4me4them

I was reading a book about hiking Mount Everest...and one of the chapters was titled "go backwards to go forward". On Everest this refers to the fact that they hike from base camp to camp 1, then back to base camp, then back to camp one, on to camp two, all the way back to base camp....you get the picture. I thought at the time, how frustrating that would be if you didn't really understand why...the body has to acclimate to the altitude...you can't go straight to the top or you wont make it out alive because the blood isn't capable of delivering the oxygen you need. So, what does this have to do with your situation? It seems like you are trying to fight your body instead of working with it. Take a breath, listen to your NUT (what seems like a step backwards) so that you can go forward stronger. The weight will do what it is going to do all YOU can control is following the plan and listening to the expert advice being given. You will get to the top of the mountain

Welcome to the forums! You will find lots of good information here! I've just finished a required 3 month diet so my paperwork can be submitted to insurance. I would get a good notebook or accordion file because you are going to have a lot of papers...lol. Good luck and I'll see you around...

I used to have on my mirror the phrase "Learn from your mistakes" but just recently, after a really rough spot in the 3 month prediet, I scratched out Mistakes and replaced it with SUCCESS. Look back at successful calorie days and replicate those for a few days...you'll readjust just fine!

You've come to the right place...lots of good information here with helpful people. I know I was anxious to get started too!

Awesome news after what must have been a stressful wait!

Unfortunately my insurance company would do the same thing. The nutritionist told me at the first meeting, don't care how much you lose, just don't gain. Maybe this is only a bump in the road and things can be fixed in the next few months. I can't imagine how frustrated you are at this point...hang in there and don't give up the fight!

Woo hoo...you outsmarted yourself! I like it.

What a cool NSV!

Welcome! You will find lots of great people with a wide variety of experiences to share. I'm 3 months in...and have about 2 more to go before surgery (I had a trip planned so surgery will be postponed a few weeks from the earliest I could have done it). The time seems to be going fairly quickly to me. Maybe that is because of all the tests/appts/stuff that I've had to do to get the insurance packet ready to go I figure every pound I lose before surgery is a pound I don't have to lose after...deep right? Anyway, hang in there and the next 3 months will go by faster than you think! Beth

AHH the bittersweet closet cleaning out. I'm hoping some day I get to experience the good/sad feeling...congratulations! Your choices will go up exponentially...so that equals more shopping! Beth

WOO HOO FOR YOU! I'm glad you are on the other side and feeling good! Remember, the forums are just as good at providing support (as in the scale hasn't moved what the heck panics) as they are for celebrating.

"I am slowly feeling better."... To be clear, that's the part I liked...not the other parts...

Congrats! Sounds like you are working the program and the program is working for you I just made that up

First....welcome! You've come to a great place with lots of friendly people who will do what they can to support you in your journey. I didn't face that exact situation, but I had a visit from my granddaughter, my 50th birthday trip, and in October I have a trip to the East coast to visit my/hubbys parents. My 3 month diet got a little more restrictive going from 1500, 1300, 1200 with 2 days on the preop diet a week. The first two events were not perfect, but I definitely did better than I would have without being on the program/prepping for surgery.

Congrats! Glad it is over for you and you are managing...hopefully it will get better soon...

Welcome and congrats on being on what I call "the other side"! I hope to join you in November. You'll find lots of good info here and lots of friendly folks to provide advice...

So be bold! If you aren't his "volunteer" anymore look him up see if he wants to get a cup of coffee...You said Seattle right? Don't spend time wondering what if...sometimes it is better to know...either way...

So glad it seems you have turned a corner! Hang in there...

The only thing on my list from doc that's not on your is calcium citrate...I'm supposed to do 1,000 mg daily.

Thanks! Fear of the unknown is so much worse than understanding the reality. I appreciate your sharing...

Congratulations and good luck! We'll see you on the other side!

So my NUT wants me to start taking all the Vitamins I'll be taking after surgery...2 chewable multis, 2 Calcium citrates and 1 B12 that goes under the tongue. My question for the group is...do you take your vitamins all at once or spread throughout the day? Does it make any difference if you take them in the AM or PM? Just wondering....

PS...I used my insulated coffee mug with ice to keep the shake cold while I drank it...can't chug those things and they are nasty when they warm up...

So I had my final NUT appointment on Monday. She has put me on a two consecutive days a week liquid diet...like the one that I will have to do prior to surgery. The other 5 days I am eating my surgeon's "Stage 4" diet, which is basically back to whatever foods you can tolerate. I did my two days yesterday and today. Here is my doctor's/NUTs schedule 0600 (I go to work early) Protein Shake. no more than 130 calories, no more than 13 Carbs and at least 20g protein 0900 4oz apple or cranberry juice, 6 oz plain or vanilla greek yogurt (no more than 100 calories) 1200 Protein Shake 1500 (3 in the afternoon) 11.25 oz low sodium V8 (or 4 oz V8Fusion) and 1/2 C cottage cheese 1800 (6 in the evening) Protein Shake 2000 (8 in the evening) juice and yogurt if needed. Up to 2 cups low sodium broth, 5 sugar free popsicles and unlimited non calorie/decaffeinated drinks. So day one was not to bad. I cruised actually. Planned to do day one on the day I do yoga at night so I was out of the house when my hubby and brother (who lives with us) ate. I did make one mistake....I tried to add a little sugar free jello powder to the vanilla shake and it was totally disgusting...got clumpy and was way overly sweet. Couldn't even get it down...lol Lesson learned...don't try to go all Chopped on the protein shake! Today has been a bit more of a challenge...but still not as bad as I thought it would be. I ate a popsicle while fixing dinner so my mouth had something to do. As I'm typing I'm drinking my first Unjury Shake...strawberry and not too bad...not overly sweet. I have my tennis shoes on so if it gets to be too much when the guys get home and have dinner I can go for a walk. I'm going on vacation 14 October for two weeks...I may continue the shakes for bfast and lunch...then when I get back I have about a month before I start the pre-op 14 day diet...may try to up my 2 days to 3 just to get ready.

Ultimately you can't control what others think....keep your eye on the prize and remember WHY you made your choice. For me it is so I can play with my grandkids and do the things I want to do in retirement.