finding_onederland

I haven't had surgery yet, but I have had surgeries before, and I know that your body is healing right now and is probably retaining from all the fluids they put in you in order to have the surgery. Maybe try and stay off the scale and just focus on trying to get those fluids down - I have heard from the boards that sometimes warm liquids are easier on a new sleeve than cold - just a thought. Good luck!

I have seen a few men at my support groups, but it is probably a 1:3 ratio (men to women)

that is a bummer because I really like it. I will have to research more.

Did she say why @@doppelganger?

This is exactly how I feel too - you put it much more eloquently

Mine was a gradual decision. A very good friend of mine told me that she was having the surgery, and I started looking into it. I made an appointment in May for the information session and to meet with the nutritionist and the surgeon. The surgeon thought that I would be a good candidate for the sleeve. My plan was to proceed with caution. I started going to the support group meetings, and made the follow up appointments to see my PCP, psych, etc. I also started researching the procedures and what life is like after weight loss surgery. I have also been having an ongoing conversation with my friend about how things are going with her (she's 2 months post op and has lost 40lbs). After my second appointment with the surgeon's office I decided for sure to have the surgery. I had never really considered weight loss surgery as a viable option before, but like you, and many others, I have tried over and over again on my own to lose this weight and have been unsuccessful. I know it won't be easy after WLS, but I will have a very effective internal watchdog governing my food intake, and I can't wait to get down to a healthier weight!

I have several WLS related doctor appointments this month so I decided today to go ahead and let my boss know, even though I don't have a date yet. I told him it would likely be August or September. (REALLY hoping for August)

@@traydog thanks for the info. That is exactly my fear is that I will have an ulcer or something worse that will delay or prevent the surgery. I have my EGD in July, so I guess I will find out then!

I go back and forth on my decision almost daily - I think it's a natural part of the process!! You are not alone! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's a tough one! I am not a Mom so take my advice with that in mind. I would talk to her open and honestly about the importance of eating healthy and being active for health reasons and explain that you really wish you could have done things differently so you would not need WLS. You both can cook healthy and tasty meals together and both learn good eating habits at the same time. Be active together! Do not focus on the weight you're losing but on the improved health. Avoid discussions about weight or your body - talk more about how much more you are able to do and how good you feel. Let her discover eating good food makes you feel better - don't criticize if she snacks on junk (everything in moderation - you don't want to make her feel deprived or guilty or she'll hide eating junk). I think if you are open with her - she'll get as much out of this as you do and avoid being an overweight adult! Best of luck! @@KristenLe You may not be a Mom, but this is really great advice! A lot of it, I have already incorporated, but they are great reminders!

I am concerned about this also. I have a 13 Year old daughter who is basically my mini-me. Looking at her is like looking in a mirror 30 years ago. She has inherited my figure and my love of food. She is already self conscious about her curves and her stomach. I tell her everyday that she is beautiful just as she is. She is a black belt in karate, and I try very hard to provide her with nutritious Snacks and to keep her active. But she is 13, and she wants to eat what tastes good, and she doesn't want to be active. I really fear that I have already put her on a path to being an overweight adult. I really want to spare her the life that I have led being overweight! I am wondering if she will see me having this surgery and think to herself - well, if Mom can do it that way, then so will I.

I would be frustrated too! And I think it is uncool for the doc to threaten you with denying the surgery. Are you tracking your calories on the liquid diet? is it possible some of the stuff you are consuming has a lot of sugar in it? Are you about to start your period? Maybe talk with the Nutritionist and see if they have any suggestions?

I used to have frequent, severe heartburn, but over the past year, I have had very few episodes, controlled largely by diet. It is so weird, since I started the WLS process, I have had several episodes. A couple that have been really bad! I am concerned that when my surgeon does the EGD he's going to see damage in my esophagus from all the reflux and deny me the sleeve and want me to have bypass. Bypass seems to be much harder to deal with than the sleeve! But I also don't want awful reflux and heartburn for the rest of my life! Is there anyone with heartburn and reflux prior to the sleeve that has any experience or advice that they can share?

I think WeightWatchers works, if you work the program - because I had seen so many people be successful with it. And I did have success when I followed the plan. The problem was, I would never stay true to it for longer than two weeks - which is why I decided to have WLS. I am not active on FB, but thanks.

I have been a Weight Watcher Member for as long as I can remember. Now that I have made the decision to have WLS, I have been tracking with MFP and decided to discontinue meetings and tracking with WW. I feel oddly sad, but excited at the prospect of actually achieving my weight loss goals with the help of the sleeve!

My surgeon requires food journaling - I have to turn them in at each appointment. Not sure if it is for Insurance or just his requirement.

Good luck! Which hospital in the Atlanta? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My last appointment is 7/29 - I'm crossing my fingers that I can get a mid August date! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have set up an Instagram account specifically for my process -there are some pretty popular "Bariatric" tags that are cool to scroll through Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm in NE Atlanta - My doctor is Alex Nguyen out of Northeast Georgia Hospital System. Hoping to be sleeved in August!

The broth from won ton soup is a great idea! Could you also do egg drop soup after the Clear liquids phase?

I asked my doc about loose skin at my appointment yesterday. His advice to deal with loose skin was to eat plenty of Protein and to do weight training exercises (once cleared after surgery). I have a BMI around 40 and he thought that if I ate like I was supposed to and did the weight training that I should have a good result. Everyone I have asked about the loose skin has said that it is better to have loose skin than to be heavy!

Thanks to you too! Although I can't see your food diary - I think you have to change that in settings.

Hi @@Jobey ! I have been looking for MFP friends too! I am kraft_kris.

@ I am hoping for the second week of August. My psych visit is not until 7/25 - but I am planning to call them weekly to see if I can get put on a cancellation notification list or something!