Tikvah

I find that logging my food makes me more conscious of what I eat (at least in the past, I have no inclination to cheat as I'm only 3 weeks out right now). If that doesn't solve your quandary, then my only idea would be to seek psychological help as to your inability to control intake or possible self-sabotaging behavior. I find that most people don't like to think they need to see a psychologist to examine eating habits though...

I only read the first post, but I just wanted to say: You should see a psychologist. Most of us have unhealthy relationships with food, but that sounds pretty serious.

The following books really helped me cope and deal with my weight problem prior and after surgery. They are not about weight loss, but they gave me a lot of comfort and the ability to reflect. The Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism by Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin To Be A Jew by Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin Plus the Tanakh obvi.

mashed potatoes + thigh meat + some louisiana hot sauce. bam.

I have Horizon (PPO, not an H.MO) and I didn't need to do that (12/18 surgery, was approved in November). All my bariatric center sent in was: 5 Year Weight History + BMI at first consultation. 3 NUT Visits Psych Evaluation. I didn't even have a PCP at the time of meeting the Surgeon.

I didn't need anything really. I brought two pairs of PJs, my nook, phone, books, etc. I only ended up using my slippers and phone to text family members and surf the web when I was up to it. My hospital supplied toiletries.

I guess I'm a freak of nature because I still loveeeeeeeeeeee plain water.

WOW! You look great! So much inspiration in this thread.

Aaron, thats some bad-ass mofudgin' work right there son. GET IT!

Don't eat pork rinds for the Protein, because on the bag it says "Not a significant source of protein". This is due to the fact that the protein is completely derived from collagen, the major part of Gelatin. "Although gelatin is 98–99% protein by dry weight, the body cannot readily use it. Gelatin is notable for its exceptionally low nutritional value. It is unusually high in the non-essential amino acids glycine and proline, (i.e., those produced by the human body), while lacking certain essential amino acids (i.e., those not produced by the human body). Gelatin is one of the few foods that cause a net loss of protein if eaten exclusively. It contains no tryptophan and is deficient in isoleucine, threonine, and methionine. Several people died of malnutrition in the 1970s while on popular 'liquid protein' diets."

Log your calories. Control what you eat.

Treating yourself will never come close to seeing someone who is trained to deal with addiction and self-sabotaging behavior. Do without something and see someone. There are plenty of cost effective options and even clinical psychologists who will do pro bono work.

I have one more nutritionist visit prior to submitting to insurance. You?

I'm in Lake Worth (about 25 minutes from you).

Pre-Op. OP seems to be on a six month supervised weight loss regiment (I guess for insurance purposes).

Do you count your calories? Gaining is harder when you are conscious of what you eat in my experience.

I just think its a gym that has a very specific focus group: people who want to run on an elliptical and maybe if they're feeling zesty do some work on the adductor/abductor machines (gosh I loathe those). Normally it would not be a big deal, but PF are starting to buy out a lot of other gyms! I also think the judgment free zone is bullshit. Its just reverse judgment, out of shape people get to judge people who are actually working to maintain above average fitness. Hence the lunk alarm to shame someone who is actually getting the most out of their time rather than running on an elliptical for an hour. Maybe they should make their dumbbells out of Styrofoam to avoid the lunk alarm p.s. I'm not trying to belittle the OP, joining a gym is a great thing! I just dislike the company and like to pick on them like I'd pick on Wal-Mart.

If you can't control your urges, then you need to seek some help and don't put yourself in situations that can create opportunities for slipping up. It's be like a recovering crack addict going to a crack den. I personally am pre-op and I don't go to a restaurant unless I know there is something I can eat without deviating from my daily macros and diet.

Not a female, but this is an analogy I heard in "Moneyball" when it came to firing an underling. I think its true.. "Would you rather get one shot in the head or five in the chest and bleed to death?" You can rectify the situation with one sentence or make it more of a situation than it needs to be. Be honest, let the guy know that you are not interested so you both can go along with your merry lives. Not being direct will only make it linger on and therefore make it worse.

I've heard they stick an IV of triglycerides in you when you scan your membership card. But really, a gym that serves free food is not a gym I'd like to be a member of. Gyms like Planet Fitness make their profits by enrolling tons of people due to low membership rates. Half of those people don't even go to the gym.

I can't stand Planet Fitness personally. I went with a friend a few times as she was just starting to get into fitness a few years back. I was appalled that the gym staff would yell at you if you'd grunt whilst actually lifting weights (of which there are few, too many smith machines and no effin' barbells?!). In my opinion, and you can hate it if you want, it was a gym that was made with women in mind that want to go use cardio equipment and feel comfortable. If it was the only gym around, I would probably use it though.. Seriously, an anti-"lunk" policy is stupid. "Sorry people who actually work extremely hard to stay fit and build tons of muscle, the fatties are too self-conscious to be around you!" And that is coming from an obvi current fatty. I have always preferred gyms that emphasize and encourage weight training over cardiovascular.

When in doubt, count it out (calorie wise).

I personally like the sleeve more due to it not re-routing my organs. The GI tract is highly efficient as is and really doesn't need to be fixed, other than a decrease in size of the pouch to hold boluses. My opinion.

Jersey, do you remember what docs and info were submitted to horizon bcbs? I have them as well.

I cannot and will not lie in reference to having surgery. There is nothing to be ashamed of.