beingdina

34 minutes ago, nibble said:

Here a few ideas - modify them to suit your situation:

1, Start now having one Protein Shake meal per day. Just one. Make it the same meal each day. Commit.

2. Walk from your door to X and back. X can = mailbox, a plant, a tree, the next house or apt. Keep it short.

3. The next day, do it twice, walk from A to B and back. That's all. If someone says "What the heck are you doing?", just give a mysterious smile and say "Research!" and move on.

4. The following day, do it 3 times, etc etc.

5. When you feel ready, pick another point B a little further, maybe twice as far. Don't push yourself. Just do it.

6. During commercials, use a theraband or hand weight as you sit or stand. Commit.

7. If possible, see if your PBS station carries Sit and Be Fit - 30 min of exercises sitting in a chair. Tape it, then Watch & Do. Do what you can, rest when you need to. Don't try to keep up, but stay the course.

8. Start drinking 8 glasses of Water daily. Can't do it? No prob- just track what you CAN do, each day.

This whole journey is about baby steps. No reason you can't begin yours now!

All good advice! Thank you! I drink Premier Protein shakes here and there. Maybe 1-2 a week for some extra Protein when I haven't had much. But I know I should start working to make that my priority. Also, yes, walking. Definitely. You are right. No reason I can't do it that way. Baby steps.

On 06/29/2018 at 05:43, KatallacStrong said:

I haven’t even seen my surgeon for the first consult yet and I feel awful too girl. Hang in there 💜

Same. I do t have it until end of August. There is actually a chance they could tell me they won’t do the surgery but I can’t imagine why. In my head it’s not a guarantee. So I’m stressed about that too. But I’ve set the consult, nutrition, and psych appointment for 8/27 and hope it will be the following month. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

On 06/29/2018 at 05:31, Orchids&Dragons said:

I admit that I do not have an exercise I love. I don't like it at all. Nevertheless, I'm off to the gym this morning. On work days, I walk around our compound; once before work and again at lunch with a friend. Lately it has been about 92-95 degrees, but we're walking!

Great job!

So true! Definitely finding ways to exercise that isn’t “exercise” in a traditional sense will help me to be more successful. I have a bad ankle issue that easily exacerbated with too much activity but expect that will get better as I get lighter. Yard work is a great way to break a sweat!

On 06/28/2018 at 15:37, Frustr8 said:

And that also is one,of my core reasons. You get sick and tired of being sick and tired. Bloated, achy, swollen, stiff, tight, add painful every joint, sadness that pervades, flat out ready to give up. Yep pretty well covers it, CreekImp is correct, it isn't a cure-all but still it's better than where you are now!😪❤😝

Glad to know I’m not alone. I’m feeling like I’m the only one that has a hard time walking and moving my large body. Self care is becoming a challenge sometimes because I’m so big. It’s starting to feel like rock bottom. I just wish that I had a prescribed diet to follow this next 3 months because I can deal with that MUCH better than trying to figure it out.

On 06/28/2018 at 15:21, Orchids&Dragons said:

The 15 minute walks are immediately after surgery to prevent blood clots and help ease the gas bubbles out of your body. They want you walking much longer than that when you're past the surgery stage. Try not to focus on the walking itself, listen to music, listen to audiobooks (my fave), pray (if you're so inclined). The time will go by much faster if you don't focus on not wanting to be there. Exercise is definitely part of the program.

I know it is. I know they want you up and moving immediately for those reasons but it helps build a habit right? So that’s what I was thinking. But I’m also thinking that by that point I’ll have completed a 2 week pre-op liquid diet and will have dropped close to 20 pounds. I carry a lot of excess Fluid. Getting that off will help me be more energetic. I know it’s long term. I WANT to be more active but a 400 pound body is not easy to move. Every time I lose weight I definitely start wanting to move more because I get a lot of energy as the weight falls off. It’s finding something I love that doesn’t lay me up that’s hard for me. I know I need to find something soon because I know it’s super important.

I can’t be the only one that’s felt this way right? So close yet so far, feeling always uncomfortable or in pain. Bloated and achy. Swollen and stiff and tight.

On 06/28/2018 at 14:37, Orchids&Dragons said:

That's great that you have many of the obstacles out of the way. This surgery is 20% stomach, 80 brain, imho. I'm glad that you already have a therapist to work with. I'm not sure what the timers are for?

I was thinking I keep reading that after surgery they want you to walk every 15 minutes or something. Something to motivate me to get up. I’ll go a whole 9 hours at work and maybe get up 3 times all day sitting in front of my computer. It’s terrible. I know I need to make it a better habit (I’m legit awful at building healthy habits) and know it’s required after surgery for healing and weight loss and to build better habits.

@frustr8 I think one of the hardest parts will be the walking. I hate walking for it locks me in my own head. Maybe I need to learn some mantras to speak to myself. I work right on a walking path. Walking hurts my back and feet and ankles. So I can’t go far.

On 06/28/2018 at 14:14, Orchids&Dragons said:

Spend the time getting ready---

Stop smoking, if you smoke.

Wean yourself off caffeine and carbonated sodas.

Start walking to get into the routine.

Start collecting/trying out bariatric-friendly recipes.

Start attending support group meetings. They are a great source of information when you're pre-op.

See a counselor to help you start working through food issues.

There are loads of things you can do to help yourself be successful. The earlier you start, the better. Good luck!

I don’t smoke (14 years smoke free), I don’t drink alcohol, I don’t use drugs, I don’t drink caffeine or any soda except carbonated Water (no chemicals like artificial sweeteners) but I am 405 pounds and miserable. Been in therapy for years and she supports this surgery. Maybe I’m just really paying more attention to it since surgery is just 3 months around the corner. I definitely need to start the walking. Do people use timers to motivate? I always want to start something and then fail.

On 06/28/2018 at 14:04, Creekimp13 said:

I started my diet and exercise program 6 months before my surgery.

Start working on what your forever diet is going to look like. Get some good recipes together. Get your tools...food journal, calorie counter, food scale, measuring cups, etc.

Start working on your fitness habit. Start tracking your activity. Set some goals.

There's no magic solution. It's a process...and the time to start is now:)

Best wishes for a successful safe surgery:)

Thanks. Good advice. I just need hardcore restriction. Like I want to do a liquid diet RIGHT NOW to help ease me out of this feeling. I know when I’m “good” I drop Water weight fast and start feeling better.

On 06/28/2018 at 14:05, nibble said:

What does "feeling awful" mean? Can you be more specific?

As in bloated, too big to take better care of myself, enflamed, achy, etc. like I’m just really FEELING my obesity.

I’m looking at surgery at the end of September. I’m feeling awful lately. Needless to say I have some time before I start the pre-op diet but I want to start it so bad! Anyone else in a similar situation? I need an all or nothing solution to last me the next 6-7 weeks. What do I do?!

McDonalds.

On 06/27/2018 at 12:50, TropicalBeachDoll said:

I haven’t put any thought towards prepping a final meal because I want the transition to be easy as possible and not burdensome. Try to slowly make your transition now and practice healthy choices. A slippery slope is a horrible trap. Best of luck to you !!

I won’t. Be prepping a final meal. Once I have my pre-op I will spend the next 3 weeks prepping for pre-post surgery like buying shakes, Protein waters, etc. my last meal will be at a restaurant, because I LOVE eating out and it will involve chips and salsa and guacamole and a huge plate of fajitas. Then the next day I will start my pre-op diet and journey to my new life. I’ll be making other changes until then like giving up the bubbly Water, sweet coffee creamer, fast food, etc. I don’t want those in my life any more after surgery.

I love it! Great job! I’m so excited to do this. I’m totally terrified too but yeah. Lol. I was just reading a post about how everyone’s doctor is different I. Regards to pre-op diet and how some don’t even require it. I sure hope mine does. I can use any advantage I can get! I’m in. 4-5x now and hope by my next birthday (June 2019) to be in a 2-3x. I miss shopping at Target and Kohl’s and not having to hunt for super plus size! I miss those cute clearance racks!

On 06/27/2018 at 11:28, magpie26 said:

Make sure you don't cheat on your pre-op liquid diet, your surgeon will know lol! I had McDonald's my last meal, I don't even really like McDonald's but I panicked didnt know what to get and I liked the fries, I should've had burger king (which I don't like that much either) but I had to start my liquid diet the following morning and I had my Boston cream donuts before. I cheated kinda with my pre op diet and had a bagel and threw myself out of ketosis

Totally! I can’t wait until I start it. I feel like it will make me feel so much better. Lately (might be psychological) food just makes me feel icky. Nothing that was awesome is that great anymore. I feel like it’s the beginning of a transformation from living to eat to eating to live! I will not be cheating myself at all in this. I have 2 months until my pre-op appointment with surgery to be about a month after that 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Great job!

On 10/05/2017 at 19:06, Introversion said:

You've lost 22 pounds in 6 weeks. I really don't see what the problem is. When is the last time you lost 22 pounds in 6 weeks? I conjecture the answer is, "Never."

My surgery day weight was 218 pounds, so you and I started at nearly the same starting point. Most of my monthly losses were single digit (1 to 7 pounds a month).

It took me 17 months to reach my goal weight. Although I was a slow loser, I'm dancing on a cloud because this is the first time I've been able to keep the weight off.

It's not about how rapidly you lose. Rather, it's about keeping it off for life.

Most of us could lose weight without surgery. Personally, I lost 200+ pounds in the 2 decades prior to surgery (lose 30, gain 50, lose 60, gain 90, rinse/repeat) but could never keep it off.

You're doing well when the bigger picture is examined. Stay off the scale so often and don't ruin a wonderful weight loss tool with a binge episode.

Good luck to you. You can do this.

Exactly. Based on those stats at your size you are actually doing really well. And people have stalls all the time and this should have been explained to you.

Hi! Congrats on your upcoming surgery! 2 major things I’m going to miss are carbonated Water like Polar Ice and La Croix (I don’t drink regular soda) and my sweet coffee creamer (I already drink Decaf only—caffeine intolerant). I have approximately 3 months so I figure I’ll give up the sweet Creamer at end of July, the carbonated drinks at end of August. pizza is a huge trigger food for me. I will probably eat enough to hate it by the time I start any required pre-op diet. General sweets like candy I will be okay with not having as a life rule. I’m better with cold turkey than “just a tiny taste”. Sounds like you are on your way! You’ve got this! I think my final “big tummy” meal will be a Mexican food feast.

On 8/27 I have my surgical and psych consults as well as my nutrition class, EKG, and blood work! If I’m given the green light that day, I can schedule surgery for anytime in the following 30 days, approx 9/25. I will find out at my consult about any pre-op diet requirements. I’m so excited and nervous and anxious but excited!
What was your “final meal” before surgery (outside of strict diet guidelines)?

On 06/13/2018 at 02:54, newmebithebypass said:

Can you apply for a policy thru your states market place

Hi :-) That would be a solid idea if I didn’t have mostly amazing insurance. Super low co pays and super low deductible and 90% employer paid. For what a marketplace would cost me in deductible ($15,000) I might as well pay cash.

Most things I’ve read said it’s less risk than bypass and more risk than lap-band. I like the idea that if necessary I can move into a full bypass down the road if something comes up or it’s not quite as successful as I need. I’m hoping for September surgery. Thank you!

Fair enough Matt. I’ve not met with the surgeon yet (that will be in the next month or so) and I will see what he says. I absolutely can’t afford Bypass so this is my only hope.

I am considered Morbidly Obese occurring to the various online seminars I have completed for all the different bariatric surgical centers. Specifically my insurance lists weight loss surgery as an exclusion. So my employer chose to buy a policy that will NOT cover it. I do not believe I am too large for
Sleeve Gastrectomy. I am 100% mobile, work full time, can be on my feet for hours as needed and am nothing like those on My 600 Pound Life (which is kind of how you must be imagining me). I’ve been told more than once that if it’s an exclusion, it will NOT be covered. So I will be paying cash as many people do I’m learning.