thisfathasgot2go

I am really enjoying tracking my progress on my watch & phone and hope that I can add friends to get us motivated in the step challenge? What is a Withings Activite' Pop you ask? It is like a Fitbit or Jawbone, except it is a watch too and you don't have to charge it or take it off to shower, swim etc.

Hello, I was just referred to Health Education by my PCP. My PCP is at Sunset. I am willing to consider other locations for the OPTIONS PROGRAM, not just Sunset if I can get a better experience, a better doctor, more opportunities to try newer options like Duodenal Switch. Has anyone gone through the process at Kaiser Sunset or Baldwin Park? These are the closest locations to my home and work. If so, were the days/classes numerous and flexible? Weekends? Days and evenings? Does it take longer at Sunset vs. Baldwin Hills? Or vice-versa? Should I consider one of the other locations around Los Angeles? Baldwin Hills has no weekends, but several options during the week during the day and night. It was explained to me that for three months, you meet 2x a month for 3 hours each class. They have two orientations a month. Sunset confirmed their next class is May 18, with a mix of weekends, day and evening classes (days/times not confirmed). I would like to start at a center that is not backlogged or takes a long time to get appointments and classes. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and information.

@@thisfathasgot2go Did you have Nicole at Sunset? Thats the instructor I have. @@almond_jay Yes, I had Nichole at Sunset too.

I am four months out and I finally broke down and bought some new clothes. I was an 18 and have been wearing some baggy old 16's that I had before I went to size 18. I mainly shopped Nordstrom Rack in the past (plus 1x-2x stuff), but I found more selection at Old Navy yesterday as far as pants. I am sure that my skinny legs will be a surprise at work tomorrow because no one has seen them hiding in the baggy pants. Today, I am 167 and wearing size 12. I have not worn a 12 since 1996 or so after having my 2nd child. I cannot say that I had "fun" shopping, but buying medium tops and size 12 pants felt good. I am only losing 2-5 lbs a month now, so hopefully these last til I can get down to 150 or less.

@@thegentleoso That instructor sounds like she does not like her job. I had Nichole and I thought she was great.

@@hopefullythininme Hello, sorry I am just seeing this. I had to wait from April to June to start my OPTIONS CLASS. I started June 16 and ended September 1, 2015. I lost 29 lbs pre-op which was more than the 10%. I saw the surgeon, Dr. Casillas at West LA on 9/21/2015. I chose or at least indicated a preference for the SLEEVE. Dr. Casillas said I could go either way - I had no GERD or DIABETES which I believe they prefer those patients go with the BYPASS. I had my surgery 10/7/2015. I am currently almost 4 months out and have lost a total of 57 lbs, from 225 referral weight, to 196 surgery weight, to 168 currently. I am a slow loser, which is fine with me. I avg about 1 lb a week, sometimes more, sometimes less, but as long as I am continuing to go down, I am ok with this. I would recommend Dr. Casillas in West LA. He did a great job. The OPTIONS program is a big help to be successful because it really gives you the education needed to make good decisions about the surgery and the post-op diet.

I started with a BMI at about 40. Just less than 5'3 and 225 lbs. I lost about 30 pre-surgery and since my 10-7-2015 surgery I have lost 25 lbs. It is slow going. I am not the perfect patient. I track my food intake on MFP. I walk daily, usually 30 minutes and make decent food choices. It could be better. I now average about 2-5 lbs a month post surgery, pre surgery it was 10 lbs a month. I have lost inches too. I am about to hit the 160's and want to lose about 30 more lbs or so. You are not alone.

Congrats! Good luck tomorrow. Don't forget it's ok to ask for pain meds and try to fart and burp as much as possible.

I am two months out, but I went to the monthly support group offered by Kaiser before the surgery and I have gone after. They have lots of freebies to entice people to come. The last one I went to I got lots of samples of high Protein Snacks, powders, chews, etc. It is a good, motivating group. Kaiser has other classes that meet weekly that focus on healthy eating.

I attend a post-op support group with Kaiser and they discussed options that do include the opportunity to use weight loss meds post-surgery, so it is another tool to consider.

@@amboyd I am sorry your down. I am in a stall too, since 11/12 I have not lost any. I went to my 6 week check up (1 week late) on Tuesday. She told me to get my water up too (4 - 16.9 bottles) and to substitute one of my meals with a protein drink and then drink another protein drink if I need to get my 80-85 grams of protein in. She wants to see 10lbs a month weight loss, well I do too! As long as I am not gaining, I am ok with my stall, but like you, I would like to see more forward progress. Hang in there.

Follow up: My daughter is having her sleeve surgery today. She did not have to do any pre-diet counseling. She started the process around October 25 or so and got approval this week.

@@retrieverguy I go peeping but I would not replicate that meal. Not my taste before or after surgery.

@@retrieverguy She is active on MFP. I think she was disappointed with a stall. She has had to get more active and eat more. She was trying to limit calories, but her body was fighting back wanting Protein and more fluids and activity.

I am not sure about my liver lately, but I know back in 2007, I was diagnosed with a fatty liver. When I had my post-op labs, my doctor knew right away I was not drinking the amount of water he wants. What are the labs called (name of test) that check for fatty liver? Is it creatinine?

You look great! I was sleeved in October and my clothes are hanging off of me. I don't want to buy anything yet. But the baggy butt hanging is so embarrassing. Happy Shopping!

@@amboyd If you are on the phone app, I don't think you can. You would probably have to just go to the regular website on your phone's browser.

@@retrieverguy When I change my weight on the TOGETHER WE HAVE LOST XXXXXXXX lbs ticker on the bottom right corner of this page, it automatically changes my ticker weight.

@@abs0253 I looked up steatosis and that is fatty liver right? Well duh, I am thinking that we will have that fatty liver until we lose more weight and we are no longer obese?

@@MarciaN You have done so well pre-op on your weight loss! After surgery, look out!

Canned sardines, the boneless, skinless kind in olive oil. Great with hot sauce!

I have been the same weight- 179 for the past 5 days or so, but I have noticed that my pants are hanging off of me. I just went through my pants about 2 weeks ago, but I tried some on today that were ok 2 weeks ago, and they have to go. I think I am totally out of my old size 18's. Yay.

During my liquid phase, I used the IMAGINE brand soups. They are sold at Whole Foods and Sprouts in SoCal. Some were low sodium and so yummy! http://www.imaginefoods.com/products/creamy_soups

@@BLERDgirl I share my food diary and sent you a friend request on MFP!

@@abs0253 Mine is similar too.