MisforMimi

Thanks, yeah I don't like rapid weight loss tactics. Been there, done that. But this is a necessary evil at this point....

Good luck and congratulations!

Thanks for the tip! I forget that, about being dehydrated. My brother, a body-builder told me to walk on a treadmill at 15 incline in a full jogging suit for a few hours! I'd rather the sauna, personally.....

So, I started this process with my insurance Regence back in February of this year. I was told I had to be under a 6 month physician guided weight loss plan. The only stipulation was that I could not be larger at the 6 month weigh in than I was at the first weigh in. What a process this has been!! I slacked off in the beginning and gained a little weight, I'm not gonna lie. I was serious at some points but with my final weigh in on Thursday, I feel like a contestant on the Biggest Loser during the at-home competition. My physician had little in the way of actual guidelines. She's pretty holistic that way. So, basically I changed up my goal/mantra to be - "just maintain, don't gain. Take a breath." I can easily drop a pound or two by the end. For months prior to this my weight had been consistently going up and and up until I almost gained all of the 140# I'd lost years before. I think I was at goal weight for only 24 hours! I was scared out of my mind. So, I figured maintenance was a good goal for me because I've not had any practice at that!! I started at 258. As of this morning 6 months later, my weight in 259.6. It won't be good enough for my insurance company but for me staying more or less the exact weight for 6 months is a miracle and victory!!!! So, anyways I'm going to employ some increased daily steps, IF (intermittent fasting, an enema and drink Water religiously) that will take it down the pound or two that I need by Thursday. I talked to my case manager on Friday and she said as soon as she gets my chart notes, my referral goes to the surgeon will go out Thursday. So, I'm so excited and nervous and looking forward to the journey!!

I haven't but I so believe in this!

I'd be up for a meetup if presurgery folks are welcome. I'm in north Seattle.

My three year old daughter has already had surgery to have get tonsils removed and she was super brave and has a good understanding about surgery happens generally to make things better/easier.

At my work, several of us have instituted a salad potluck on Fridays. Any one with lettuce in their gardens and myself bring lettuce and everyone else brings in a topping. Without instituting a sign up sheet we've ended with beautiful arrays of vegetables some garden grown, lean Proteins, eggs and dressings. It's infectious. People love to participate. Yes, we have our share of pizza, donuts and sweets but you gotta combat the fastening stuff somehow.

Soooooo, how's everyone doing on this thread with loosing weight on your/our own? I started in mid-February and I've lost 12-15 (depending on day of the month) pounds with just cutting down on carbs, skipping some Desserts and walking/jogging a couple times a week. I'm logging on mfp. Clothes fitting better.....Just 2 more months to meet insurance qualifications....

Girl, Hardly can fathom a 6-pack with this 2-liter I've been rockin' all these years! Phenomenal work!

Look up Huffington Post articles on how to tell you're dealing with a narcissist. It might be helpful in understanding her. Sorry you're are going through this. There are a lot of us on "medically supervised" diets on this site to get insurance approval. Use this time for self care, doing research, getting involved with my fitness pal and tracking your food and find the movement that brings you joy. Blessings on your journey!

Oh you were talking about your hubby, sorry! ;/

Costco delivers!!!! What?!!!! Need to get on that train, although, I get in a lot a steps when I go there by parking at the end of the parking lot. But they don't carry the strawberry and cream flavor in the store.

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I am enjoying this discussion. But I would like to put the word ignorant in the proper context maybe under or mis-educated and perhaps distrustful. And I believe we can give the AA experience in the medical establishment some historical perspective and validation when we think about forced sterilizations and the infamous Tuskegee experiment. These were atrocities committed against AA in this country. I have also volunteered with hospice for many years and often Black and Latino families are the very last to seek out and participate in these types of resources and I believe for many it was seen as a form for concession like you've given up - as a family and as their medical providers. I think there is a cultural value seen in resilience, "pulling yourself up by the bootstraps" for weight loss anyways and I believe many view WLS as elective! Seriously, I have people in my family who are 350+ pounds saying - you can do it on your own. Which in the end for some this is probably true. I have great support systems in my life about many things - just not as much as I would like for WLS. This is neither encourging or deterring to something that is ultimately my decision - it just is. I was curious what other's experiences were. What made people decide to "concede" and have the surgery? What was the thing that made you realize that you could not loose weight without the assistance of surgery?

I can definitely appreciate this. I have been researching and talking to ppl that've had any WLS. Once I've may up my mind I can be headstrong and anything else feels like a personal attack! Definitely the all or none thinking that contributed to my weight issues in the first place. Thanks for the reminder!

Hey Everyone, I've not read this thread completely as it is LONG, but I just wanted to check-in about something that I've noticed. If this has been discussed on the thread please forgive and humor be with your thoughts on this. A little bit of background on me, I live in Seattle and I have a pretty integrated lifestyle in terms of hanging out/being friends with people from different races. I'm 37 years old, 260ish pounds, pre-diabetic, hypertensive and arthritic. I am pre-surgery and finishing up some insurance requirements (supervised diet) to qualify for the procedure. I've noticed that there is a huge discrepancy in talking about WLS with black verses white friends. Of the few people I've told I'm considering this, when I discuss this with white folks the response is overwhelming positive and with black folks its like - "oh" and I get the laundry list of people they know who've had complications with any WLS EVER. So interesting. It really has been split down the middle with only one exception. Has anyone experienced this or have any thoughts on this????? I'm not trying to start a "race thing", so let's avoid generalizations and speak from experience. Thanks.

Cute then, cute now! Go head, girl!

Woot! I'm down 5.4lbs as of today. Let's keep it going ladies. My insurance company will be paying for this surgery so help me!

What's up with that cover up? Gorgeous. Deets, please?

I like the ideas above, you almost might try contacting a social worker associated with the hospital - they can help you strategize about post-operative housing options.

Seems like there are a lot of us in the 3 or 6 month waiting pool for insurance approval. And Jodi S, I'm in WA state too - Seattle area. I'm 2 months into my 6 months medically supervised diet although I'm kinda doing my own thing learning a lot from here. Nothing against my PCP, but she's a naturopath and her suggestions don't help me loose weight. And there were more like suggestions not an actual food plan. I've upped the Protein and activity nad track calories on myfitnesspal and where as the scale is slow to move, my clothes are fitting better than ever.

Hey. I'm pre-op with no date yet. Half way through 6-month medically supervised diet. I'll looking toward Fall or next winter for a date, but I'm in North Seattle - like Northgate area. Good Luck!

I think it depends on the company. I usr myfitnesspal and I got a fitbit (pedometer and calories burned tracker). At the end of every day it says in 5 weeks I'll be 22 pounds lightly than when I started. We'll see. Scale ain't really moving and I've doubled my water intake.....

I've wondered about how kelp noodles would go down as well as shirataki. they are a sea veggie. I use them in a low-carb pad thai dish. For the unsleeved they are great. I love thai noodles. I've also used thinly sliced jicama (pretty watery root veggie from Mexico) as noodles, too.