NMJG

Y'all are missing out. Here in New Mexico we get plenty of arsenic in our water lol. We've been over the recommended limits for years.

My NUT at the clinic says no caffeine, that it makes you hungry and dehydrates you. I've weaned myself off of caffeine in prep for the surgery. I would think that 1/2 and 1/2 or sugar sweetened creamers would be a pretty bad idea - just drinking calories....

Congratulations! This is so inspiring

Mine was a 565 questions, the MMPI 2 test that they use for real nut cases. A lot of strange questions. Then I had 20 minutes with the psychiatrist going over the procedure and making sure I understood everything and the changes that will be necessary. The psych said it would take 10 days to complete my report. This is at a Bariatric Center of Excellence. I think the psych eval varies a lot depending on where you get your surgery done and who is paying for it (insurance, etc.)

I'm gonna miss my vodka too. Looking forward to hearing the answers on this one. My doc says 6 months.

vitalady.com has sample sized protein packets so you can try different brands. I found it a big help. Some are great and some are nasty.

mmmmmmm....ceviche, yummy and healthy

keep going!

I have United. My UHC case manager told me it was a 3 week wait so don't call before. I just finished my Psych eval, so I haven't gotten my approval yet, but thought I'd share what they told me.

Congrats! That is so awesome Cheap treats: Beauty Schools - get a facial or pedicure for cheap Have a picnic at a pretty local park Do you like books or CD's? Get a new read or new tunes at a thrift shop Do you like gardening or flowers? Many nurseries have 50% off plants that have gone out of bloom (Lowe's especially) - just trim back, fertilize and water well and you'll have a blooming beauty in a few weeks

It's good to be going through all this angst now and get it out of your system.. My favorites that will go away are beer and champagne - no carbonated drinks, not to mention the alcohol. But the feeling of being finally at your proper weight will be so great, you won't mind the changes in your diet. I hate running, too. I walk.

You go! Thank you for sharing. You've got great incentive and you are going to do great!

Ick. Baby food sucks (except for Baby Bananas which I still like but generally don't admit to in public lol). Get a little single servings blender and blend your own, you'll be so much happier you did.

I'm so glad you are back. I fell off the other day and ate over 2000 calories (well, drank some of it). It happens but the hardest thing is coming back, which you did! Congratulations.

Thanks everyone for such support. I truly appreciate your replies. Hubby is getting better. I Went for psych eval today, I think DH is getting used to the idea.

The cheese enchilada lunch is obviously one of my bad food episodes

Yep, I was only 19 at the time and a woman complimented me on my great maternity dress. She realized her error (probably from my expression) and stammered an apology.

I am pre-op and have Dr. Acosta, and I met Dr. Lara at the seminar. I like both. My first appointment with Dr. Acosta was very good and the staff are good. I also don't have pre-op diet, he told me just to not gain any weight, but the NUT said it was good to start the diet to get used to it, so I have. I think your starting BMI dictates whether you have pre-op diet or not in this practice. If you are under 40 BMI, I think you don't have to do the pre-diet.

You deserve better. Counseling is a good idea, but if he doesn't improve and treat you with respect, you have many options now. Don't settle for less than great.

Thanks everyone. My husband is thin and Type II diabetic. Very high metabolism. Amazon- yes I agree with you. Even healthy stuff like quinoa, nuts, and fruits can add up really quick! I'm using MFP to get myself used to this, and it has been an eye opener. My favorite New Mexican cheese enchilada lunch with rice, beans, and sopapilla is well over 1000 calories. Eeeek! I had about 1/2 a lunch today and have been walking to burn it off!

Laura, forget about the hard stuff. You are doing great getting in more protein. Just try to walk some every day and make it a habit. This is the easiest way to start. Try to go the same time every day. Start with 15 minutes a day if you can (or whatever length works for you), then up it each week by 5 minutes. Try to get to at least 30 minutes a day (you can do 15 in the morning and 15 in the evening). You will be amazed at the difference this will make. Always start small with doable things, then work up. I'm up to about an hour a day. I hate exercise, too.

Just because someone is an MD doesn't mean they know anything about obesity or WLS. Listen to your WLS surgeon, NUT and your own heart.

Mushroom Soup 1 can beef broth 1/4 cup Water 1 package mushrooms (portobellos or wild mushrooms taste best, but button mushrooms are ok) 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tbl sherry 1/4 onion minced 1 tsp olive oil 1 garlic clove minced 1 cup greek yogurt, nonfat plain (optional) Unflavored Protein powder (optional) 1 tbl Optifiber or other unflavored Fiber supplement (optional) Salt/Pepper to taste Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until soft. Add the sherry and light a match to burn off the alcohol but leave the flavor. Careful, it will flame up for a few seconds. Add everthing else except the yogurt and simmer covered for 10 minutes until everything is soft. Blend the soup mixture together. Add the yogurt and serve.

High Protein tofu? I'll get some! I love tofu anyway. For those who haven't used it, here are some easy things to do. Also, tofu comes in several forms: silken/soft (good for plain eating or blending), firm or extra firm (good for keeping it's shape, like grilling). Serve it very cold with soy sauce sprinkled over it and some chopped green onions or chives. Throw it into anything with tomato sauce. You can break it up, blend it, or leave it in 1" to 1/2" chunks. The sauce completely flavors it. Fry it as described above. Marinate it in light salad dressing for 1/2 hour and broil, grill, or fry it. Also good in a kebab with veggies. Put cubes of it in stir fry with veggies.

I am pre-op and mid30's BMI, but I've been heavy my whole life (lots of ups and downs) and I need to get this weight off once and for all (I have high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease family history, stroke family history, arthritis, etc. etc. etc.). I am 52. My DH, a loving supporting man, is against the surgery because he thinks I will change and I won't be happy with my new limitations. He thinks I'll become high maintenance. He worries because I love food and I will be miserable if I can't eat everything I want to. I've tried to tell him that it's portion control, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise, and not like a bypass where you really can't eat many things, but he still worries. He wants me to just lose it without surgery. Well, the key for long term weightloss is, you have to monitor your food intake, types of foods and keep exercising whether you have the surgery or not, right? Other than the first year or however long it takes me to get the weight off, life afterward will still require good habits. For me, the surgery isn't just about getting the weight off, it's keeping it off permanently and resetting my metabolism so I have a better chance for success. My bad habits that I know will have to go: I like to drink a glass or two of wine or cocktail or beer most days, I do like bread and Pasta. I like candy. I don't binge and I don't eat a huge amount of food, and I don't suck down sugary sodas. My diet is generally fairly healthy with occasional forays into fattening stuff. My biggest issue is that I hate exercise, but I know that's gonna change and I've already started walking 30 - 60 minutes a day to get prepared. I really think I have an excellent chance at success with the sleeve. Please share your thoughts about how people change (or don't change) and the effect of the sleeve on spouses.