Driver Deb

I started this journey 13 days ago. I woke up, like every other day, but something was different. I felt pissed off, unhappy, ugly and uncomfortable. I sat there and thought for a moment... "Is this how it's going to be?" I am 42 years old, divorced, the kid is grown and out, and I am unhappy and cynical at age 42. I have the whole second half of my life to live and I want it to be great. I realized at that moment that nobody was going to bring that happiness to me on a silver platter or riding on a white horse... It was up to me. I am responsible for my happiness, my self worth, my future, and it is going to require an enormous amount of self discipline. It all rests on my shoulders... how bad do I want this new, bright future to be? I sat down and made out a list of things that I want to accomplish in the second half of my life. Nothing so shallow as wealth and accumulation of things. I want personal accomplishment. The first thing on my list was quit smoking. I had been smoking since age 15. I quit cold turkey 13 days ago and I feel proud for the first time in years. The second thing is to lose these extra 125 pounds so that I am physically capable of accomplishing the rest of my list... learning to Kayak and scuba dive and getting back in the saddle ( I was once an accomplished equestrian rider ) are a few of them. The list is my hearts wish and it keeps me motivated. I am following my doctors instructions to the letter and I am down 11 pounds so far and I am still pre op. My surgery is in a couple months. I am happy today and a little proud of myself and most of all I am determined. Thanks for being the supportive, informative group that you are, and it is comforting to know that I am not taking this journey alone.

My doctor requires me to lose 10% of my body weight before surgery (Highest weight 290, so lose 29 lbs.) The thing is... I have to wait for my appointment to have my initial weight taken (on record) and I have already been dieting and losing weight. What if I lose the 29 lbs. before my initial weigh in and they say "lose 26 lbs. before surgery" ?? Then I will have to actually have lost 55 pounds before my surgery... So, here was my bright idea... I was going to put some weights in my bra to equal whatever amount of weight I have already lost so when I weigh in I am 290. What do you all think? Am I cheating or does this sound reasonable?

How did you lose 20 pounds so fast? Did you follow the diet to the letter or do something different? Did you exercise? If so, what did you do?

Is the pre op diet still 1200 calories and 10% of your weight? I notice some people from different hospitals and doctors go on liquid diets.

Thank you for all the great info.

WOW, that is a fast ride !! Thanks for the info.

Thank you so much. I will keep in touch... this board helps keep my eye on the ball.

I am scheduled for my Info class this month in Vacaville, but I know that the surgeries are performed in Richmond. I am curious if they do the first weigh in at the INFO class or at the Orientation class or are they the same? I was in this program way back in '07 but got cold feet and things seem to have changed quite a bit since then. I don't remember having to attend an INFO class last time.

I'm sorry, I should have paid closer attention... I thought you were pre op too. My doctor has me on a 1200 cal diet and the lbs are falling away... I can't imagine less than that right now. LOL...good luck to you !!

I have a protein shake & a protein bar for breakfast (400 cal), a can of plain tuna on a salad for lunch (300 cal), and a lean cuisine dinner under 300 calories for dinner and a yogurt or rice cake for dessert. For snacks in between meals (sometimes) I have an apple, or pickled asparagus or carrots... Some type of zero calorie snack. This is a 1200 calorie day. Too few calories and your body holds fat because it is in starvation mode.

Hello Everone, I was curious what your timelines were from the Info/overview class to your surgery date... I am a newbie and am scheduled to attend my info class on Aug. 30, 2011.