Subaru

Thanks all!

Yes please!! [emoji4]

Totally-tentative-doesn’t-really-count-kind-of-tentative date of Dec 28. [emoji4][emoji119]

Totally-tentative-doesn’t-really-count-kind-of-tentative date of Dec 28. [emoji4][emoji119]

Totally-tentative-doesn’t-really-count-kind-of-tentative date of Dec 28. [emoji4][emoji119]

Okay, I have a super very tentative date. So tentative it's not even penciled in. But here goes: possibly, potentially December 28!

Matt, I don't have any new words of wisdom beyond what others have said. I'm sorry you're having to focus on a different health area before your bariatric surgery. I do agree that perhaps once you get past the initial disappointment you might be able to see this as an extension of the same journey, toward the same goal of your health. I know that doesn't help right now, but don't forget why you started this and don't lose heart! You've come so far already, you'll do great!

This is a dated thread, but I found out yesterday about the Mass General Hospital resident program for plastics. They do offer discounted rates. From the VERY little I've seen, I've only read of good results. I'll be doing more research into the program and people's experiences. If anyone here has used them, please review. Thanks!

While this is a very old post, and I am a couple of years away from plastics, I'm bumping this thread because yesterday was the first time I heard of the MGH clinic and I'm very interested.

I MUST get that mindful eating book!!

I completely understand your frustration! It's weird (to me) how different surgeons in the same practice approach things differently. That said, your appointments may be sooner than you think. If they are in mid-late December you will hopefully get back in with your surgeon right away for the final pre-op visit and scheduling. I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

I completely understand all of that! I have been researching and planning and prepping. In terms of the active process of eating, drinking and taking vitamins and supplements how I will after surgery, some of that I can only guess. I won't know how my body will react to water, etc until I get there. So yes, I am trying to eat more slowly, smaller bites, and adjust how I get my water in (though the amount is not a challenge at all at present), but I'm not getting too far ahead of myself. For instance, I'm not purchasing vitamins and supplements at all, though I'm doing a lot of research. The reason? My program sends the hospital pharmacists up to the hospital room before I checkout with a big bag full of everything I need. The vitamins are done via prescription going forward at least for a period of time, so that I don't have to wonder if I'm buying the right stuff. Honestly? I'm typically more like you. And I have been doing all of the research. But I am moving into a new life phase. Happily and by choice! But I need to wave goodbye to the old I guess.

They did not tell me I needed to show a loss, and I have not had to do any sort of weight loss prior. My insurance doesn't require it. I have shown that I completely understand how to follow a healthy program, and I've done it in the past and been successful for decent periods of time. Nevertheless, I need to start being mindful pronto, for all the same reasons I'm doing the surgery in the first place!

The mindfulness questions are great! I'll admit that I've been having one food funeral after another the last month or so. I'm not a believer in "i can never eat x, y, or z again" unless my pouch won't allow it or it is specifically bad for new digestive system (like soda). But I do know there is food I will choose not to eat because doing so in a way that I really enjoy and/or in the quantities I enjoy would do me a disservice. So not only have I not been eating mindfully, I've been especially not connected to my food of late. Since I expect surgery will be in about a month, I need to get my ass in gear!

I love that! (I was imagining those were in direct response to my definition of CBT, which is why I was laughing hysterically!)

Seriously with the elephant and the circus tent? Aaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!

Okay, I completely understand your CBT and have used it successfully in the past. I need to refocus on it to use it successfully again! The other CBT....erm...ah...c*ck & b*ll torture. (I read!!!)

CBT? (The only reference I know for that is naughty. ) I'm impressed with you powering through. That is so very hard!! I will remind myself about the deep breathing because that helps. I have two housemates, so no clean kitchen. When I was divorcing I lived on my own for about 9 months, and also had a very small fridge and limited cabinet space. That meant I shopped several times a week and I was responsible for all the food in my house. It was healthy and I tracked everything. When I did bring in snacks or treats it was just enough for the moment so I couldn't go back for more later or the next day. My current housemates don't have any weight or food issues and can eat what they want and top when they're full. At present, one housemate does most of the grocery shopping. The upside is that if I make a list he will get what's on it. And they are both supportive of this journey for me. Nevertheless, not living alone makes it more difficult and it's one of the challenges I will need to manage!

Excellent job!! As far as the scale, my mood is less controlled by that than it used to be. I did weight watchers (and similar) type programs on and off for years and only weighed once a week. A few years ago I did a different weight loss study that involved daily weighing. The daily weight supported what I learned from the weekly weighing, which is that, overall, if I follow a plan my weight will trend down. Soooo....when I do weigh daily, I'm not particularly bothered by a jump. I start to recognize patterns, etc. What I struggle with, when I'm being diligent about what goes into my mouth, is the "bad" food day itself. One day is not awful, but if I have a few in a row, or over the course of a week or so (other than a vacation) it's more challenging for me to get back on track.

Me too crazy nervous! My work knows, at least just my immediate team, so I've some flexibility on timing since I have a general idea when I expect to go. At Thanksgiving yesterday I reflected on how different my dinner plate will look next year (and was extra mindful of when I got full this year). I hope you hear about the testing soon! For me that took about three - 4 days, but I knew before the surgeon's office did because of Lifespan's web portal. If you're connected there you'll probably get a notification before the doc's office calls. It's fun having someone else going through the same thing and program at about the same time!

That's fantastic!! Congratulations! Mine were scheduled about 4 weeks out (give or take). When are you hoping to go in for surgery? What all testing are they having you do? (I've got an EKG and an upper GI, plus blood work to be done within a week or so of surgery.) Are you getting excited? I don't get nervous for surgery typically, but I'll admit I'm getting a bit nervous for this!

I hope the revised approach gets it settled with insurance so you're not stressing over it! I'm fairly luck with my sleep apnea that I am able to use just the nasal pillows. Even though I'm a mouth breather as well, somehow I manage to mostly keep it shut when I have that on. That said, I was really good about using my CPAP for the first 6 or 8 months, but the last 5 months or so I've just sucked about it. I need to get back on track with it.

I actually use benefiber now (when I remember, which is my ongoing problem with all things healthy!). I think if it no longer makes you bloat you'd be fine. But def I would try to go slowly! How is it going with insurance?

Awesome! I'll keep that in mind!