Spaness2012

I have been practicing with both. I like the chop stix for some things and the baby spoon for others. Your breakfast sounded delicious by the way.

Cheryl...I totally agree! Had a DR told me that I would be on protein shakes forever.....this would have NEVER been an option for me! I would rather eat a small cup of food per sitting forever than be forced to drink shakes forever. Thanks for the post.

What an accomplishment!! I am in awe.....good for you!

I agree with Cynthia2013: Not "caving" is a major sucess all its own! Congrats superhero!

I have similiar anxiety...and I haven't even been banded yet. Yesterday I wondered the same thing...will I ever see myself without fat colored glasses on? I am not sure..... Good luck on your journey! You look amazing!

Leslie...excellent point! My husband too is very, very nervous for me and so are the kids. I have acknowledged his fears and understand his concerns. But in the past, I would feel selfish for "putting him" through any discomfort and feel guilty that my kids are nervous about surgery. The truth is, he does not have a weight issue.....and with clear, honest amd sometimes assertive words....I laid out that if I "caved" into his worries and concerns...again....I would be fat and unhealthy forever. There is a way to make this journey OUR OWN and ease the fears of the people in our lives by doing well and forging on.

I was meant to read this today! Thank you for sharing your courageous and honest journey!

If you saw your daughter struggle like you did, would you have said different things?

I start my pre-op diet tomorrow and am scared to death! I go from "what did I get myself into" to "I can do this" in one short breath. The last few days I have spent some time really wrapping my head around this process. I am choosing to keep as positive as possible. Focus on what I will be gaining, not what I will have to give up! To feel like this is a GIFT to myself as opposed to a punishment for being overweight. There are so many negative voices attached to my weight issues, today I vow to change this outlook. Reprogram the messages, download a new way of thinking. The only way out is...through. I plan to get there. One positive thought at a time. What were some of the mantra's you told yourself during the pre-op liquid diet stages? What advice would you give someone to get them through?

I will be starting my pre-op diet tomorrow and I too am scared to death that I won't lose the 10 pounds they are asking me to lose. Do you have any tips or words of advice to help tha along? Maybe take a walk everyday? Drink more water?? Congrats on your surgery.

Ah got it! What could you take to make the pain less severe?

Tell me why Day 3 is the worst?

How long will you have to stay in the hospital?

My name is Vanessa and I am turning 40 on December 14th. My first 40 years, it seems, I have spent trying to manage a healthy weight with a string of diets and will power. All of that has got me where? To my heaviest weight to date. My next 40 years, I want to spend traveling...reaching my goals......raising healthy children. All without my body being a hinderance. Earlier this year.....I couldn't ride a rollercoaster with my 11 yr old son. I couldn't fit in the seat. I was mortified for him...for me. That was my rock bottom. For a fat girl...I have alot of energy and am pretty athletic as I am on a softball team and a yoga student. My mind believes that my weight, in general, doesn't keep me from living life. In part that's true. But my heart and soul wonder, what could the healthy weight girl do? What could she accomplish? How much "better" could she be! I would be a rockstar....a super hero! I look forward to meeting her once I dig her out of years of weight gain and disappointment. I know she's there....I can hear her!