JessieGrace319

Okay so now I feel stupid... why can I not find the FB group?!!

I only wish I had started this process a few years ago but then, I was busy making and having babies so maybe that's better... my surgeon has been so amazing- there's no feeling of shame at all when you go into the office, which is incredible because I think I'e just internalized this baseline of shame with my body and when I'm not feeling it, it's almost weird. I'm in East Granby- super close to Springfield!

I actually live in Northern CT- right near the MA line, so about 25 minutes from Hartford. What hospital at your having your surgery out of? Yale? I'm out of Hartford Hospital with Dr. Tishler.

That's a great idea! I'm going to find it and join!!! I've told a few family members and a few work people but not many... so this is perfect!

Think forward to next birthday though!! We are in a good way, being younger and doing this surgery (I'm 35 in March). My surgeon shared with me that I'm 12 years younger than his average patient and because of that am more likely to hit my goals and faster- that's phenomenal to feel. I'm slightly nervous about Thanksgiving myself this year because that's always been my favorite holiday. It will be psychological torture more than anything. But hey- who doesn't want to eat pureed yams and turkey while people are eating pies and stuffing and deliciousness? (Does that sound convincing? 'Cause I'm still not convinced myself!) My husband suggested we have a "mini Thanksgiving" this weekend, actually and I was debating it but might actually do it- make some mashed potatoes, make some sausage stuffing, a yummy dessert and some turkey- kind of my last hurrah.

RIGHT??? I have Ann Taylor Loft clothes from when I was 200 pounds... my goodness... what the hell was wrong with me at 210 pounds when I thought I was so big? I am going to do some serious damage there in about 6 months for work clothes. It's funny- I also really don't HATE my body now, like I did then. It's done some amazing things- I've given birth to 3 babies in that time, since my wedding (11 years ago). That alone has let me seen how amazing it is (as well as not being embarrassed by too much! That being said, my weight has steadily climbed with each baby and is at the "Point of No Return Now" despite Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach- it's time for something more permanent so I can make my body match the strength I feel. I also (like a lot of people with eating disorders) had a pretty messed up idea of food and dieting growing up thanks to a mother who had her own mental health issues and put me on a diet in 4th grade (when I was NOT overweight)... I don't want that same mentality to be passed down to my beautiful, healthy girls.

I just traveled on an airplane for the first time in 4 years with my husband this summer (at my highest non-pregnant weight) and I couldn't even break to ask for a seat belt converter. I put a blanket over my lap and pretended to sleep- it was awful. That was what my surgeon said- he said a healthy goal for me for 6 months is 100 pounds... that is INSANE to me and I cannot wait. I was 210 at my wedding and I look at those pictures and think of how skinny I looked! LOL I have a very naturally athletic daughter who is 7 and a half... she asks all the time for me to take her hiking and kayaking- 2 things I also would LOVE to do and can't wait to do with her! I told her that I'm going to buy us a kayak next year and we are going on the CT river together- that's going to be my birthday present to myself in March!

GTT~ You're in CT, like me! And we're both having op in November!!! What a small world, huh? You're so right- eating well before is so helpful! I've been not so great at it lately but I think I'm going to start earlier than my "date" of 10/24! Right? There's a meme online I've seen that reads something like, "I wish I weighed now what I weighed when I thought I was fat"- it's so true! How about shopping in stores and not having to shop online??? I used to LOVE shopping! Now I detest it and truly just buy a lot of elastic waist so I don't have to worry about fitting in them perfectly! I look forward to wearing heels and not having my knees and back hurting from standing on high heels and supporting me! When I went to my last surgical consult, I said to my surgeon that I couldn't wait (as weird as it sounds) to have the same "is that really me?" feeling I have now when I catch a reflection of myself but having the rest of the thought being, "I look so good!" as opposed to now where I think, "I'm so huge, my head looks so small!" I can't wait to take pictures with my children...(sigh) I could go on and on. I'm just excited for this new lease on life!!!

YES! Surgery twins (although there are a few of us for November 7th)! I am getting bypass surgery and I got my date a couple of weeks ago but it is really just starting to feel real now... I start my low fat/low carb diet October 24th (2 weeks) and then just have to do 1 day of liquids prior to the surgery. I'm so excited for this change! I'm trying not to look TOO far ahead and just take it one day at a time but I'm going to be honest...I've been looking at clothes and thinking, "I can't wait to be able to wear that and not look like a sausage". LOL I have the time available at work and I have short term disability available so I have decided (even though I have a desk job as well) that I'm going to take 4 weeks off. It's a long time but it's a good time of the year (right before the holiday rush starts) and I'm looking at this as self care. Not taking care of myself for most of my 34 years is what got me over 300 pounds. I can take 4 weeks off to concentrate on myself (while still juggling homelife of 3 kids and a husband who are all busy). But this way, if I want to nap while kids are in school, I can. If I want to take long walk, I can. I'm hoping this also allows me to start some good habits (like eating every 1-2 hours) before going back to work because my job (as a clinical social worker) isn't great about scheduling "me time". I, like other posters, have started to get excited about the surgery and actually kind of excited about the prep of surgery. I've for sure been a little lax with eating well lately, thinking to myself, "Well, who knows when I will be able to have (insert food here) again... better enjoy it now!" Been def. doing some food funerals but I'm getting excited about clean eating before the surgery and have been testing out some protein shakes after I asked for help getting to know some good brands in a post I had. We totally got this!! This has been amazing journey thus far (my first date with my surgeon was back in April of this year) and I feel totally committed for this change of life! It sounds silly but there are little things I look forward to- running with my kids, going to amusement parks with them, being comfortable in the movie theatre again... I just can't wait for this new lease on life that I feel like will be such a boost to my self esteem, you know? We November RNYs have to support each other and keep checking in- especially us 11/7-ers!! Happy New Birthday to us!!!

Got the call the end of last week- my insurance has approved my surgery! I'm ecstatic! Apparently, the office heard back within 72 hours which I cannot fathom, working in the clinical field myself! I have the pre-op appointment with my surgeon tomorrow where we will sign consents and schedule the surgery. I'm so excited and nervous but SOOOOOO ready!!! In speaking with my nutritionist, I am told that the surgeon will request a 2 week diet of 2 meals of liquid protein and one meal of low carb. I'm actually okay with this, as A) it will be a great kick start to everything and B ) I was a devout Atkins follower for a solid 8 months so I KNOW I can do low carb! But here's the kicker.... I've NEVER tried a protein shake. Like, ever. I would not know what the best recipe is or what the best powder is. Of course I have a list of suggestions from my nutritionist but I would love to hear from those who have gone through it (because of course my nutritionist, who is wonderful, is 110 pounds soaking wet and looks like a model). I will never ever ever ever ever ever TOUCH, smell or eat a banana- if my life depended on it, that would be it. My babies loved them and I died a little each time I had one in my eye sight. So no banana recipes. Can anyone share some actually delicious (and yes, I realize it's all up to personal taste but still) recipes for protein shakes? Or, if there were some really yummy protein rich broth recipes, can you share those as well ? Please & Thank you and YAY for all those getting surgery in OCTOBER!!!

Might seem like a silly question but thought I would go ahead and ask as I've been in awe of the great community on this forum... I'm currently in the pre-op cycle of appointments and preparing for surgery. I just signed up for the gym and have started an exercise program, I've been on a lower carb diet to start to prepare for the surgery, I've cut out soda all together (9 days now! AHHHH!!!) and am just trying to make some smarter choices as I look forward to getting a date at the beginning of September for (what I believe will be) an October surgery. That being said, while I've been able to make or, at least, start to make, these changes (Oh- I even have tried to be more mindful of not drinking during meals! That's something to get used to!!!)... there is still one change that is really difficult for me to make progress on- chewing!!! My husband has always made fun of me for eating like a bird (I swallow my food with minimal chews). I don't know why I do it- I just do! This change of needing to chew more and not take bite after immediate bite after immediate bite has been really a struggle for me. (I'm probably making it sound much more dramatic than it is but oh well). I'm PETRIFIED of getting Dumping Syndrome after surgery and I will be so upset if I do it to myself because I don't chew. So, long winded, but here is my question for those POST-gastric: Did you find that, because of your food stages, you were able to ease into the over chewing and near-liquefying your food easily? Or was it a real challenge for you? Did you have to get sick to kind of "catch " yourself or do you have tips to be super mindful about it? Any tips/help/experience is appreciated!! Thank you!!!

I'm so excited for you! You will be fabulous! It's going to be your new birthday to celebrate!

Congrats!! Raise your mug of broth to a speedy and healthy recovery!

I love this! Thank you!!! I tried it last night at dinner and it totally grossed me out as it liquefied my food but that's probably good! lol

That is so exciting!!! Congratulations!!! Is your surgeon making you follow a pre-op diet to shrink your liver?

Welcome! I'm pretty new here as well! Preparing for my surgery that I'm hoping will be early fall! Sounds like you're doing fabulous to get through Week 1 of the pre-op diet with your humor intact! Just close your eyes and think where you'll be in 1 month, 6 months, a year! Totally worth a few weeks of liquids!

Hello~ New to the website and forum. On April 13th, I made the decision that I know will enhance the rest of my life- to get weight loss surgery. Since then, it's been a flurry of appointments, tests and doctors! I have just one more dietician appointment and then 2 support groups to attend and then everything gets submitted to insurance. I don't anticipate any issues with insurance approval and have been told by every professional I've seen that I'm a "perfect" candidate for the bypass surgery and I'm SO excited for it as I feel like it's the beginning of the rest of my life, quite honestly. I guess, for my first question on this forum, I'm wondering if anyone can give any "I wish I knew..." facts for those of us who are in the pre-op process. Every little piece of information helps- I promise! Whether it's something you wish you knew about your hospital stay, the pre-op, post-op, really anything! I'm using this time before my surgery to educate myself as much as possible! So please- what is something you have experienced that you have said, "God- I wish I knew this!" Thanks in advance and a healthy day for everyone!

Thank you so much!! I appreciate it!! I’m a therapist and push clients to ask for help and support but I’m not the best at it- joining this forum and site is one of my commitments to change!

Such amazing suggestions!!! I’ve tried to focus on this whole process as self care because I got to this position by years of self neglect!! So that is completely what I’m trying to focus on! I’m trying to start with little changes because it took 10 years to get here and it’s unrealistic to think I’m going to change my patterns so quickly. So there’s a lot of forgiveness going on when I slip up! Lol But little things- less Diet Coke, 1 donut instead of 3... taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

Congrats @Just4nise!! That's so exciting! Does your surgeon require a pre-op diet?

Hi @busyforever! Congrats on your surgery date! Didn't your surgeon get the approval before giving you a date? I'm still in the pre-op process (appts and all of that fun stuff) so I'm trying to learn as much as possible. I could have sworn my surgeon told me that they go through insurance first, get approval and THEN set a surgery date. I should be ready for everything to be submitted for insurance by the end of next month so I have my fingers crossed! I have no concept of how long it will be once I get the insurance approval and I'm so eager to just get this show on the road! Lol