Sajijoma

Hey everyone. I was just wondering how everyone bounces back after a day where their whole diet gets totally derailed. I am pre op and I am trying TRYING so hard to lose weight, but yesterday just obliterated me and now I'm feeling like it's hopeless. It was a great day, don't get me wrong. We went to the apple orchard and walked row after row picking beautiful apples in the country and then we went to have lunch and ended up eating chinese food. My achilles heel. It was that or Burger King or go hungry-missed breakfast too because it was a 2hr journey from where we live to get to the orchard to begin with and 7 kids and a husband who are all like herding cats and needed to be packed up and all the things we needed for the trip(diapers, wipes, vomit bags, hand sanitizer, paper towels, spare clothes, books to read on the way, the baby's toys and bottles, snacks for the kids, stroller, emergency allergy meds etc),and a time we had to be there by, so that's what I did! I totally set myself up to fail and did it. We got the lunch meals which as a little smaller and better than the dinner portions, and I fed as much as my toddler wanted to him before hand, but I still ate A LOT of sugar filled, deep fried, sesame chicken with fried rice and carbs stacked with sugar coated carbs and then as an extra stupid sign that I am in fact stupid, I had the leftovers from my kids' meals as dinner instead of the semi healthy meal I made the rest of the family. Even last night before bed the leftovers were still calling like a siren from the kitchen so I made sure to put in a full workout at 11pm last night before bed thinking that my face couldn't eat it if it was busy sucking air. I woke up today, stepped on the scale and found myself 4lbs up from yesterday! I know part of this is water retention from the high sodium content, because my feet are swollen and hurt, but I'm pretty sure some of those pounds are mine to keep. It's been all I can do to stay focused today and instead of saying "I EFFED UP AND IT'S ALL RUINED" to just stay the course and get back on track with what I was doing before. So what do people do when they Eff it all up in one day. How do you get the strength to say that today is a better day and I'm going back to my diet and I'm sticking to it and I won't be derailed again? I'm in total panic mode because my NUT appt is the 29th and I've got to lose those 4 pounds and at least a couple others to show I'm making progress to get approved for surgery and it took me a full 45 days to lose the weight I lost last time.

I think you might have a touch of body dysmorphia going on. It's obvious, looking at your pics, that you look AMAZING. I think sometimes, especially if you've been overweight your whole life like I have, that when people comment and say "you look small" you feel like they are just taunting or teasing because we've heard it so much. People just love to say things to hurt and it's to the point you don't really feel like you trust what they say, but yet, you can't trust what your head says either, because it's been beating you up longer than that. I honestly don't feel fat, for the most part, when I'm walking around. I know that sounds shocking to people that at nearly 400lbs I don't KNOW that I am, but I don't until I look in the mirror, or bump into something, or someone makes a rude comment. In that moment, all the weight is crashing down on top of me, but when I'm just me alone, I don't feel it, so when I do lose weight, I STILL don't feel it. People will say "oh you've lost weight" or "oh you look so great" but I don't feel any different. I still see and feel me from the same way I did before and it feels almost ingenuine I guess that they say that, because I don't see the difference. I'm sure this is going to be a long struggle, but I hope you can look at your pictures and see how well you have done and how amazing you are. Sometimes, I think it helps to see the person by maybe covering up your head with a post it note and just look at the body of that person in the pics. You'll clearly see how well she's done and then when you take the post it note off and see your face maybe you'll see that it is you! <3

I have Aetna as well, and am nearing the end of my 90 day multidisciplinary program. I really freaked out about the 90 day thing, because I kind of wanted the 6 months to fully wrap my head around the whole thing and find some support-so far it's just me, a semi supportive husband, my kids, 2 friends who live across the country and the wonderful people here at bariatric pal. The program itself has been pretty easy. The first step was meeting with the NUT for our appts. We have them at 45 day intervals. I've done 2 already and my 3rd is just around the corner on the 29th. Usually we talk a lot about what's going on and what to do to train myself for life after surgery like dedicated exercise, eating balanced and Protein first, not drinking with meals, etc. I've also completed and shocking passed my psych eval which for me, was the single worst part about the whole process. I was so stressed, but it worked out just fine. So don't stress it. We should have all our papers and stuff together for submittable on Oct. 5th and praying and hoping I can get approved fairly quickly. My doctor runs a small private practice in addition to working for kaiser permanente, so he doesn't have a long waiting list after approval, so it could be as soon as 10days after approval for me. I'm definitely ready although, I just wish now it would hurry up and get here. I can't imagine electively choosing to wait the 6 months over the 90 day program. I don't think it would really net you anything at all. If you have the choice, just go the 90 days.

i feel kind of lucky in that I've only had to go through a 90 day program because it's a center of excellence. My 90 days will be up at the end of this month and I'm getting solo excited and nervous and scared and happy and already been buying a few cute clothes for the trip down the size charts!

is the fruity one a water flavor enhancer? If it is, I'd totally try it!

Congratulations on your decision to pursue wls. That first step is definitely the hardest. It's like admitting you have a problem is the worst of it and you've already done that! Just try to make small positive changes along the way. For some, the wait between consult to surgery can be 6 months or more, so keep that in mind and take that time or whatever you have to just prepare yourself for success. Good luck!

I have biochem vegan chocolate too(hubby can't read lol) it's got a strong pea taste, but sometimes I like it! ???? I was actually surprised my 365 vanilla actually is quite low in sugars so there's always that! ????

i'mNot the biggest fan of premier. It's just ok for me. I have a very sensitive palette and can't even tolerate eggs or milk that are older. If I can't get it within a day of harvest from the cow or chicken, I just can't do it. Pure protein's ready made is just okish too. The chocolate is too mucusy and tastes like Swiss miss pudding with way too much Splenda in it and the vanilla creme is a good consistency and the flavor is ok enough but again way too Splenda-y and I like Splenda and have used it in my tea for years. I guess I'll just enjoy my happy powder til I can't. LOL

thanks I'll check, just hoping someone had a guideline before I do. it takes me so long to find something I like and I've been a big fan of biochem and 365 so I will be sad if I have to lose those and look for another.

I encourage you to know that loose skin is a possibility but not to fixate on it to that end. I managed to lose over 150lbs once and I started getting saggy skin and it bothered me so much, in hindsight, I allowed myself to put the weight back on because "at least it isn't sagging". I wasn't sad when I gained the weight back because the alternative bothered me more. It's a horrible thing to think saggy skin is somehow worse than being morbidly obese. I find myself even now thinking about how bad it will get and getting nervous, but I keep telling myself that it can be fixed with plastic surgery and even though it seems too expensive to ever afford, there are financing options available to put it right and my insurance at least will cover a pannilectomy as long as the belly skin droops below the pubic bone-which after 7 kids and being overweight it does already so if I got that taken off and financed a tummy tuck at the same time and getting my bat wings clipped and if it were cheap enough throw in some boob implants or if not buy some bra padding to stuff it back up to size and I'd be ok with that. A lot of places give discounts if you do several procedures at the same time and you only have to pay for anesthesia once that way, so it's my goal to just get to where I feel ok in my own skin. I don't care if I have a saggy ass. No one will see that through my clothes and I can't see it because it's literally behind me ????There's also padded underpants. I always laughed at those, but I bet they are awesome! so that's what I think about to get past this fear. It's gonna be bad for me, I already know, based on how it was before after losing weight and how much is hanging now even pre op, but keep positive and try not to dwell on that part to the point of wondering if you even want to go through with it for the fear of the saggy skin.

I am pre op and currently have been using either whole foods 365 whey protein powder or bio chem's whey protein powder. While I was enjoying my chocolate smoothie today I realize it has 6g of actual sugar in it. Is that going to be too high to use post RNY? What is the range I should stay below? I also use the pure protein already made shakes, but I REALLY am a Huge fan of biochem's chocolate and am going to be so sad if that's too high in sugar for post op life.

her YouTube channel is 300lbs down. She is an inspiration and her first video pre surgery helped me explain to my hubby why I need this surgery. you are so welcome!

he doesn't give dates til insurance approves because his practice is so small. It's just him and he only does surgeries once a week. The rest of the week he works for kaiser Permanente. So whenever my insurance approves, 10 days later or the nearest tues. will be surgery day!

This is my last month of waiting! I have my last NUT appt at the end of this month and we submit on Oct 5th! It's literally almost here! Now if I can just avoid gaining any weight between now and then!

Having dealt with the medical field for a long time, I can tell you it's nothing personal. They define "elective" surgery as anything that can be put off and not cause death. So your tumor removal is elective if it's not cancerous, your hysterectomy is elective if you aren't bleeding out at the time it is removed, knee replacements, etc because technically you won't die today if you don't have the surgery even if it will greatly improve your quality of life and extend your years. It's just terminology.

It could be small kidney stones or sediment. High protein can cause kidney stones and the little ones may be small as a grain of sand, so you cannot see it, but your body will definitely feel the irritation. You can either strain your pee to see if you find any sediment using a cheese cloth and a coffee filter or you could try(with your dr's permission) trying to take a supplement to break down kidney stones. I use Stone Break and it has cut down on the frequency of my stones also being hyper vigilant not to get UTI's since my stones are caused by UTI's so I take cram clearance as a preventative which then prevents stones, BUT if you get stones formed by proteins, taking cranberry can actually cause more stones because they are high in oxolate so be aware of that. The best thing would be to strain your urine and find sediment or a stone that can be tested so they can tell you what kind it is and how best to avoid it If it is one!

I don't recommend cutting out all carbs, because at least for me, that's a recipe for a binge. Instead, look for "good carbs" to satisfy and make you feel full. For instance, when I make sandwiches, I use sprouted bread. It really doesn't taste bad, and it's more nutrient dense than fluffy white bread that gives no nutrition. I use sweet potatoes to make a mash instead of white potatoes and instead of drowning my salad in my favorite dressings, I opt for a nice vinaigrette or sometimes I just go commando(the salad not me exactly) and add no dressings at all! Also, if I'm craving something like chocolate, instead of having candy per se, I'll have some dark chocolate covered almonds. They scratch the itch without falling off the wagon because almonds are good for you and nuts in general are filling. My NUT has me aiming for 20 grams of protein per meal with a starch and a veg and then to aim to eat 30% less. So put less food on the plate and leave something behind and that usually gets it there. I notice I absolutely can't eat a lot with my new constraints of no drink 30 mins before a meal during or 30mins after, and 1 minute between bites with utensils down and mouth empty and 20-30mins per meal. Some nights I'm kinda pissed because I'm still hungry but my time limit is up, but I have to leave it, but it has been working for me. As for exercise, when I first started, I couldn't walk far. I could go pretty much around the grocery store and by the time I was done I was fatigued. So knowing this, I started out walking laps around my kitchen island pushing my desk chair so when I get too tired, I'd sit down and rest til I could get up and go some more. I watched an inspirational lady on YouTube who had gastric bypass and started out around my weight and she said that if you can only do 2 mins, then 2 mins is all you need to do and to just do what you can. It's true. I've lost 22lbs as of my last NUT appt and I'm up to walking 2 miles a day when my body allows-fighting a Lupus flare up right now so not every day right now, but I do what my body can do and then I quit. Some days I can't walk no further than the end of the block and some days I can walk the full 2 miles. I also have some light hand weights(started at 2lbs now using 5lbs) and just sit in a chair and work your arms. Do bicep curls or cross body punches holding the weights. Anything that gets the heart pumping is good. I started out doing 1 set of 15 of like bicep curls and lifting weights over my head, and then cross body punches and now I can do like 40-50 before I even break a sweat or feel like I've done something. Just challenge yourself to do 1 more than yesterday or 1 step more or 1 lap more or whatever. It adds up!

sorry I just saw this! I haven't tried the soups, but I've heard good things about them. I have a very trained palate(nice way of saying I'm a picky brat LOL) so I have trouble with a lot of mass produced things. I'm thinking of making my own soups and broths closer to time.

You look beautiful! Keep up the good work!

Oh dear I haven't had surgery yet, but I am totally laughing at the idea of licking a hot dog. My biggest fear is my hunger will get the best of me and I'll lick my baby's face clean after he eats. I hope it doesn't come to that! ????

I'm sure they probably noticed but just didn't want to say anything. A lot of people realize it's embarrassing to be told "hey you lost weight!" So they go out of their way not to say anything. I'm sure as you lose more and more people will ask what I always asked "how did you do it?!?" Which isn't because I want to be judgemental, but because I have always been looking for the diet, exercise routine, pill, etc. that is finally going to help me beat my weight problem.

When I read your original post I thought, "that sounds like what would happen to me every time I would try to exercise on a regular basis" and then I kept reading all of the posts and came to this one and said, 'ah', it is the same thing." I, too, have lupus. It sucks to have your body betray you every time you try to do right by it! I know what you are going through.Let me tell you though, it will get better after you have surgery and the weight starts coming off. I have been on a very low maintenance dose of prednisone since surgery and it has not affected my weight loss at all. I would suggest that you just listen to your body and rest it as it needs. If you can't exercise for a few days in a row, or even for a few weeks in a row (you know how it is), don't get down on yourself. It is your disease. You understand that. It's frustrating, I know, but what can you do? Just eat right and like you did previously, just do the hand weights while sitting. Like my mom always says, "it beats a blank!" Bless you! thanks! I didn't know that wls could actually make the lupus better. God that would be amazing! I left today going damn! It's all coming crashing down. I just want to cry, but at least I know what it is and we aren't in the guessing game phase. It took me over 5yrs for it to be diagnosed. That entire time I suffered and listened to people just tell me I was lazy and looking for excuses or not doing xyz correctly and that's why I'm in such a shape. I forgot how bad it feels mentally and physically. I've had a good solid 9yrs in remission, but like I said, the only way to keep that up is to stay pregnant(for me some people get it worse, but my goes into remission)band my baby days are behind me now(7 is enough). It's good to know that on the other side maybe it won't hurt so much! ????

I went to the doctor today and he confirmed I'm most definitely having a lupus flare up. My face has the classic butterfly rash and all my joints are swollen and so are my lymph nodes in my neck, and armpits and my eyes and apparently throat are both red and swollen too(I didn't notice the throat, but it's also allergy season and i have post nasal drip 24/7). I also have huge red bloody scabs all in my scalp like a bad chemical treatment. I had those when I first got diagnosed years ago. At this point, I haven't exercised in nearly a week except for 2lb hand weights in a chair. Just lots of Epsom salt baths. The only thing that may be "exercise related" he thinks is my shoulder which is grinding like it may have a tear and he wants me to follow up with orthopedic to see if I have some kind of issue there. I did notice it was getting "crunchy" so probably "something" there that inevitably will be on my "you're too fat for surgery come back when you lose weight" list. As for the lupus, I got a few shots and a sack full of drugs from the pharmacy and told to keep moving as much as I can, but don't overdo because it will get worse if I do nothing or too much(which I kinda already knew). It's like arthritis on crack. It's kind of a damned if ya do dammed if ya don't situation. The fatigue is so bad I had to take a nap this afternoon from just going to the doctor. Hoping that in a few days once everything kicks in, I'll be feeling better. On the bright side, I did buy a new hot pink exercise ball to celebrate my 20lb loss and it arrived today so can't wait to get to use it! (Keep positive, right?)

I don't know anything about this guy or this story really, but at 395, I can't really ride a bike. My balance is so off, but even if it weren't where did he find a bike sturdy enough to hold him? I went to several bike shops when I was "just 300lbs" and they basically laughed me out the door as they didn't sell any rated to that weight limit. Also, if I tried to sleep on the ground for even 1 night my body would be in so much pain I wouldn't be able to physically get up let alone peddle a bike all day before and after said night on the ground. If he is somehow managing to do this at that size, well good on him, but from where I sit, something doesn't add up. I'm suspicious or at the very least jealous!

thanks I have an appt tomorrow morning. I just hope it doesn't come with a huge weight gain. The meds always made me gain and I have been doing so well in my 90 day program and don't want to lose any of that loss.