Beanzilla

Well, it's kinda funny...then again, I use humor quite a bit, so I find it funny. The first time it happened, I was like "really? I'm so freakin' fat I can't wipe my butt? Really?" It's one of those things people take for granted. Who knew that could be a problem? And then there's the creativity involved in figuring out how to reach, and, um, yeah.

Well, it's kinda funny...then again, I use humor quite a bit, so I find it funny. The first time it happened, I was like "really? I'm so freakin' fat I can't wipe my butt? Really?" It's one of those things people take for granted. Who knew that could be a problem? And then there's the creativity involved in figuring out how to reach, and, um, yeah.

I want to run! I want to wear cute clothes, shop at "normal" clothing stores, wear a dress or skirt, wear shorts, go to the beach, go anywhere I want and not worry about whether or not I will fit in the seating, ride a bike, and wear high heels again. I miss wearing high heels! Ooh ooh and knee high boots! I want to wear knee high boots. I also want to plant a huge, beautiful flower garden and a little vegetable garden, and do all the work myself, because I can.

No offense intended and understandable if the large stall is needed for whatever reason, but when my mother was wheelchair bound for 3 years it used to really bother me when I would take her in to a public restroom (all small stalls empty),and wait around for the handicap stall only for a small very able bodied person to finally emerge. Kinda like a healthy person taking a handicap parking space.

Hi all!! New here. Surgery August 13 Dr Kim.

OMG yes beanzilla! I tried all last year to find a pair of knee high boots that looked great on me and failed. I'm def gonna get a pair and I also want a one shoulder dress and the high heels to match. I so love shopping for shoes but when you're overweight it's like having balls and chains wearing you down while you walk, your off balance and the heels dig into the ground.

Maybe these were mentioned already...I want to fit comfortably in college desks, so I can enjoy learning without having to worry about feeling self conscience or squashed, I want to go to six flags and fit on rides without a shadow of doubt, I want to go shopping in a store that sells "normal" sizes and not have to compromise fashion because I'm plus sized, I want to walk up a flight of stairs without losing my breath, I want to take my dogs for a walk and run...because they deserve it as much as I do, I don't ever want to worry about walking into a room full of people and feeling like all their eyes are on me (for the wrong reason), I want to go to the beach without feeling judged, I want to go out to eat without feeling judged, I want to sit on a chair or couch that won't squeak and complain because of my size, I want to parade around in sexy lingerie for my fiance, because he can't understand why I don't feel comfortable wearing it, I want to buy clothes with normal prices and not have to pay extra for bigger sizes, I want to ride a horse, pedal on a bicycle, not fear being judged, walk without my legs hurting, not miss another family outing because I'm uncomfortable, have the energy to live and make friends, find a job a lot easier since despite what anyone says...weight is always a factor in everything...and just breathe a bit easier...both physically and of course, mentally. Most of all, I just want to live.

I want to run! I want to wear cute clothes, shop at "normal" clothing stores, wear a dress or skirt, wear shorts, go to the beach, go anywhere I want and not worry about whether or not I will fit in the seating, ride a bike, and wear high heels again. I miss wearing high heels! Ooh ooh and knee high boots! I want to wear knee high boots. I also want to plant a huge, beautiful flower garden and a little vegetable garden, and do all the work myself, because I can.

At work, I have a little fridge under my desk. My plans are to have light soy milk, Jello, etc. in that. I ordered a little milk powder container from Amazon. I have a blender ball shaker with two more arriving tomorrow. I'll keep one of those at work.
At home, I have a Cuisinart compact blender (and the blender ball shakers). To help me to eat smaller portions, I ordered a set of smaller stainless steel utensils. I'm thinking of getting these 1/2 cup containers, but they are cheaper at my grocery store by about $1.
For the pureed stage, I plan to puree meats/veggies and will freeze them in these trays. Each cube is 1 oz. I came across this site http://wholesomebaby...MeatRecipes.htm that has basic information on pureeing your own food.
Edited to add: Lock & Lock has a really small container that would work great for storing post-surgery pureed/soft/etc food. I just remembered that I already have a couple of these.

Hi all! I'm hoping for an end of August date. My paperwork will be sent insurance probably next week and they usually respond within 2 days. My doctor's nurse told me yesterday she has him scheduled through Aug 9. So I'm hoping for August "new birthday" as well. We'll see. I'll let yall know as soon as I know. I'm addicted to this app on my phone. So much good info on here! I will be having my surgery at ETMC hospital in Tyler, Texas with Dr. Babineau! Love all of his staff! I have about 100 lbs if not more to lose.

Hi everyone,
I am also an August sleever...Aug 14 for me. My surgery is being completed by Dr DeGara at the Royal Alex Hospital in Edmonton Alberta Canada. So looking forward to chatting with all of you and gaining from your experiences.
Can't wait to be sitting on the losers bench.
Rhonda

Well I already knew but got my official approval Kettering in the mail today. Seemed really easy! I didn't have to do a thing!

I carry a damp paper towel, disposable or flushable wipe every time I go in a stall.

I agree cantwaittolose, I know I've become very antisocial and often I shy away from family events and social occasions. My husband always wants to go out to various places and I feel so uncomfortable in all my clothes and like you said not to mention the chairs. When I'm in class I dread having to sit in the small desk or the ones with the fold down desktops. It's so embarrassing. People can tell you your not that big or you carry your weight ok but how you feel about yourself is what really counts.

I couldn't agree more with SML1997!!! I'm a girl that LOVES going to sporting events, football, basketball and I want to buy season tickets..or at least go to a few games.. but never do cause I know I will be uncomfortable! I'm looking forward to just start living again...i feel like I've become almost anti-social and just dont get out and do as much anymore...I'm down right embarrassed of how I look. I used to be an athlete!!!...wouldn't know it by looking at me now, but that's who I still am inside and I can't wait for those two to match again! I also LOVE music and can't wait to go to a concert again or my fav - Jazz Festival...they have those tiny little folding seats...which I now avoid at all cost :/. Oh and the beach is a big one...considering I see it from my backyard but NEVER go anymore..I sit out and just dream of throwing on a pair of shorts and riding down, meeting friends and riding my bike back up the hill to home, ....it will happen!!!
I'm looking forward to being ME again! .

I am sure there are posts with this info, but there is just so much it is hard to weed through some times. I am ordering some things that I know will help me post op and just wondering what are some "Cant live without" products that you have found really help.
What have you found is the best way to store cooked food when you cook a full meal and portion yours out for a few days? I have lots of tupperware, etc but just wondering if there is something that keeps more fresh or size wise helps with portions?
What about easiest way to make on the go meals, even when just liquid phase. When I go back to work, just wondering what you have found for keeping what you need at work?
These may be simple...but I know for me, I am most successful when I have everything ready to go and not wait until I get in the middle of it to figure out what works best.
Just asking for ideas or what you like.....(I know everyone is different)

It was a combination of things that all just added up. I hate looking in the mirror, and have been isolating myself because I feel too embarrased to go out in public. I got over 400 pounds. Several people commented to me how great I looked in my wedding pictures and "what happened?" (I was still overweight in those pictures, but not by that much). I can't go grocery shopping without my back hurting. I can't walk far without being out of breath. I sweat a lot, without much effort. I have a hard time fitting in movie theater seats and always worry about seating anywhere I go in public. I HATE clothes for fat people. I hate the way my face looks. I hate the way my body looks. I'm sick of losing, gaining, losing, gaining. I feel like the "real me" is hidden because of my weight.
I am not living life. I'm 32 years old, and I have so much to do, so much to see, and I'm hiding in my house. That's no way to live!

at beanzilla and aliandrews... you just nailed my life.

Oh my god I don't know whether to laugh or cry because it's so true. If someone is in the handicap stall at work I get so mad. In the little stall I have to be a contortionist. This really isn't funny is it?

It was a combination of things that all just added up. I hate looking in the mirror, and have been isolating myself because I feel too embarrased to go out in public. I got over 400 pounds. Several people commented to me how great I looked in my wedding pictures and "what happened?" (I was still overweight in those pictures, but not by that much). I can't go grocery shopping without my back hurting. I can't walk far without being out of breath. I sweat a lot, without much effort. I have a hard time fitting in movie theater seats and always worry about seating anywhere I go in public. I HATE clothes for fat people. I hate the way my face looks. I hate the way my body looks. I'm sick of losing, gaining, losing, gaining. I feel like the "real me" is hidden because of my weight.
I am not living life. I'm 32 years old, and I have so much to do, so much to see, and I'm hiding in my house. That's no way to live!

I agree with everything you just said. I am 34 and want to live my to the fullest.

I saw you've already gotten your surgery date, Beanzilla, but I thought I'd share my experience as well. At my largest, my BMI was 61. I was referred to a specific doctor by my aunt. One of his patient reps told me I'd have to lose 70-80 pounds before he would do the surgery. I was crushed. My doctor "doesn't like" to operate on a BMI>50 due to added risks and complications. I decided to see another surgeon, who I ended up loving. She told me she had no limits on BMI and had operated on patients with BMIs in the 70's. However, I was self-pay and she was $6k more.
I decided to start the process with the first doctor and get some more information before giving up. He told me I would have to lose 40 lbs before they'd even schedule my surgery and 70 by the time I had surgery. It seemed daunting considering my track record of never having lost more than 20. However, being self-pay and the fact that my insurance would not even cover any complications due to surgery, I decided it was best to continue with this doctor. They put me on adipex (diet pill) and I worked with a dietician on a low carb/high Protein diet. It was the best thing for me!!! I know timing is an issue but I was lucky because I'm a teacher and started this in January with the intent of surgery in the summer. I'm 7 days post-op now and lost 65 pounds prior to surgery and dropped my BMI by 10! (The dr only held me to the 40 pounds. There were no consequences for not hitting 70.) I think I'm more proud of that weight loss than I will be anything post-op. lol I can't imagine going straight from my old habits into a surgery 1-2 months later and not having to change much prior. I was freaked out that I couldn't do it because I've been severely obese my entire life. I was pissed at the doctor for making me lose the weight but it allowed me to gain a ton of confidence going into this process.
I'm sure you know more weight means more risks but the doctors are the experts. Just try to stick with the pre-op diet as best as possible. I had to do 4 weeks as well, even though I had already lost 45 at that point.
I'm glad everything worked out in the end... good luck!

Hello! I'm scheduled for surgery in late August of this year, and I just sent in my heath questionnaire. I'm going to Mexico, and in doing research and contacting different places, one of them told me that by BMI was too high to have surgery.
Um, what?
Now I'm afraid that that once this place sees my forms, they will tell me the same thing. I'm hoping that if that is the case, since I have a couple of months, maybe they will let my try to lose some weight first.
See, I can lose weight if I work really really really hard at at, but the problem is keeping it off. And if I think about eating, I will gain 5 pounds. Seriously, it just happened, right now.
I will be crushed if I can't get this done. I've struggled with my weight my entire life, and I can't keep going on like this. This is not living. It's gotten to the point where I can't walk very far without being out of breath and my back hurting. I'm tired of being stared at by strangers, and being laughed at by them. I'm tired of worrying if I'll be able to fit in the seating wherever it is that I'm going. I don't want to just be pretty eyes, or nice lips.
This sounds so silly, but besides looking good and being healthy, I want to run. Just run for a mile, or two miles, and feel that stitch in my side and my lungs and heart pumping, wind whipping my hair.
I'm huge, I know this. I don't want to be this way anymore. If I could lose weight with diet and exercise, um, yeah, I would be doing that.
*sigh* Thanks for reading. I'll update once I know something.

Well you can add me to the August 2012 list, yay!!! I just found out yesterday I am scheduled for August 1st, so right now it looks like I will be first in line. Eeeekkk!!!! Y'all are going to be there cheering me on, right???
I am scheduled to start my full liquid pre-op on 7/25, but I am using the next few weeks to wean myself off of things so that I don't experience such a shock when the 25th rolls around.
The week of 6/25 I said good-bye to carbonated beverages
The week of 7/2 is audios to sugar
The week of 7/9 is Ciao to fried foods
The week of 7/16 is Au Revoir to "white carbs"
The week of 7/23 is HELLO TO THE NEW ME!!!
Let's do this, August sleevers!!