Ruth1ess

What kind of tea depends greatly on your personal tastes. Here are some of mine: I like hibiscus tea because I like sweet, tart things. You could also use your fairlife to cook a good chai from scratch on the stovetop, that would be amazing, see this for all the options: http://www.crunchybetty.com/the-epic-guide-to-making-your-own-chai-tea (just keep the sugar content low). If you like a calmer, relaxing tea, there are a variety of mints. Peppermints are good for nausea. Jasmine is one of my favorites because it is good for digestion and easy to drink. You can always buy a variety pack and enjoy exploring all the different flavors!

Thank you for posting this. Similar stats and at the beginning of my journey. Very inspiring!

I just found out my doctor requests 4-6 weeks for FMLA. Aw yeah!! They want their patients to take the time to recover well and build new good habits during that time. I'm going to take advantage of that and not obsess about the mountain of work that is piling up in the meantime. Expecting I'll want to go back at the 4 week mark

I can't believe no one ever mentioned it to me. I saw something about it online a month ago, and decided to look into it. Until then, I thought it was only for people who were 500 lbs. I wish I'd looked into it sooner. That was always my perception as well. Surgery is now about a month out, and I'm so excited! You found the right place. Find another doctor.

Reverse cowgirl .... And maybe a tattoo... then there's that trip around the world..

I'm expecting either late March or early April, so I'm on both threads now Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal

@@JamieLogical @@VSGAnn2014 Thanks for the words of encouragement! @@VSGAnn2014 I am so impressed with your loss at a mature age, that is incredible! There is so much noise associated with WLS. It's hard to know what to filter out and what to hang onto when words are needed. But man this lady is frustrating!

She gave me the number of 27% of total weight, whereas my physician gave me the typical response of 60% of excess weight (but said my metabolism was good so he expected me to exceed it). There's about a 15 lb difference between them for me, which is why I'm pretty much ignoring the numbers now and going with my gut, no pun intended, in regards to my expectations. I really believe fully in my clinic, which is why I'm staying here (as well as my insurance benefits limit me to this facility for the best coverage, it's a work thing), I just really don't like the psychologist. A lot of what she said was on point, I'm only really talking about the things that sounded 'off' and were contrary to the experiences of so many here. /rant rant rant. Grr.

My opinion of this psychologist isn't really changing. I had my first day of educational classes (1 of 2) yesterday, of which she taught the first half. First off, big hats off to this community for the education here. I feel as if I already knew 95% of what was covered yesterday, and that's incredible! So, the psychologist. She is very firmly implanting in our minds that we will not lose beyond the average of 27% total body weight with the sleeve. Very firmly. I realize in her mind she is trying to manage expectations (so we don't all think we're going to be a size 2 and be disappointed down the line), but she went so far as to kind of shoot me down in front of the group when I said I was an overachiever and would still try to lose more weight after the first year. She also said we should not begin any exercise routines (going to the gym) that we would not be able to keep up with for the rest of our lives, and that we would not lose past our set point. She even suggested I would get "bypass envy" and should consider bypass over the sleeve for an extra 7% loss. I understand that this first year is to build healthy habits that will carry over into maintenance and for the rest of our lives. I know that our bodies have a 'set point' that it will want to stop at. But I'm also being told in thread after thread on this forum that it IS possible to lose more with effort. Just venting, I guess. I really am a bit frustrated with her. I'm going to stop thinking about the numbers and continue to prep for surgery and believe that I am not limited by her or anyone else. Will I be happy with the 27%? Yes of course! 77 lbs would be an incredible loss. But people here have given me hope to know that more is possible.

Today is my first day of classes with my caregiver (grandma). Really excited to begin learning my careteam's plan for surgery.

What questions do you have? Review the postop diet and make sure it's clear to you. Do you know how much time they're giving you off work? If they automatically take out your gallbladder as a precautionary measure? These were the questions I asked, but I'm sure everyone is different. Congratulations! I'm in Florida too and can't wait.

Chobani is my absolute favorite. It's a staple for me now, and I'm hoping I tolerate it well after surgery. It has no artificial things in it which makes it even better. Plain with a tiny bit of honey drizzled over it, plus I add fruit if I have it. The 100 cal ones are good too.

Yeah, I felt it. I have a pretty sensitive gag reflex and I choked pretty much continuously for about three minutes. Had to concentrate to draw breaths. Today I'm about the same, just a little bit of a sore/hoarse throat, but I'm feeling mostly normal now.

Measurements: Bust: 48 Natural waist: 44 Belly button/waist: 50.5 Arm: 17.5 Mid thigh: 29 Calves: 19.5 Hips/widest: 53.5 Foot length (standing) 9.0 Ankle 9.25 Foot width: 3.5

No way, I just had my endoscopy yesterday! They did it non-sedated, which was not very fun at all. But, at least I didn't have to go under. Next, all I have is two classes, one month apart from each other. First one is next week, last one is March 9. Good luck and stay in touch! It's hard finding other INFJ out there

I would also suggest Dr. Weiner's videos. This one especially caught my attention and makes sense to me. Listen to your body and instincts, definitely. Edit: apparently I can't paste URLs, but check out Dr. Matthew Weiner on YouTube. He has one called "Weight Loss Surgery Patients, Eat your veggies first!!" See if that makes sense to you.

I know those are more like milestones, but they're also rewards to myself. I also want to be a dresses person I might go a little crazy with the clothes.. but I don't even care!

Love your attitude! Here's my post: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/360035-the-start-of-my-new-life-in-2016/ And here's my list: Things I just can't wait for: - Stamina! Being able to explore all day and not have to stop to rest my aching feet and knees. - Traveling comfortably. Airplane belts that fit. Not having to squeeze between people in a restaurant. - Forgoing that first assessment when entering a room where I look around to see if I'm the fattest person there... you know what I mean. - Summer dresses!! -Cute shoes and cute clothes. Not having to shop in Lane Bryant for everything. -If I need something, being able to simply go to the store and get it. Explaining to my boyfriend why I couldn't just go into the mall and get a winter coat was embarrassing. Not being able to buy emergency clothes in Central America.. ugh. Packing light and buying clothes wherever I travel to would be a real possibility. - -Theme park rides. I love roller coasters, and the last time I went, it was touch and go whether or not I fit in the seat. -Boots that fit my calves! -Skydiving -Being able to do more than a couple sets of stairs without my knees starting to hurt -Enough room to snuggle comfortably on the couch with my boyfriend -GoRuck Tough!!

Talked to my nutritionist.. she said it's possible I could get my surgery as early as late march! March 9th --- done with my last class, surgery request will be submitted to insurance that day. 8-10 days later -- Approval, then scheduling There's a wait list here at Mayo Clinic for gastric bypass, but many more surgeons that perform the sleeve. I could get right in once I'm approved!

It's my understanding from reading other threads that your feet aren't necessarily fat, but there is less stress and strain on your arches, so they are able to recoil a little or bounce back from how flattened they were with the extra weight. This accounts for having 'shorter' feet after losing weight.

I've considered it! I have a few YouTube heroes since this began, Clusie L being my favorite. I just don't know if I'll have the time. Do you have a YouTube channel yet?

Anyone else feel like they're about to win the lottery? Like, this kind of weight loss is something I've dreamed and wished for and now it's about to come true? It feels unreal.

I have a goal of GoRuck Urban Ops by this fall (did it last year as well), a normal GoRuck Light the end of 2016, and a GoRuck Tough in 2017. GoRuck Ingress Light/Urban Ops http://www.goruck.com/goruck-x-ingress/c/81 GoRuck Light http://www.goruck.com/light/c/26 GoRuck Tough http://www.goruck.com/tough/c/25

I'd considered it but always brushed off surgery as 'too drastic' and 'last resort'. Well, I'm at my last resort now. You fill your mind with things like "I'll never reach 280" or "I'll never reach 300".. the last time I weighed was I was 280, then suddenly I weighed in at 293. I panicked seeing the scale so close to 300. Every time I attempted to lose weight, I was losing a few then regaining higher than I'd ever been before. I was afraid to try again. I was suddenly isolating myself and afraid to meet new people. I avoided meeting my boyfriend's family (all Asian) because of perceived cultural judgment of overweight people. I didn't meet up with friends I hadn't seen in years when they came to down. I made excuses and started staying in. None of this is like me at all I also travel frequently, flying every 3 weeks or so. Airplane seat belts kept getting tighter and tighter, and now I struggle to buckle them. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. I was afraid to ask for a seat belt extender because what if they didn't have any? How would I explain why I got kicked off the plane? Between seeing myself get so closed to 300 lbs and not being able to buckle my seat belt, I knew something had to be done. Starting a family is somewhere in my near future, and I don't want to be a fat bride nor do I want to have problems conceiving due to my PCOS. It's time.

Great ideas and great recommendations, thank you all! Eating slower is something I've become painfully aware of this past week, especially. I always drink with my meals because it helps me get down food faster -- a full lunch with a Protein + 3 veggies will take me about ten minutes to finish because I eat so fast! I've started moving my Water away from me when I eat and counting the chews (at least 20) to slow me down. That's something that will take me awhile to get used to. I haven't specifically been told to cut out my caffeine by my doctor and NUT. I have one 8 oz coffee every morning, but I have been alternating it with tea. Is cutting out caffeine something that is advised by most surgeons? I know it can increase cravings, but it's never had that effect on me and I drink it in moderation, so I've never worried about it before. I've always continued it through other diet plans. Water.. is a continuous battle as well. I never get enough water, but, I've been working on always keeping some in front of me to get used to slow, continuous intake. Sips, as is recommended after surgery. MyFitnessPal is always a must.. ninjarutabega if you want to follow Prayer.. also a continuous battle. A will and living will is a great idea. I haven't pursued these things before. I've started looking at broths and mixes that look good to me, including instant miso, swanson's, and dissoluble Fiber. Going back to Netflix to watch anything having to do with weight and dieting.. including re-watching Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead as well as the All of Me bariatric special. Exercise... working out a plan. Bought a fitbit yesterday to track and increase my steps, and act as a silent witness as I climb stairs at work. Visiting planet fitness sometime this week to renew my membership and begin a cardio routine. Trying not to obsess but both enjoying and hating the anticipation @@Dub Those numbers are killer, congratulations! I'm settling in somewhere between 160 and 175 as a goal weight for myself. it's still kind of a dream to realize this time next year, I could be close to that.