songsmith

I didn't have a set amount to lose, but I basically went "healthy low carb," meaning I did a modified Atkins/South Beach. I didn't cut myself way down on carbs, but I did cut out processed sugars and starches and made healthier choices. I shot for around 1200 cal a day with 80 gm of Protein. I found it lots easier to track my meals on MyFitnessPal (or any of the other free meal planners). Also have been trying to learn, "protein first, Water water water, chew thoroughly," and all the other requirements. I sent for samples of various protein powders (or bit the big one and bought the smallest amount of others) so I would know which ones I can tolerate. It really is an individual thing. I'd say follow the plan that you've been successful on in the past.

A lot depends on cup size and how much you want to spend. Panache is good. Juno. Freya. In the end, good fit is what's most important, and that is the same for an A cup or a J cup. I suggest measuring yourself so you know your size and not rely on a sale's person. 80-90% of women wear the wrong size bra. 1. The center front of your bra (the gore) lies flat against your breastbone. 2. The underwire (if your bra has it) sits behind your breast tissue and not on top of it, ensuring full support. 3. There is no spillage over your cups whatsoever--back band, arm pits, top. 4. The bra's band lies level across your chest and back; it doesn't ride up. Also, the breasts should be supported by the band and not the straps. Here are some good links. (Note, tech. NSFW because of drawings and in video, woman wearing her bra.) Classify Your Breasts and best fitting video I've ever found Bra Fitting 101

I had my thyroid out last year after my PCP and I fought with know-it-all ENT doctors for seven years. My PCP knew something was wrong. I knew something was wrong. The insurance-authorized ENTs only saw a fat woman "looking for an excuse." Argh. I want to say it took two or three weeks for my levels to be acceptable. Well, they're actually high because turned out my little butterfly gland had turned into Mothra and was cancerous. (Thyroid cancer is probably the "best" cancer you can get because it seldom ever spreads.) I'm sorry about your surgery, but the thyroid governs a ton of different things in your body. Bad levels can cause insomnia, depression, weight gain (or loss)--all kinds of stuff! So do make sure you follow up and find out just why your levels are off. Your surgeon is looking out for you even though I know it must not feel that way. You will get it under control soon and then on to surgery.

Yep. Sounds like the guys I know. The ultimate compliment for most of them is to say you look hot.

Who the hell is saying this stuff? Curious, is it another woman who might have a thing for your man? Was it said as some sort of weird compliment? You know, "Oh, you were obese before so not desirable, but now you're thin and everyone will want you" sort of thing. (We won't even discuss how twisted that logic is.) Next time it's said to your face, tell them, "Too bad because I love my husband. He's the best and loves me for me. Who wants a shallow-assed bastard who only wanted them for their looks? Sheesh."

I'm doing the happy dance. My case manager emailed me and told me my insurance gave the green light. Now all I need is the date (still likely in early Feb. because DH will be out of the country). But one step closer! Hooray!

Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes and about the same glycemic load. They're also considered one of Nature's "super foods." They are healthier if boiled instead of baked. I sub them for high protein/low cal potato salad (in moderation). I also make sweet potato Cajun fries. I do not make the brown sugar and butter sweet potato casserole stand-by. I am pre-op, but I see nothing wrong with them during maintenance so long as they are used in moderation like any other starchy vegetable. I like to combine them with black soy Beans, chilis, green peppers, cilantro, cumin and salsa. Num.

Woohoo! That is great news and a fantastic birthday present! Amazing what a bit of the old-fashioned determination will do for you. I'm so happy you got this taken care of at last.

Thanks for sharing. I can't imagine going on a cruise so soon after surgery. (Actually, never been on a cruise but understand there's always tons of food involved.) We're going to Disney World about a year out from my surgery, and I'm worried enough about that! Good to know there are some acceptable foods available on cruises. Could you have packed in shakes and puddings and protein bars and survived on those? Probably. But this was also a vacation. I think you made the right choice. You don't feel like you deprived yourself, so it will be lots easier to get back to your regular eating program.

Everyone does this occasionally--even people who have never struggled with weight. Look on the bright side. Habits are tough to break. Lucky for you, you figured out a tendency you'll need to watch later. I used to not think I was an emotional eater until it hit me smack in the middle of the head. Emotional eating isn't necessarily stuffing yourself with Cookies and ice cream. It can be anything. (In my case it's comfort food.) I also eat from boredom. I'm seeing a therapist to help me get over some of my food issues. Right now I'm coming up with a list of things I can do instead of eat when I get bored or tired or upset by something. It's tough because I go on autopilot when these moods hit me. I get up and move, go for a walk (weather permitting) play with the dog, knit. I've never given myself manicures before, but that's also on my list since it will keep my hands busy. It's a lot harder to eat if my hands are busy doing something!

My BMI is just over 40. Originally, I also wanted the band because it sounded less invasive. Then my PCP sat down and gave me a serious talk about all the complications that they have been seeing with the band. After that she told me about all the good research that has been coming out about the sleeve. It was a tough decision because the idea of having any part of me cut out is scary. In the end, I did a lot of reading, considered my doctor's advice (I respect her a lot--she's a terrifically talented physician) and decided to have sleeve surgery. I'm still awaiting my surgery date. I've had plenty of time to reconsider since my insurance wants 6 mos. supervised dieting. Going on 7 months later I am still happy with my decision. So I'd suggest doing a lot of reading, not just asking on here. You might also want to ask people who have had the band about the surgery and their feelings. There's a forum here for bands, too.

I've met some lovely members who had their surgery done by my doctor, but no upcoming patients. The practice requires us to take a 2 1/2 hour class before insurance submittal and I attend mine tomorrow. Anyone else?

Thanks! There were only two of us who asked questions. It was a good class, but I'm still envious of the people who had a class every month leading up to their surgery. I'm still reeling from the bill I received from the therapist. I thought that was part of the lump sum charged to us. Anyway, have a great Holiday! I plan to attend the next support group Jan. 7. Anyone else?

I can't begin to imagine how frustrated you must be. I'm sorry they're putting you through this. My six months supervised diet was up on Nov. 17th. I hate all the hoops they expect us to hurdle. I expected to have my surgery middle of January. Now it looks like it will probably be a month later because my husband will be out of the country and wants to be here for the surgery. I feel like it will be March at the rate things are going! We get ourselves all psyched up for the surgery, then are forced to keep up that momentum for another month or more. Please don't leave the thread because you don't have your date yet. Well, if it frustrates you to see everyone else, then you need to do what works for you. But we certainly like you being here!

Woo! Way to go! If I read your ticker tape aright, you're super close to another milestone! What a great Holiday you have to look forward to!

My dietitian said we cannot add unsweetened cocoa powder to unflavored Protein during the liquid state. However, she did not explain this to my satisfaction (meaning she never could provide a "why.") She told me and later reiterated in the group class that in the liquid stage following surgery we can: Have Protein drinks, unflavored or flavored Cannot add ingredients (such as fruit) sugar free syrups are an exception We can make them with milk ("they'll taste better" Now, I have read the ingredients list on Syntrax nectar chocolate Truffle (an acceptable drink) and other chocolate protein powders. They all contain cocoa powder. Since Hershey's unsweetened cocoa only has: 10 calories 3g carbs (2g fiber) 0g sugar 1g protein 0.5g fat I don't get it. Post-op people, were you told the same thing? If so, were you told why? Or did you use cocoa powder in your liquid diet days?

I asked her in a 1:1 and she just said we can't do it. So, when I had the class I asked again and again she did not provide a thorough answer. Cocoa powder does contain caffeine. So does the cocoa powder used in approved Protein powders they will allow us to use (including the one they try to sell us). See? If they said, "No chocolate protein powders/drinks at all," it would make sense. It would be all cocoa. It's the discrepancy I don't understand. If there's a problem with some people not understanding the difference between unsweetened cocoa and chocolate drinks, then she should have said so. I don't mind restrictions. I am more than willing to follow them. I do function better when I understand something that makes no sense to me. It might simply be one of those, "our practice is different than other practices" things we see all the time here, so I asked here.

I read something sobering today on the another bariatric website that this forum won't let me link to. These were a series of articles from a WLS doctor explaining various factors that cause unsuccessful outcomes in bariatric surgeries. Studies show that the average ‘dieter’ is hoping to lose around 50% of their weight – the same is probably even more true for patients seeking surgery. In reality, however, the ‘average’ medium-to-long-term weight loss with bariatric surgery is only a rather sobering 20-30% of initial weight. Please reread this last sentence very carefully! The term “average’, means that about half of all patients will actually lose LESS than 20-30% of their initial weight (the other half of course will lose more). Imagine the disappointment of the ‘average’ 300 lb patient, who, after experiencing the ‘average’ success (25% weight loss), still weighs 225 lbs! Never mind that her health has dramatically improved, she is off all their medications, and she feels better and healthier than ever before – she is still 225 lbs! From a medical and health perspective a spectacular success story – psychologically nothing but disappointment and failure. What do long-term WLS patients think about these statements? What's been your experience--both personal and that of others you know who have had WLS? I'm pre-pre-op (still waiting for my date). They're talking long-term weight loss (essentially maintenance). I know many do regain some of (and sometimes all) the weight, but I am determined not to be one of them--or at least catch myself in time to correct matters if I do start to creep up that slope. The thought of spending all this money and losing overall less weight than I would with regular dieting is disheartening. If the statements are true, I might not make it below the 200 mark. Naturally, these statements worry me!

It does with me if I eat too much cheese. Cheese has a nice amount of Protein, so I always need to remind myself it's fairly caloric since it also contains a lot of milk fat. That wasn't the case when I was younger, but now that I'm over 50 I do try to limit it. OTOH, I do like dairy and (sleeve willing) hope to incorporate it into my diet.

If you want it creamy, you'll want to use a mixer. I think the mouth feel will be more like the real deal. You'll also want to add sweetener in order to minimize the formation of ice crystals when you freeze it. Well, not sure how that works with sugar free. Sugar crystals do that job, but I'm not sure if it's the crystal or the added ingredient. This person gives some great tips on making frozen yogurt.

I've lost my mind. I'm sure I replied to this! @@Inner Surfer Girl, you and me both. I love funky, vintage clothing--boho before boho became in again. I like to call it eclectic. But I could never shop at vintage stores because I was always too large. (The occasional shawl or piece of jewelry was fine.) @@WLSResources/ClothingExch, I promise to glitz it up with the best of them. I might even achieve supercalifragilisticexpialidocious levels of bling! Shine on, crazy Diamond!

They will sell you a sample pack for around $20 if you phone the company. I scoffed when I first heard that, but the woman I spoke to was super friendly and helpful. I particularly wanted to try the fruit flavored powders in the hopes I will have more options when the time comes. I really like them. I don't remember the exact nutritional count, but they have 25-30g Protein and 0 carbs. The chocolate truffle is 100 calories if I remember correctly.

Way back when I was pregnant, I bemoaned the fact that I never looked that way because my boobs stuck out further, not by much, but they did. ...now if I had just reminded myself to reverse that situation after the birth! That is a terrific NSV. Congrats!