aviva1979

2 with PCP, 2 with surgeon, 4 with nutritionist, 2 with psychiatrist, 3 support groups - and I will have 1 pre-op meeting for bloodwork, EKG, etc. from first meeting to my Sched surgery date it will be 7 months and 1 week. I have CIGNA insurance and each appt (except support group) has been a $30 co-pay. I'm not sure what the deductible will be for the surgery - I think it might be $600.

I hope this leads to medical professionals receiving more education and development around issues of obesity. This may also have positive outcomes in terms of legal protections against discrimination. I do have pause over what I'm sure will be a new onslaught of companies pushing commercial weight loss products for the sake of a buck. But such is the way of the world. I guess my last thought is that so far the conversations I've read/heard seem to be missing the power of "and". I agree our culture needs to move to a more body-positive way of viewing and treating each other and fat shaming must end. At the same time we also need to feel empowered to be our healthiest possible selves (and this is about individual responsibility as well as systemic change around things like mental health, socioeconomic status, access and food deserts). I have to believe there is a way for us to improve ourselves at the individual and community level.

Had my farewell lobster tonight - with just some fresh lemon juice on it - great meal. Low calorie, high protein - and it takes so long to get out of the shell it naturally slows down the meal. I hope once I'm banded I will still be able to eat it. Seems like most folks can eat most things so I'm optimistic, though my nutritionist warned this may be akin to steak in terms of a tough protein to chew down enough to get to applesauce consistency.

Are you on MyFitnessPal? If you are, I'd be happy to friend you and cheer you on every day! (I'm avivasrobinson on there)

I started out just telling my husband, sister and mom. Slowly I told my closest friends and a few people I work with. My father was the convo I was reluctant about - weight (mine, specifically) has always been the minefield for us. I was going to wait until after I had the surgery but my mother really wanted me to tell him before going under anesthesia and after I got approved I relented. The conversation went fine. He was totally supportive - if a little confused or unsure of himself - he clearly didn't want to say the wrong thing and upset me. We are still walking the tightrope. It really bothers me that in my heart of hearts while I know he loves me no matter what, he will find it easier to relate to me when I'm no longer obese. But I know he wants me to be happy and healthy and it feels good to have finally told him. Who was your most difficult "tell"?

T-minus 4 days until pre-op diet (4 shakes and 1/2 cup veggies per day for 2 weeks). Tomorrow is my last day home before traveling for work so my fam is doing a lean seafood feast for me before I go. Protein for everyone!

Wow, that's tough. Well - whether she agrees or not the fact is you have done so amazing (I love your posts) and are so much healthier that you will be around a lottttttttt longer to love her

You will do great!

I weigh every 1-2 days except when I have my period (just too depressing then). I'd rather not because I do stress over it a little but I know I'm not great at monitoring when my clothes start to feel tight - because they almost always feel tight to me. Next thing I know, I'm buying a bigger size. I've tried measuring inches but need a trick to hit the same spots every time.

3lbs so far in pre-pre-op routine. Liquid diet starts on Thursday!

I'm avivasrobinson

I am avivasrobinson

You can def see the progress!

Just wanted to thank everyone on this chain. I travel fairly frequently for work and I have been wondering how it will feel.

I got a call from my surgeon's office today that my pre-op appt has been sched for the 1st week in July - i think this is where i get some bloodwork and EKG done? is that right? i can't even be nervous about it... i'm too busy being anxious about flying next week. thank god it will be my last flight before the band. i'm a few lbs heavier than the last time I flew a few months ago - and I remember what a struggle it was to get the seatbelt to 'click' then. saving grace is that it's a direct flight so i only have to squeeze into 1 seat down and 1 seat back vs transferring and doubling my humiliation. i've also started preferring window seats over aisle seats - at the very least i can smush myself into the wall vs leaning into the aisle and getting bumped every time someone walks by.

Western MA here. If anyone lives near Greenfield/Northampton/Turners Falls, i'm in the market for a gym buddy!

Congrats! 42H checking in here. Very excited there might be a day when my only bra options aren't Lane Bryant.

I think there is some real truth in here that when we hold up a mirror to ourselves, if we're getting WLS we make poor food choices. I agree with Cassandra tho, organic food and healthful options (vegetarians, vegans, etc) can still lead people to being overweight if portions are out of control. Maybe you're including that within the poor choices - because chronic overeating is for sure a poor choice - but I don't think it's absolutely always the case that McDonald's is at the root of the problem - portion control can be the root issue as well. (all that said, i don't mean to misrepresent myself. i love fries. i've just decided i love me and the idea of being around for a long time a lot more.)

I have a serious seltzer habit. My nutritionist said that around 4 months out from surgery I could get back on the bubble - esp if it is a little bit flat. Did anyone else get similar advice? Or should I just plan to give it up entirely?

well after almost 2 weeks of religiously using myfitnesspal and logging everything - plus walking at least 3x/week, hitting 80+ g of Protein, and keeping cals under 1650 (which i know is more than i'll have post-band but is still a big reduction from where i was) - i have finally lost 2lbs. the scale just wasn't moving and i was getting a little discouraged, but feeling great today! i'm steadily feeling more confident that this pre-pre-op approach will help me when i switch over to 4 protein shakes/day + 1/2 a cup of veggies. i told my manager yesterday about starting the liquid diet since we will be at a conference together and i wanted her to know why i might seem grumpy or in a funk - she was very supportive. how is everyone else with July dates doing? i know some of the early July peeps must be on/close to starting pre-op diets.

I've seen this in other people's posts and I'm not sure how to add it to mine...

i like that surgery countdown one! adding it!

i found it! in Edit My Profile -> Signatures... there is an option to Create New Ticker, and then it'll walk you through making one.