Subaru

Still waiting but all prep! And thank you everyone!

You shut your damn mouth like right now. After 3 weeks of waiting after insurance submittal, I just received the call that I was approved for the bypass!
The LONGEST 11 months of my life
That is all. Carry on

Here at my preop appointment after night shift and two hours sleep!
Power through!

Hi all! My surgery is scheduled for December 6th....and I'm feeling all the feels everyone else is! I'm thankful I only have to do the liquid diet starting at noon the day before.
Good luck to everyone!

Mindfulness Question: Do you put your fork down between bites?
I am only managing to do this about 50% of the time. We now eat dinner at the table every nite. After almost 20 years, I FINALLY find out that Mr. Fluffy actually prefers to eat at the table! Go figure?! Each day presents a new opportunity for improvement!
Monday Menu (11.27.17): Had PT today and as usual-I was a hungry hungry heffer afterward! I did manage to stave off temptation and cravings in return for a creamy and semi-decadent low carb version of a former high carb love. I used to love my mom's turkey tetrazzini she'd make with the TDay leftover turkey. So, instead, I used Lite Asiago Romano Alfredo by Classico and used shiritaki fettucini that I cut into long noodle lengths. I added a wad of fresh broccoli and super greens trio to make it "healthy" (um, and a busload of parmesan!
B: psylli iced coffee (4floz PP vanilla, 16floz decaff, 5g whole psyllium husks, vanilla stevia liquid)
MS: 28g hummus; 2oz baby carrots
L: 1/2 pepperoni veggie Lite Flatout pizza (1/2 Lite FO skin, 1/4oz red onion, 1/4oz rbp, 1oz mushrooms, 1oz BH pepperoni, 1oz part skim mozz, .8oz BH Munster, 1tbsp grated parm, 1/4c CM Marinara, red pepper flakes); salad (1oz baby spin, 1/4oz rbp, 1/4oz red onion, WF Italian)
AS: 1 mozz string cheese; 14g toasted almonds; 2oz GS apple; psylli tea
D: LO turkey tetrazzini (3oz turkey breast, 1pck Shirataki fettuccine, 120g Classico Lite Asiago Romano Alfredo, 5oz steamed broccoli, 1oz super greens trio, 1oz mushrooms, 1clove garlic, 1/4c grated parm); 1/8c LO WaWa's dressing
BS: 1oz frozen blackberries; 14g toasted almonds; 8g Lily's SF dark choco chips
Daily Totals: 1412 cals; 69g prot; 80g fat; 91g carbs; 36g fiber; 55g net carbs

Gosh, I wish I could answer that for you!? Have you tried using a very slow simmer until it's fall apart tender? Then eating it with a tiny bit of the broth? Just until you can train your pouch to eat it again?
Also, some people lose the ability to digest red meat when they abstain from it for a long time. They actually lose the enzyme responsible. So maybe you could try taking an enzyme supplement when eating beef or other red meats?

I am right there with you. I have been snacking and eating more than I should. I know a big part of my problem is prepping and planning. I have put myself on a new regimen. A Protein Shake within 30 mins of waking up and then Zumba 20 mins after drinking. It's been going well and I feel more in control during the day. I will email my doctor for a referral to therapy since I feel that I need some extra help to stay on track. You are not alone. Keep trying and fighting for it. You never fail unless you quit.

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Thanks, I don't think I need to worry as we don't hunt etc and our BIL hasn't got an Elk in forever. I wonder if deer or elk would be easier on my stomach. I have a hard time with Beef now. My "PRISSY POUCH" pretty much decides what it wants and what it wants to get rid of. LOL

This is probably too late, but I believe my doctor writes a script for the Vitamins. (Not sure yet as I'm pre-op.) I know that before I leave the hospital the hospital pharmacist pays a visit, sends me home with my first supply of vitamins, and then I can either pick them up at the hospital pharmacy thereafter, or have them send the prescription to my regular pharmacy. Of course, I don't know what the co-pays are, and that would depend on insurance. But perhaps that's an option for you?

So talked to surgeon's office today, a little disheartened. They told me it will be roughly 2-3 weeks before I receive my appointment info via mail. This pushed back my guesstimated timeline and now I'm thinking I probably won't be in for surgery till February, possibly march if there's any problems in testing. [emoji20] so tired of everything being up in there and not being able to plan for anything. So frustrating [emoji53]

@Subaru Yes. That makes perfect sense! And you=lucky about your vits!!! I think we all grieve in different ways. And this is a rebirth, but for many, it's also a grief for the old life. We're moving into a very big unknown. And I think we all have to do what we must to prepare as we can/able.

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.

@Subaru This is only me...but I would be terrified going into surgery without having prepared ahead. Knowing that I've already been through the Keto flu months before, knowing that I don't drink pop or caffeine, knowing I'm 99.9% off sugar, knowing I'm already eating a low carb, low sodium, low fat diet and doing just splendidly is reassuring.
I have a plan on how to put Protein meals together after surgery so that I don't feel overwhelmed. I have a plan for getting my liquids/water in after surgery. I know what schedule will work to get my Vitamins in each day and will purchase them soon.
That doesn't guarantee a smooth ride. I'm sure there will be a few curve balls to negotiate. Recovery from any surgery is tough and for me, prolonged (3-6months usually). So I'm praying this one will be quicker, but am mentally prepared for 6 months of "not so much fun." And because I've done the pre-work, I took the "overwhelmed" part out of the equation (I hope).
But, you know, I'm a What About Bob type of personality. So I have to break things down into baby steps in order to make myself do something or to get through it.

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!

Dayum! Aren't you afraid of gaining? My surgeon told me that I had to show a loss on the scale when I see her next. (I was up 4lbs this last visit.)

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!

Hahaha! Ask away!
Medium rare should be theoretically safe for "whole muscle" cuts, especially if you don't observe any cysts on the meat--which could be signs of worm or tuberculosis. I sear it on very high heat to brown all cut sides, then roast in the oven to finish it. So the cut sides are exposed for to about 750degrees for 2 minutes. This was loin shaped but "flatter" like a thick flat Iron, so I just did the 2 sides.
The other big thing for me, is that we live in Texas and there have been no reported cases of CJD in deer in Texas (or elk--which I think most are farm raised in Texas). But for elk in other states, or deer for that matter, it would be really important for me to know if you have that disease as well as tuberculosis in your state. That would determine how I would prepare the meat and to what degree of doneness.
I also know that no bones, brain, nor spinal tissue were exposed, cut or broken when butchering. We cut off the whole carcass, then trim into single muscles. I'd probably feel more concerned if it was or if we used a deer processor. I also know that the lungs looked clear and so did the tongue, eyes, coat (wasn't tick infested), and liver of this deer. So I don't have a whole lot of concern eating it medium rare. But I would not eat it rare. Between rare (cold center) and medium rare (warm center) is about 10-25 degrees of doneness difference--roughly. Don't know if that's enough from a biological standpoint, but it "calms" my nerves. LOL. I hate medium or beyond meat of any kind--especially game. It begins to taste like liver at that temperature! *blech*
Does that help? (I would not eat rare moose or elk in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, or Canada--maybe even Alaska? )

Had a successful lunch yesterday and stuck to plan 100%. Had my turkey wedge salad and didn't even finish it. I ate the balance as a snack 3 hours later and had far fewer carbs than anyone other than Mr. F. at the table. Win one for the Gipper! I felt like a champion--so successful for that meal! NSV much?
I ran across this HuffPost article that was interesting. For me, the "Where Did It Come From" question would look more like: Is it pre-made, pre-packaged, fast food? Rather than was it raised ethically. Right now, my budget does not lend itself to ethics. I eat CAFO meat. The end, it's all I can afford and it's way better than the $1 menu at a drive-thru. I only can afford to eat a few things organic (not even the full dirty dozen list). But the other 3 questions were really interesting.
She claims she asks these 4 questions before she puts anything in her mouth:
1. What am I eating? (the ingredients rather than the name of the food--processed chemicals, etc)
2. Where did it come from? (ethically or factory produced; OR straight ingredients prepared at home v. pre-packaged/pre-made/fast food)
3. Why am I eating it? (hunger, fuel, emotions, boredom, head cravings/hunger, because it's there)
4. How will I feel after eating this? (physically, emotionally, behaviorally, spiritually)

Mindfulness Question: Do you practice mindful eating? What questions do you ask yourself before sitting down to eat?

Y'all are too funny!
*thinking to self a bit of torture might make us forget about that pie*
As for the scale.. doesn't affect my mood at all. Well.... I should say it has the power to improve my mood, but not make my mood worse. So far, anyway.
I never had much history with the scale. When I was on a diet, I'd weigh, but when I wasn't, I wouldn't. So watching the scale has always been associated with positive feedback while trying. Negative when not trying.

Check out SmilinsShrinking's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbizZSc7-3ib0lsK4NyBvqg . She just got back from Mexico after having her plastics done with Dr. Sauceda, and she looks fantastic. While she was there, she did a daily video blog you might find helpful.

Hello everyone! I’m researching plastic surgeons in Mexico! If you’ve had great results and would like to share with me who you went to that would be awesome! Thanks

In less than a week I’m going to have my lower body lift with the Dr Cardenas team. I am beyond excited. Has anyone else been to her lately? I’d love to hear your experiences.

ha! you=pervy! bahahahahahaha! (Seinfeld: "Not that there's anything wrong with that...)

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

I use these two emojis to emote the following:
elephant = 60 lbs of weight loss = joy of losing the equivalent of an elephant penis
circus tent=party (any type) (I would prefer to use an emoji that has a noise maker in its mouth, wearing a party hat, but we don't have one)