Jrzydva

For most of my lifetime, I recall feeling renewed and hopefully about entering a new year. I always looked forward to making new year resolutions. The primary, reoccuring resolution I would make and not succeed with was losing weight and being healthy. Annually, I would still set myself up for wishful thinking and dreaming and subsequent depression by spring. My happiness was always tied to my weight. My obesity status held me back from being me for many years. I often felt self conscious, but continued to hide behind a smile.
 
However, FINALLY, I became proactive regarding my weight problem midway 2012. I had my SLEEVE procedure August 22nd, 2012 and have successfully lost 53 pounds to date. For once, in my lifetime, I am entering a new year on a good foot. This is the most exciting phase of my life in a long time. I finally feel alive and looking forward not just to 2013, but to the next ten years! No longer is my life filled with bleak nights and long, exhausting days..just barely making it through life! Yes there are things I still need to work on, such as eating at a slower pace, water consumption and exercising consistently, but overall, I feel healthier than I have in many years!
 
If you are pondering over weight loss surgery and living in fear...fear of staying obese and the situation getting worse and worse and fear to have the surgery, just know that surgery could change your life! I am living proof of this and I thank GOD for the courage to move forward with it. I had never ever considered weight loss surgery until spring of 2012. I was one of those diehard, "Oh I don't need surgery, you have to do it on your own with or without surgery anyway!" Meanwhile, while being resistant to the idea, my body was breaking down and the scale was going up. I turned to GOD and prayed on it after my new gastrologist asked me to consider it. Her vision of where I could be 5 years from now if I didnt lose substantial weight was frightening. I thank her to this day because most doctors don't break you down like that anymore. I realize GOD sent me to that woman because I didnt even have a recommendation when I switched to her, I just called 1-800-doctor and went from there!
 
Now all of my doctors are pleased with my progress..but they can not be more pleased and excited for me than I am! I just thank all of my family, friends and co-workers who are supporting me during this process. My boss is one of my biggest cheerleaders! She's always telling me my clothes are too big..LOL I am just eternally grateful and I thank GOD! I told my surgeon, Dr. Dobruskin during my last visit that she changed my life. She replied, "No, YOU changed your life." I think we both did that together. The healthy quest will never end for me, it's a total lifestyle adjustment and I am good with that. To 2013: Onward and Upward! I am taking life by the horns and moving forward! I just wanna scream and shout I am so elated!! Good luck to all the new procedure patients and you will soon be sharing the same joy I am! GOD BLESS!!

As I'm getting ready to head out to a concert tonight I was going through my checklist of items to take with me and thought it might be helpful to share the tricks I've learned for surviving a concert. Let's be honest, no matter how far from surgery you are, concert food is not good for you. I have no desire for beer, sticky frozen drinks, nachos, or anything else they can come up with. I'm talking the typical venue, not the nice House of Blues style with an attached restaurant. I'm heading to an outdoor concert and will be there for a good 4 hours. That means I'll need to eat at some point. You can't bring in outside food or drink, which is fine because they say nothing about powder.
 
I generally take two baggies of protein powder (always have a backup). I carry a purse so it is easy for me to carry them. I will buy water and make my shakes while I'm there. I also take those water flavor packet things so that I can have something a little more refreshing if I get tempted to go get a soda.
 
If you are lucky enough to go to a venue that will let you bring a cooler, you are golden and can put all kinds of goodies in there. Some venues will also let you bring in food if you have a card from your doctor (I've never seen said card, but I am told they exist and can be used to get smaller meals at restaurants).
 
It isn't much of a tip, but not something people will typically think about. I learned when I went to my first concert post-op and was miserable. I was still on mushy food at that time.