2Big2Skate

Oh I'm DOING this. If they tell me to wait, I'll wait. But it's going to happen. Oh yes! Protolatte here I come!

Congrats on all your weight loss! Good for you!

Congrats!

Just look at it like your Christmas present is a healthy new life!

Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

Thanks all for your comments and suggestions!

This is the part Im not looking forward to. Whenever i arm-wrestle with my brain, I lose. =C An old trick is to revisit the source of your motivation. If you have a list of the things you cant do now that you want to do when you're more fit, hang it on the fridge. Another way to trick yourself into having extra willpower is to tell yourself this diet is part of the surgery. Attitude is everything. If you were at the hospital, you'd have less trouble sticking to it. But since you're in your familiar kitchen (the place of most of our worst failings, right?) it doesnt feel like its part of your surgery. But it is! Maybe hang a pic of your doc on the fridge too with a little speech bubble saying "I need you to shrink that liver for me Jessica!" Hang one of those blue hospital masks with it if you have to. When it comes to fighting my brain, I plan to fight dirty!

Wow that's great! Who's your insurance provider?

Please let us know your results!

Yea muscle weighs a LOT more than fat. If your eyes are telling you that you're making progress then don't let the scale get you down! Congrats on your dedication and progress! You look great!

I have one too. We should get T-Shirts made up or something!

Ooooh I loved being on Adkins. Bacon for Breakfast, bacon for lunch, bacon for dinner! I'm looking forward to that phase! Based on my recollection of the first phase of adkins, you dont want those carbs if you're trying to start ketosis. Maybe do a test run and use the strips you put on your tongue?

Sorry to hear you're having a down time, Maria. I hope things turn around quickly for you. To the vets,do guys go through this too? Do our fat cells release anything during rapid weight loss? I've heard all my Vitamin D is in there.

I'm covered by United Healthcare and they've told me they require 6 months of medically supervised diet. I'm doing that with the nutritionist at my Surgeons office (Dr Williams at UPenn in Philly). I've had all the tests done and no flags there, so I'm starting to get a little more positive this might happen! My question is this. I'm a little hazy on the timing. If my nutrition program started in April then my MWL window would end in the sept/oct timeframe. Given that window, when would I get a surgery date, and would that happen before or after the request is submitted to UHC? Thanks!

Awesome news! Congratulations!

You ever get the feeling that they have this number written on a piece of paper, and thats how many they'll approve a month? And if more come in, they just deny them - knowing we'll appeal and try again next month. Every business has quarterly and annual financials. I wonder how much that comes into play?

I use My Net Diary which is part of the Medhelp.org tool suite. I like it because you can do all kinds of reports off the website. But you can enter data either on the phone app or the web. Im just going to print it out and take it to my next NUT appt.

That's great! All my best to you and peanut!

I'm so excited for you! Relax and trust in the skill in of the surgeon and team that you've chosen. Check back in soon and let us know how its going!

NIce problem to have! Congrats on both of your long term success! Speaking as a pre-op with no date, I can only imagine how good that much feel to be able to "decide" your weight like that. Awesome!

Thanks for the replies everyone! I think it's definitely a strategy I'll incorporate once my body says I can.

Mine said the reason is dehydration. Its so hard to meet the Fluid requirement that its bad to drink stuff that dehydrates you. But im a coffee fiend!

Hello all, I'm still pre-op, no date yet, but I'm doing whatever I can to maximize the chance of success with a sleeve. Part of my deal with myself (and my wife), when I chose this path, was to train my body and play competitive sports again. As my forum name suggests, I was a collegiate hockey player. I played in leagues all through my 30s as the weight increased. Then an injury took me off the ice and the weight just snowballed. I really miss playing, and the camraderie of being on a team. So I've decided to work with a trainer for the first time ever. I figure it'll get me in the gym on a schedule, and I thrive on routine. I have a target weight for when I can get back on the ice, it's a big motivator for me! I've seen most people recommend waiting about 6 weeks after surgery to increase the intensity of workouts. My question for you veterans. Did any of you work regularly with a trainer post op? Are there ones that specialize in MWL patients? As you build strength and endurance are there any resistance training routines you found particularly effective? Are there any gym chains that have good deals? Thanks in advance, Jay

It's probably related to the water and the cold. A pound ot two here or there could easily be your body storing up some water since youre sick. Keep exercising and drinking fluids. You can do it!

I usually do EAS carb control since theyre thin, not clumpy or chalky. They go down easy and have decent flavor. I think Abbot makes them now, the same people that do pediasure and ensure. So they know how to make shakes!