It'sAlbright

I totally understand! I have the same type of personality. I also had to jump through hoops, nutritionist, physical therapist and mental therapist. It seems like it takes forever, but before you know it, your surgery date will arrive! Cheers

I remember when I brought up surgery to my husband for the first time. He was saying how I did not need it and diet and exercise would do the trick and that it could be very expensive. I have done diet after diet, at my job, I was walking about 20,000 steps a day so I was getting plenty of exercise but no weight was dropping. I knew I needed help. After that conversation, I called my insurance to see what all was covered, (in my case almost everything was covered... amazing!) I then scheduled my first consultation without telling my husband. I started doing all of the prerequisites per my insurance. I eventually did tell my husband, and he knew there was no stopping me so he got on board. I did not have diabetes or any other comorbidity/health risks, however I explained to him that it could eventually happen if I did not get on the right track soon. I did feel bad for somewhat going behind his back and doing it, but after talking with my insurance I thought, why not?! I recommend, like many others are, bring your wife to a doctors appointment with you. Help her understand what you are feeling. Best of luck!

Welcome! Here to support in any way I can.

You are so right! I found that stage the most frustrating! I survived off of plain greek yogurt and adding some powder protein and a little bit of water to make it less thick, it helped me get my protein in, which was a huge struggle for me in this stage. I also ate mashed potatoes with again, plain greek yogurt as a sour cream substitute, and I enjoyed refried black beans as another great source of protein. Good luck to you! You've got this.

Hi there! I know that it is difficult but being patient and waiting for something that can be so life changing. I know in my case, that my insurance required me to take 4 courses from a nutritionist (had to be exactly once a month), I had to have 2 visits to a physical therapist, and 1 visit to a therapist to make sure I was in a good enough headspace to go through with the surgery. From my first visit with my surgeon Feb. 2021, there was nothing I could do to speed up the process. While I had my monthly visits to the nutritionist, I would be doing research on recipes that I would like to try, pinterest was very helpful, and this forum had some great recipes posted as well. My surgeons office also gave me a big binder full of need to know information, I read and re-read that binder numerous times asking questions or looking online. I wouldn't recommend a liquid diet, especially since you haven't met with the surgeon yet. For now, just to get in to better habits, I would start by eating healthier, smaller portions more slowly. Drinking plenty of water and you starting to walk everyday is a great routine to have. I personally think the more you prepare and the more knowledge you have, the better you feel when it comes to surgery day. Good luck! I hope it all works out for you.

Welcome! Where in WA do you live? I am happy to support you in any way I can.

Hi! I have got a surgery date of June 23, 2022! I am wondering if there is anyone on this forum that lives in Washington State, the Pacific Northwest to be exact, or, to be even more exact... The Olympic Peninsula? I'd love someone to talk to, whether you have had the surgery yet or not. Just someone who is on the same journey as me would be fantastic!

Thank you! I never struggled with body dysmorphia until I started losing weight. I definitely understand that it takes time, it is just such a weird experience. I look at myself now, down 86 lbs and I don't see a difference, I feel like I look exactly the same, even though my clothes size has shrank and the scale says differently. I look at before photos and see a difference, but when it comes to just walking by the mirror and looking, I feel nothing. I feel like I should be proud of how far I have come and the struggles, but nothing. I talked to my doctor who said he would be happy to refer me to a therapist if need be. I am going to wait it out for at least a year and see if my mindset changes. I am only 7 months out. I just got a comment about my weight! It was so uncomfortable. An old guy asked if my husband had stopped feeding me because I had lost a lot of weight. He then asked if I was ok. It was awful. People can be so rude!

Post surgery question(s)... Has anyone struggled with body dysmorphia? I have reached onederland, and thought I would be more excited than I am. I see some weight loss, but my brain isn't connecting the dots and I feel like I should be more excited than I am to have reached such a great milestone in 6 months. Instead of being excited I am just trying to reach my next goal and keep telling myself that maybe then I will be happy. I just need my brain and body to be in unison. I think this is part body dysmorphia. Any advice would be great!

This! The other day someone guy (who I am not too close with) said "wow, you're looking great, looks like the surgery is working." I wanted to slap him in the face lol. The surgery yes it helped but I am still constantly doing the work. The way he said it made it seem like I took an "easy way out" or something. Often times it's just better to keep your thoughts to yourself. I am sorry you had to go through this.

I might see you on the zoom on the 5th of October if you are joining. It's Reyes and Clives current and past patients.

The clinic is amazing! Keri had everything so well organized, it made the whole process great and less stressful. October 10th! That's coming up. How exciting 😀

Hi! How did you feel after surgery? I live in Port Townsend. It's nice to meet another Washingtonian. ☺️

I went to Dr. Reyes who works in the same office! So far since late June, I am down over 50lbs! If you ever need to reach out, I'm here!

Being kind to myself has never been on the top of my to do list. I am learning through this journey and am much happier for it!

I had RNY surgery 5 days ago. I still have numbness in areas of my stomach, I am feeling faint and nauseous even though I am drinking all the required clear liquids daily. I am struggling to get my 60g of protein. The worst thing though is that I feel like I am STARVING! I get so faint that I lay in bed and it doesn't help at all. I do walk for 5 or so minutes every hour (not counting bathroom visits) All I can think about is food. Is this normal? I want warm solid food instead of cold liquids and jello. I am on phase 2 but the struggle is real. Will my mindset change or will this be how I feel forever?

The potatoes are a must almost every day lol. The only things that currently do not cause my stomach to hurt or nausea are tuna, greek yogurt, cottage cheese and hummus. I have tried many things and can only still manage soft foods.

Thank you for asking! I am doing a lot better after having to get 3 i.v. infusions at once. lol. I am still struggling to get my full amount of water and protein in. My stomach only seems to like greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and tuna consistency type things. Scrambled eggs were meh I am trying mashed potatoes now. I am just about a month post-op and there is definitely a learning curve. Someday soon-ish I hope to be able to eat a solid meal with veggies and protein! I caught some salmon and I am really eager for it.

I had to get another blood draw and they told me I was lacking in potassium and my blood pressure was super low. I was also recommended to drink a bottle of Gatorade Zero as well. Right after surgery every time I would shower the steam would make me want to faint/vomit and standing up in general was an absolute nightmare. I am about 4 weeks post-op and am still struggling to eat anything besides greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and tuna lol. My starting weight was 278 and now I am down to 241. It is very exciting! Keep up the great work.

I am glad I am not the only one! I would watch any cooking show that Netflix or Hulu had to offer haha. Now that I am almost 4 weeks post-op I don't feel the urge. I do still find it hard that what I used to be able to eat, I can now only eat a quarter of it at a time. It's definitely a mind trick.

Thank you for your input! You mentioned the sweetness of everything, normally I have an extreme sweet tooth, but I think your right about it just being too much. I will definitely be getting some broth of some kind.

Thank you! I do need to remember to be kind to myself, I am the type to go by a timeline and if my body isn't at that timeline then I feel like I am failing. I know this is a process/journey and not an instant gratification. I just wanted to know if I was the only one feeling this terrible. I see so many comments on how people heal so well, I guess I just hoped that would be my situation too.

Thank you for your insight!

I sure hope it gets easier! Thank you

I am so eager to be moving on to the next phase. I have talked to my doctor and they recommended just staying hydrated at the moment and get what protein you can. They say I am dehydrated but according to my urine I am definitely not lol. I am having to go to the hospital tomorrow and get some I.V. fluids in hopes that helps with the dizziness. Thank you for your encouragement!