MisforMimi

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I am enjoying this discussion. But I would like to put the word ignorant in the proper context maybe under or mis-educated and perhaps distrustful. And I believe we can give the AA experience in the medical establishment some historical perspective and validation when we think about forced sterilizations and the infamous Tuskegee experiment. These were atrocities committed against AA in this country. I have also volunteered with hospice for many years and often Black and Latino families are the very last to seek out and participate in these types of resources and I believe for many it was seen as a form for concession like you've given up - as a family and as their medical providers. I think there is a cultural value seen in resilience, "pulling yourself up by the bootstraps" for weight loss anyways and I believe many view WLS as elective! Seriously, I have people in my family who are 350+ pounds saying - you can do it on your own. Which in the end for some this is probably true. I have great support systems in my life about many things - just not as much as I would like for WLS. This is neither encourging or deterring to something that is ultimately my decision - it just is. I was curious what other's experiences were. What made people decide to "concede" and have the surgery? What was the thing that made you realize that you could not loose weight without the assistance of surgery?

I can definitely appreciate this. I have been researching and talking to ppl that've had any WLS. Once I've may up my mind I can be headstrong and anything else feels like a personal attack! Definitely the all or none thinking that contributed to my weight issues in the first place. Thanks for the reminder!

Hey Everyone, I've not read this thread completely as it is LONG, but I just wanted to check-in about something that I've noticed. If this has been discussed on the thread please forgive and humor be with your thoughts on this. A little bit of background on me, I live in Seattle and I have a pretty integrated lifestyle in terms of hanging out/being friends with people from different races. I'm 37 years old, 260ish pounds, pre-diabetic, hypertensive and arthritic. I am pre-surgery and finishing up some insurance requirements (supervised diet) to qualify for the procedure. I've noticed that there is a huge discrepancy in talking about WLS with black verses white friends. Of the few people I've told I'm considering this, when I discuss this with white folks the response is overwhelming positive and with black folks its like - "oh" and I get the laundry list of people they know who've had complications with any WLS EVER. So interesting. It really has been split down the middle with only one exception. Has anyone experienced this or have any thoughts on this????? I'm not trying to start a "race thing", so let's avoid generalizations and speak from experience. Thanks.

Cute then, cute now! Go head, girl!

Woot! I'm down 5.4lbs as of today. Let's keep it going ladies. My insurance company will be paying for this surgery so help me!

What's up with that cover up? Gorgeous. Deets, please?

I like the ideas above, you almost might try contacting a social worker associated with the hospital - they can help you strategize about post-operative housing options.

Seems like there are a lot of us in the 3 or 6 month waiting pool for insurance approval. And Jodi S, I'm in WA state too - Seattle area. I'm 2 months into my 6 months medically supervised diet although I'm kinda doing my own thing learning a lot from here. Nothing against my PCP, but she's a naturopath and her suggestions don't help me loose weight. And there were more like suggestions not an actual food plan. I've upped the Protein and activity nad track calories on myfitnesspal and where as the scale is slow to move, my clothes are fitting better than ever.

Hey. I'm pre-op with no date yet. Half way through 6-month medically supervised diet. I'll looking toward Fall or next winter for a date, but I'm in North Seattle - like Northgate area. Good Luck!

I think it depends on the company. I usr myfitnesspal and I got a fitbit (pedometer and calories burned tracker). At the end of every day it says in 5 weeks I'll be 22 pounds lightly than when I started. We'll see. Scale ain't really moving and I've doubled my water intake.....

I've wondered about how kelp noodles would go down as well as shirataki. they are a sea veggie. I use them in a low-carb pad thai dish. For the unsleeved they are great. I love thai noodles. I've also used thinly sliced jicama (pretty watery root veggie from Mexico) as noodles, too.

Thorne makes a decent hemp/pea Protein combo Protein powder thats pretty tasty. As above I think going with a powder may be easiest.

laurenanastasia, I just copied and pasted this into a separate document for when I start having regrets or second guessing my decision. So true, food (nor my fat) is NOT a friend and I am ready to let go of my illustrious relationship with food.

Hey. I'm down. I've done all sorts of alternative practices over the years -fasting, colonics, juicing, etc. I see a naturopath and acupuncturist for primary care. I'm currently looking into the diamond approach to bolster my waning spiritual practices.

I'm in the same boat. I don't have specific numbers to lose, I just have to be smaller than I started at each consecutive weigh in. I'm not diabetic, so I know I'll be protein shakes and all green juice the last two weeks, maybe fish and greens for dinner. I'll definitely get a colonic or two. Desperate times..... I got a fitbit and upped my daily steps and stepped up the exercise. It's a necessary evil to get what you want ultimately. If the surgeon is not linked to your insurance, I'd also consider shopping around.

Try bodbot. It's a personal trainer, too. I'm not very experienced with it , I use the training function more but I know it tracks omega 3/6 and I believe b12

Interval/HIIT training. Bust into a sprint. At 140, guess what? You wouldn't be the "big girl" in the spin class or the boot camp! So dont be scurred!!! LOL...

Thanks! I'm not a chef but this sounds like something I would put together. The carb content is fairly low. thanks for the tip. I like the taste of a little feta with greek yogurt....yummers.

That's what I'm talking about! Girl ya lookin' good! Not a drop of green on those trees, I hope you weren't cold!

Using myfitness pal. Getting a fitbit. walking and standing as much as possible as uncomfortable as it is. tracking everything things keeps you accountable. i can't tell you how many times trying to figure out how I was going to log the bites I take off my kid's plate has stopped me from doing it. I have to really let go of my subconscious habit/need? of being the human garbage disposal!! Also, I try to keep gum in the kitchen to help me not take bites while cooking. I have a 3 month half-way in appt in a month and I'm nervous I've kicked it into high-gear this week.

I'm sure this is 50 places on this site but its harder to search on my phone app - why no caffeine???? Lawd! I'm from Seattle and that's all we do! And ibuprofen? I know many of us have arthritis. In fact I have a rare and severely degenerative from. Ibup is way more helpful than Tylenol. How are people surviving? I need it to exercise.

I'm almost mid way through a 6 month physician directed weight loss attempt for my insurance. They don't specify a number or percentage to be lost. You literally cannot be bigger than when you started and at the middle weigh in you have to be smaller than the first. I think my bmi was over 40 but I do have hypertension, too. I'm drinking protein shakes and chicken breasts. Exercise is hard at this weight but by any means....

I just started this on Monday and I'm adding all y'all. I pre-op so don't look at my food diary! I'm doing about 1500 cals