stacechase

I've heard great things about these! Haven't tried them yet. Apparently we sometimes get them at work (Google) in the snack section but we don't get very many I'm told, and then they're all gone! I love peanut butter, do they have additional flavors?

Alex clarified what the dots mean earlier in the thread. It's good to read the thread all the way through before you post a question.

Thank you so much! I hope so!

I just had to share the MAJOR pre-op NSV I accomplished this weekend! For the record, I'm having my surgery in exactly 2 weeks (8/19) and am starting my full liquid pre-op diet tomorrow. About a week and a half ago I watched a great food documentary (it's call "Hungry for Change" and is available on Netflix streaming, highly recommended!) and something just clicked. I decided to change everything, right then. I put on my shoes and went for a several-mile walk that night after watching it, and have been dedicated to eating healthy, no snacking, lots of Water & Protein, and daily exercise. Even bought a juicer and am making fresh green juice in the morning for myself for breakfast! Fast forward to this past weekend: I had planned a trip to Disneyland several months back as a "last hurrah" before surgery. Disneyland is my most favorite place ever. I go about every other month. Of course, one of the things I love most about the park is the FOOD. I would plan my whole vacation around what I "had" to eat. I am a huge sugar fanatic, so usually this was churros, ice cream, candy, etc...although my meal choices were also decidedly unhealthy. I was EXTREMELY anxious about this trip because I had committed to my lifestyle change and this was like going into the belly of the beast! I met with my therapist before my trip and we created a mantra for me whenever I was feeling anxious at the park: "Disneyland is still fun without food." Anyway, here I am, sitting in the airport ready to fly home—and I am so proud to say that I didn't have so much as a SINGLE BITE of sweets or treats this WHOLE trip!! I brought Protein Bars & shakes with me and treated myself to one healthy meal in the parks per day (had some pretty amazing salads!) I didn't snack at all in between and drank lots of water. I am really proud of myself, and this was not easy by any means! However, it was all worth it knowing that I have given myself the confidence to enter into the pre-op diet...if I can survive without any cheating at my favorite place, I know that I have no excuse to cheat while at home. Just wanted to share, and for all of my fellow pre-ops, I promise you that if you start developing these kinds of healthy habits & challenging yourself to make permanent changes before surgery, it will be a tremendous confidence booster and constant reminder that YOU CAN DO THIS! Have a great day, everyone!

You look PHENOMENAL!! Your hard work has absolutely paid off! Congrats!

Yay! Did you have a good experience? I like him. Just went in to sign all of the consent paperwork and pick up that scrumptious liquid diet on Thursday. Will be starting it on Tuesday for 2 weeks until my surgery on the 19th!

Guuuurl, I used to work in LG...that's a tough place to not be "yuppie perfect". I feel your pain!

I live in the Bay Area, and am not surprised to see San Francisco and San Jose on the list! Seems like everyone I meet is either training for a marathon or is super into biking. Laura-ven is right, with such great year-round weather and so many beautiful natural areas to exercise, the Bay Area seems like the perfect place to get--and stay--fit. Now if only I wasn't paying astronomical rent.

I'm with you! My surgery is on the 19th so I'll be starting my pre-op diet on Tuesday. I've been getting prepared by having a liquid Breakfast (I started juicing) and a Protein shake for lunch, so hopefully it will be easier to do all liquids when the time comes! Good luck to all of us!

This is probably pretty boring, but see if they have won ton soup or egg drop soup! Those are tasty!

I'm very new to the app, but my username is stacechase

This is a big question, for sure. Personally, I have told many people, and I have received almost 100% support. The people in my life that love me are so EXCITED about this step I'm taking, maybe even more than me! LOL! I agree with everyone here, eventually people will be wondering what's going on, and I felt it would be easier to let them know now rather than later. Also, I had horrible eating habits, so this way, I don't get the "But WHY don't you want a donut?!" questions. It honestly breaks my heart when I read posts about people who have family & friends that are cruel and rude about their decision to have surgery. This whole situation is going to be hard enough without that kind of lack of support, and I feel for them for sure. I'm glad that they have a supportive community on this site to help them through and celebrate their victories with them!

Whoa! I haven't heard of a TEST before, geez! That would be really intimidating.

LOLOLOL! I will have to remember to "trust no fart."

You look awesome! Did you find any loose skin where you have tattoos? I have a half sleeve and I'm hoping it doesn't get disturbed too much! Great job!

GREAT job!!! So many social events revolve around food, and it's wonderful to hear that you can enjoy yourself without chowing down! Congrats (and thanks for the encouragement—I'll be sleeved August 19th!)

Hi everyone! I've been single for a very long time (we're talking over 10 years), and not by choice. I would recommend to you, isajck, just to be cautious with online dating. I know some friends that have had great success, but I have also experienced a lot of guys who just seem to expect sex even when you make it clear in your profile that you are looking for a long-term relationship. I am going to get sleeved on August 19th, and I KNOW that I have a bunch of issues around men & dating (working on this in therapy!) but when I do plan on starting to date again, I'm hoping to do it through meeting new people in person at new activities & social events that I've been too self-conscious to attend! Good luck to you (and all of us!)

You look fantastic, and frankly, it's refreshing to see sleeved men show off their bodies and be proud of their new physique just like ladies like to do sometimes! Great job, and congrats on your success!

I understand what you're wanting—to know that chivalry is not dead, to see some of the traditional politeness and respect shown by men to women. I would love to see this too, and Nate, kudos to you for keeping the gentleman vibe alive! I would like to say, however, that I disagree with using the birth of feminism as the scapegoat for the deterioration of these traditions. Times change, priorities shift, and culture itself (not just feminism) shapes the modification of behavior whether or not you're a man or a woman. If it means sacrificing doors being held open for me and occasional compliments by men in order for me to get more respect & upward mobility in the workplace, make strides in politics and business, and be seen as powerful, intelligent, capable & independent without needing a man by my side, it is a sacrifice I would make without thinking twice. Personally, I would not want "the men of the past" back. Sure, it would be nice to have the door opened, chairs pulled out, and be shown random acts of kindness by men...however, with those traits of the "men of the past" also comes sexism, treating women as objects and caretakers—of the house, the kids, all while expected to look perfectly pretty at all times. I'm not saying that all men of the past felt this way, just suggesting that the past was not all wine & roses. Also, I'm unclear as to what you mean about "turning our men into women." I certainly hope that it isn't a judgment on men who are stay-at-home fathers, in touch with and open with their emotions, etc. All men are men, regardless of their choices & lifestyles, and it seems a bit insulting to men to insinuate that they're "turning into women." Do you also feel that women who are professional athletes & corporate executives are "turning into men?" I'm not trying to argue, just want to make sure that we're all sensitive to the fact that any "rules" associated with what makes a man a man or a woman a woman are entirely socially constructed (and frankly, kind of stupid). Lastly, just to clarify, Germaine Greer did not advocate burning bras, as noted in The Female Eunuch.

Hi there! You raise a great point—weight loss surgery is NOT a silver bullet, magic pill cure all. It may shrink the size of our stomachs, but it can't help with the psychological & emotional issues we have connected to food. I, personally, am a sugar freak (particularly chocolate) and a boredom eater for sure. I just finished a great book called "Feeding the Hungry Heart" by Geneen Roth that is a bunch of short stories and essays about emotional overeating...great information and lots of food for thought (pun not intended but still funny!) I recommend you check it out. The bottom line of the book is that you're feeding yourself constantly to fill another emotional void...in my case, it's lack of dating & romantic relationships. I'm also seeing a therapist, which I think is absolutely INTEGRAL to success post-surgery. Good luck to you whatever you decide to do, but don't let being scared of developing another disorder stop you from getting a surgery that could make you healthier...if you think like that, you'll never become a better you!

I'm scheduled for August 19th by Dr. Zare in Mountain View, CA. I'm super excited and can't wait for the day to be here!