kw2walker

I was sitting around today thinking about my surgery and those that have been supportive and those that have not or would not be. A year ago when I began thinking about undergoing the surgery I approached a friend. I began asking his opinion about the surgery. when he said you don't need it you just need to diet and keep at it. I sat looking at him as if he had lost his mind, he is over six feet tall and grossly over weight. He has a bad habit of eating food from the plate of his son when he does not finish his meal. But he knows my diet habits? I let the subject drop and have not said word about it since. I went to my information session to decide if this was the choice for me and was encouraged that it was. As the year has gone by he has seen me and is always in my cabinets. He is quick to notice there is not any junk food or bad snacks. He noticed the various protein drinks and asked what I was doing with them. I told him i was experimenting with favors and staying my course on my diet. All of this to say is that I am keeping secrets from those that are friends. I don't want to be judged by them even when I feel I have been judged. One of my own sisters thinks I should just keep dieting and that the surgery is extreme. My feeling is that of course she would she's never been obese. To be fair I have told five people and they have been most supportive and from this I am happy. My overall happiness is my responsibility and I'm very happy with my decision to a better way of living. I do worry that once I start dropping weight that the cat will be out of the bag. But until that time I will be keeping my secret.

Thanks for the honesty.

Im 4 weeks out myself and feel nervous. I've asked my sister to come home and she then told our middle sister so they are coming home. So this will be a family adventure. We all struggle to loose weight but are not successful. This process it a choice I know is right for me. Continued success to everyone on their journey. Karen

Melissa, I've been taking a kettle bell class once a week along with a boot camp and PiYo class. I figure if I can start to see the changes in my muscles, how more so when cleared to resume post-op. I can then work to tighten and tone.

With today being the first day of summer my thoughts have been on light and flowing dresses and tops. I went into a store and hit the clearance rack. I found a cute sassy dress that I know I can alter as the weight melts away. I was tickled pink when it slid over the body and did not cling to me. I instantly thought of push up bras and sexy undies, 7/22/13 can't come fast enough. All of that to say I want the foundation garments that will have me walking with that extra spring in my step. Lol So the planning begins, I want to reward myself with a visit to Victoria Secrets (VS) and purchase underwear that scream SEXY! And they have to be HOT RED. In the past I've darkened the doors of a VS store because I was with my friend that can fit their products. It's going to be a total scream the first time I can make a purchase. There is not a plan to buy then work to get into the undies. The goal is to reward each milestone I hit in order them without the psychological stress. So I figure at 30, 60, and 90 pound milestones I'll reward myself. Once I hit the ultimate goal of 100 pounds lost its the full hot res sexy ensemble. Push-up bra, high cut sexy undies, garter and stocking to seal the deal. LOL. To round this all out,how has the VGS community been rewarding themselves for reaching their goals?

Hey LadyA, I did buy the first stage baby foods, two chicken and two turkey. I got sweet potatoes too, they had the lowest sugar. I figured if they were not sweet enough I could sprinkle spenda on them. As for the chicken and tuna it have several cans of each once flaked if its not small enough I will purée it with a splash of broth or drop of light mayo and I do mean drop. Just enough to pull it together. I think I'll like it. I have a killer sweet tooth. But I noticed I haven't been craving sweets since I cut out carbs. But the other night I wanted a treat. So I made my protein shake, I'm using the nectar product. I have the twisted cherry flavor. It reminds me of an Italian ice. I sipped the the rest of the night and felt good. I found the Gas-X strips today I was so excited. So I have my hospital supplies and home supplies ready. I have a feeling I may not need the pain meds, I say that because last year I had part of thyroid removed and didn't take anything. But you never know. Well I'm off to make jello. Have a good night.

Both my parents died a month and two weeks apart 6 years ago. My mom died of heart failure due to morbid obesity. Upon reading that on her death certificate I have been on this journey to have this surgery. The prize date is 7/22/13. Once I lined up my ducks with the health insurance a year ago, nothing I do mean nothing is stopping me in reaching my goal For this assistance to have a healthier life. So yes there are those of us that will do 'it' and as the results start to show and we no longer take meds for high blood pressure, or have to spend money on pose pads doing 'it' will have been worth it. I am truly sorry for the loss of your loved one. Hang in there. Continued success on your journey. Karen

Thanks for sharing. I have been gathering information in preparation for my surgery 7/22/13. Today consisted of hunting in the stores to find Gas-X strips. I was so happy the CVS near my job had them. I'm going through my clothes now to find the biggest and roomiest shorts I have with a draw string. If I don't have any I know I have a light weight pair of sweat pants. I want my bag packed and ready at the front door. I may skip all the way to the hospital I'm so excited. Your shared experience has helped so very much. Thank you. Continued success on your journey. Karen

I've tried nectar products. They are a good whey isolate protein. Love the cherry flavor. The lemonade is ok. When I'm super hungry i sip in a shake. Hope you get better soon, keep us posted. Karen

Wonderful! I can't wait to moth ball the CPAP lol.

Glad to hear all is going well for you! I'll be on the journey soon, surgery date is July 22, 2013. I look forward to reading your updates. Continued success on your journey. Karen

@LadyAngela67, thanks and congrats to you as well! I hear we are family buzzing in my head for all us waiting to have the procedure. Lol My sister called and is trying to get time off from work to stay through my first three days, surgery and discharge. I think after that I will be able to function on my own. I totally agree with you that the exchanges we all have is of great benefit. I want to get my bag packed form my hospital stay. Hunting the the Gas-X strips hoping Walgreen's has them. If this process is anything like my gallbladder being removed I'll need them for the gas. I purchased tuna along with chicken and turkey. It will be flaked so I figure if I pulse it in the food processor I can eat it and get my proteins. I've fallen in love the sugar free peach jello. It's the only one that does not have an after taste. So I'll eat that as my treat during my two week liquid diet pre-op. Keep us posted. I know I will follow you. Karen

Purchase a blender ball cup. Have a protein shake or have mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower. Is soft baked fish available?

Wonderful! Enjoy your success.

I purchased a few cook books on line in preparing for the surgery. I figured once I have it and make it through the first stage I would need to cook and eat. Hang in there you will get there. But what is most important is to follow what the doctor says; chew your food week well; don't eat and drink. Stay the course with the liquid diet, is not forever, it just feels like it at this time. LOL

If I buy green beans, I drain them rinse a few times. Place them in a sauce pan, with a cup and a half of low sodium chicken broth, add diced onions and garlic and let them cook. Good eats. If they are fresh: Boil smoked turkey neck in chicken broth for about 20-30 mins Add the cleaned fresh green beans. Let cook for 30 mins Add garlic and diced onions Salt and pepper as needed Cook another 20-30 mins Yum

Hello Neuanfang, When I opted a year ago to take the journey I bought so many books, but my favorite is by the doctors that did the show Big Medicine I love Garth. They told it like it was. If I had not read the book I would have given up. I think I will hit Step 3: Wow, why didn't I do this sooner, in full throttle LOL But as they say all good things come to who wait. My patience is winning. Thanks for the encouragement. I look forward to being on the other side!

I have wanted surgery since 2004, I only got on the ball and started the process 2012. All little voice was sent packing. I got 25 lbs off and fight everyday to keep it off. But I know I can do this. In between it all have had several other surgeries the hardest being having part of my thyroid removed. If I can get through that I will be fine. I told myself I would never talk or sing again. I am here to tell the voices of worry were sent packing. I took it one day at a time, voiced all concerns to my doctor and all is well. Hang in there abbygirl. We are all here for you. Continued success on your journey.

I drink lots of water and walk a lot. Three times a week a go to an exercise class. I finally saw some results. I lost 10 lbs, it took me two weeks. I stayed the course and kept trying. I have my surgery on July 22nd, I can't wait. I as I write this am sipping on a protein shake. I follow my course faithfully, I've been on this process a year now and don't want to go back. Hang in there you will see your results soon from all of your hard work and determination! Continued success on your journey.

A whey isolate protein is much better for you and walking will help.

All the best to you on your journey!

My surgery is set for July 22 and to say I am excited is an understatement! All the best to you and thank you for sharing. I may have to try Cidmor's peanut butter banana smoothie, it sounds good. Continued success on your journey!

I am excited for you! All the best on your journery. I can't wait for my surgery, after a year I got a date. It has been the best experience I have ever had. All the best to you, Karen

Do you remember where and what you were doing when you received the call; the call to confirm your surgery date? I happened to miss my call because I was at work and while in a meeting left my cell phone at my desk. Once I got to my phone I recall listening to my message and once I heard the messages stoppded, hung up and found a private office. At least 3 times I played the message back before calling the office to confirm I received the message. The staff I worked with at Temple University are the best. They worked with me through all of the bumps in the road I encountered. The were encouraging, thoughtful, understanding and most importantly supportative. I can never thank them enough. My big day is July 22, 2013. The first thing I did was to review my food and supply list and go shopping. I have all of the required vitamins, protein drinks, soft foods, etc. for the first three weeks. The second thing I did was call my support team. They were excited and supportive as well that the date had finally been set. I really doubled down on making sure I am chewing my food well, drinking plenty of water and eating small portions. I have been successful in lossing 10 pounds in two weeks being this steadfast. I would love to have more weight off by surgery day. I need to get good before and after pictures. Clothes! I have no plans to run out and purchase new clothes. Well, if anything I am looking forward to smaller underware. But I want to see what the first 3 months of this journery bring. So with that I plan to dust off the sewing machine as well as visiting a few second hand stores in my area. Of my intial weight loss since I began this journery June 1, 2012 I lost 25 pounds. I gained 15 then lost 10. In this process it has been great treading clothes with my sister. She is has been dieting and we exchange notes on what we eat and how we prepare food. So during a recent visit I was given lots of clothes, even some that don't fit. For the clothes that don't fit they are my reward clothes. I can't wait to wear them. I do realize that not everyone likes to wear clothes from second hand shops and that's fine. Do what works for you in getting the new wardrobe for the new you. As of this writing I have not requested off time from work. I have not told my employer, I do however plan to follow the proper procedures to inform them of needed time off and setup the paperwork for short term disablilty and FMLA. I hope I need only 3 weeks off. I feel guilty missing work, but I have the time so this is I how I have planned my days off. I wanted to get back in the groove of visiting this site and hearing and sharing the journerys we all are taking in this process. I signed up a year ago and when I hit my snag I stopped visiting. But I realized I will need support along this journey and what better place to be than here. My other big call I received was June 13, 2013, that call was the pre-op testing. I was surprised that I will be there all day but it is necessary for my journery. I have to meet the surgeon as well that day so its cool I will bring my supplies with me so I don't get hungry. The last call I am waiting for is the one when the hospital calls and tells you what time to arrive. That is the pot of gold! All systems are go then baby! I hope to continue to share as well as read and interact with everyone here. Continued success on your journery. Karen