Inner Surfer Girl

I am pre-op for the gastric sleeve and know that journaling/writing is critical for my success. What books or other resources have you found rhe most helpful for inspiring journaling prompts or reflections?

It goes by weight. A higher weight/BMI requires more protein and water. My target is 100 gms protein, too.

I am currently reading Eat it Up and added the Refrigerator book to my kindle wislhlist forwhen I finis it.

You might want to explore Overeater's Anonymous (OA). You can find meetings at www.oa.org.

I use a Bi-Pap and had a hard time with rhe mask. I use the nose pillows and it works great. I love mine. I didn't know what a good nights sleep was like before I started using it. Give it a little bit of time before you give up.

I live in Danville and plan to have the sleeve with Dr. Weiss in Georgetown. Someone asked about his preop diet. If you google Georgetown Bariatric manual you can access the notebook online. I look at it there more often than I do the hard copy.

I am pre-op but have been practicing chewing my food 20-30 times per bite since I have always eaten fast. One benefit to slowing down is that I get to taste that one bite for much longer and each subsequent bite is more satisfying.

Oh, I forgot to add art. I have found that having a creative outlet is important for me in my wl journey. Try an art, ceramics, (or dance,etc.) class. Do you have a local YMCA or community art center? They are great places to meet people and just have fun.

I am preop. I have already been told by the surgeons staff that part of my lifestyle change will be the need to exercise one hour a day everyday. For now, about all I can do is water aerobics. I know I won't be able to get in the pool at least a couple of weeks after surgery and anticipate some walking will be about all I can do for a while. I have neen DVRing Sit and be Fit episodes from PBS bur have yet to use them (reminder to myself!). Once I am more mobile. I plan to join some classes (I do better with the stucture of a class).

I am an introvert by nature who was a shy child who has learned to make friends due to several significant moves. You have received some great suggestions already. I agree with them, especially the support group like OA, volunteering, etc. No one has mentioned church. If you practice religion it is a great way to join a community -- and many churches have good childrens programs. Another suggestion is your local library. I recently moved to a small town and have library cards at my local library in addition to 2 adjacent counties. They all have a variety of groups and programs. You memtioned camping...see if there is a Sierra club chapter in your area. I can't wait to have my surgery and lose enough to start hiking again.

Check with your surgeon. Mine has said that the two biggest risks post op are pneumonia and blood clots. No driving for at least 2 weeks. He made a point of requiring that I have a plan for the ride home after discharge (and for anyone over 30 min from hospital) to stop and walk every 30 mins. I would think that flying would be high risk.