Hannah83

One thing I've found to be helpful I do my nails. I know it sounds trite but I am trying to not bite my dead skin and recently have done my hair for 100 bucks but am growing out the acrylic on my nails re: surgery. What I've found is that while say watching uplifting inspirational shows I file, push back my cuticles use oil etc. and do so while being spritualy fed! Share some of your ideas fellow readers. What are some things that you do just for you that you enjoy! When I'm recovering I'll be taking up sewing aka. my yoga pants that were 40 bucks each to make them smaller as I lose weight (save money too because those Victoria Secret yoga pants were not cheep!) I have a butt load of nice VS clothing I'm going to be taking in or taking to the tailor to bring in as I get smaller in the future. I also wanted to learn to croshe more then just one long line of knots (I have 20 balls of this stuff and it's funny actually) It'd make a very eclectic blanket or something the afghan that Hannah made post op So share ideas!

Yes please do. Stay safe and I'll be lifting you up in prayer.

Man that is a proverb if I ever read one. Long ago I had borderline anorexia (age 16, I'm 33 now) and let me tell you this will lead to just even more distorted eating habits for the 'average fatty'

Well I pulled a back mussel and I'm going to take it easy with the weights and just do some walking till surgery on the 25th of July. Hurt like all get out! My back is slowly getting better, the surgery date cannot come quick enough

Not a problem doll! I'm excited for you as well. Mine is on the 25th of July and I'm excited and ready for the change. How are things going for you now?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysp0iIQqQww

Well the date has finally been set in stone and I'm very excited. A bit of nerves with a bit of jitters, I'm guessing is normal. I've been preparing for the gastric sleeve for 11 months. In the six month 'trial by fire' period I got to know the surgeon, the staff etc. they are all wonderful! It's actually funny because I don't have co-morbid issues with the obesity so at 5'8" I have had to stay at 258-260 for six months (pain in the rear) What was funny is the staff was talking about my insurance coverage and I was at 255 I think a few pounds below coverage in April and it was so cute that the staff (all females) were 'aw we hope she makes it because she's been working so hard' etc. The excitement was tangible (I have high functioning Autism) but even I picked up on the giddyness. the surgeon I have told me point blank 'I don't want to be the surgeon that says you need this surgery if you can loose weight without it' and that meant a lot to me because it showed her care her conservative approach to surgery. I told her that I have gotten very close to 199 in the 12 years that I've been trying everything under the sun to lose the weight (medication has made it hard to lose and keep weight off.) I want a permanent tool in place that will 'kick start' my motivation (my will power is there) I've on my own lost inches all over in the six month time period gaining lean mussel mass with fat loss. I've gone from a 49 inch waist in January to 44 inches currently. I am taking it easy because at the gym I pulled my new back mussels that I've been developing dose not make sense to be out of order before surgery. :-/ I feel confidant going under the knife with my current surgeon. I've been changing things for the past two years for example changing my anti depressant to one that is weight neutral. It was hell weaning off my other anti depressant and getting on a new one. So, the changes have been hard up to this point and I have a very realistic view as much as I can have aside actually having the surgery done. My faith in God helped me to overcome self injury. Went away to Mercy Ministries for seven months and did business with God to gain tools. Three years have passed sense then and I've been doing my best to walk out the 'life tools' I learned while there. My testimony can be found here ------> http://mercymultiplied.com/2016/03/hannah-2013-graduate/ So that is abit about myself and my story thus far, just like the change of going all the way to St. Lewis Mercy Home the gastric sleeve will be sort of the same radical but good for me to move in the correct direction. After all, this is my earth suit a vessel for the Lord, where He dwells and I want to honer Him by getting to the size that most glorify's Him so I can point to the One who is my Healer. Truly I overcome through Him only. My family is supportive save my dad (he is supportive but just being a father as far as fear for his first born etc.) He'll come around. My mom, sister and grandmother are very supportive. I've prayed and asked God about this more then once doing soul searching etc. I'll be posting here in the days, weeks and months to come. I hope to add hope, joy and love to this community.

Inches are a better measurement in my opinion. The scale fluctuates so dang much but to those who have just had the sleeve done. Please give yourselves some grace, it's a marathon not a sprint. You'll get there. It's a lifestyle health tool not the end all be all, you are in control of the change and it is for life. Hang in. (hug)

good advice. Wonder where the OP is at?

Good advice

haha yea like someone is tired of shaving their head so they go get chemotherapy.

Yes that was a thoughtful response on his part

Oh boy...phentermine was an awful drug for me...Lordy long story but it drove me to have a physotic break when I was younger. Stay far far away.

Thanks erp! At first I'll be tired I know because of the surgery obviously. However long term I'm excited about the extra energy without the tired. thank you again.

*waves to Bariatric Pal Folks* I'm in the final stretch of the pre op six month trial period! Just had my pre surgery appointments (breast exam, GI exam, Psyche etc.) scheduled this June and I'm very excited! I liked having the time before hand as I've gotten to know the weight loss staff very well from January of this year to now. I've been focusing on getting as fit as I can before surgery so the healing will be that much better. I've gone from a 49 inch waist in January 2016 to now a 43 inch waist! Gained lean mussel mass and trimmed up all over. One thing i look forward to is not feeling so tired after workouts. Lord you should see my sweaty mug after walking out yawing. :-/ I mean I feel better, but yea I won't miss the post workout ZZzz. I've been in the 200's for almost 12 years now and almost got to 199 but shot back up due to medications. Been preparing for surgery for ten months now and I'm very excited. Here is my workout regimen I currently am on: I typically will spend 12 minutes on the stair stepper and 15 speed walking at 3.5 mph or on an elliptical stair stepper for 30 minutes or 30 on the treadmill speed-walking. I try to mix up the cardio as much as I can, same for the weights. The machines I'm on are hammer strength MAS incline press 1 set of 15 with at 30 pounds and I rest for 120 seconds (yes I count) The the ISO Lateral Low Row 2 sets of 8 reps with 25 pounds on both ends again I rest for 120 seconds The ISO Lateral Front Military Press (I love this machine ) 2 sets of 8 with 25 pounds on both ends rest for 120 seconds Lateral Bench Press again 25 on each end and 2 sets of 8 reps sometimes 25 reps depending again 120 second rest between each set Squat Machine 8 reps at 80 pounds and sometimes another 4 reps. I take this machine slow and controlled to avoid injury and because my coordination is not that great. On the other days I use the leg press machine in place of the squat machine 3 sets of 8 reps rest of 60 seconds between each. I use the abductor machine (looks weird but works) 3 sets of 8 at 60 pounds. (I switch up the days for this machine too.) And every time I go to the gym I finish off the weights with the pull up/dip machine I am in lust with this thing! My goal is to be able to do a pull up one day without any counterweights! Then it's ab work for about 10 minutes to finish up with stretching for 15 minutes. I get to the gym about 3 to 4 times a week, but this is usually what I do while there.

Wow! Fantastic difference!

I've emailed you.

good read, great insight.

Hey Kitty- *soft hug* I myself am going to be having the gastric sleeve done this summer. the emotional aspect of the after operation is hard. I've been doing six months of pre op 'weight loss' but because I don't have co morbid issues (I workout like a madwomen) my BMI has had to stay at 40 for the last six months. It's been hard. I've been researching and preparing for this surgery for the last ten months. I would love to write via email to you if you would like to. I myself am going to have to have my meds that are psyche made liquid for the first two months. Hang in there. I echo what others have said, the web is filled with crud. If you cannot find contact information or a link back to the source what is being said is an opinion. rule of thumb I use for everything on the web. take care doll. -Hannah