insta_adventurer

But how is a disbelief a belief system? Isn’t Atheism essentially not believing in a higher power? How is wishing someone well pushing a belief system or using their pain as a platform for religious conversion? I work with a fellow from Iran. He greets me and says Noruz Mubarak once a year. By your assertion this is rude or impolite, but by mine I find it nice that he wishes to share his joy in a holiday he celebrates with me.

You’re right that it does not dictate the receipt. The one thing I never really understood about militant atheists is their intense and belligerent conviction in their own disbelief. Don’t believe? Cool. I’d think any mention of religion would be boring - almost to the point where it didn’t even move an atheist to respond. What’s the point of debating something you don’t believe in? I could see arguing about the separation of Church and state (for the Americans), as that may directly impact you. However, I’m always surprised that any religious pandering doesn’t fall on deaf ears when delivered to nonbelievers.

Two bugs to report... I can no longer quote individuals in the iOS app. Also, when trying to change my profile picture, it keeps saying validating session and never updates.

As someone pretty open about spirituality, or the lack thereof, I find myself simply focusing on the perceived intentions of the well wisher. If you’re bringing me positive messages, whether they align with my own faith/beliefs/dogma/etc. or not, I will be appreciative. But that’s just me.

I quit 5.5 months ago using the Juul e-cig a nice little prescription of my dear friend Wellbutrin (it was prescribed for depression/adhd, but also helps with quitting smoking!) I am now switching to nicotine free vapor juice as I have surgery in a month and it’s a requirement. It’s great if you can do it without vaping, but honestly do whatever works for you. Think about why you smoke and what’s stopping you from quitting. For me the habit was strong, I have bad anxiety, and adhd. Addressing those issues made quitting a lot easier for me. The first three days are the hardest no matter what method you choose. The only time I’ve badly craved a smoke is when I’ve had a few alcoholic beverages, but thankfully I rarely drink and I’m having the surgery so I won’t be able to drink afterwards anyhow. Good luck!

Wow! You all are doing great! I can’t believe some of the transformations and how quickly you’ve progressed in some of these photos! Congratulations! Must be nice to see the hard work paying off!

I am scheduled for July 17th! Pretty nervous! I have my pre-surgery appointment in 1.5 weeks and I’ve spent the last 2.5 weeks out of state, without a scale. I’ve been trying to exercise moderation and make mostly healthy choices so we’ll see!

Yes! Wellbutrin has been great for me all around. Helped with smoking, depression, and my adhd as well.

I have been smoke-free since 1/1/18. I quit using Wellbutrin and the Juul electronic cigarette. The only bad thing about the Juul is that it has a lot of nicotine in it. I am now using a traditional vape pen with 6mg juice and working towards tapering to 0mg juice. My surgery is July 17th and my surgeon requires I stop using nicotine 30 days prior to my surgery. My plan is to switch to 3mg tomorrow, then 1.5 the following week, and then to 0 the week after that. I think they will blood test me and I know the test will happen about a week before surgery. I’m fairly sure that tapering over the next two weeks will be plenty of time to test negative in early July.

So- I’ve made all of the requested changes... and received my date... except I’ve still got to quit vaping. I started vaping to quit smoking and have not smoked in about five months! I have been very up front with my team about the vaping. However, now I’ve got to give up my vape pen, as I’m going to be tested for nicotine next month. I quit it a month ago, but then got super stressed out and started vaping again. My plan is to go cold turkey on it again tomorrow. I’ve asked my husband to not let me borrow his vape under any circumstances. He is not great at telling me no.. or being assertive towards me... [emoji23][emoji23] but I am struggling so much! Any tips on getting through the next few days nicotine free? I have made so many changes that I can’t throw it all away over this!

I’m in this club! My highest weight was probably in the 380-390 range. When I started the process in late January, I was 340lbs. I’m currently around 314lbs and scheduled for RNY July 17th. My personal goal before surgery is to get back in the 200s, but who knows if I’ll make that! I met my surgeon’s goal so it’s not a dealbreaker if I don’t meet my own.

Thanks, all! I’ve struggled to find a 0mg flavor that I like enough to stick with. I think I need to shop around more, but juice gets so expensive when you’re trying it out.

Maybe it’s an age thing or because I’m married, but [emoji90] happens. [emoji23] I worry about having a [emoji884] neck, but then I also think about all the bad things that will probably happen if I don’t do the surgery... and then I’m okay with risking that.

Some things? H. Pylori, GERD, gastritis, and a duodenal ulcer. I thought I was fine. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hi! I’m from the NE, too. Albany, NY to be exact. You can do this! I will be having a hiatal hernia repaired with my bypass surgery, too. It is pretty common from what I hear. I have anxiety, too— and I’ve definitely have a few panic attacks over going through with this. But I’ve told myself that this is my best chance at a healthy, long life... You may get gallstones, you may get them even without the surgery. I had them years ago. They are uncomfortable, but not... end of the world bad. The gallbladder removal surgery is quite simple for most people. As someone who has been through the gallstone thing, it wasn’t as bad as some of the things I may experience if l don’t address my weight- so I wouldn’t let the possibility of it deter you. Best of luck to you and welcome!

I’m right here with you both! I met my pre-op goal last month, buuuuut I still have to make sure I don’t gain and my check in with nutrition and surgeons office is next week! Also- I have a physical with my PCP tomorrow and I hope I haven’t gained! I do so well with my diet during the week and then on the weekend I slip up left and right.

Got my date this morning! July 17th! [emoji15][emoji15]

I enjoy reading this thread! We were going to TTC, so we started making healthy changes. Our first was that we quit smoking! Yayyyy! After I quit smoking, I realized weight loss surgery was now also an option... and that if I did it, I would likely have a healthier pregnancy. Also- while we just officially ready to start trying, we’d had a “if it happens, it happens” attitude about pregnancy for a few years and it never happened. So- I figured losing weight may help with fertility... So I am in a similar boat. I will likely be 37 when we TTC. I just had an IUD put in today (if that isn’t commitment to this process, idk what is cause it sucked!)... and I will hopefully have surgery in July! Best of luck to all of you on this journey!

My pre-op anxiety has been out of control ever since they said to start thinking about dates. Wondering if I’m making the right choice, wondering if I’ll be able to do it afterwards (really won’t have a choice, I reckon).... any advice on how to beat these unhelpful thoughts?

Congrats!!! I had my monthly check in today and hit my goal weight! They also said that I just need the pulmonary letter and cardiologist letter and I’m set! And I’ve done the sleep study and recently had cardiological exams so those should be coming soon! They said to start thinking about dates... ahhhhhh!!!!!!

Not to be devils advocate, but kids get plenty of time off from school... I’m not sure why folks do not prioritize school attendance and treat it as optional.

Good luck!! [emoji256][emoji1303]

I feel like my process has been a bit arduous. I went to my first appointment in January and have met with surgeon and nutrition once a month ever since. I’ve had to have an endoscopy, primary doc letter of medicinal necessity, sleep study, pulmonary function test, two rounds of labs, psych evaluation, and cardiac clearance. The endoscopy tested positive for h. Pylori so I had to do 14 days of antibiotics and will have to do a stool sample [emoji58][emoji58] to see if it is gone. I get my sleep study and pulmonary function test results on Wednesday and my cardiologist had to cancel my appointment last week- so I won’t see them until May now.

I have a weigh in on Wednesday and I *think* I may be at my goal? My highest weight was 380-390lbs a year and a half ago. When I started the Bariatric program in January of this year my weight was 339, I had lost 40 or so pounds from exercise and mild/inconsistent dieting. They wanted me to get to 322 to approve me for surgery. My scale says I’m at 316 now... but that’s my naked weight- so I figure as long as my clothes don’t weigh more than 6lbs I should be okay. My *personal* goal is to get below 300 before surgery. The reason why I’m so focused on hitting these goals before surgery is I know my weight is a result of diet. If I can consistently lose weight before the surgery, it means I’ve started to really tackle the root cause. I have had some success- like now I actually prefer water or no calorie Powerade to soda. I’ve gotten better at portions and self control. I’ve really got more work to do with meal planning and breaking up with my good friend the potato... [emoji23].