ChooseToChange

I have been comfortable with just being the fat person for so long. I get angry when people treat me any different than anyone else. I love me and I have worked very hard to get where I am in my life and my career. It's going to be a lifestyle change for me and I welcome it. I'm sure it will be difficult, but what in life hasn't been difficult up to this point? I am sure I will lose friends, but in that case they were never friends to start with. I am also sure I will gain friends as well because so many people have problems with fat people, not that I ever wanted these friends before. My biggest goal is to be able to walk into an interview and not be instantly seen as lazy and unemployable. Please always be honest with yourself and others. These feelings we have all had at one time or another and I am glad to have you all here for all the different feelings I am going to have. There is always someone here that understands. Thank You!

LOL ask for payment as you donated your stomach to science. Good luck and we hope to see you posting often!

I had an EKG and an ECHO (because I was on Phen Phen before they recalled it) The EKG was easy and the ECHO was like an ultrasound. I was in and out with no problem. My PCP needed these both to clear me for my surgeon since I am doing my surgery out of state.

Hey all! Here is a question that I have emailed my NUT about, but wanted to see if you all had any ideas. I have A LOT of Nutra System food that I was going to sell, but when looking at the nutrition facts they have a decent amount of Protein (12-20g) and Fiber (5-7g) in them. They all average about 250-350 calories. Should I sell them and just get them out of the house or are they worth keeping around? Thanks!

My Dr. doesn't require a pre-op either. I don't want any excuses to get there and not be able to go through with it. So i'm shrinking my liver and trying to change my habits before surgery. The Dr. and NUT has to know i'm serious about all of this.

I made the decision at Universal Studios when I couldn't get on a ride that just 6 months earlier I could get on. I looked into surgery 10 years ago, but wasn't ready to give up food and alcohol at the time (I was 20). Now I've grown up and out so it's time!! It has taken me 2 months to get all the tests and dr. clearances and my surgery date is in 19 days and I'm not even cranky on my pre-op diet! Know that you are ready to make the change and if your not... its not your time yet. If you are jump on the bandwagon and we will all be here for you! Good Luck!

Can't wait to hear more!

I am excited that I have the full support of my coworkers. They are all assisting with my pre-op diet and being extra careful to not bring all the junk around so I'm not tempted in this difficult time of not eating while having a big stomach. More support is better and people always wonder and ask questions about it. I'm excited to educate them. I work in a hotel with two restaurants and the exceptional DoubleTree cookie so as you can imagine it's a bit rough being around food all the time. My chef even offered to make me custom meals if I brought him recipes and dietary needs. If you don't let people in how will you know if they have something to offer your struggle. That's a choice each of us make and I'm excited to say its a great big thumbs up for me. If your in the Tampa area stop in for a bariatric meal courtesy of Chef Juan Villasenor and Food and Beverage Director Michael Pagliarli!

I am on day three as well and i'm choosing to do 3 weeks pre-op. I want to be ultra prepared and not shock my body more than it already will be. Good Luck to all!

I think that those people with low self esteem or low self worth will have a lot more trouble changing their mental habits. The point is that if you think of yourself in one way only you can change that if you want to. If you are a ****** bag at 300lbs you will be a bigger ****** bag at 150. If you want to change your mind with your body it really has to be something that you want to work on. Don't be the "fat person" in the room when your not fat any longer. Make that decision!!!

August 2nd and excited! Currently in day two of one meal a day!

If you want to stay in the states. I can keep you updates as I go through my long distance surgery option. (friend me) Dr. Pleatman is in Michigan... he specializes in Out of State Patients the link is his self pay information its about 14K http://drpleatman.com/weight-loss-program-alternate.htm Good Luck!

This is what my NUT sends the newbies.... I'm a big fan of the EAS Carb Control shakes... You can get the chocolate and vanilla at Sam's Club too. I am 3 weeks pre-op and i'm rocking one meal a day with the help of these shakes. STOCK YOUR PANTRY It is encouraged that you plan ahead and stock your kitchen with foods that will support your nutritional needs after surgery. The following are suggestions to get you started. DRY GOODS VEGETABLES whey Protein powder V-8 juice Vitamin/mineral supplements Canned peas, carrots, beets, squash Natural Peanut Butter Baby pureed vegetables Almond butter, soy-nut butter Skim milk powder Cereal Silken Tofu oatmeal Herbal teas Grits Cocoa powder Cream of Wheat Benefiber Kashi Hot cereal Crushed flax seed liquids SPICES/FLAVORINGS/SYRUPS Herbal teas Any spice or herb to flavor food Bottled Water, non-sparkling Flavor extracts; vanilla/orange/mint Crystal lite True Lemon/lime No calorie beverages/non-carbonated Torani or DaVinci Gourmet sugar-free Flavored syrups. FRUITS DAIRY sugar free frozen fruit Skim milk Sugar free canned fruit Soy milk( Soy slender, Continent 8) Applesauce Cottage cheese Baby pureed fruits Ricotta cheese Plain non fat yogurt Soups Sugar free non fat yogurt Low fat cream based soups eggs or Eggbeaters Vegetable soups Silken Tofu Lentil soups Bean soups chicken broth Beef broth Tomato soup CANNED FOODS Beans Canned white meat/breast of chicken Fat free refried beans Canned fish; salmon, tuna, sardines Pasta/tomato sauce

The fiber one bars are fantastic tasting and a helpful tool. For non bariatric food they are the healthiest out there if you take out the fiber and are counting calories. Good Luck!

The different brands have sample packs you can buy. I just sent in for unjury and chike. That way I can try all of them before I purchase the bigger containers. For my pre-op diet I am using the EAS carb control premixed shakes. I LOVE THEM!!! They come in chocolate, strawberry, double fudge and vanilla. Chocolate and Vanilla can be found at Sam's Club too. You can also warm them up for hot beverages. Good luck and if you find anything really good let us know.

Hello Fellow Florida Sleevers! I'm in Tampa and I'm traveling to Michigan for my surgery on 8/2! I will be back on 8/9 and be on my way to a new and improved me! I'm 29 and dating. I look forward to more Florida specific discussions and trading war stories I'm sure we will all have a few!

Jasleeve, I am just like you. I am 29 with a bmi of 55. I have put myself on the "bariatric diet" before and did great with very little hunger for the first 4 weeks (only because I tricked my body with water). Then eating the same rice and Beans didn't really stick well into week 6. I am looking forward to being sleeved and being able to stick to it. I have concerns about loosing too fast, but hopefully my daily exercise can be resumed quickly after surgery. My biggest fear is the energy factor. I'm struggling now with low energy days and i'm only in week two of the 4 week preop diet. Thank you to everyone on this site for keeping me informed. My own diet blog will start in two weeks with the first full liquid diet week of my preop. Thanks for being there!

We have all been there. I grew up really fast when I realized at 10 that I kids didn't really want to hang out with the "fat girl" and adults felt sorry for me. I knew that I would have to make things happen for myself. I finally have a career I can be a proud of and a team of coworkers that seem to actually support me. I am in sales with a great networking reputation. I believe that people remember me mostly based on my size and stature and I'm worried that I will have to come up with another gimmick. I am hoping that I will not have too long of a recovery time so I don't miss more than a month of the "networking game." I am 3 weeks pre-op and I am looking forward to the new me. I am 29, 6ft tall and 406 lbs and I can do almost anything that anyone else can. When I tell people or explain what I am doing they say you don't look like you weigh 400lbs or act like a fat person. I simply say "thanks, I needed to hear that today." People are so ignorant I just let them be that way. I've been playing this game for almost 20 years. I'm hoping this will change the perspective of potential employers. Momma wants a new title and a raise!!!

I love the EAS Carb Control shakes. 17g protein/4 carbs with only 110 calories and no sugar. I use them to replace my chai craving in the morning by putting them in a disposable coffee cup and steaming it. It's so close to hot chocolate I don't miss my starbucks chai at all! Brook Current Weight 6/28/11 406lbs Surgery Date 7/2/11 Dr. Pleatman (Michigan)

I am 5 weeks preop.... I have been talking about these things as they come up! It's funny how we all want the same little things that don't seem that little. 1) One of the most embarrassing days for me. June 2001. Waited 90 minutes in line for the Raptor at Cedar Point. "Nope sorry your too fat to get on this ride, please go to the exit (while snickering as I left)" Last Roller Coaster I was ever on at 19 years old. 2) Not having to shoe shop online! 3) Regular stores and cheap sun dresses 4) Comfortable Airplane Trips 5) No More Deodorant or Chaffing Cream on the Thighs 6) Buy my first real work suit 7) Not having doctors blame cold and flu symptoms on my weight 8) I will be able to visit a hospital for any testing (bone density) and not being referred to the ZOO. 9) The possibility of having kids some day 10) I've never had sex while skinny...but hearing about it from all of you... I'm really excited now!!! 11) Not cringing when having to sit in a chair with arms 12) and the last for now!!! Being able to say "I'm smaller than I was when I was 8" (I hit 200lbs at 10 years old)