Brighteyes

I will certainly do that post op. Unfortunately preop I am not allowed to. :-(

I heard you had to have a particular high end blender to break down kale properly for a shake. Is this the case, or are you using a regular blender?

I have done the one in KY. Lots of fun and really pretty when the leaves start to change.

I have tried four different types so far. My NUTs recommendation was to do carnation sugar free instant breakfast. I was hoping to do a higher quality protein than that.

I went ahead and tried sipping cold water afterwards and that seemed to help. Grabbed some tums today. Just want to get this under control.

Cute! Thanks for sharing!

Regardless if the nurse wrote down the wrong weight or not, being yelled at is completely unacceptable.

I have only craved salt once, specifically salty potato chips. Looking back it was a time that I was probably really dehydrated and missing some basic electrolytes (thank you Miami heat). I generally shy away from anything salty which is why I thought it was so odd at the time. If you are craving it maybe look at getting some good electrolytes in.

I appreciate everyone's input. Because I am going through a pretty strict pre-op phase I can't do much of what has been suggested but I will keep it in mind for post op when things ease up a bit. In the meantime I got some crystal lite flavor mixes. I am going to add them to my vanilla powder to see if that helps.

I really lucked out and found a personal trainer who trains out of her home. It was the perfect fit for me. I am convinced that it's going to make surgery recovery a little easier.

Way to go! You look great!

Good for you! I did the same thing. Six weeks ago I started working out with a personal trainer. I have surgery is two weeks. I feel so much stronger and more prepared for surgery because I hit the gym first. I hope you get the same payoff!

Finally got my surgical date! 28 Oct can't come soon enough. I am so ready for this!

Just got my surgical date. Positive energy coming your way tomorrow!

Just a quick follow up - it took BCBS fed 2 days to get my paperwork loaded in their system and 24 hrs to approve it. Surgery date set.

Finally got my surgical date! 28 Oct can't come soon enough!

I wouldn't say I overcame it. There are days that are still dark. I just manage them differently. And maybe I will reach a point I need meds, but right now I don't. It helps having a therapist to work things through with. My therapist doesn't allow me to bullsh*t my way through things and keeps me honest. There have been appointments where I had to have a serious conversation about being hospitalized and others I laughed a lot. It's an everyday thing. Sometimes it's a matter of just getting through the next couple mins. I take things as they come, lean into discomfort and manage my emotions as they happen.

I literally put on tennis shoes while crying my eyes out and walked. By the time I was done walking I wasn't crying anymore. I woke up the next day and did the same thing, tears and all. And by the end of the week I wasn't crying. I have been where you are, in a completely dark place where you no longer want to live in this life anymore. I have been there a few times. My worst bout with depression happened several years back and my best friend just showed up at my apt one day, dragged me out of bed, threw me in a shower and washed my hair. None of this is easy. And just because you got through today doesn't it mean tomorrow is any easier. But it is waking up everyday with some determination that you will do something that pushes you forward. And when things are just downright dark and scary you have to lean into gratitude. Find something, anything, to be grateful for. Like I said, everyone is giving you great advise. Do something, anything! Call your psychologist and get checked into a facility, call your surgical center and go to a support group meeting, get up and walk. Laying in bed and eating is not an option. Do something!

This whole conversation is a little ironic. Since I got fat I haven't dated much, not that I was great at it when I was skinny either...lol. My best friend, a guy, asked me today about when I was having surgery and then immediately asked me when do I plan on getting married or having kids. SMH. I laughed at him cause I hadn't really thought about it. But I like the idea of practice dating and doing the online thing. Got to start somewhere I guess. Lol

So reading this thread has just made me want to cry. I too have my own mental health issues which I have been working on prior to even knowing I wanted surgery. I am still pre-op but I definitely still have my dark days. The absolutely best thing I ever did was start working out. The hardest part was putting on tennis shoes and getting myself to move. But afterwards I always felt better than I did when I started. Two weeks later I noticed a huge change in my energy levels. It was such a small change but it's made a huge difference. Doing something healthy has also made me evaluate what I am eating and I find I am eating better too. Everyone is giving you great advice. Grab onto just one piece of advise and move forward in a direction. The rest will come but you have to start somewhere.

I knew the shut down wouldn't affect getting approved. But the shut down is effecting my start date for my new job. I was RIFed on 30 Sept for a job with the Dept of the Army and through PPP was placed in another job with DoD. They are having to upgrade my clearance to start this new job and are not sure if they can get me approved for an interm clearance in the meantime. I know I won't start till 4 Nov at the earliest, but would need to be ready to start any day after that.

I have seen multiple people on here say that they were approved in a couple days. I plan to call back Monday (if they are open) and check on things. With the shutdown going on it looking like it might take them awhile to get my clearance upgraded, so I might have more time to do this.