance. I'm projecting surgery for April. Where are you at in your process?

Hey JerseyGirlJodi, I have two months left too! I would call UHC and ask them to look it up and see if your doctor's are in-network. When I first started this process, I called UHC just to ask them about what was covered. While I was speaking to them, they asked what hospital I was looking at and the double checked to make sure it was in-network. I think that's the smartest thing to do instead of trying to navigate through a confusing website. Good luck!

It's true that if it's going to happen, it will happen. It's a HUGE change and we're not getting as much nutirents as we were getting before surgery. It's just even more likely to happen if you're not getting int he vitamins and protien. In no way am I a doctor! I'm just stating what I've heard from my doctor.

1. I tried to put on a work shirt and I couldn't even put my arms through because they had gotten so big 2. I couldn't bend down to put lotion on my own feet 3. Wiping after going to the bathroom became an exercise 4. I went to a concert with my friends and boyfriend and I couldn't stand longer than 10 minutes 5. My legs and ankles swelling up from standing too long ...couldn't take feeling uncomfortable in my own body anymore. Looking in the mirror I saw someone who wasn't me.

Hair loss usually happens when you're not getting enough vitamins or protien. I would make sure to continue to take your daily multi-vitamin, plus any other's your doc orders, and at least 70-80 grams of protien a day.

Yes! I'm a sweets girl! They are my weakness...especially ice cream. After my last pre-op counseling, on my way home, I picked up a gallon of ice cream. Lol. Hard to break old habits, but I'm getting better. My boyfriend brought home a pack of donuts last night...grrrr. See, he can eat as many as he wants, he's 135lbs and won't gain weight. When if I just look at the pack of donuts, I gain like 5lbs. Lol. I told him he's going to have to stop doing stuff like that to me...it's touture. My mom had the gastric bypass back in '04, so I'm VERY familar with dumping syndrome. I've heard sleevers don't really get it, but it depends on the person. I'm hoping I'm not one of those people...although it might be a good reinforcer to keep me away from the "bad" foods. I have really learned that everyone's diet and expectations vary from program to program...person to person. It's been SO hard for me to get in eating 6 times a day. I barely eat 2 times a day sometimes...but I'm bad for grazing when I'm bored. I've tried different snacks like Cliff Bars, fruit, yogurt, veggies...but I just don't feel hungry so I feel like I'm forcing myself to eat. I told my dietitian last time I was there that I have to scratch eating after dinner, because my instinct says "DESERT TIME!" Lol. I'm at work...brought a protien shake with me...and I'm gulping down my water. Good luck on weening off of solids. I'm so excited that your surgery is only 3 days away! I'd be so anxious to know my time...I hate having to wait to find things out. Lol.

I have a very flexible job, where I make my own schedule, but I still have to turn in where I went at the end of the week. With all of my medical appointments, dietitian appointments, and pre-op counseling appointments, it seems like I have appointments at least once a week. So in order to reassure my boss that I actually DO have appointments I went and privately spoke to him. I just told him I was having surgery in April and that there's a lot of pre-op things I have to do before I have have it. He didn't ask me what I was having surgery for (because legally, he can't) he just supported me and told me to take the time I needed to take. I've had a few co-workers ask me why I'm having so many appointments and I just tell them I'm having a private surgery...that usually shuts them up and let's them know that you don't want to talk about it.

We actually don't have any snow right now...we've been experiencing all four seasons in a week. One day its 65 degrees, and the next thing you know, we're having a snow storm. Lol. I can't express the pain I felt after climbing all of those stairs! I was with a co-worker, so I didn't want to seem weak and say "let's take the elevator" but, afterward, I wished I would have. I don't smoke. I used to smoke socially, like when drinking...but I gave it up when I found out that per my program, you have to be smokeless for 6 months before you can have sugery. But yeah, I'm SUPPOSED to keep a food journal (I'm not always the best at keeping up with it) and I'm supposed to eat 6 times a day. Impossible! I know after surgery that I'm going to have to eat more often to make sure I'm getting the nutrients I need, but right now, it's hard...especially when I want to eat donuts, cookies and ice cream. Lol. I'm a government employee, so my health isurance plan is pretty good. It's awesome that you've been losing weight on your own, maybe you'll motivate me to lose a few lbs too!

My dietitian currently doesn't have my caloric intake restricted. I've mostly been working on drinking more Water, taking my vitiams, eating out healthier, exercising 3-4 times a week, eating more fruits and veggies, and trying to eat more times throughout my day. I've really struggled with eating more than 2-3 times a day. It just seems like I'm not hungry or I get busy and forget to eat...I'm trying though! I've been on a smoothie kick lately, trying to get my fruits and vegtables in. Also, I've been trying to get in a protien shake in once a day (I usually substitue it for a meal.) I, too, have been struggling with exercising. I try to get in a walk here and there, but I live in Ohio and it's winter. Lol. So the weather doesn't always let me do the walking I need or want to do. I'm glad that I'll be having my surgery in April, that way it'll be spring and I can really get in some walking. I'm also looking to join a gym sometime soon. I need to; I climbed 5 flights of steps the other day (non-stop) and I thought I was going to collapse. I couldn't breathe without coughing for like 3 hours later. I gonna start putting myself on a diet here soon; I'd like to drop a few more lbs before my paperwork gets submitted. So, I went out and got a battery for my scale today. I have UHC as my insurance...so what's expected is pretty standard.

I had planned on a vacation for mid-May, with my projected surgery happening in early-mid April. I decided this weekend to postpone the vacation because I don't know if I'll be completely healed in time. Plus, there will be swimming and lots of food and I don't see being allowed to swim with the incisions not healed yet...and I don't want to jepordize eating something that may make me sick. I haven't paid for the vacation yet, so it's easy for me to postpone it (although I was REALLY looking forward to vacationing soon!) But since you've already paid for it, I would still go. You just have to be mindful of what you eat. I know a lot of people on here are still on puree's a 4 weeks out. All of the walking should be good for you...just take short breaks. Good luck and have fun on your vacation!

Sounds like you had a process to go through. My insurance said I had to go through six months of dietitian monintoring...either that, or 5 years of documented motivated weight loss attempts. So, I'm doing the 6 months. This month is my 5th. I have had little hoops to jump through, but my program has been awesome in making sure that I have everything I need. I'm hoping for a quick approval :::fingers crossed:::: when it's time to apply. Anywho. Sounds like you have had great success thus far, even without surgery! I have gained weight rather than lost. The holidays were a struggle for me...so I'm trying to lose at least another 10lbs in the next 1.5 months. I just ate a donut...so I don't think I'm trying too hard. Ha! You're lucky to be on a clear liquid diet for 2 days. I've been reading a lot of stories on here and it seems like the pre-op diets vary from person to person, program to program. I will learn about my pre-op diet next week when I go to see my dietitian. I'm so excited for you and your surgery coming up on Thursday. Make sure you keep in touch! I want to know how your experience goes.

Let's see...I can't wait to be able climb a flight of steps without thinking I'm going to die, shave in the shower without feeling like I'm having a workout, not to have to slide the towel between my butt cheeks to make sure it's dry, sleep in the same bed as my boyfriend (because he currently cannot tolerate my snoring) and to be able to put lotion on my own feet.

I would try shakes that are high in protien. I've been drinking a protien shake that has 30 grams and is under 200 calories. I'm pre-op with about 2 months left until surgery, so I'm not any particular diet yet...but, when I do get put one, I will only have to drink 3 shakes to get in most of my protien everyday. Plus, there are other options, like adding flavorless protien to what food you are allowed to eat...or even water.

I'm actually really glad that I had to wait 6 months for surgery. Sure, if I had the chance, I would have had it a while ago...but...the wait has been really good for me. I feel like it's important to wait so that you can really learn about what's going to happen and the changes that are going to take place. We've lived our entire lives eating what we want, when we want....we can't just learn new eating habits overnight. My mom had the bypass back in '04 and she didn't have to go any pre-op steps (dietitian appoitments, psych eval, etc.) Because of that, she psychologicially wasn't ready for the change. She didn't have the supports in place to help her learn new habits. So, she still struggles with her weight and never reached her goal weight. Having to wait sounds like a bad thing, but what's having to wait 6 months compared to leading a healthy life for the rest of your life is very do-able.

I would just say "I'm fasting," "I'm trying to do a clensing diet," or "I'm trying to stay away from fast food/resturant foods." And then just move on. That way you won't feel like you're lying, because you ARE on a diet I know we will all be put in a weird eating situation while pre-op or post-op, but we have to stay focused and comfortable with who we share our personal information with. Good luck!

My boyfriend wasn't very supportive of my decision at first either. He would always say "why don't you just go on a diet?" or "why don't you just exercise more?" What he didn't understand is that I've been on a million diets...and I'm depressed, so there's no drive to exercise (not to mention I feel like I can't physically stand it.) As time went on and I explained how much I needed to do it for me, he started to try to understand and slowly came to support me. I know it must be hard to have your husband not support you, especially when our significant others are always the ones we lean on for support. But like erp, maybe you should just stop talking to him about it? Turn to others who are supportive of your decision. Because the fact of the matter is, you're doing this for YOU...so you can live a healthier life. But at the end of the day, only you can decide if it's the right choice for you and your marriage. Good luck to you!

Hi! Welcome! So glad things are going well with you! I'm pre-op...my time is slowly crawling near though

Nice to meet you Murphy! Congrats on your surgery date! It's just around the corner! I don't mind at all comparing stories...I would actually be interested in learning details about your pre-op diet, post-op diet, surgery...like what hurt and what your struggles were, and just helping to motivate you. I completely understand on wanting to know what's in store for you, that's where I am right now. Please feel free to send me a message...and we can continue to chat. I would def like to support you through all the changes that are getting ready to take place in your life!

Thank you! I left out a letter in the link...oops! Hahaa! You should be able to get there now!

Congrats on your surgery date! I, too, struggled with who to tell. At first, I tried to keep it to my family...mom, dad, step mom, sister...and then I decided that I HAD to tell my closest friends. Not because I felt like I was keeping a secret from them, but simply because I could use their support during this process. I told a couple of co-workers as well...also for their support. However, there are some people that I feel just don't need to know. I get tired of explaining my reasoning behind going through with VSG; and I'm to the point if one more person tells me I'm taking the "easy" way out...or that I'm not "fat enough" I'm going to scream! Truth is, my bmi is 43. I feel like crap. And surgery ISN'T the easy way out--it's a tool to HELP get to my weight loss goal. So, yes...I think you are totally doing the right thing! Like sastexan4u said, you're just getting cold feet. Just think about all of the positive changes that will happen in your life! I get nervous thinking about my time crawling near, but I just think about how much better I will feel and how committed to this change I am. You can do it!