Blondietex

The funny thing is, I wouldn't have thought they were in my top 20 now. I thought it would be far more sweet treats, but I think when I'm in the healthy eating mode, the need for sweet things always dwindles. My choices are/were more sentimental in nature as these are particular meals I associate with my family. This is going to be one hell of a summer

Mine has done this as well. He said I was doing so well on my Paleo/Whole 30 diet for the past 3 months, he didn't think I needed to do the week or two pre-op liquid diet. Just clear liquids the day before. I'm scheduled for a 5/23 date, and I have decided to do a more Keto diet for the week before the surgery just to be safe. I'm having the last of my planned "food funerals" this weekend. I had pasta with homemade pesto with 2 slices of really, really good sourdough bread last Friday night, 1 glass of Bailey's on ice last night, and this Friday I'm having homemade pimento cheese on Wonder bread with BBQ kettle chips. Weird choices, I know, but that's what I came up with when I thought about what I truly wanted to have that I may not be able to have again (or for a very long time).

Looks like May 30th for me!!! Beat my weight goal by 3 pounds yesterday I could do May 23, but that date won't work for my friend who is flying in to be with me the first few days. A can wait another week....maybe I told my boss whose totally supportive, and I trust will keep it confidential. She suggested the story be a "woman's thing" as that would shut down most, but I said lets go with a minor abdominal surgery. I'm happy I'm in a supportive environment. I'm doing well on my Paleo diet so surgeon said I only need to do the clear liquid thing the day before surgery day. I just have to attend a pre-surgery class about a week or so before and do a pre-op visit with my PCP. I've seen more doctors and doctors' offices in the last 5 months than the last 3 years! I go to my high school reunion back in Texas this weekend (and my birthday is tomorrow) so I'm planning the meals at the restaurants I already know about so I have some wiggle room for those where I'll have no control of the menu. I've also signed up for a 45 min spin class tomorrow morning so I can earn myself a birthday martini and 1/2 a dessert To keep myself in check, I've set myself a surgery day weight goal. Knowing I had a specific goal that had to be made by a particular date really helped keep me on track. The work with my behavior therapist is gradually preparing me for the long-term. This board and other research has helped super controlling, list making me to feel like I am as prepared as I can be for the next stages of this journey. Sooooo looking forward to being on the looser's bench.

I find out officially April 25, but as long as I didn't gain weight as of that visit, I should be getting a May surgery date.

As the weather is finally warming this week, I went through my closet to start storing winter items. This time, I actually culled things that won’t fit when Fall comes again (pants, fitted skirts, etc). I bagged them but won’t take them to donations until A couple of months after surgery. I kept things that can be belted or that would just be a bit baggy (sweaters,stretchy skirts). I also hung up 3 cute dresses that I bought over the last two years (at consignment/super sales) at next three sizes down from current size. (I have a few pieces of clothing purchased with past optimism. I have a plaid skirt purchased at the LL Bean flagship store in 1994 [emoji849] and my jeans from high school circa 1986). This culling seemed so much different from past times when I had optimism during past weight loss efforts that ultimately failed, but it was also scary at the same time. Is it crazy to do this?

It one skirt and it’s only kept as an ultimate goal post. [emoji51]

Do you have any way to go see a therapist or counselor? Maybe even a support group through your surgeon’s office? I’m trying to make therapy a centerpiece of my process (I’m most likely having surgery in May). I know I’ve regained in the past because there is something that triggers the eating (either poorly or binging) more than just hunger. I know what to eat, like to cook healthy and enjoy working out, but I’ve sabotaged myself many times I’ve actually made progress over the 20+ past years. I, personally, have realized I treat food and eating the way others treat liquor or drugs. Bad day? I eat rather than going to a bar. Stressed, depressed, bored? Food will sooth and comfort me just like others may drink a bottle of wine or smoke weed. I come from a family with some alcoholics. I rarely, if ever, drink, but you should see me hunt down sugar, bread and processed food on certain days. I realized while some have no need for counseling, I can’t do this on my own and sought some professional help this time. As karmanodrana recommended, journaling is a great first step. I’m trying to nail down what I’m feeling when I start thinking about buying or reaching for something that is not on my plan for the week to see if I can see patterns. You can turn this around!

Walk into J. Crew, Banana, Ann Taylor and wear something linen or non-stretchy off the rack. Never go to the special section of department stores (always next to Maternity). Being willing to be in photographs again (and taking a selfie of something other than my feet). Wear the women’s version of fan/political t-shirts rather than the man’s (someone else put this earlier and I was like “Yes!”) Never worry that I will have to ask for a seatbelt extender (I’m right on the edge) or that when I walk down the aisle don’t think the other passengers are hoping I’m not their seat mate. Going into a store (other than Lane Bryant) and buying a bra. Crossing my legs.

I should have my date as of my visit with the surgeon on 4/25. My case was to go to the surgical committee this month for approval (I'm self pay). I was 4 pounds from goal during my 3/22 visit. I am hoping for a mid- to late May date.

Can you incorporate use of your products into this process? If yes, it could be a way to show how the products can work in conjunction with another approach to a healthy life for you.

I agree. Different eating plans work for different people. Keto is working awesome for elforman and modified Paleo is currently working for me, but your body, especially with the diabetes, may need something entirely different. Your doctor and a nutritionist can really help. We ALL need help through this process.

If you are working out (especially if you haven't for a while), I've always found I don't lose actual pounds at first as I am rebuilding my muscles. However, this is awesome as it helps you burn calories (as muscles require more calories than fat) in the long run. If you are seeing the inches come off, you'll soon see the pounds come off. Also look to see if (a) you are eating enough calories (sometimes if you reduce too much, especially if you are working out, I have found your body wants to keep its lovely fat stores) and (b) you have included healthy fats. I had an experience in Weight Watchers (one of the many times I've taken off the same 30 - 40 pounds over the past 20 years...) that I wasn't loosing even though I was eating according to plan. The leader suggested adding some healthy fat like 2T natural peanut butter, avocado, etc. I was skeptical, but I did it, and the weight starting coming off again. Keep at it! I have to get my workouts consistent again. Especially before the surgery as I know it will help speed my recovery and hopefully help with some of the loose skin when the pounds do start coming off.

I really can't look at Keto as I like to work-out and you need more carbs to do that, and I like lots of veggies and fresh fruits which aren't really doable and still keep to the very, very low carb requirements for Keto. I went back to a modified Paleo/Whole 30 diet which focuses on clean food sources, high protein and typically no dairy, grains or legumes and is low sugar (and when you do use sweeteners, only low glycemic sources like real maple syrup, dates or coconut sugar) as this has worked for me in the past. I've never had an issue with eating dairy, grains and legumes in moderation and still loosing weight. So I just don't eat them every day and only in small amounts (like max 1/2 cup serving a day). I make sure any grains I do eat are whole grains or sprouted grains/legumes, and I stick to grass-fed dairy to get the added healthy Omegas. Healthy fat sources are also key for Paleo - like avocados, coconut oil, etc. and keep me from feeling hungry. My surgeon had also recommended the Paleo diet as well. When I'm lazy and don't want to cook, I'm luckily we have a place nearby that makes ready-to-eat Paleo dishes and also makes Paleo compliant condiments like BBQ sauce, steak sauce, etc. which are a pain to make yourself. However, you can now order these things online, and there are meal prep delivery services that follow Paleo/Whole 30 (or Keto) guidelines. The real key for me pre-surgery (and will be for post-surgery) has been learning to avoid office food, planning for office breakfast/lunch meetings and limiting my eating out. This is when I fall off my healthy eating I also have a bad sweet tooth so I've been trying to have alternative choices at work and home like sugar-free jello, stevia flavored gum, real fruit popsicles and fresh fruit. I've been packing my own "snack packs" with things like 1/4c almonds and 1oz of hard cheese or beef jerky and 1/2 cup of seedless grapes or a hard boiled egg and 1/4c cashews. So when the bagels appear, I have something I can reach for 11 pounds down so far. [My case is going before committee this month and I hope to have the surgery in May.] Now I have to gear up my workouts more...

I just started see a therapist, but I was also wondering if anyone on this board has found a great book (or podcast, blogs or vlogs, etc.) on dealing with food addiction or emotion eating that you would recommend? I am determined that truly resolving the underlying issues that got me to this point. and this is one of the most important parts of my future success. In the last ten years, I've learned what I should be eating and what I should be doing in terms of exercise. I have had long periods where I do well with one or the other or both. However, I always seem to backslide, and I'm back to where I started. From what I can see from this board and other resources, eventually with the sleeve, you can stretch your stomach out again if you fall back into old patterns. I don't want to have this radical body change and spend $20K of my own money (pre-op, therapist, surgery, etc.) and be in the same place a few years from now. Looking forward to some suggestions...

Thank you all. I'll try out the podcast and the book.

Thank you. I definitely plan to use the board as support (as I'm using it now for concerns pre-surgery ). However, I was also looking to see if anyone had found a book, etc. that they have found useful in approaching issue regarding emotional eating or food addiction specifically. There are a lot out there, but I wanted to see if someone who has gone thorough/is going through this process has found one particularly helpful. [FYI - vlogs are video blogs like you tube postings]

So I've started the process (and since I'm self pay I don't have to worry about insurance approval) in December 2017 - had my initial surgical consult, pysch visit, and scheduled the Upper GI, EKG and labs for early March. Due to my work and my desire to get my head in a good place prior to the surgery so this radical move is successful for the long-term, I've decided to wait until May to have the surgery. The surgeon has asked that I lose 15 pounds before surgery, and I lost 8 four weeks after the consult. However, this last month, I've really been struggling with my eating and working out consistently. In the past, I usually dive in and can keep it together for numerous months. However, this time I've fizzled fast. I'm not typically a binge eater (it happens ever so often when I'm really stressed), but it seems this has happened a lot more in the past four weeks. I'm logging it all, but I can't seem to move out of the pattern. As for working out, typically, this is the easiest thing for me to get into and I feel awesome when I'm doing it consistently, but for the past two months, I'm lucky to work out once or twice a week. I self-selected to check in with the Nurse Practitioner in the Surgeon's office on a monthly basis until the surgery to review my eating and activity. First visit went well (especially with the 8 pound weight loss), but I'm dreading next week's visit because I've either not lost or possibly gained back a pound or two. I already pushed the visit back a week with the thought I could get my act together but kept making poor choices... I'm wondering if the planned surgery is impacting me subconsciously, or I'm just in a weird place right now. The NP has a list of counselors/psychologists for me to check out as I told her this is a vital part of the process for me to figure out why I sabotage myself when I really start making progress on weight loss. Anyone else find that they fell into worse patterns once they made the decision to pursue surgery or as the surgery date came closer? I'm thinking it's just another form of sabotage when I see possible success for weight loss in the near future, but I'm wondering if this is common.

Thanks. I know post-op will be no picnic, and that's why I've not considered this as an option until now hoping I could work out stuff on my own. It's also why I'm giving myself 5 months and dedicating additional dollars to figure some stuff out. I think the key is finding that counselor/psychologist now so I can figure out what's up with my head. I've changed a lot about my typical eating and fitness over the past 20 years since I gained this weight (I'm not really a fast food eater and don't drink soda). The past 3 years, I've been an on-again, off-again CrossFit person and stick to Paleo & Whole 30 diet, but then I'll fall off the wagon. In 6 - 8 months, I'll gain back what I've lost and lose my fitness gains (happens faster now that I'm closer to 50). I've gained and lost the same freaking 30 - 40 pounds numerous times over the years and never lose the last 50-60. I think loosing momentum 4 weeks in is what made this time different, and why I was asking if others found it even harder to stay on track as the surgery date loomed closer.

One other thing to consider (if you haven't already done so) is to have your thyroid checked. I was super active in high school but could not seem to lose the 15 - 20 extra pounds I carried around unless I went on a severely calorie restrictive diet. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at 17, and once on medication, I lost that extra weight in college. [Now, I ended up gaining about 50 pounds in grad school thanks to some mild depression resulting in inactivity, over eating and poor food choices. This and weight gained since is what I'm struggling with 25 years later resulting in my considering the surgery now.]