Snappish

I went back to work yesterday and even though I packed my meals and snacks, I had a hard time getting them in. I felt like I was well prepared with what I brought, just not the timing. I was on a couple of zoom meetings during the day, so I missed my am snack, so ate lunch early. I still have to remember to eat slow as well. I did get a 30 minute walk after my lunch, so I was pleased with that. I have my 2 week post-op meeting tomorrow and will be asking about when I can get back to bootcamp. So far, I am loving this "new normal" and wishing I had done it sooner!

I ordered sports pops from amazon. They are delicious! Sugar free and have electrolytes as well. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079RVSGWN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Its a big box, but it beats the hassle of having to track them down when I want them.

Had my sleeve surgery yesterday and it went very well. Checked in at 9:15, home by 1:15...crazy! Minimal gas pains so far. Minimal pain overall actually. Having my first protein shake while I catch up on the boards and that is going well so far too. I keep lifting my shirt to look at my dressings to ensure I had something done. I keep waiting for the pains to set in. I am so excited to finally be in this phase of my journey and new lifestyle!

I am getting excited...I have my teleconference pre-op class with my dietitian and nurse today. Pre-op visit with doctor and anethesiologist on Wednesday, along with COVID test. I am pretty much staying home now except for necessary outings until surgery on 7/30 to minimize my risk of being exposed to COVID. I hope the test results are negative...they should be, I don't have any symptoms...but you hear stories of people being asymptomatic. Good luck to everyone going in for their surgeries this week!

Wow...it really stuck a lot of links in there that I didn't put in. Sneaky. Hopefully you will be able to pull out the ones I put in there!

Sure! It was a lot of work, but so worth it. When is your surgery? We used this recipe for the bone broth. She used oxtail and knuckle bones, but we didn't roast them first. She said she didn't like the smell that comes from doing that. We also used the instant pot and it took about 4 hours instead of 24. We strained it and discarded all of the vegetables and meat and strained it through cheese cloth, then put it in the fridge overnight. The next day it was like jello and I skimmed all of the fat off and portioned out the remainder into 1oz portions using these 2oz condiment cups, but ice cube trays could work. These make a LOT through. I used about 32 for each flavor and gave the rest to my friend. She is actually going to do the post-op broth/shake thing with me to kick start her weight loss (she isn't having surgery). The chicken broth was pretty much a whole chicken with a hodge-podge of veggies (onions, leeks, carrots, celery, turnips, parsnips) thrown into a big stock pot. She had a couple of bay leaves in there and other seasonings (but not salt). She didn't use a recipe for this, but instead kept it as basic as possible. We let that simmer (with lid off, never boiling) until the chicken could be stuck through easily with a fork and the vegetables were soft. It took a little longer and could probably also be done in an instant pot, but we were doing so much we did it on the stovetop. We refrigerated this overnight as well when it was done. The next day we took the chicken out and shred it to use later, separated the veggies out. We divided this into thirds putting two smaller pots of the broth on the stove. In one pan she put mexican seasonings (I didn't see exactly what though) and in another asian seasonings. I saw star anise and a cinnamon stick, and the rest were spices that she brought from her home in France...so no idea there, but again, think asian inspired. We let those simmer for a while to take up the flavors. After everything was cooled and strained through cheesecloth one last time, I separated them into 1oz portions. All have been frozen. Sorry I can't be more specific on the chicken broth, its basically throw what you have in there to cook, and then add other seasonings for slightly different flavors and variety. They all turned out so good! I am attaching pictures of my 'bariatric' shelf in my freezer. Yes, I am aware of the irony of my little broths being in a Drumstick box! 🤣 I took the picture before I put my protein water pops in to freeze. I used these little zip sleeves (they come with a funnel) and this protein water. I did find a strawberry-watermelon flavor at costco last time I was there, but won't hold my breath they will be there the next time I go. My nutritionist said they are fine to have, they just don't count as a protein replacement because shakes are 8oz and these are 16.9oz so less likley to be able to drink them all at once like a shake. I figure, whenever I get some protein in, I will take it. I hope all of that helps!

Great job! I am also trying to get as prepared as possible before my surgery on 7/30. When is your surgery? My very supportive friend came over this past weekend and helped me make homemade chicken and beef bone broth. We made a larger batch of the chicken broth, then split it into smaller batches and flavored them with different seasonings for variety and simmered a bit longer. Then we strained them all so they were clear before putting them up into 1oz portions for the freezer. This way they are easy to grab and thaw as I need them. It took a while (spread out over two days) and I kept thinking maybe it would be better (...easier...quicker...) to just buy pre-made. Once I tasted them and had them all done, I was happy we did it. (And I have a LOT) All that to say that if she hadn't said "Oh honey no! Let me help you make some broth!" I was all set to order mine and have it delivered as well. I am picking up some Premier when we go to Costco this weekend. I have my sugar free sport pops and I made some Protein water pops that are in the freezer too. I am mostly set for the first couple of weeks at least. We've got this!

Hi! I am new here myself and my surgery date is set for July 30th. I have been very selective on who I have told. I talked about it with my fiance first and he has been very supportive. I then told my friend who has many of the same struggles with weight that I do. I told her in person because I knew her face would tell me her true reaction. At first she wasn't sure what to think, but after we talked, she was already talking about food prepping for pre- and post-op meals. She is planning to be on the liquid post-op with me (I don't have to do but a one day clear liquid pre-op diet thankfully) to show her support. We have discussed what we will do socially instead of going out to eat post-op, like walking, going to get mani/pedi's etc. Next, I shared with my son and daughter-in-law. They are also both very supportive. I chose those people to tell first because they are "my" people and the ones closest to me. Next I told my trainer at my gym because I will have to take time off from there and then I told my boss when I was approved for surgery. The last two I told out of necessity more than anything. To be honest, I didn't want to tell many people because I don't want to hear the negative comments. What has surprised me the most is the positive reaction I have received and the words of support. It has given me confidence to tell others when the time comes. I will tell more people as time goes on, but now I am sort of holding off to make sure the surgery is going to happen and that the COVID restrictions won't reappear between now and the end of the month.

Thank you! I will be sure to do that. I don't have to do the 10-day pre-op diet, so I am thankful for that, but I have begun to be more mindful of my food choices and have been practicing chewing things into mush. I have recruited a friend to help me with meal prepping some homemade broths and soups for post-op. I know it will not be an easy journey, but I am trying to start off on the right foot and involving my friends and family as much as possible so they understand that tempting me with food fave's will NOT be funny. 😒

I am a newbie that has been gathering information for a few years. I was surprised to find that I had created a profile back in 2016 on here when I first was considering my options. I finally decided not only do I need to do this...I am READY to do this! I am a self-pay, so the process has moved quickly from my initial telehealth visit on June 24th to getting the call today that I am scheduled for surgery on July 30th (no time set yet)! I am super excited and have my fingers crossed that elective surgeries aren't cancelled between now and then. I am so ready to get rid of this extra weight!