Inner Surfer Girl

Lee's Famous Recipe is a southern fried chicken fast food chain restaurant. I love their green beans because they taste home cooked and seasoned unlike green beans at other fast food chicken places.

My hospital really had most everything (including no skid socks, toiletries, etc.). Take what you are asked to bring: CPAP, spirometer, etc. I also used: lip balm, hot pad, extra change of underwear (I wore home the same clothes I arrived in). I had my mom with me and gave her my phone with strict instructions not to give it back to me until I was no longer loopy but you will want to bring your phone charger. I also gave her a list of my friends who wanted to be updated so she used my phone to text them when I got out of surgery. The best thing, other than my mom, was making up my mind to do everything I was asked to do, even if I thought I couldn't. Best of luck!

Can I just add that I addicted to Lee's green Beans. I tend to keep a large in my refrigerator and add a tablespoon or two to my meals. I just ate a tuna packet on top of a tablespoon of green beans with a tablespoon of pimento cheese in the microwave. Instant tuna casserole.

Welcome! I haven't really run into an issue eating out. I am single and actually cook more and eat more at home now than I did pre-op, but I still eat out on occasion. You probably won't want to when you are still on liquids, but it is doable if you plan ahead and make good choices. My number one priorities are Protein and Water. When you are on liquids you can usually find a clear Soup at a decent restaurant. Once you are on soft foods it gets easier. Choose a good protein: cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, soft fish, refried Beans, etc. You can also eat soft cooked veggies, but eat your protein first. When you are cleared for denser Proteins then turkey and chicken are great. I even get shrimps, scallops, pork tenderloin, etc. Tougher meats like steak are doable further out. Just choose a good protein and a non-starchy vegetable and you will be fine. I usually have lots to take home unless I order an appetizer portion. Unless it is fried fast food place, there is usually one or two things on the menu that are decent choices. Best of luck with your surgery and your recovery. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Welcome! If you can't find a bariatric support group near you, you might want to see if there is an OA group nearby. OA also has some phone and online groups. You can find out more at OA.org. BariatricPal is also a great source of support, information, and encouragement. Best of luck with your surgery.

I am so sorry for your losses. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it must be to experience such loss. I am not in your shoes but want to encourage you not to give up. I truly believe it is never too late. I would recommend you make an appointment with your NUT to talk about your struggles/challenges and your goals. In the meantime, go back to basics. Follow your program. Track your food. Make sure you get at least 64 oz of water/fluid daily. Make sure you are getting in all of your Protein every day. Avoid starches, added sugars, and fried food. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. Exercise. You can do this! Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I second the Mr. cheese O's recommendation. I eat them with a can of V8 as my post-swim snack. I also agree with carrying an insulated cooler/lunch bag.

Or, don't dump the yolks. The yolks are the most nutritious part of the egg.

I don't know if inspiration will just "come to you", but recognizing that you don't like your results and that you need to do something different is a step in the right direction. Now, take another step. I would suggest that you recommit to following your program. Make an appointment today with your NUT to talk about your progress, your goals, and how to get there. Find out when the next bariatric support meeting is and attend. Talk to the person who did your psych clearance and find out if they can see you or can refer you to someone. Go back to basics: Drink 64 oz of Water a day. Just do it. Track your food. Make sure you get in ALL of your Protein every day. Avoid starches, added sugars, and fried foods. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. Exercise. (You have got to find a way to move, even if it isn't a formal exercise program. If you can, get a fitness tracker so you can at least track how much activity you engage in daily. That will give you a place to start for adding in activity/movement, and even "exercise"). You know what to do! You obviously did something right to lose as much as you have up to now. Don't give up! Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Fazoli's- side of meatballs with cheese and mushrooms. For a feast, I add a side of Lee's green beans. It takes two stops, but it tastes great.

Dr. Weiss at Central Baptist in Lexington, KY is awesome. His self-pay is considerably less than that but I am not sure exactly what the hospital charge is.

Sounds like they need to do an appeal and talk directly with BCBS.

Mr. Cheese O's

I am 11 months post-op and am swimming three-four plus times a week. I usually swim an hour of laps. Some days in addition to laps, I take a Water aerobics class, or do my own thing with water weights and ab work. I also usually do some leg exercises in the water given to me by my PT (for about 10 minutes or so) and then do a stretching cool down. Can you tell it is hard for me to want to get out of the pool once I get in?

Are you taking a PPI? Stomach acid can feel like hunger.

50-60 grams of Protein seems low. What is your protein target? (Mine is 100 grams.) It is important that you do everything you can to get in both your protein and fluids. It isn't easy but it is doable. I have to make it my number one priority. Exercise also helps. Once my incisions healed and I was cleared to swim I have been in the pool. I started with Water aerobics, etc. and now I swim laps and take an occasional water aerobics class regularly. It feels great!

I have never been big on cooking but am trying to do more now. Does she like tuna? Stock up on tuna packets. Does she like cottage cheese? I eat cottage cheese all the time. Usually plain but I also dress it up sometimes. (Fresh tomato, tzatziki sauce, piacante sauce are some good and easy add ins.) Does she like Greek yogurt? I keep a bunch of Danon Light & Fit Greek as well as a big tub of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt. Both are great with fresh fruit or even some sugar-free jam or preserves.

Egg Mcmuffin with extra egg. Usually eat 1/2 of the bread, but sometimes all of it. Arby's sandwiches without bread. Usually turkey club but sometimes a reuben. Subway: tuna salad and cheese in a cup with toppings (tomato, pickles, etc) Wendy's chilli Sonic bacon egg and cheese toaster (no bread) Lee's grilled chicken breast and green Beans. Taco Bell - chicken or steak power burrito, refried beans and taco, or similar Panda Express - small beef broccoli, no rice Panera - I got black bean soup and a half Greek salad the other day. Ate the soup and some of the salad (mostly the toppings).

Another good way to get into a routine is to take a class. For me, I am more likely to do something, especially if it is something new, if I take a class where I have to be at a specific place at a specific time.

I taught a Freshman seminar class for many years. The best advice I can give you is to use a day planner. The key is: time management, time management, time management.

Just follow your surgeon's directions. Don't overthink it and try to undereat. In addition to shrinking your liver you also need to be nourished and go into the surgery as healthy as possible.

Lululemon is one of those stores I will NEVER shop at because of their corporate attitude toward people they think are less than worthy to wear their overpriced clothes. I have read nothing good about them.

This is awesome. It is NEVER too late to go back to school and this sounds like an opportunity too good to pass up -- convenient location, time, and tuition reimbursement. What do you want to study? I will definitely be cheering you on.

My Easter Bunny likes fresh asparagus and fresh raspberries. I did make the mistake of eating sugar-free peeps: not the smartest idea.

I hear that a lot but think it is a little bit of a fallacy. Especially the "how many fat old people do you see in nursing homes". The problem with this is that some (many?) fat people do lose weight at the end of life due to illness, malnutrition, etc. I would qualify this as how many fat old people do you see who have a good quality of life.?