MrsGamgee

I'm also starting to think about what I'll need to take, and I'm not planning on taking much. I'm supposed to be in for 2 nights, so I'm bringing pjs/slippers (cheap so that I can toss them on the way out of the hospital), phone & charger, and chapstick. My paperwork also said to bring all my current meds (everything I take daily). I don't know if you're like me, but I'm planning on taking a book. May or may not feel like reading, but something to distract me when I'm not up walking around.

I'm a nighttime snacker now too... and I hate it. When I was growing up, once dinner was finished and the dishes were done, the lights went out in the kitchen and it was CLOSED. It wasn't part of our family culture. But my husband's family have a tradition of something they call 'bed lunch'... a snack, a sandwich, a bowl of cereal in the evening, usually later in the evening. I have tried to steer clear of it, but I have become a nighttime munchies fiend. Popcorn is my weakness these days. I need that hard and fast rule... no eating after 8pm. New goal. And for those who are having difficulties sleeping... I know it's cliché, but there are a lot of great herbal 'sleepy' teas out there. I really like Mother's Little Helper from David's Tea. I drink a cup of that and I'm down for the count a half hour later.

I had a thought, and I'm not sure how I would do it, but possibly have something planned for your gathering that isn't food focussed. Something for you to look forward to that will help take the stress of the daunting dinner table. With my inlaws, I would just have to find a new board game or card game. My side of the family would be harder. Like I said, just a thought. (I'm like you... I love to cook for others, seeing them enjoying their meals, feeling comfortable, having fun, etc. I get the pressure one can feel to make everything perfect nice)

Whew... ok. So I think what I'm going to do is to keep on what I've been doing... for now. I had be trying (and not succeeding) to go lower than 100g net carbs, but I'll stick there and not sweat it if I go over a little now and then. I've been able to keep my blood sugars in check, and that's a priority for sure. This is going to be topic number 1 when I see my nutritionist in May. Thank you for all the input!

Okay, I'm confused. (Not uncommon, but I thought I had this one figured out) I had my regularly scheduled meeting with my nurse at the bariatric clinic today. One of the things she commented on is that I'm not eating enough carbs... insert confused emoji here. I'm a type 2 diabetic for five years and had gestational diabetes before then, and somewhere along the way I had been told/read/somehow absorbed the idea that I'm supposed to be eating than less than 100g of carbs (net) per day. My nurse was shocked that I was trying to keep my carbs 'that low'. She wants my carbs to be 50% of my macros. I currently am striving for less than 35%. 50%, which works out to 200g (total) carbs per day on a 1500-1600 calorie diet, just feels like way too much. Am I completely off base? Have I been misinformed all this time? I'm not looking to go keto or Atkins right now, just keeping my carbs low enough to keep my blood sugars controlled and to lose the 10% that my surgeon requires. I don't get to see my nutritionist again until May. Any insight would be appreciated.

Ok, so last week's goal sucked big time... the only thing I accomplished was to keep my carb count down (not Atkins or keto level, but definitely lower for me) and gained 5lbs!!!! How the heck does that happen? (Question: am I the only one who doesn't record the bounces up on my ticker?) Seriously, the only bad thing I ate was some onion rings when the family went to A&W for lunch. I *know* it's water and constipation... my fingers feel like sausages and I'm bloated like crazy. I have an appointment at the bariatric clinic with my nurse tomorrow morning, which I'm not stoked about. I looked for any possible way I could legitimately cancel, but there's just nothing... and really I need to go. My program only allows 3 no-shows/re-scheduled appointments before they kick you to the curb, and I've already had one due to a completely brain dead moment, inputting the wrong time for an appointment on my calendar and I showed up way late. So this week's goals... 1- go to this horrible-no-good weigh-in where I know my nurse is going to give me serious side-eye when I step on the scale. 2 - work out 4 days this week (already did 2!). 3 - keep working on lowering my carbs and upping my protein. Here's to a much better week...

Good to know... I'm a life-long chapstick addict (yes, I have a purse chapstick, a car chapstick, a living room chapstick, a nightstand chapstick, etc), so I will have to stock up.

I want to make pillows out of some of my favourite geeky t-shirts once they're too big. Too bad I have no clue how to use a sewing machine. Sent from my SM-G920W8 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks Fluffy! I had been wondering about your yo-cheese. Sent from my SM-G920W8 using BariatricPal mobile app

Welcome! I've been on here for a few months now and have found it super helpful and I've gotten a lot good information and support. My suggestion, poke around everywhere. Read, join the conversation, and ask questions. Good luck on your WLS journey!

Most of my family and friends have been very positive about my decision, even while expressing concern. Most of their concern has come out of simply not knowing the details (which I do my best to explain) or general fear of surgery. Oh, and one friend who knows that I'm a foodie and love cooking expressed concern that she wouldn't get to partake of my culinary skills any more. That said, I was really surprised by one aunt (a retired RN and wife of a doctor) who was rather negative about the idea. I explained the whys and wherefores of my decision, and listened politely as she told me it 'really only takes moving more and eating less', and then I told her I'd be sure to keep her informed about when I have my surgery and that I'd appreciate her support. We haven't discussed it since, and I don't imagine we will until after the surgery happens. In my case, I think part of it is a bit of a generational disconnect, and part of it is just that this particular aunt is and has always been a know-it-all with a stick up her butt. I know who I can talk to about it and who I can't. Some people are just negative-nellies because they get their jollies from it.

I did this recently too. Actually had my 5 year old take them so I look a little taller than usual, but he got a lovely angle of my quadruple chin.

Hang in there lady! You have been through the wringer the last couple of months and your funk is legit. I recently read something I found helpful... When you can't imagine next week because it's too big, too scary, focus on this week. When you can't imagine this week because it's too big, too scary, focus on tomorrow. When you can't imagine tomorrow because it's too big, too scary, focus on today. When you can't imagine today because it's too big, too scary, focus on the next hour. When you can't imagine the next hour because it's too big, too scary, focus on the next ten minutes. Breathe, ground yourself. You have done all you can reasonably do. It's out of your hands at this point. For your sanity, find something to occupy your mind... walk, read (something not WLS related), watch a movie you can lose yourself in, go out. *hugs*

Here's my perspective... it works for me. It may not be your thing and that's cool. I'm another who has chosen to be open about my choice to pursue WLS. I talk about it with friends and family, on social media, and I've even been known to talk to a stranger or two about it (when health issues are part of the conversation). I also think it's time for the stigma around WLS to die, and I think we need to be the ones to make that happen. Nine years ago I went through 2 miscarriages and 2 chemical pregnancies (when you miscarry a month or less into pregnancy). No one in my connection, to my knowledge at that point, had ever dealt with recurrent pregnancy loss. It was only when I talked about it openly that others, some who I had known for years, some who were in my family, felt like it was okay to talk about their similar experiences. Instead of struggling alone, we were able to provide support to one another. Does it mean I've had an impact on my little corner of the world? Yes and no. There are still members of my family that are uncomfortable with the fact that our kids know the names we gave our lost babies. Do I care? Not in the least. When someone has cancer, or lupus, or MS there is no stigma about talking about their treatments. I look at WLS, obesity, and my co-morbidities the same way. If I'm honest about my experiences on this journey, then perhaps I might change one person's perspective on WLS or encourage one person to seek out more info for themselves. We live in a time and culture where it is acceptable to mock, denigrate, judge, and belittle people who are overweight and obese, and yet it isn't socially acceptable for us to seek medical intervention to remedy that particular 'moral failing'. I call BS on that and choose to talk about it.

My goal for this week... to get outside and walk on the three days that both wee-lings are in school. It's finally warming up here and I need to get outside. Also, to take Fluffy's sage advice and continue to lower my daily carb intake (and not screw up my day by snacking after dinner!).

Me too Creek! Sent from my SM-G920W8 using BariatricPal mobile app

Fluffy, how you feel about jeans is how I feel about fitted and button down shirts. The day my belly doesn't hang out of the bottom of a normal length shirt you will hear the Hallelujah Chorus being belted out from the frozen flatland of Canada with immense joy. Sent from my SM-G920W8 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm not on insulin but I take 5 different prescriptions every day. I can't wait to knock that number waaaaay down. Sent from my SM-G920W8 using BariatricPal mobile app

I've put a moratorium on buying myself any new clothes until after I finally get the surgery (with the exception of barest essentials... socks, underwear, etc), and given the fact that I will likely not have surgery until the end of this year, or possibly even early next year, I'm going to be itching to go shopping once the weight starts coming off.

And another thing clothes related... I want to be able to buy all those super geeky cute t-shirts for my fandoms, and NOT have to buy the boxy men's versions because they don't make the nice girly ones in my size. https://www.snorgtees.com/t-shirts/geek-nerd

Here it's Penningtons, her high maintenance, more expensive sister Addition Elle, and their cousin Laura. [emoji16] Sent from my SM-G920W8 using BariatricPal mobile app

That is just plain rotten! Sent from my SM-G920W8 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm also looking forward to any event that requires a seat... sporting events, theater, concerts, etc. Not worrying about crowding the person beside me, or the arms of the seat digging in. Sent from my SM-G920W8 using BariatricPal mobile app

My husband and I went to a big con last year for our 10th anniversary (Calgary Fan Expo). It was a great experience but it was also the experience that got me truly on board for this WLS journey. I was in agony from standing in lines for stuff... 2.5 hours in line to get Nathan Fillion's autograph almost broke me. I won't go to another con until after I lose some serious weight. Sent from my SM-G920W8 using BariatricPal mobile app

I look forward to the day I take my rings in to have them sized down. I've always used how my rings fit as a gauge for where I'm at weight-wise. When they're falling off I'll know I've made progress. Sent from my SM-G920W8 using BariatricPal mobile app