town976

I'm a Senior Performance Consultant in the utility industry. In my spare time I take medication prescribed by one or more of the 8 medical specialists in my life. I like long walks on the beach with the love of my life of 37 years and adore raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, my 9 grandchildren, Terry Kath's guitar solo on 25 or 6 to Four, Caddyshack, Beethoven, caller ID, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, watching British mysteries with my Missy, Diet Dr. Pepper, American history, remembering when I was 170 lbs., Loggins and Messina, and the free shipping with Amazon Prime.

Oh, and I have 14 days of Meal Replacements (5per day) plus other liquids including the sf Popsicles and sf pudding. But everything is sweet. I think that is going to get old REAL quick.

I've already told my family that does not live with me that they may want to avoid me for awhile. BTW, I love Snapped!

I think this all brings up an interesting point about pre-surgery preparation and post-surgery support. Fortunately, in my case, my doctor was adamant about a very thorough pre-surgery "reality prep" - we had to attend the support group meetings BEFORE surgery, so we could get a clear picture about the realities of life AFTER surgery - I heard all about the dumping, the sliming, the potential for regaining the weight, how easy it is to slip into bad habits, slider foods, the need to get into a good exercise routine, gateway foods, difficulties with going out to eat or going to a party (and how to handle it), etc. That was on top of the psych eval, nutritionist, and classes put on by the surgeon (all required!). I also have had excellent post-surgery support with continued visits to my doctor, and required attendance at monthly support group meetings. What I find REALLY concerning is the number of people choosing to go to Mexico for surgery, where they don't get the same kind of rigorous pre-op preparation or post-op support. I think that without these elements, the chances for long-term success would be questionable - although I know there are people who do it and are totally fine.

LOL!!! This is my new favorite quote.....

Okay, I'm a pre-sleever going thru all the hoops right now (twice since I changed hospitals after being disappointed with the first one.) They (thankfully) will accept my psych eval tho from the the first hospital. Anyway, I also passed my psych eval but I don't think it's an eval to see if you're able to cope with the sleeve, I think it's just an eval to make sure you're really not "out there" mentally. I could be wrong but in theory, you won't know if you're ready for the sleeve before hand since you're not living the "sleeved" life. They also don't want you to think that after being sleeved you're going to become a super model or be beating men/women off (altho that could happen ~ haha!) I think they just want to know if you're in a "stable" place mentally & if you are, they get to check off that part of the insurance or program requirement.
Will people have regrets? Of course! food is a HUGE part of our lives...or we wouldn't be here. I'm guessing it will feel like a death in the family, there will be mourning to go thru until you finally start seeing changes in your body & I'm assuming that eating healthier will give you more energy & feel better, exercise & then the endorphines kick in. It's a win win once you get to that other side, but I'm guessing that the "getting there" part is really sucky.
Oh Lordy...please remind me that I'm going to mourn food & it will be yucky for me the first part of this journey. I know in my head right now that it's not going to be a picnic. I'll have to work hard & I'll miss certain foods at first, & at the very least I'll miss chewing food the first few weeks, but am I ready? Maybe. Will I have regrets? Maybe. Will I be healthier & live longer? Maybe. Will I like the new me when I'm 100+ lbs down? DEFINITELY! (Even if I have to toss my excess stomach skin in a wheel barrow & push it ahead of me & toss my loosey skin boobs over my shoulders!) Will this all be worth it? Most likely. Is it time for me to shut my trap now since I really don't know what I'm talking about? Absolutely!

I tried to do some research about what percentage of obese adults had obese parents but got nowhere. All I could find was that adolescent obesity becomes a bigger factor than genetics although that is still a factor.
http://www.urmc.roch...1&ContentID=713
I would guess that many on this forum had obesity in their genes. I did on my father's side. But I also ate like Pac Man smoking grass.

I would like to answer your lecture about lecturing but I'm afraid I might lecture.
Edit:
Oops, I think I just did.

Well if Laura isn't a spring chicken then that must mean I'm, we'll never mind. I got my lovely period before leaving hospital and I didn't have a problem changing the tampon. BUT.. Everyone is different. Trimming? Hell.. They're lucky I shaved my legs let alone any place else

Double heck with your insurance company and find out what your max out of pocket is. There is usually a per person out of pocket max and a family out of pocket max.
For example : my deductible is $1250 and my out of pocket max is $3750. I have to pay my deductible and then the out of pocket max kicks in. Therefore, my actual out of pocket max is $1250 + $3750 = $5000. My bariatric group tells me they don't think I will have to pay all that, but they have to wait to get the pre-approval back from y insurance company to confirm my actual out of pocket.
What a pain.

So poignant and wise. Great expression of fact.

I'm still prop, but I have heard that sometimes the hunger you feel post op could be from acid.

I made it to 199# today. Feels so good to be out of the 200s. I haven't been this weight since 1998.

You don't have to join a gym to exercise. Walk at the park, get resistance bands and exercise at home. I'm like you, I am not going into a gym until I fit in with the "skinnies." My surgeon had me meet with an exercise guy and he gave me a resistance band and plenty of exercises to do at home. I am sure you can find stuff online too. The first step is to get off the couch and move. My "trainer" told me to start with 3 times a week for 20 minutes. Sheez, I can do that. You can too!

Watch the video on you tube. Excellent demonstration as to why you don't drink with meal. I believe it is referenced in the above reply.

That sounds very similar to mine. I start in 13 days. I read that the first three days are the hardest. Getting all the bad stuff out of your system. So, hopefully, you will feel better in a couple of days.

I'm still prop, but I have heard that sometimes the hunger you feel post op could be from acid.

You SHOULD think about it.......and here's something I posted a few weeks ago that might help your attitude about the "dreaded" pre-op diet.....
http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/78443-the-pre-op-diet-is-not-a-punishment-its-an-opportunity/ (original link)

Great news!!
I have my 2 wk appt tomorrow. Have not been on the scale yet since surgery.
Also doing good with liquids, no pain and no puking:)
Happy for you. Are you moving to a new food stage now?

I am very new hear, but just met with my exercise counselor on Friday. With you not getting any exercise now, all you probably need to do is move. I am like you and it took about five peddles of the bike to get my pulse rate up to aerobic level. I warmed up on the bike for five minutes, then did about 20 minutes of resistence exercises, all the while my hear rate stayed up. I am supposed to exercise 3times per week for about 20-30minutes at a time. I know as I get healthier I will have to increase my intensity, but right now, I feel that this is SO doable. The first step is to get up.

Happy Birthday!!! I promise you will be there pretty soon! It will happen! Dont fret! Easier said that done right? Be encouraged though that this will be your LAST birthday over 200!!!! When you do hit the 200 mark, it will just be another day to Celebrate. Enjoy your day with your hubby!

You may be working hard,but it sure is paying off! You look great!