DedicatedLady

That can be tough. Luckily I only have to make one large meal for the week, and my fiance will happily eat a hearty stew for his work lunches like 5 days in a row. As for dinner, I grocery shop for food that is in his wheelhouse to cook. Then he'll cook days worth of it anyways so I only have to deal with the house smelling like delicious food for a little while. He has yet to complain about me no longer cooking dinners, it's one of the ways he knows he has to support me. If I do for some weird reason have to cook dinner for him, I make something I find awful that he would like, ie. Tuna helper, or greasy sausages and penne with marinara sauce. It feels like a chore now, rather than an enjoyable activity where I can taste, season, and sneak bites during cooking..Usually I'm more of a screw it attitude, if he wants to eat he's just going to have to cook.

Reading all 6 pages of this may have actually made me stupider. @hova1980 - Really man?!

@Dashofpixiedust8 I would love to join! I barely knew how to navigate the website last week so I missed the first week, but I love the idea of motivation and seeing other members progress as well. If its too late to join because it wouldn't be fair, I completely understand. I have surgery in 1 week and 6 days and any additional inspiration from the start is always welcomed. but just in case it isn't.... Goal Weight:250 Current Weight:278 (nice spreadsheet btw!)

I'm curious about this as well, but on the other end of the spectrum perhaps?. My blood pressure usually hovers just at or below 95/60 and my resting heart rate is about 50-55bpm. Sometimes I get light headed easily, particularly standing up quickly from being bent over, and I've noticed it more frequently now that my diet has changed to entirely shakes and almost no carbohydrates. Who was taking you off your bp meds? Have you had any adverse effects?, possibly its a temporary thing, or just a one off of sorts.

Well if you're still on a calorie reduced diet, it's going to take longer to produce enough waste to need to go. As well, and a very important thing to remember is that by using stool softeners or laxatives you're giving all of the muscles and everything that normally does the work to create waste for excretion a 'day off work'. Easily creating a now lazy system that thinks it will continue to do a half-assed (oh yeah I used a pun) job.. There are so many variables, a lot of them come from what is being eaten, if it's enough proper fibre, and water, and medications or vitamins can do it as well. Asses things that may have changed (besides wls) and I strongly suggest trying to fix it naturally rather than with pills or liquids. Don't hold it in when you have to go either. Your body can become so heavily reliant on laxatives it may last your entire life. Prolonged use of laxatives has been linked repeatedly to seizures as well. Try straight prune juice, or consider a squatty potty. I've heard of people using children's bathroom sink stools as well because they are less conspicuous. Physical activity can help too. Just some thoughts. As a person who goes once or twice a week I've unfortunately already done some research on the topic hope it's all worked out

Things I will do: -Be confident when my fiance dips me in our house when we dance around, no more yelling 'stop! help! police!' (he's an incredible dancer, took lessons for 13 years) -Not crying out bloody murder when he hugs me and picks me up, in fact... I want to be able to run up to him and jump up into his arms and wrap my legs around him!! -Do Pull-ups (like an impressive amount for a girl) -Bust out like 50 push ups without stopping -Do sit ups for days -Run my dog instead of walking her -Fit in all seats more comfortably -Look in the mirror at the smile I always have on, instead of at my waist to check that my outfit looks okay. -Worry that something might go wrong because I'm 'too small' instead of worrying something will break because 'I'm too fat' -All amusement park rides, without fear that the safety handles will break and I'll go flying out. One last weird one I can think of off the top of my head, I want to walk over ventilation grates on the sidewalk, I currently don't because I worry ones going to be positioned weird and I'll fall through. Also, great idea for a post, kudos

Dream job goals YES - Become slutty looking bartender in Calgary at Cowboys once a year for 12 days in July. Stampede week-Those b*****s make cash hand over fist working as bartenders, I'm talking $3,000/night. I've already got big fake boobs, now I just need to lose a ton of weight and give up my self respect for a week and a half once a year hahaha.. trust me, nobody dreams of being an accountant.

If you have to use a fork or knife to eat it, probably don't. If it's liquid, probably go for it. Hope this helps ps - Did they give you a nutritionist?

It has made my day to read this I swear, that comic is amazing. I didn't realize this topic was in the mens discussion room. Holy fkn funny.I'm not sure if this happens to women, but if it does I don't know how I could actually be hornier. I'm 30 so I'm already in my sexual prime. If the situation was backwards, I sure wouldn't change my partner if he couldn't keep up, I'd just make him watch ahaha ok ok back to work, somehow supposed to concentrate..

Google Bariatric recipes and check out pinterest, they have fantastic ideas. I even found a recipe card for different types of smoothies if you're post op and allowed to have fruit. Other than that, consider going to a book store and getting a bariatric cook book, or using google. Simple solutions, I'd probably still start with 'soft' meat and vegetables. It does seem odd that your surgeon would say to move to solid food so fast, or was it a family doctor?

I add my cold morning coffee, shake mix, and a drop of peppermint extract to ice, and blend it for a peppermint mocha smoothie. I'm going through mild Starbucks withdrawal lol

I'm curious for the replies also. I have surgery in July and in January I'm going to a 5 star All Inclusive Mexico resort for my wedding. Same thing I didn't know about the surgery when we decided. However it was where I met my fiancé so the destination picked itself. Normally I would be up for partying all day long in the pools, and enjoying the delicious food..I've taken a different mindset because there's no other way to do it, and I'm going to make my vacation all about looking fantastic in awesome new outfits and picking alcohol more carefully. I'll also need about as much willpower as possible to stay away from cold beer and tequila, my vacation favorites. I've just got my fingers crossed that habit will have set in by then and I'll be okay without the normal binging that comes with vacation. Plus I gain about 10lbs every vacation I go on, so I won't have to deal with that this time

Extended diet + 2 week pre-op..pdf It just occurred to me that I could probably share my pre-op diet in an easier format, rather than trying to type the whole freakin thing out. Current status - Kind of hungry Surgery July 6th, my "14 Day Pre Op Diet" starts after tomorrow, should be a piece of cake..mmm cake haha

Thank you I appreciate you saying that

You're right, she won't last 2 hours..she's going to last 8! I have surgery Thursday and back to work Monday. Every case is different, job, movement, empathy from employers etc. I'm also in a situation where if I don't work I don't get paid. There are no replacements for my position that can "take over" while I'm gone either. My mortgage isn't going to pay itself. I won't feel guilty if I make it home and spend all night on the couch/bed, but work has to be done or I wont have a couch/bed to heal in, feel me?

I've had the same question from my man! I thought it was very odd and unusual, did not realize that many men would also ask that. It seems silly to me, they are generally the person who supports you the most, and helps you most. Its been 3 1/2 years and we literally have invitations out for our wedding in January. Even have a house together, a dog, and want kids in 2-3 years. Why on earth would I leave him for someone else who decides to pay attention to me? I don't think anybody pays more attention or is sweeter and more thoughtful to me than he is. I'd have to be an idiot to leave him Part of the surgery reason is so I can look good on his arm lol

Yay Nmelo723 you must be excited! Also nervous while waiting for insurance to approve. That seems to be a common problem. Why make people wait and stress out, their probably stressing out about the surgery a bit anyways. I'm sure you'll be approved and join the July list with all of us you'll do great!

Yes I ordered the oil as well, my supplier doesn't carry edibles, so I would just add oil to food

Naturally I would listen to everything my doctor told me. In this instance however, I'll take itty bitty puffs Not because I mean to disrespect your suggestion, but because I smoke for epilepsy which means I have to find a happy medium. I've been honest with my consultation team so far and will continue to be.

I've also been curious on this myself.I'm from Canada so people and cops don't really seem to care, just don't be stupid, if you see a cop driving down the alley, put out/away your joint as a courtesy haha . I have a prescription so I order it online and it shows up via CanadaPost to my door 2 days later(awesome to be totally honest). Bud or edible oil format. I've never found marijuana to make me hungry, it makes me too busy to stop and eat. The oil however, was absolutely delicious so a few times I've stopped at the bakery on my way home since I've found it goes best with a sweet pastry (absorption is also better)..However the delicious edible oil makes me hungry, so I've stopped eating my THC but smoke and have never lied to a doctor or surgeon about it. When my life is in someone elses hands for a while, I like them to know the whole story. Oh PLUS a breach in patient doctor confidentiality is considered medical malpractice! . I'm headed for surgery in 3 weeks and don't necessarily plan on stopping when I fly back so I'll try and remember to update on this post about any effects of smoking right away.

Its early so I may not be as eloquently written as usual, please excuse the following, and how long it is. This is from last nights, first nights eating out with a group: I've been pre-op dieting for a week exactly now. Its been relatively easy as it's Atkins and I happen to love meat and vegetables (Its just easier to open chips and beer so now I'm here..) Originally we were going to go to the Keg, perfect, I knew ahead of time and went online and planned my meal out. Wild card, we show up at The Keg and its practically overflowing so we have to now go to a different restaurant nearby. Crap, okay time to use what I've learned and know and find something I can have, "I got this" I think to myself confidently. Our waitress comes around and I order the house salad with a grilled chicken breast AND grilled shrimp skewers as well, no sauces. Success. Okay so here's my conundrum, I'm with 6 people who don't know about my surgery, they are my fiances family and (potentially?) judgmental. Immediately after I order, The first words out of his mother mouth to him are "Oh so I start my diet next week, blah blah (Its this weird diet where literally you eat like an exact food plan repeatedly week after week, one day actually contains 2 hot dog weiners for lunch)..okay back on topic. I flag her, and put her in the mental "Dont Tell" file. I eat, happily satisfied with my food. Later were discussing some topic unrelated to food entirely, I happen to be the one who has just finished saying something and I hear from the other end of the table "well then you wouldn't have to go on a diet", not a passing comment, but actually snarky! I use every ounce of my remaining energy not to sass his ass speechless. Luckily hes just their friend and not actually a future relative. His wife however, I notice orders a huge meal, eats 7 small bites, then scrapes the sauce off her chicken, and boxes that up along with only the remaining steamed vegetables. Leaving over half the meal to be thrown away. Her husband however goes immediately on my "NEVER tell" list. Question (FINALLY) What are others experiences with eating out when people don't know. Is it better to order what you actually want and can have,and finish it, or order a full sized meal, play with it hoping nobody notices you only ate 1-2 items, then take home the remaining food. If you've done both of those, when have you noticed people ask/comment less on what you've ordered? Please, I actually would really appreciate some input on this whole eating out thing..Oder small and eat it all? Fake it with a full meal and toss it when you get around the corner?

I hate to jump on the bandwagon but I tend to agree with a lot of the communities replies, in that your words are contradictory to themselves. From the perspective of someone who lost 100lbs when I was 20yrs old, and then over 4 years gained back 130lbs, I have an idea of what it's like. Your daughter is right in that surgery is a tool, but it won't fix everything magically. You do need exercise and to relearn how to properly eat. Reading the 'maybe she does fail, but what if she flies!' comment is so true. If you are so willing to be helpful with a trainer and a nutritionist and even therapy-before the option of surgery, then why not after? You have the ability to not only convince your husband that it is a good idea(women are very persuasive) but you can change her mind about how "supportive" you've been. As someone who was overweight throughout high school, there were times I didn't realize how traumatic some of the experiences would be. A simple "lap around the field" for gym class was daily public embarrassment, my belly shook, I almost came last because I had to walk by the end , and while nobody probably noticed or cared as much as me, I never forgot. I was doing sprints at the class gym I joined last month, and everyone was lapping me. I didn't have time to finish my set when we went back inside, and started doing push-ups, there were as many tear drops falling from my face as there were sweat drips. What I'm trying to say is that you have the ability to change everything, right now, and genuinely be on her side! Take all the trainers, the nutritionists, and the councillors, and sit with her and let her know you're going to do all of that after her surgery to help her succeed, because you're her mother and you should want her to be successful more than anybody in the world. My mom was the first person I told, she supported me 100%, and genuinely. She will never forget if you choose not to support her.

Completely agree that if you really want it, you'll find a way to get it. I wrote a list of ways to save money for the future about 3 months ago, and when I decided I wanted surgery it was serendipitous that I had the money to do it. I paid with my mastercard so I could get points, but then I paid off my mastercard the same week after putting $10,000 cash in the bank..which was weird to begin with, I've never done that before trust me. About 4 days before that I was going to buy a used car ($11,000) with money I had been saving, when the seller backed out.. already I had cut down on my expenses and started using less of my paycheques, and was saving- by cutting off my TV, that I honestly never watch because Netflix exists for $8/month . I also cut out unnecessary groceries,(diet coke, high cost meat, etc.) or things that weren't on sale, if I didn't need them. We started eating healthier and just saved money really. My fiance and I don't share bank accounts so when I had about $7000 in the bank, I combined it with my $4000.00 tax return, got the rest from my ever supportive, loving fiance, and booked the surgery that day. Its in Mexico, and I paid USD too!!! It turned a $6000 surgery into a $9500 surgery in about 2 seconds because of our exchange. OH and HUUUUGE help, we stopped eating out as often kind of randomly back in January to lose a bit of weight! I don't drink much at home, I don't smoke cigarettes, I don't have kids, and I'm too embarrased about my size to go clothing shopping unless I need to because I ripped a hole in the thigh of my pants from walking. Then 2 days later Medic-Aid called and said they would cover me, and I was relieved to say no thank you. Now my only debt is the remaining $300,000.00 on my house hahaha....

I'm actually headed to Tijuana, but my flight lands in San Diego and they pick me up to escort us across the border. They know I'm from Canada, its quite popular for people from Calgary to travel to Mexico for surgery (the price up here is $19,000-$22,000). Haha and yes my boss is a jerk, but if I come back and I need more time off I probably wont mind telling him he needs to find a replacement for a few extra days. Unfortunately if I'm not working, I'm not getting paid. I would still rather heal properly and tell him where to stick it, than risk any extra complications, especially being so far from where I'm getting it done. I kind of feel like I'm in a bit of a "suck it up and deal with it" situation unfortunately. I've had surgery in Miami and flown back 3 days later and been fine. I assure you that surgery was far more painful than this one will be. I try not to worry, it isn't going to help me, its stressful enough as is but I appreciate the support.