Diana_in_Philly

As I was prepping for my surgery which was on 8/23, I began to have the same thoughts. I started the process on May 11 . At that time, I went on a 1200 calorie at day food plan and upped the number of workouts each week. Before surgery I was down almost 30 pounds from my high weight. In the 10 days before surgery I was on a 1000 calorie a day diet. But I realized that there was no way I could keep that up to lose the 100+ pounds I needed to lose. Had my surgery on 8/23. No complications. Having my 2-week post op today. I have to remind myself to eat. I've already put together big bags of clothes I will never wear again to go to Goodwill and stuff I haven't worn in years is fitting. Yes its drastic. But for me, it's working. I can already see the Lily Pulitzer dress in my future!

235.3

239.1 as of 8/29. 6 days post op.

I'm 55. Had surgery this Tuesday. Had IV pain meds in hospital on Tuesday, switched to oral on Wednesday. Discharged Wednesday. Used 1 pain pill Wednesday night to help sleep. Took 2 Tylenol yesterday. Worked 4.5 hours from a chair in my living room yesterday and working from home today. Plan to go in for half a day on Monday. I've had 2 c-sections. This is a walk in the park. If you've done knees, you should have no issues, but YMMV.

@@skinnyjeansatlast -- I had my surgery on 8/23. In the last few days I have found that, for me, plain Water goes down like a brick no matter how small a sip and no matter what temperature. IF the water has some flavor to it -- Mio, Crystal Light, Vitamin Water Zero, I can drink it no problem. Warm, but no hot liquids work for me. That first day was an endless array of trying different liquids and different temps. I've found my sweet spot and got down 48 ounces of liquid yesterday. Keep experimenting. And keep the sips really small at first. That was the hardest thing to learn to do because I have a history as a gulper.

As I was being discharged on Wednesday, all this was discussed in detail. My team said it was ok for me to "glisten" but no pouring down sweat before my 2 week post-op appointment. Do what feels comfortable. I'm planning on going to the gym tomorrow and spending about an hour on the recumbent bike (my cardio of choice - I have bad knees) and maybe do a little work with hand weights. After my 2 week post-op, if all is well, I'm cleared for whatever I feel up to. Every team is different on this issue. But I trust my team- my doc has been doing this for 20 years and is a department chair at a university hospital in a large metropolitan city - so I think he has the track record to back it up. For what it's worth - it also depends on how well you are getting in and keeping down fluids. I'm not really having a problem with fluids. Yesterday I got in 48 ounces of liquid and 40 grams of Protein on my first full day home post op.

Surgery tomorrow, so I'm in weight loss mode. SW 245.3 Goal weight 220.3 See you all on the other side of the bench!

At my last support group meeting, one member was saying how she hit a stall doing everything she was told. When she upped her calories a little bit, she began losing quicker. She wasn't eating enough and her body was going into starvation mode. Something to discuss with your NUT.

I'm in. I have my surgery on 8/23 so I'm in weight loss mode. I'll post weights that morning.

It really depends on your insurance and surgical team's requirements. Some insurance carriers require 6 or 12 month monitored weight loss program. My insurance did not require that, but my program requires 3 months of supervised visits. I've lost about 20 pounds, but put 2 on during vacation in Nashville last week (too many biscuits and fried chicken) and I start my pre-op diet tomorrow. My surgery is 8/23. Also, it depends on when your surgeon gets approval from your insurance company. They may put a window on the approval.

What about Mozzarella String cheese (individually wrapped ones), colby jack cheese sticks, or hard boiled eggs?

I know many others have said it but the liquid Protein drinks are a lifesaver. Get yourself some sugar free syrups like they use at coffee shops -- Here's my "snickers" shake: 10 oz Water 1 scoop Isopure vanilla Protein powder (25 g protein) 2 tablespoons PB2 (5 grams protein) 4 squirts sugar free caramel syrup 4 squirts sugar free chocolate syrup (both no cal and no carb) A few ice cubes Blend. Tastes just like a snickers bar. 30 Grams of protein and 11 grams of carbs and will keep you full til lunch. Search high protein low carb shakes on Pinterest -- tons of ideas there.

For lunch I do a small salad with homemade ranch dressing and then some roll ups Turkey slices and american cheese ham and provolone cheese Prosciutto and Mozzarella cheese sticks I also sometimes use a bento type box -- a few black olives, some roll ups, some almonds or cashews and some sliced cucumber with hummus.

Just heard from my insurance company -- they have approved me. Now waiting to hear from surgery scheduling. I've put in my request to the FB group. Thanks!

254.3 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Will your team let you mix some Benefiber or Metamucil in with your liquids?

If your husband has coverage through work, you are not likely eligible to buy on the exchange. That's why they kept transferring you. In most cases, if you have any kind of insurance from another source, you may not go to the exchange.

I have been on 1200 calories since I started this journey May 11. (I'm waiting for insurance approval and surgery date -- surgery should be in August). Here's my typical day: Breakfast: Premier Protein shake (Vanilla) with 1/2 cup fresh strawberries and ice - 185 calories (31 grams protein) Lunch: Large mixed green salad (3 cups), 1/2 cup chicken salad, 2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinagrette - 348 calories (24 grams protein) Dinner: 6 oz grilled sirloin, 2 cups of salad with balsamic dressing, 1/2 cup rice - 456 calories (37 grams protein) That leaves you 211 calories for Snacks through out the day. A hard boiled egg is about 80 calories. Go for snacks high in protein -- they fill you up. Avoid carbs. My plan has called for my diet to be more than 80 grams of protein per day and no more than 7 grams of sugar per serving. Drink lots of Water -- separate your eating and drinking. You will find that variations on this works. It may seem boring, but I find that for me if I settle into a food routine, I avoid making bad choices. Good luck.

I have daughters age 16 and 13. Both are a bit overweight, but not obese on the BMI charts. Both could eat better and be more active. I have not yet had surgery, but I told them after my first consultation with the surgeon. They have watched me struggle with my weight and know that this is not the easy way out. It was harder for me to do it than for them to hear it. However, since you have already had surgery, I think the bigger issue you face is dealing with what you told her when you went to have surgery and were in the hospital overnight. If she is anything like my 13 year old she will be far more angry that you were not truthful with her about why you went in the hospital than whatever reason you give her now. I would be prepared to deal with betrayal and arguments over "why do I have to be honest with you when you are not honest with me." That being said, give her credit. It will be fine.

I'm still pre-surgery but I bought a pair of jeans right before I started this journey on May 11. I put them on this morning and they almost fell off. I'm down 16 pounds, I took them off without unbuttoning or unzipping them. I'm starting to go through my closet to see what I haven't worn in a while that might fit now!

Sounds like a hot flash. Perimenopause is much longer than we think -- starting with the on and off hot flashes. I've had thyroid issues in my life and have been experiencing menopause -- so I know the difference between the two. If it feels as if the heat is coming from inside -- my guess is its a change in the type of hot flash due to the hormonal shifts of the surgery. Your doc will be able to give you better advice. In the mean time, cool washcloths at the back of the neck can help you cool down.

Our costco outside Philly has chocolate, vanilla and caramel. I love the vanilla and caramel. Costco will take a return on anything you do not like for any reason. Bring it back and get a refund.

I have really bad knees. As in I should have had replacements done about 6 or 8 years ago and I'm only 55. (I was a major athlete in my teens and 20s and screwed both knees up.) I am bone on bone in both knees. In between Synvisc injections, I get cortisone shots. So, if I can get Synvisc every 6 months, at month 3 I get cortisone to hold me to the next Synvisc. I know I'm still going to need to have my knees replaced, but I'm hoping to buy time to 60 or 65 with this surgery. My ortho has been treating me since 1993, so he's seen the weight go up and down and up and down. The cortisone will take down the inflammation in the knees and you'll be able to walk more. I had bi-lateral cortisone done at the end of May. Saturday I worked out in the gym for 90 minutes. Sunday, I did a 4 mile trail walk and then walked through the mall for 2 hours with my teenage daughters. Monday I walked 20 city blocks round trip to run an errand at lunch. I'm not fast, it's not pretty, but I can get it done. Talk to your ortho about cortisone. The 16 pounds I have most recently lost have made a huge difference. I don't need nearly as much Vicodin to control my break-through pain, but I take an NSAID (Rx strength) 2x every day. Every pound off your body is 5 pounds to your knees. Keep going. You're headed in the right direction.

CW 255 Waiting to hear on approval for insurance!

My pre op is 1000 calories, almost 0 fat and 0 carbs. So I can eat a big salad with plain grilled chicken and just balsamic vinegar or lemon for dressing. Since I've been on 1200 cal. since 5/11 not a huge change. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App