IncredibleShrinkingMan

@@goblue9280 I agree, sometimes, sheer volume of response is what speaks most powerfully, even if things are trite by the time the last person speaks.
P.S...heart still going nuts from double overtime and Lions win at Lambeau.

Right there with you...your body needs to catch its breath and bring the set point down to where you are so that it doesn't go into survival mode on you. The pervasive need for instant gratification with weight loss on this site troubles me, and it's great to read somebody that gets it. I am loving a stall right up against 200 at the present time. I may use the holidays to trick my body into thinking there's a feast and then go all new year's resolution on it in January (like the olden days, minus the yo-yo).

The psych employed by the surgeon (or associated with him) only expresses reservations when they are serious and potentially deleterious to your success with the surgery. Insurance company psychs might be very different. I think you present a medley of legitimate concerns as to what post-surgery life could hold. I completely get that you are mentally ready, but since the premium on success and mental health is so high, it is probably worth a hold-up, even with some extra expense (as you described), to make sure you are not doing this just to see your life end up being made worse because of other issues. I would stay confident and mentally in the zone, but also reflect on these matters as seriously as the psych did. I hope you can find a way to still have the surgery in 2015.

Right there with you...your body needs to catch its breath and bring the set point down to where you are so that it doesn't go into survival mode on you. The pervasive need for instant gratification with weight loss on this site troubles me, and it's great to read somebody that gets it. I am loving a stall right up against 200 at the present time. I may use the holidays to trick my body into thinking there's a feast and then go all new year's resolution on it in January (like the olden days, minus the yo-yo).

Between my two-week pre-op and the three months (and change) since surgery, I have lost 90 lbs. I am almost even a little thankful for the present stall in which I find myself, because it could only make the progress healthier and more sustainable. That is by far my proudest victory. But the NSVs are countless...the biggest one being making good on the promise I made to myself to one day wear college-era clothes again that have since been boxed up in the attic. Congratulations on your century mark! See you in Onederland soon!

I really need to invent a scale that doesn't respond to you after you've stepped on more than twice in a seven day period.
I think the amount we are going to lose is predetermined by our genes in combination with the characteristics of the surgery...you just have to love it like a locked door. Pace and timing of stalls, however, are not programmed, and are even harder to predict. I do not believe they impact how much you will ultimately lose, so, you are only human if you are frustrated by a stall, but do not take it to mean your ultimate result will be less satisfying than it would be had the stall not occurred.

Since you have almost four weeks left, I would start liquids now...it will train you to succeed on the post-op liquid diet. Additionally, it will really help you with any pre-op diet your surgeon requests, whether it is clear liquid or just simply low calorie. It takes some time to settle in to liquids, and it gave me major irritation until the last three days before surgery.
As to how to do it during post-op...the best advice is just to sip as directed...don't go long periods without having your Protein drink and try to keep it steady throughout the day. Best of luck!

That is rough, although probably not without basis. I was told that as soon as I could get the required 64 oz of Water, I could begin having coffee again, and I did so without delay. The ban is due to the fact that caffeine is a diuretic and removes water from your body of which after surgery, you can hardly spare.

That is rough, although probably not without basis. I was told that as soon as I could get the required 64 oz of Water, I could begin having coffee again, and I did so without delay. The ban is due to the fact that caffeine is a diuretic and removes water from your body of which after surgery, you can hardly spare.

I really need to invent a scale that doesn't respond to you after you've stepped on more than twice in a seven day period.
I think the amount we are going to lose is predetermined by our genes in combination with the characteristics of the surgery...you just have to love it like a locked door. Pace and timing of stalls, however, are not programmed, and are even harder to predict. I do not believe they impact how much you will ultimately lose, so, you are only human if you are frustrated by a stall, but do not take it to mean your ultimate result will be less satisfying than it would be had the stall not occurred.

I think everybody with a pulse can probably relate. That is a wonderful moment and a wonderful memory. She is blessed to already have a huge inspiration in her life for any struggle she faces later on.

I really need to invent a scale that doesn't respond to you after you've stepped on more than twice in a seven day period.
I think the amount we are going to lose is predetermined by our genes in combination with the characteristics of the surgery...you just have to love it like a locked door. Pace and timing of stalls, however, are not programmed, and are even harder to predict. I do not believe they impact how much you will ultimately lose, so, you are only human if you are frustrated by a stall, but do not take it to mean your ultimate result will be less satisfying than it would be had the stall not occurred.

I think everybody with a pulse can probably relate. That is a wonderful moment and a wonderful memory. She is blessed to already have a huge inspiration in her life for any struggle she faces later on.

Hello My Dear Bariatric Beauties (and handsome Dudes) in the Making!
If you are reading this, you are probably trying to mentally and emotionally prepare for what is to come. I know, because I was in your shoes a few weeks backJ I found the mental preparation way harder to do than the physical pre-op diet. I’m a week out of surgery, and in great spirits considering all, I’ve been through and the considerable trauma to my throat (which is making drinking over excruciating at this time). If I was not mentally and emotionally as well prepared as I was…I think at this point, I would have fallen into depression as is quite common at this stage. But…I am well girdled to deal with this and I thought I’d share the 10 most important things YOU can do, to prepare yourself for what is to come J These are not in any particular order, and I think they are all important, but I don’t want to spend too much time tweaking them because I want them to be as fresh from my experience as possible. Also as a disclaimer, this is my list and what helped me and is not to be substituted for any medical advice…there…I think I’m covered, so let’s step to it!
So here we go, in no particular order.
1. Ask your Surgeon LOTS of questions right up until the wheel you away into the OR. When you think of them, write them down and make sure you cover them. Understanding what is going to happen and his/her expectations of you and how you can partner with them for success is key!
2. Determine who you will tell about it and what your emotional support is going to be, and not a person more! Telling someone that will not be supportive will emotionally drain you as you try to educate/justify/explain etc. If your mind is made up, you don’t need to subject yourself to that.
3. Watch lot YouTube videos to get a broad idea of what you can expect. There are tons of them out there. The Before and After videos are particularly helpful in building moral, and giving you a sense that you too can do this.
4. Join and participate in Bariatric Pals (a given J)
5. Make a dry ran. Visit your surgical facility before surgery day (see the pre-op and recovery rooms). I did that and it really helped with the anxiety as on the actual surgical day, it was a familiar place, I had even spoken to recovery nurses prior to my actual surgery. Saw the pre-op areas, and the recovery rooms.
6. Invest in a FITBIT or other tracking device and start walking! I think this was single handedly one of the biggest things I could do to prepare myself. I worked up to 12 K steps prior to surgery. By day 4 post surgery I was walking 6 K steps a day and the past two days I’ve hit 10 k steps a day (albeit slow steps…I’m like a crooked question mark, slowly haunting the streets of my neighborhood J). But walking as soon as I was lucid enough was key to help with gas, AND to get the Serotonin levels going!
7. Visualize yourself on the other side. This for some reason was harder to do for me, but seeing myself make it through surgery somehow strengthened me.
8. Write a journal of all the reasons you are doing this. Read them often leading up to the surgery, especially on those times when you get cold feet. I chose to divide mine into the following categories.
a. Physical
b. Emotional
c. Mental
d. Social
e. Health
9. Minimize distractions and noise that could emotionally destabilize you. See less of negative people that leave you drained and cravey. It’s hard enough dealing with pre-op diet as it is! I personally stopped watching the news (too depressing), and decided to mentally give myself as much focus as I could!
10. Pray about it with all your heart, cry it out if you must, and then trust, let go and Let God see you through! The night before surgery after my prayers, a very odd calm came over me…and I knew He was with me and that I would be okay J
Hope this is helpful in getting you ready for your big day!
Blessings and Green Lights!
Ellie123

I wish I had this problem. Those images entice me just as before. You were meant to succeed.

@@Alex Brecher is there any particular place on the head from which hair is generally lost first, or more severely, than others? Any advice about haircuts during this general phase? I just entered the 3 to 6 month category, and have a cut scheduled for early December. Scrap it?

Most NSV's involve something ego-petting, but this is priceless. Congratulations!

Hummus, as long as there is no extra oil involved! Made easier with some extremely thin wheat crackers (if your pouch will tolerate it, you probably already know by now whether or not it can) or crudités.

Just to address the issue of rejection...did you consider seeking a second opinion? I'm sure the other posters are all correct in their advice on how to deal with the skin, but perhaps another plastic surgery program would think differently of it. I understand your concern and theirs, but I would fully research this issue before writing it off.

I haven't had many noticeable changes, with the exception of cold cuts and tuna. No Bueno. And I can no longer tolerate chewable bariatric Vitamins or vanilla Protein shakes.
The real change for me, besides quantity, is the total cut off from bread, rice, and other carbs, diet soda, sweets, etc. I almost feel like I should have some sort of bariatric chip or marker to go along with it to mark how long I've been clean.
But you know the longer I abstain the better I feel. Yes, sometimes I battle cravings, but I finally feel like I have the upper hand with surgery and that's amazing. Plus it definitely gets easier. For once my body and I are working towards the same goal, instead of it feeling like I'm swimming against a riptide.

I haven't noticed a change in taste buds. In fact the other difference for me post sleeve is the amount for me. I do have to watch slider foods though. However the weight loss from the surgery acts as positive reinforcement for me. The rest is just common sense. Anything I know I would binge on, I don't keep in the house. It's just that simple. I also think increased food allergies works in my favor. Once I realized food is not my friend. Food can not only make me really sick, it can quite literally kill me. Knowing that made it easy to stay away from things. Soda is in my mind poison. I don't drink it, don't miss it and never crave it.
Not sure if I answered your question, but that's my 2 cents.

That's awesome, but I think with this outlook you are already a new you well ahead of 2016 and you'll be going both in and out of the OR as a transformed individual. We can become healthier both physically and mentally long before we lose a single pound. Congratulations!

Congratulations, and welcome to the other side!

Congratulations, and welcome to the other side!

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Lots of options, they also make you look like a stud