woo woo

Marilyn's 12 in the 50's was today's 4 or 6, or what would have been an 8 about 20 years ago. Dress pattern sizing is very different from ready to wear clothing sizes.

@ Thank you for sharing your story. It sounds like you are really poised for success with this process, and you are off to a wonderful start. Welcome!!

The stomach staples are yours to keep forever.

I think the majority of people do. I also think that many people do the sleep study. I skipped it only because I had already had one a couple years ago. But otherwise my doc would have required it. I was glad I had the endoscopy and the process itself was the easiest medical thing ever.

Is it possible that they are trying to compliment you in an odd way? Maybe it's meant in a nice way but it just coming across weird. The best thing is just don't take stuff personally. Science has shown that, in general, 99.99999999% of the time this kind of stuff is not meant as an insult to you. :P

I am allowed on my plan to eat a few small meals so I usually will finish my egg or whatever in two sittings. My calories have been consistently around 600 to 675 daily and I'm meeting my Protein each day with only one shake and the rest thru real food. ETA: I think it's important that I clarify that I am 4 weeks out and wasn't allowed to start any soft foods until three weeks out.

Down 26 pounds total, with 19 of them being since surgery date. Currently stalling for like 3 days now at exactly 194. Very happy with the results so far!

You eat in a cafeteria 2-3 times per day (there are lots of choices -- both healthy and fattening -- and there's always a salad bar). They normally offer some type of fish or lighter Protein option at each meal in addition to all kinds of other stuff. Plus you will keep a little mini fridge with tiny freezer in your room and there is a microwave on the floor that everyone shares. So, you can keep healthy Snacks and meal options in your room if you wish but normally you will want to go eat your meals in the cafeteria (that meal plan is expensive!! must use it ) At my college the only meal that wasn't provided by the cafeteria was once weekly, the Sunday dinner.

Each day you will feel a little better until you are back to feeling normal. It is challenging to learn to eat & drink often enough to keep your energy up. I especially have trouble in the mornings. I have more energy later in the day when I have had time to eat and drink more. Hang in there.

If you don't have one already, I suggest getting a crockpot. There are tons of recipes online, or there are also some wonderful crockpot/slow cooker cookbooks. You can make some wonderfully tasty, healthy and high Protein meals with it with just a bit of prep time in the morning. If your dad likes his starches he/you can always add a potato for him (it's very easy to bake a potato in the microwave) or rice etc to whatever main dish you prepare. That way you can both enjoy what you cook.

It's great to hear from you, don't be a stranger!

Yes -- First, find out if your insurance covers bariatric surgery. Some do and some don't, it depends on the policy that your employer has selected. IF your policy does not cover bariatric surgery there ARE other options so don't give up. At your height/weight (which would put your current BMI at 54), if your insurance does cover surgery I am sure that you meet the weight requirements. Most require either a BMI of 40+ OR a BMI of 35+ with 1or 2 comorbid conditions (such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, type II diabetes etc). Then, research online to see what all surgeons/programs are in your area. Once you find one that looks good, make an appointment to go in. They will check your policy and let you know what all requirements that you have to satisfy in order to be approved by your insurance. Once you have settled on a surgeon they will pretty much take it from there as far as getting you through the steps toward surgery. In the meantime, read read read as much as possible. Try to spend a couple hours a day reading on here, there is so much great information and super helpful people here. Good luck!!

I'm 4 weeks out and on soft foods. I've been trying some new stuff like different types of cheeses. Tonight for dinner I had a slice of seasoned deli turkey, a slice of smoked gouda and a few blue cheese crumbles. It was nice to taste the different flavors and textures. The first couple of days I had meatballs in marinara sauce with melted parmiagiana on top (prepare in oven) and that was wonderful, too. The first meal I could only eat 1/2 meatball before I was full.

Mine stayed thru surgery till the end of the day (around 6pm ish) and went home and came back the next day to pick me up when I was discharged. You are going to be up all night anyway because you have to keep walking. If you need help there is a nurse and nursing assistant assigned to you that you can call anytime with the buzzer. They will come help you walk around or whatever you need. After the first time, I was able to get up and unplug my IV machine and go walking or to the restroom just fine by myself.

Could you do a portion of your snack shake? Then you would still have most of it saved for later after dinner. Just a thought. Sounds like you are doing great!!

My discharge instructions from the hospital said pills the size of a pencil eraser or smaller it was ok to swallow whole. Others crush or break in half if possible and not the extended release kind. In fact I was given a blood pressure pill to swallow while I was in the hospital.

I think she was wondering about the amount of food, as in size of portions, and not so much about the type of foods? Correct me if I am wrong though.

Hang in there, you can do this. Start back logging your food intake. Remember how you felt before you lost the weight. Stay out of that candy jar!! :P You can do this. Don't sabotage yourself now after you have come so far. You are worth the effort!!!!!

YES for sure. They gave me one in the hospital and put me in it that first day. Made all the difference. I used it for about a week. Tapered off to just using it to sleep with the last few days.

@@ireneg It might help to realize that the pounds that you lose during THIS diet won't be coming back Also, as a practical matter, if you gain even a few pounds during the diet phase, your insurance can use that as an excuse to deny you coverage for your surgery. Even if you don't lose much, do your very, very best not to gain anything at least. You can do this!!!

I would 100% not use a patch or any kind of nicotine. You are right that will just reintroduce the drug into your bloodstream all over again. I quit about 1.5 years ago. I occassionally get a craving when I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Is it possible that this is what is causing your craving? Just a thought. Science says that it takes only a brief few moments for a craving to pass, so what I do is go do something small that takes just a couple minutes -- say, change the laundry to the dryer or put away dishes, and I find that I quickly forget all about the craving. I know you definitely don't want to go back to being a slave to the smokes!! I know I don't Hang in there, you are getting healthier by the day!

Maybe stay away from thick foods like yogurt for now and concentrate on your liquids. Sounds like it didn't agree. My doc's plan specifically disallows yogurt until three weeks out due to possible problems. I would def check with your doc though!

Yes. For sure go with a psych that is WLS-friendly. They will know what is important to cover for this procedure and not try to probe every part of your life. This was def way too much!! Hang in there!!

Even at 1100, it seems like one month of Cobra would be all you need to get your procedure done. Depending on all the other variables it could be worth it.

Wow I'm so sorry this is happening to you right now. I will be thinking of you. You definitely have the right attitude though, and that makes a difference! Another plus is that due to sleeve you are still getting slimmer by the day, even as you rest on your 'vacation' Please keep us posted.