Inner Surfer Girl

That magic 100 pound number. We moved when I was in 4th grade. I remember talking to a new friend. She was one of those "petite" (aka tiny little things) walking home from school. We lived at the top of a hill so it was quite a steep climb from the bus stop. I don't know how weight came up, be she said something like "well, as long as you don't weigh over 100 pounds" you were ok, not fat, I don't remember what the assessment was. I just remember that I weighed over 100 pounds so I felt less than. I have run across so many people, an ex-boyfriend comes to mind, who seriously think that they get to decide what weight is acceptable. It's almost always based on something other than what is right for me (my height, build, etc.). It is interesting how that 100 pound number seems to be the arbitrary dividing line, especially around puberty.

Congratulations! This is awesome!

Good luck! My advice: Focus on what you CAN have, not what you can't. Stay hydrated and have something to drink with you at all times. Stay busy. Remind yourself that you can do anything for two weeks and that it will be over soon. Remember why you are doing it: to be healthy and have the best chance for a safe and successful surgery. You can do it!

Gym teachers and coaches can be the worst when it comes to setting us up for humiliation.

Congratulations on getting on your Protein and fluids. As for your Aunt, try just saying "Thank you for your concern. I appreciate your feedback but I have already made my decision with the help of my doctor." Or, something similar. She sounds well-meaning but uninformed (especially if she thinks the lapband is somehow acceptable but the sleeve isn't). We definitely get the opportunity to practice setting boundaries and being assertive during this process.

It's ok to be scared. Being scared means you're about to do something really, really brave.

I understand. I just wanted to clarify because I see so many posts from people who seem to equate the two. I understand. I just wanted to clarify because I see so many posts from people who seem to equate the two.

Great news! I am also so glad you found a way to take the focus off of worry until you could address the issue. These are the kinds of skills that will help you be successful in this process.

I didn't even notice until you pointed it out! You look great! I didn't even notice until you pointed it out! You look great!

If you are cooking meals for your family can't you adapt your program to what you prepare? For instance, choose a lean protein and a vegetable that you can have and then add something else that they can have (like a starch). You can eat a smaller portion of the protein, have lots of vegetables, and avoid the starch. Also, if you haven't done it already, weaning yourself off of carbonation and increasing your water/fluids will also help. You can do it!

Happy early Birthday and congratulations on getting started with the process. It will happen when it is meant to happen. Patience and polite persistence will get you to your goal, but it does take some time to get through all of the pre-op assessments. Best of luck and keep us posted on how you are doing. Happy early Birthday and congratulations on getting started with the process. It will happen when it is meant to happen. Patience and polite persistence will get you to your goal, but it does take some time to get through all of the pre-op assessments. Best of luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Happy early Birthday and congratulations on getting started with the process. It will happen when it is meant to happen. Patience and polite persistence will get you to your goal, but it does take some time to get through all of the pre-op assessments. Best of luck and keep us posted on how you are doing. Happy early Birthday and congratulations on getting started with the process. It will happen when it is meant to happen. Patience and polite persistence will get you to your goal, but it does take some time to get through all of the pre-op assessments. Best of luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

I don't know but she had lots of help: nutritionist house calls, the ray via Skype, physical therapy, etc. What made Penny so infuriating was that she HAD so much help but her own illness/delusion/denial was the main barrier to her progress. As portrayed on the show she was a master manipulator who took no responsibility for her own health and recovery. Everything was someone else's' fault. I just can't get over the fact that she had a position of responsibility and actually supervised other people according to a recent post on here by a former colleague. SMH. I don't know but she had lots of help: nutritionist house calls, the ray via Skype, physical therapy, etc. What made Penny so infuriating was that she HAD so much help but her own illness/delusion/denial was the main barrier to her progress. As portrayed on the show she was a master manipulator who took no responsibility for her own health and recovery. Everything was someone else's' fault. I just can't get over the fact that she had a position of responsibility and actually supervised other people according to a recent post on here by a former colleague. SMH.

Thank you for posting this! It should be required reading. Thank you for posting this! It should be required reading.

Bumping for all the folks who are about three weeks post-op.

I have had a couple of instances of running into acquaintances in a public place who probably didn't recognize me.

So far I like the raspberry, lemon, chocolate and caramel. I recommend that you get samples of all of them. You are going to be taking a lot of calcium supplements every day so you will have an opportunity to try different flavors and mix them up. You don't have to have the same flavor three times a day.

Is your surgeon's program a Center of Excellence? I am really curious why his instructions are so far off of anything I have heard.

The first time anyone noticed (or at least told me they noticed) was my first post-op surgeon's appointment. My mom went with me and as we were walking in my mom said that I seemed to be "jigglier". I laughed because I had noticed the same thing. Then, the ladies in the front office also said they noticed a change.

Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Early out I liked: Syntrax Nectars ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates ProtiDiet creamy chicken and tomato basil soups unjury chicken soup ProtiDiet hot chocolate Premier Protein GNC Lean shake 25 (orange cream)

I use: Drugstore.com (you can get vitamins, GNC, quest, etc. from them) Amazon Bariatric Choice My surgeon's office Walmart/sam's club Costco Direct from Quest Direct from Syntrax BariatricPal store

Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I see too many people equate protein supplements and shakes with protein. Protein shakes/supplements are one source of protein. A very important and efficient way to get protein soon after surgery, but it is just one source of protein. Protein is a macronutrient. Calories are a unit of energy. Protein, carbs, and fats are all macronutrients. All macronutrients have calories. Protein is a vital macronutrient for survival, and health that we consume to acquire. We efficiently store carbs and fats in our bodies. We do not store protein. Since we are obese, we can go a pretty long time on the energy stored from carbs and fats. We cannot go very long without protein. We need protein for daily functions. We need protein to build muscle, skin, hair, etc. As we lose weight our body is dismantling and rebuilding our bodies at a heightened rate. If we do not consume sufficient protein for all of this then our bodies 1) consume our own protein (muscle tissue, organ tissue, etc.), 2) shut down to conserve energy (starve and not burn energy), etc.). Many of us use protein supplements/shakes to get enough protein as our stomachs heal. As we transition to more solid food we can get more of our protein from food. Whether you use shakes and/or food, the priority is protein (not calories). The bottom line is we need enough protein, throughout the day, to 1) function, 2) avoid muscle loss, heart and lung problems, etc. 3) rebuild our body from fat loss 4) keep our skin elastic, etc. etc. If we are getting enough protein we can optimize weight loss and minimize health problems associated with weight loss. I hope this helps answer the OPs question. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall