Swanton_Bomb

I notice you are also in New York. It is a very difficult place to work with the teacher evaluation system in place. One year my rating was based partially on the scores of another teacher because I wasn't teaching a course that ended in an exam. That teacher was retiring and couldn't care less, and took at least 30 accrued sick days. Needless to say the scores were bad, so I had to make sure that anything that was in my power had to be literally perfect. The general public doesn't really know how the ratings work or the pressure, they just see the summers off. When I started years ago it was challenging and a lot of work, but it is now political and extremely anxiety producing. I am trying very hard to put myself first but it is hard. Have you had your surgery yet? I am hoping it will help me push through better than just doing it unassisted.

This comment, especially from someone with several years experience and AMAZING stats, makes me hopeful. I am pre-op and have chosen the sleeve because I am hoping it will prevent overeating binges. I am not under the impression that I will never have carbs again...in fact, I have always had more success on diets that incorporate carbs. and restrict portion sizes My problem is that I will do well for a while, and then have a binge, and that binge will set off more. I am hoping that the sleeve will be a tool to prevent those overeating episodes. I am not a grazer, so I am hoping this will work. I am hearing so much about the reduction in gherlin being BS and the sleeve only working for a few months. Seeing your success with it makes me hopeful, thank you.

I'm fine with my clothing costing a little more, but for some brands it is excessive and far beyond the cost of the extra fabric. What bothers me much more is brands that refuse to manufacture plus size clothing because they don't want fat people walking around in their designs, and companies that make plus size clothing but will only carry them online and not in stores. Old Navy does that. Their clothes run big so I can fit into their XXL, but their plus size is only online and that bothers me. The extra cost can be justified.

I'm worried about the upcoming school year from a weight loss standpoint. I work in an extremely high stress school environment. I was heavy before I started teaching (50lbs. overweight) but gained another 50 and became morbidly obese. I have lost and regained those 50lbs. multiple times. I eat to soothe the stress and I tend to plan poorly, not eat and then binge from starving all day. On the other hand, if I plan well I tend to lose more when I'm working because I am busy, and when I'm home I have more time to think about food. I am committing myself to putting my needs above the needs of my school. I have a lot of trouble saying no, and my supervisors know that and take advantage of that. I often wonder that once I have the surgery and lose the weight if I will become more confident and able to say no. When you are obese and self conscious, you try harder to be liked. You have to be smarter, more organized, funnier, sweeter, more dependable, better at everything to make up for the weight. Sorry to be so negative, but it is what I am feeling right now.

I am going through this too. I did a seminar in April, had to wait a month from then to get an appointment for a consult, and then 6 months of weigh-ins after that. I have to show weight loss, but not too much because if I go below a 40 BMI I might not be approved. I have mild sleep apnea and high cholesterol, but that isn't always enough to get approval with a BMI below 40, so it is a frustrating balancing act. my NUT is pleased with my small, steady loss and changes I've made. I'm basically dieting 5 days a week and taking weekends off (but not binging). I've quit all sodas and liquids with calories (with the exception of milk in coffee) and have started exercising. This has helped me stay sane. I am careful all week and if I really want that pizza or whatever, I know I can have it on Saturday. As I get closer I'm going to move to 6 days on and 5 days off. If you gain or don't lose enough, they will not approve you, and if you don't start making small changes that two week pre-op is going to be unbearable. Going from a 1200-1500 calorie diet to less than 1000 liquid only is hard, but going cold turkey after a high calorie diet is going to be harder. Good luck.

Best wishes for a smooth recovery!

Ok, well a month is not long, but depending on how overweight you are, you should be able to do it unless you are very metabolically resistant. Log every single bite. Measure everything. The pre op meal plan they gave me was 1500-1700 calories, which is far too high for me to lose any significant weight at my height, so you might have to play with the calories. Some people swear by keto for quick weight loss and getting that initial water off. Good luck!

How long do you have to lose the 10lbs? That may determine your strategy.

I haven't had my surgery yet but my surgeon said the sleeve is not as painful and they can give you a great pain block during surgery that actually lasts two days, lessening your need for a lot of opioid meds during those first and worst days, and the side effects that come with those meds.

I don't think it is self sabotage for most people. I think it is fear. It is a scary thing. I am pre-op. During the seminar the surgeon gave us the info and stats for the various surgeries. He seemed to not think much of the band and suggested the switch for those with a BMI of 50+. During my consult he asked which surgery I was interested in, and I said I was leaning toward the sleeve but still undecided. He talked about the upside of dumping as a tool, but also told me about malabsorption and post op pain. I told him that I liked the idea of the sleeve being shorter surgery time, and he said that really isn't a big factor because a bypass doesn't take that much longer. He said based on my history I would be a good candidate for the sleeve but that a bypass would be ok for me too. He left it up to me and didn't really push me in either direction.

Are you doing 6 months of weigh-ins? If this isn't a pattern they might be more understanding. It might be water. If you are female it could be cycle related. Exercise can also make you retain water. Eat lightly over the next two days, avoid carbs and salt. You might be able to take off at least 3 of those pounds, and they are likely to be more understanding about 4lbs. than 7. Your home scale might be off as well.

Take off 3 inches maybe, that might be enough to thicken it up a bit.

WW Freestyle is tougher than previous versions of WW, and it is also a lot healthier. It is very different and a lot more food than a post op diet, but it is a manageable program that will help you gradually make healthier habits post-op. It is pricy, and there are calorie counting apps you can use for free, but since the program makes sugary or high fat foods "expensive" in points, and allows low fat high protein foods (like fish) and veggies and fruits to be "free", it pushes you to better choices. If you can't lose with carbs it isn't for you.

I am pre surgery so I am not speaking form experience, but if you don't like your hair short, how about trying a few inches just to make it look a little thicker? There are a lot of good products to make hair look thicker. How long is your hair now, and how short would you still feel comfortable with? A picture would help.

I haven't had surgery yet but I'm planning on using one of those grabby stick things on a handle if I can't bend and my husband isn't around.

Thank you all for your advice. I still have three more weigh-ins before I can apply to the insurance company (soooo nervous about getting approved). I've done all of my tests and evaluations except for bloodwork and that can't be done until the 5th month. I would feel so much better if I knew I was approved and could work on my surgeon with a date. I know the beginning is exceptionally touch, and I just kind of want to get it over with.

Thank you for the advice. Much appreciated.

It's hard to find, but OPA! Greek Yogurt dressing is amazing. They have a blue cheese, ranch and a feta dill. It is usually in the produce aisle with the refrigerated dressings instead of on the grocery shelves.

Good grief. People WORK! It's hard enough to do all the other appointments with most medical professionals working only on weekdays. In addition, most doctors keep you waiting a long time so a 5 minute visit can be an hour or more ordeal.

Many people report changes in taste after WLS, and there have been studies to support that. I wonder if it has something to do with the surgery itself, and changing hormone levels or if it is the result of being forced to stay away from certain foods during the recovery period (sort of like if you quit soda and then try one it tastes weird and not as great as you remember). Have your tastes changed, and if so, how? Are there things you no longer like, or stranger, things you like now that you never did?

I'm about halfway through my pre-op requirements and I'm still debating between the sleeve and bypass. I like the idea of the sleeve because of the reduced gherlin/hunger, less time on the operating table and no malabsorption of nutrients. I am afraid of it being too easy to eat too much, and I'm afraid of the reflux. As for the bypass, I like the idea that it might result in better long term results, no reflux and no tolerance of sweets, but I'm scared of it being extreme and I'm scared I will lose even more hair than I would with the sleeve. My BMI is 43, same as my age, and I've been big my whole life. Any advice? How did you choose your surgery?

Wow! You look like a completely new person. Congrats on your hard work.

Unrelated question, so pardon the intrusion, but if you convert to bypass due to reflux, does insurance cover it or do they fight it?

I'm about 1/2 way through the pre-surgery process. I've done most of the tests, I just need more weigh-ins. As it is becoming more real I am starting to freak out. I'm not scared of the pain, or surgical risks. I'm afraid of losing my hair. I'm afraid of looking like a human puddle of skin too, but I am really afraid of losing my hair. I'm reading about women losing so much that they have to wear a wig. My hair is literally the only thing I have ever liked about the way I looked. I'm taking a really good multivitamin, 10,000 mg of biotin daily and I take spironolactone, an anti-androgen, for acne, which also helps testosterone related loss. I know I can't avoid it but I'm just so scared about how I will look. I'm almost in tears just thinking about it. It's worth it, right?

My nutritionist said my protein goal post surgery is 60-80 grams a day. From what I gather from reading posts here it seems like most people try to get in at least 100. I am pre-surgery and drinking a shake every day to try and get used to them, but good gravy, they are nasty, and they make me feel bloated and gross. I am hoping that once I get to the solid food stage I can limit the shakes, and just get protein through fish and eggs and such, which seems possible for 60 grams but not for 100. What are your protein goals, and why have you settled on them, and how do you reach them?