McButterpants

How great it that!!!!!! So excited for you. You are so strong mentally, now your body will be as strong. Congrats on taking this step.

Welcome! Congrats on your date - it's right around the corner, isn't it!?!?

I thought about weight loss surgery for years - then 2nd thoughts and an effort to try losing weight again on my own prevailed. 2013 was a turning point - I wasn't doing it on my own, my weight was increasing, my blood pressure was rising and I was mentally going down hill. I knew I needed to do something. I found out in June that the wife of my husband's friend had the lapband and was doing great - that was when I decided to go to the seminar offered by my local hospital. I came home from the seminar and started researching - I gathered information for about 2 week, then had my initial consult with a local doc. That was 08/21/13 - I decided that day, that I was doing down the WLS path. So from the "let's see what there is out there" to "I'm going to do this" it was 3 weeks. And I'll add...I'm one of those people that says, "My only regret is not doing it sooner!" Best of luck to you.

I am still in the hair loss stage...It started at the 8 week mark, which is much earlier than I expected it. My hair stylist can see some new growth already, but I am still shedding. I am taking biotin, folate, using Nioxin shampoo and praying to the follicle gods to make it stop!

In the beginning I did everything on the clock because that was the only way I could get everything in, especially with the 30 minute rule (no drinking within 30 minutes of a meal). Also, if I waited until I was hungry, I wouldn't eat...ever. I'm 10 weeks out today and I can only tell you how I feel now - I am not as concerned about the clock as I was in the beginning. It's become a habit. I will feel hunger from time to time, usually the day after a really hard workout or a very active day. I think that's my body's way of saying, "You need fuel." If I feel hunger that has a little "burn" with it, it's probably acid and I take an acid reducer.

OMG - the dreaded poo! My NUT wanted me to take Metamucil and a good quality pro-biotic. Both helped me immediately upon taking (like within 90 minutes). I've recently had another bout with things not moving...I'm back on the Metamucil and will continue to take daily. I was taking Colace, but the doc doesn't want that to be a long term solution, she wants a more natural approach. Best of luck

I've read a lot about acid creating a feeling confused with hunger. I had this the other day (10 weeks out today), I took a Pepcid and the feeling went away. If your friend is experiencing hunger, she may want to try a proton pump inhibitor or acid reducer (approved by her doc, of course). Best of luck you on your surgery!

If the insurance route doesn't work for you, there are lots of places that are much less than what they quoted you for self-pay. I went thru Dr. Thomas Umbach in Las Vegas - I paid $11K. Prices are much cheaper in Mexico by reputable doctors - I read somewhere earlier this week that someone one was getting it done for $5500. (I am NOT saying cheaper is better - do your own independent research on the doctor and get the best fit for you.) Best of luck to you! Turn your energy towards finding another solution.

All I can say is "WOW!" Congrats to you.

Nice!!!!!! Congrats.

First - congrats on the 70 pounds lost! Are you tracking your intake - even if you're eating a little, it could be the wrong things? Are you still tracking your Protein? Are you exercising? How are you doing on Water - it's vitally important and will help with your loss?

Oh no! Hang in there!

Hang in there - it will get better. The other day I made Shepherds Pie, something I ate a lot of pre-op. I ponied up to the dish and scooped out a huge serving like I would have before surgery - like a cup and walked over to the table. I looked down at that big mound of food and said, "What am I doing? I will only eat about 1/4 of that!" I went back to the stove, scooped a bunch out and returned to the table and ate about 1/4 of my original portion. Old habits die hard - I found myself reaching into a bag of chips...I can have chips, they aren't illegal, but I threw them in the garbage as a symbolic move. Those aren't for me. I had a stall for 10 days between weeks 2 and 3 and have only lost .4 pounds this week, so I suspect another one is upon me. It sucks. It's time for me to put the scale away. I can only control what I put in my mouth and how much exercise I get. I can't control what my body is going to do - it's going to work things out on it's own timeframe. You're doing great - you got this!!!!!

You will find out a lot about the people around you during this journey! Somethings you may not like!

Congrats on getting your date! It will be here before you know it. A couple of suggestions on prepping... Find a Protein shake you like - you may have to try many; don't overbuy, your tastes could change post-op Practice taking smaller bites - I bought appetizer forks and spoons Practice eating slower - I downloaded an app called Eat Slower; your phone will chime when it's time to take a bite Practice mindful eating techniques - don't eat in front of the TV or computer; feel what full feels like Incorporate shakes into your day - start with 1; experiment with different flavors and textures If you drink caffeine, start cutting back; I had to be caffeine free for my pre-op diet Best of luck to you!!!!

Anything Italian for me...I had food funerals for pizza and Pasta dishes at my favorite food places. Oh and zapoli...little Italian donuts dipped in raspberry, chocolate or caramel sauce. Mmmmm. Then I got sick of saying goodbye to those foods. I actually started my pre-op diet a day early because I was just tired of thinking about it. I needed to work towards something and the food funerals were a little depressing. The night before surgery, the doc told my husband and me "You have no restrictions on dinner tonight other than no buffets and go light on red meat." I thought he was joking after 2 weeks of liquids! He wasn't. We ended up going to macaroni Grill because we don't have one locally. We had a great meal - an appetizer, entree and even Desserts. What surprised me was how little food I ate - probably half of what I normally did. I also enjoyed every bite. Since I've had surgery, I have only wanted one thing to which I said goodbye...pizza. I had it the other night - it tasted OK, but made me sick after.

I wouldn't focus on calories at this point - focus on your Protein and Fluid goals. When I was 6 weeks out I asked my NUT about calories - she said 800 was a good number at that point, but to focus on protein. At a little over 9 weeks, I'm getting between 800-950 cals per day. I know someone that is consistently getting in 1000-1200 calories and has lost more than me. We're all different!

You should (and you should have before surgery). Not only will it help keep you hydrated, it will help keep hunger at bay. I drink Propel Zero since surgery - I cannot stomach plain Water any more for some reason. I start my day drinking 17 ounces of water - I just sip until it's gone. That gets a good start to the day.

I'm at 54 miles to my 85 mile goal - I have a hole to dig out of being sick a few days last week and being lazy on Sunday! I have done no weights as was in my original goal - I don't know why, I just can't seem to get motivated. Gotta work on that.

My doc wanted a Protein isolate (I think because it's absorbed better, but don't hold me to that). With that in mind, I tried a few and ended up with unjury - I get the chocolate Splendor (tastes like chocolate milk), Vanilla and strawberry.

Happy for you! You deserve this. Keep us updated on the Love Connection!

Yep - try a lactose free shake.

I'm losing hair - it's horrifying! My doc said to take Biotin and Folate - some docs say there's nothing that will prevent the loss, but I'm throwing everything again the wall to see what sticks! I'm also using Nioxin. My doc also said whatever you lose due to the surgery will grow back...I'm patiently waiting! OK, I'm not patient!

Glad to hear from you! Keep walking - it's the best "medicine" for that gas! Be well.

Wow - what a transformation. Congrats on your great success.