songsmith

Let me know if you start using it. We can compare notes.

It's a lot of fun for the inner nerd like me!

Anyone else try this little (and free) app? You are Runner 5 crash-landed near a settlement desperate for supplies during a zombie apocalypse. You listen to the story while you run (or in my case, walk). Your job is to find items to help your settlement. Periodically, the person monitoring you (in the app) will pipe up with something like, "Zombies 10 feet behind you--RUN!" If you're a runner, you'd begin a sprint or simply pick up your pace. In my case, I walk a bit faster. The app plays your music when it's not talking, so you get a little bit incentive from both. I feel a bit silly just lengthening my stride when the guy is shouting, "RUN!" but my knees just can't cope with the impact yet.

I bought my shoes at New Balance. They have a machine you stand on that shows the pressure points on your foot. From there, your fitter selects an insert that better fits your foot. You can opt to buy that or just buy the shoe. I bought both because I could really tell the difference when I tried one on with and one without. She also fit me into an 8 1/2 where I'd been buying 9 1/2 off the rack because I needed a W shoe. I don't run (yet) but I was impressed by the time they took with me. I bet any good running store would be the same.

That sounds wonderful! Crossing my legs again is one of those little things that I am truly looking forward to.

colleenrocks (yes, she does rock since that's my name, too!) I feel for you. You've received some great advice. Get rid of the trigger foods around your house. If you have a family that wants them, sit down and discuss treats they can have that don't tempt you. For example, I loathe cheese-its. My husband loves them. If he wants a salty treat, he buys those instead of chips. I did need to ban Peanut Butter from my house. I could eat an entire jar in one sitting. Anyway, I used to not think I was an emotional eater. The shrink at my psych exam suggested I seek outside counseling to help get my issues with food in order. After my first session, I was so emotionally wound up that I opened up the fridge and stuffed my face--not with goodies or food I love--just with leftovers that somehow triggered the "comfort" feeling in me. For the first time I realized maybe I was an emotional eater. I just always thought that was seeking out the really good stuff. The therapist asked me to think of things I could do instead of eating when I feel sad or upset or stressed. It was surprisingly hard for me. Finally, I thought of my pets, the dog who loves unconditionally and the cats who love me despite myself. I could spend more time with them, groom them, play with them, take the dog for a walk. The added bonus is they provide emotional support. Anyway, that's something that has worked for me. She also suggested I keep a diary and write down when I do eat something I regret and try to think of what I was feeling at the time. Sorry for the long story. I'm still going to the shrink (I haven't had my surgery yet). I think it is helping me a lot. My insurance has a deductible, but after that they will cover the therapy. If you can afford it (or if your insurance company will pay) you might want to look into it. I know the State here also has a mental health bureau where people can seek counseling. They look at your finances and only charge you what you can afford. You can do this. I bet you've tried a million diets before. Look at those before pictures. Think about the weight you have lost. Think of the money you spent--I'm a cheapskate, so hoping that one works for me when I find myself where you are now. This is a little speed bump. Speed bumps are a way to grab the driver's notice and tell them to pay attention and drive right. Follow your road map and drive.

@, wow! You were so fortunate they found those clots. Guess I shouldn't whine too much about a month's delay, especially since I'm super excited for your upcoming VSG (everyone's really). @@LovelyBrown, the psychologist on my psych exam approved me but suggested I seek additional counseling to get the issues I have with food sorted out to maximize my success. That was a good call on his part. The toughest thing about his exam was the zillion page questionnaire I had to fill out! I'm completing six months supervised diet before I can even schedule, so I'm envious.

He doesn't want me to have it over the Holidays if possible because he wants me to enjoy them instead of recovering or being in pre-op. After all this time, I just want it to be over! I forgot about the Holiday, so wasn't able to talk to my case manager. I will see if I can get something in for the end of January, at least. He should be home. He might even be home after two weeks, but you never know with these things. Just think of it. Your nephew will never know the current you. He'll always remember the cool, slender aunt he has so much fun with! It's really exciting.

That is so exciting! So soon! Guess you really well have something to be thankful about in November. My hubby told me last night his business is sending him out of the country in January. Since I don't have a date, he can't guarantee he could be here and wants me to wait until February. I'm so disappointed.

Talk to your NP. Make sure you are logging your food counts accurately by using an online tool like FitDay or MyFitnessPal and that you include everything--even your coffee/tea and "no cal" sweetener and that 1/4 oz. of cheddar you had the other day. (Wait. That was me.) I miscalculated twice last week and went over my counts even though I was carefully measuring and planning. It happens. Stalls also happen. They can be maddening. Have you taken measurements of yourself or written down things that have changed physically for you (crossing legs, not breathing so hard, feeling like you fit into that movie theater seat more easily, stuff like that). It's really tough to get through those periods. Can your surgeon point you to a support group you could attend? It always helps me to realize I'm not alone even if no one there actually knows how to fix it. I would make absolutely certain I was eating correctly 100% for quite some time and still experiencing weight gain before I even thought of putting myself through the expense and health ramifications of another surgery. You know what? You can do this. You went through I don't know how many months' weight loss before your pre-op diet, a week or two or even a month of pre-op, plus all the post-op relearning. You've lost forty-eight pounds. That is freaking amazing. You should be damned proud of yourself. Your hard work will pay off. Sometimes it takes our bodies a little extra time to catch up.

Hi. Ten years ago I was a fat--but in shape--power lifter. Today I'm a more fat and out of shape lump waiting for surgery. One thing I learned during my lifting phase: do not exercise an injury. Give it time to heal. Definitely see a PT and let them assess your damage before you try anything else. I'd guess rotator cuff impingement of some kind since that's normally what gets messed up with shoulders. After you get checked out, your PT will probably give you strengthening exercises. If you decide not to see someone--and you really, really should--you can search for rotator cuff strengthening exercises and find several suggestions. Here's just one of them.

I fibbed about having a cold when I had my gallbladder removed last year. << That's not as major a surgery, though. Take lots of Vitamin C and zinc and chicken broth (you can have broth, right?). Hope you feel better soon!

...@@jobillandjosh, I wasn't confused by soup. But now I am! Good point about the liquid. @Inner Surfer Gal, I also am having the sleeve, but the information I was given said not to drink 30 minutes before a meal and up to an hour afterwards. Maybe they give generic info until the actual surgery is performed. Still doesn't solve the Soup Conundrum.

@@KChelper, I messaged you. The "KC" was a giveaway. Dr. Hoehn will also be my surgeon in January. I hope I locate some buddies from the same practice when my time comes. It would be fun to compare notes! Hope your surgery (everyone's surgery, for that matter) went great and life is treating you all well.

I won't have surgery until January, so the leftovers shouldn't be there! I have considered strategies. First, eat my turkey before anything else (Protein first). Next, eat veggies. Save stuffing (in smaller quantity) for last. I don't need Desserts, but stuffing is what I call a "comfort food." Just like Peanut Butter, I can't have it in the house! I'm also hunting around for ways to make it less carb-intensive. I hadn't thought about cranberry sauce like that at all. I'm the only one who likes it in my family. I thought if I did have it that I would make from scratch so I can have some say in what goes into it. Thanks for the nibble reminder. It easy to graze all day!

I'm curious about people's plans for Thanksgiving. My insurance company wants six months' of dietitian visits prior to surgery, so I won't even be in the pre-op liquid diet stage over Thanksgiving. Still, I'm supposed to be dieting during this period. I haven't planned any food funerals, but not sure I can resist stuffing and gravy. And I have it easy compared to many of you! So how are you going to approach the Holiday?

I wish my dad could see me. We lived in different states while I was growing up, so all he saw were brief instances of his kid getting larger and larger. My mom? Well, I wish she could see me so I could say, "Hey, mom. Remember when I was a size 12 and you told me I looked as big as my 300+ pound aunt? Remember when you would buy used clothes from her and expect me to wear them? I'm smaller than you ever were. Go me." (Not that I've had my surgery, yet, but yeah. I am petty like that. Also, I'd never say that to my mom! She'd have slapped me silly. )

Mine is in January, but I don't have a date yet. They don't set that until after I attend the last pre-bariatric class conducted by my doctor's surgery. I sure wish it was scheduled, though! I'm in Kansas.

Thanks for sharing your story! I wish I had done what you're doing 20 years ago. I'm 55 and (like most of us here, I bet) have lost a lot of weight on various diets over the years only to gain it back--and then some! I wish I had done it when my kid was younger so I could have done more things with her, modeled a more active life style, had more fun--everything. My surgery isn't scheduled yet, but should be sometime in January. I was going to ask you about Disney, but you answered my question already. We had planned on going over Christmas. This past weekend I broached the subject with my family. I'm terrified I'll need a scooter, and I really, really, really don't want to do that. I know it would bring out all the old self-hate. But I also know at my weight an activity level that I just can't walk 10+ miles a day. We have a week to think about it, but it's looking like we'll go next year. Hopefully by then I'll be near or at goal.

I won't have my VSG until January. Your posts have really inspired me. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. (It can never be said enough: You look faaaaaaabulous!)

@half-of-bri, congrats! You must be excited. My surgeon won't begin to talk dates until after I go through their class in December. Makes me want to make puppy dog eyes at my case manager to see if we can get things going!

Thanks, 2Goldengirl. That does make me feel better. I was so bummed last night. Worst, I calculated out calories/protein/carbs with various combinations and messed up the amounts and went over in a couple of places. I was kicking myself. I haven't lost very much and really am worried that my insurance company will nix everything. On the other hand, I trust insurance companies so much that I also think they'd deny me if I dropped my BMI below 40! Guess I'm just paranoid. On the bright side, I joined the Y last week and feel a lot better about myself because I made the commitment. I'll probably be this way until after my appointment next week.

I feel you. I go for my 5-month dietitian check-up next week. I've stayed very close to my starting weight even though I have changed my eating habits and limit my calories. Last month I gained 3(!) pounds. No excuses. I did eat stuff I shouldn't eat last month. Since then I've been (I think) good. I've been trying to get in 60-70g Protein and keep calories under 1200. I'd also like to minimize carb intake by keeping most carbs to veggies and maybe some Beans or oatmeal because of their fiber+protein combo. Last night I tallied up my meal and I was way under calorie-wise. I'd have been over 100g protein if I added in 500 cal with protein and the only way I could get the calories via carbs would have put me over the calorie count. What's wrong with me? I used to be able to juggle all of this info! I'm so worried I won't lose and then the insurance company will say, "Tough. No surgery for you!"

My surgery won't be until January, so seeing your photos gave me a great boost of enthusiasm. You look terrific. I'm so glad you took photos every month. Think I will do that, too. It's a great idea. Did it help you during those times when you thought you still looked the same? I know when I've dieted before I never felt thinner even if I went down 3 sizes. I looked the same in the mirror (to me, anyway). You look like you are having so much fun. Makes me excited for all the things I couldn't do because of my weight: swing dancing, running with the dog, hiking and so much more. Thank you for sharing!

Hi, everyone. I'm 55 and have been heavy all my adult life. I look back now and kick myself for not doing this sooner. There are so many things I missed out on. Two things got me started. First, I started thinking about my father, dead at 67. Now here was a man--a carpenter--who was not heavy and was (I thought) in great shape, yet dropped dead from a heart attack. I'm packing 130 extra pounds for years, have high blood pressure, am pre-diabetic, have joint pains--the usual. If he had problems, what did that mean for me? I want to be around for my husband and daughter and grandkids (if I ever get any). The second was simple. Years ago I did think about it. Our insurance didn't cover it (under "cosmetic" surgery) so I thought that was true for all insurances. Twenty-five years later I read about someone's surgery that was covered and the light dawned. My husband has a lot of worries about the surgery. It helped a little to tell him part of it would be covered.