jessiquoi

Kind of far... but not out of the question.

Oh my, I'm all the way up near Delaware, across the Susquehanna from Havre de Grace.

My name is Sarah. Im 40 and sense third grade have had a shirt full of chest. When I was in 5th grade I stood 5'8" and weighed 180. Now I am facing all new first times again. I am nervously excited about my weight loss. I dont ever remember what skinny looks like on me. I am currently a 44dd and wear 2-3xl in exercise pants, shirts and sjorts. If it doesnt have an elastic waiste I wont get it. I dont shop at Wal-Mart for clothes(except undies) because ai can never find anything that fits. Surgery isnt till October. But I cant wait till I can start getting into small clothes. So because $ is tight I am going to go to the second hand stores till I reach my goal weight. I think 180-160 sjould be ok. I dont want to look likr a walking skelaton. Wish me luck. And I just wanted to add.. I love this site. SOO helpful.

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It's been 2 weeks since my inital surgeon's visit, where I met my team (nutritionist, exercise physiologist, nurse, counselor, surgeon, coordinator) and got the low down along with a gazillion instructions.
Things I have done so far:
- given up seltzer (my only carbonated drink)
- cooking dinners instead of ordering in
- eating a healthy Breakfast at home instead of grabbing something at work
- downsizing portions of my lunch (I still eat that out)
- stopped grazing all day long, cutting out most Snacks between meals
- ordered some free samples, and some not free samples, of various Protein drinks and bars in hopes of finding ones I love before I need them (can't wait to get them)
- experienced hunger and let it be, something I haven't done very much in years
- scheduled all my pre-op tests for over the next two months
Wow, I'm really glad I wrote that all out... I kinda felt like I was slacking, but I'm starting to feel better about what I've accomplished in 2 weeks. It helps to say things out loud (or online lol).
I've lost 4 pounds in two weeks, and my team wants me to lose 14 in three months. Not too bad so far, but it's the easy part of losing weight... you know, after you've really been eating too much of the wrong stuff and any little change makes weight drop off?
Things I feel I need to start doing:
- weighing and measuring my food
- tracking my intake and staying within the 1500 calorie limit given (I don't know if I do or not cause, well, I'm not tracking)
- trying to get some kind of movement in (my knees and hips and lower back are so tired of carrying my weight, they don't allow me to walk further than to the corner without needing to sit down and relieve them)
- eating mindfully instead of in front of the television or video game
- bringing my lunch to work
I must spend about an hour a day on this site, reading everyone's stories, good and bad. I'm convinced that, barring any surgical mishap or unknown medical issues cropping up, I will succeed if I follow the guidelines strictly. It has been really helpful reading over and over again how dangerous it is not to follow diet instructions post-op. I'm definitely scared straight there! And, I really enjoy reading about people complaining about "only" losing 40 pounds in 4 months, or similar numbers. I will be thrilled with that kind of success! Thanks again to all who share their stories.

Hi! I live in Montgomery County.

I agree. I think you will do well long term!

I had the same issue with my mom (she lives 8 hours away from me). I just told her I had researched the procedure & my surgeon and was very comfortable with my decision. She continued to be negative even after my surgery but once she saw how much I had lost at 6 months, how my health had improved and how happy I was--she said she wish she could have it!!! Some people just set their minds against it and you can't change them. If they are the people (like our moms) that really love us, they'll feel differently once they see how your life has changed for the better. I wish my mother could have been more supportive before and right after the surgery but she wasn't and I had other people (husband and sons) that did that for me.
good luck on your surgery---September 8th will be here soon!! Lisa

Any surgery has its risks so this isn't any different. I don't think 'reading' or 'watching' informational videos will help, but rather pose more questions. It might help if she goes with you to your surgeon's office so she can ask questions directly to your Dr., maybe even sit in on a seminar as well. She can go with a list of questions that could also be helpful to you as well. You never know.
Good luck, I'm sure it'll turn out well

It's been 2 weeks since my inital surgeon's visit, where I met my team (nutritionist, exercise physiologist, nurse, counselor, surgeon, coordinator) and got the low down along with a gazillion instructions.
Things I have done so far:
- given up seltzer (my only carbonated drink)
- cooking dinners instead of ordering in
- eating a healthy Breakfast at home instead of grabbing something at work
- downsizing portions of my lunch (I still eat that out)
- stopped grazing all day long, cutting out most Snacks between meals
- ordered some free samples, and some not free samples, of various Protein drinks and bars in hopes of finding ones I love before I need them (can't wait to get them)
- experienced hunger and let it be, something I haven't done very much in years
- scheduled all my pre-op tests for over the next two months
Wow, I'm really glad I wrote that all out... I kinda felt like I was slacking, but I'm starting to feel better about what I've accomplished in 2 weeks. It helps to say things out loud (or online lol).
I've lost 4 pounds in two weeks, and my team wants me to lose 14 in three months. Not too bad so far, but it's the easy part of losing weight... you know, after you've really been eating too much of the wrong stuff and any little change makes weight drop off?
Things I feel I need to start doing:
- weighing and measuring my food
- tracking my intake and staying within the 1500 calorie limit given (I don't know if I do or not cause, well, I'm not tracking)
- trying to get some kind of movement in (my knees and hips and lower back are so tired of carrying my weight, they don't allow me to walk further than to the corner without needing to sit down and relieve them)
- eating mindfully instead of in front of the television or video game
- bringing my lunch to work
I must spend about an hour a day on this site, reading everyone's stories, good and bad. I'm convinced that, barring any surgical mishap or unknown medical issues cropping up, I will succeed if I follow the guidelines strictly. It has been really helpful reading over and over again how dangerous it is not to follow diet instructions post-op. I'm definitely scared straight there! And, I really enjoy reading about people complaining about "only" losing 40 pounds in 4 months, or similar numbers. I will be thrilled with that kind of success! Thanks again to all who share their stories.

I'VE BEEN APPROVED!!!!
Can't believe it, All the footwork has finally paid off!..I was so thrilled when I got the email from my surgeons office today that I almost cried, And now I'm nervous as hell thinking about it. But I know it's for the best and I'll be alright.
Wooo!

Sounds like you are on the ball. You have done a lot in 2 weeks. This time will fly by.

It's been 2 weeks since my inital surgeon's visit, where I met my team (nutritionist, exercise physiologist, nurse, counselor, surgeon, coordinator) and got the low down along with a gazillion instructions.
Things I have done so far:
- given up seltzer (my only carbonated drink)
- cooking dinners instead of ordering in
- eating a healthy Breakfast at home instead of grabbing something at work
- downsizing portions of my lunch (I still eat that out)
- stopped grazing all day long, cutting out most Snacks between meals
- ordered some free samples, and some not free samples, of various Protein drinks and bars in hopes of finding ones I love before I need them (can't wait to get them)
- experienced hunger and let it be, something I haven't done very much in years
- scheduled all my pre-op tests for over the next two months
Wow, I'm really glad I wrote that all out... I kinda felt like I was slacking, but I'm starting to feel better about what I've accomplished in 2 weeks. It helps to say things out loud (or online lol).
I've lost 4 pounds in two weeks, and my team wants me to lose 14 in three months. Not too bad so far, but it's the easy part of losing weight... you know, after you've really been eating too much of the wrong stuff and any little change makes weight drop off?
Things I feel I need to start doing:
- weighing and measuring my food
- tracking my intake and staying within the 1500 calorie limit given (I don't know if I do or not cause, well, I'm not tracking)
- trying to get some kind of movement in (my knees and hips and lower back are so tired of carrying my weight, they don't allow me to walk further than to the corner without needing to sit down and relieve them)
- eating mindfully instead of in front of the television or video game
- bringing my lunch to work
I must spend about an hour a day on this site, reading everyone's stories, good and bad. I'm convinced that, barring any surgical mishap or unknown medical issues cropping up, I will succeed if I follow the guidelines strictly. It has been really helpful reading over and over again how dangerous it is not to follow diet instructions post-op. I'm definitely scared straight there! And, I really enjoy reading about people complaining about "only" losing 40 pounds in 4 months, or similar numbers. I will be thrilled with that kind of success! Thanks again to all who share their stories.

So I had my 3 month check today and my Iron levels are low (boo) my Vitamin D is dangerously low (boo) but thanks to LabCorp I noticed they both have been for almost 3 years! Oddly enough those doctors never said anything to me and now I'm playing catch up.
On the Bright side I am down 66 lbs!!!!!! I'm so excited and so close to onederland, I can taste it! Lol. I just wanted to quickly share my excitement because unless u have been in our position it's difficult for people to understand the excitement of even a 2lb loss.
Have a great one everybody!

One year ago today I made the best decision of my life!!! I have ZERO regrets! I'm down 104 pounds and have lost 5 (almost 6) pants sizes!!! I'm hoping to shed another 31 pounds over the next few months. Here are a few pictures I took last night! Those jeans I'm holding? They were SKIN TIGHT on me the day I went in for surgery!!

So I normally weigh myself at work on Fridays, but I missed last week because I didn't work that day. So I stepped on the scale this morning and I was at my personal goal of 150 (10 pounds below surgeon's goal)!!! I was super surprised because I actually expected a slight gain after all the crap I munched on over the holiday weekend....apple pie, chips, corn on the cob, margaritas, and strawberry shortcake. (after getting in all my Protein and Water and Vitamins, of course )
I guess that means I'm officially in maintenance. But since I'm not feeling deprived of any foods and already eat as much as I want, I won't really be doing anything different. Yeehaw!

All is still well. I take under a unit an hour all day and night. The low amount of insulin limits my hunger and allows me to lose the weight I had accumulated. Having the sleeve was the best thing I have ever done.

Hi Jen,
I have been a Type I since the age of 8.I had the surgery 3.5 months ago and in terms of control, it has made a world of difference! I am beyond happy that whenever I check my blood, I can expect the "Wilford Brimley" blood sugar. (You know those obnoxious commercials with 'ole Wilford claiming he had a 94 glood sugar?) Anyway, now that I am down 35 pounds, I am finding far too many reactions popping up. I have cut my daily totals from about 80 units a day to 26. I typically don't need to bolus. So, it's driving me a bit nuts, but I know it's all good. I am looking forward to an amazing A1C for the first time in years.
Taking all the good and bad together, it is the best decision I ever made!
Amy

Thanks. Unfortunately type 1 never goes away.

Added quick links to the all the offers above. This should help everyone out and make it smoother to get free samples and offers.

I am just starting out so my Nut asked me to pick two changes to begin. I chose to eat Breakfast, cut out soda, and drink my coffee black. (Ok, I picked three.) She also gave me Vitamins to order and recommended I start trying various Protein supplements to see what I prefer. We are starting out small and will add more changes as we move closer to surgery. I really appreciate her support in trying to help me ease into these changes. I feel so much relief. I can do this!

i found the book "eating the moment" really helpful!

I've found that eating (well, drinking really), I'm doing my pre-op liquids now) has become really boring for me, too. food just isn't as interesting when it's just fuel. I think I'll be happier about that once I have other things to fill in the gaps.
Right now I'm working on increasing my Water (I'm drinking 60-90 oz a day) and my activity levels (I'm walking about a mile and a half), and I started the pre-op diet early because the waiting was driving me crazy. I found myself having abnormally unhealthy eating patterns because I think I was saying goodbye to food forever, and I thought... ya know, that's not helping anything, it's better to just start where I am and the worst that'll happen is that I'll lose a few extra pounds.
Good luck!

I am 5 days post-op and between my pre-op diet and my surgery, I have lost 21 lbs. in 3 weeks. I am finally starting to feel like this was worth it. I had a few days wondering if this was a good choice to make at 23, but I have come to realize that I need this. My future depends on this. I am struggling with Fluid intake, but trying to stay positive and do my best!

The not drinking with meals was the hardest one for me. It's still difficult sometimes, especially with the amount of sodium in some foods. I really, REALLY want a drink. I drink only Water, and on occasion Gatorade G-2. The coffee, I had right up until the day before surgery. I cut back to a single cup, but I couldn't give that up (plus, I used it to help control my Migraines. Which, oddly enough, I have had next to no caffeine post-surgery, and no migraines either. Touch wood)
The chewing was hard at first, and I still find I have some trouble with it, since I'm eating soft foods and most of it really doesn't need 20-30 chews to be complete mush. But I still do it because I don't want to fall back into bad habits of wolfing food down (especially since it freaking HURTS to eat too fast). But I do tend to read or play a video game while eating. Why? Because it helps me slow down at this point. If I put my fork down and read a paragraph or two, it helps me space out my eating a little better. YMMV.
As others have mentioned, the more prep you do pre-surgery, the easier it is post-surgery.

My advice would be to try to make it second nature to drink a lot of Water or crystal light (whatever you think you might tolerate best) as a first step, cutting out the diet soda or soda and replacing it. The other things were really hard to incorporate ahead of time for me; then again I only had about a week between approval and the surgery, so I didn't have a lot of time to change things up.
The drinking and eating thing won't come into play as earlier as the others. Of all of the habits, it is still the one that has repercussions for me when I don't follow it. Actually, the good news is that many of the things that you think you won't be able to follow seem like second nature. I was shocked the first time I went to a restaurant and didn't down multiple drinks of unsweetened iced tea. I was the one who always could finish 3 or 4 20-30 ounce drinks at a meal. Now I drink about a quarter to half while waiting for the meal and that's it. Good luck!