Libby63

You got surgery for a reason and that's to get healthier and to curb your eating habits..
You should have been prepared for these changes before surgery...

It’s a great book. I have been doing the mindset exercises and am finding them helpful.

@Chardonnay40 you are doing so well! And you have such a great attitude. I hope when it's my turn to do the pre-op diet I will be as strong and good-humored about it all as you! Keep up the great work.

Wonderful! Congrats.

Wonderful! Congrats.

I do agree with you and the unhealthy part, it just depends on the audience. Some people are unrelenting and they don't know how to accept those answers, especially during the holidays (also depending on your family culture). My aunts would be offended, especially during the holidays when all of the generational recipies have made a debut, lol. For me that soon after surgery, I'd rather avoid conflicts and provide an answer that isn't stressful and I can focus on self/healing. The next Thanksgiving the lifestyle changes answer is wonderful because you can see me and my appearance supports my answer. You have to do what works for you, right?

I was the worse eater in the world - 52 years of junk, fast food, and beat the hell out of my body. Sugar was a my lifeline. I started with switching to fake healthy sugar then eventually got off it all together. I had the sleeve and it was the best decision i ever made.
You can use my decision - I sat down and decided to choose to life vs eat and drink, Good luck and I hope it works out for you

I'm pre-op too, so I can't speak for long term success, but I have been on a pre-op diet for almost 4 months and have lost over 30 lbs. At that time I instituted a healthy mind/body/spirit morning ritual that is serving me well and giving me tools that will be helpful in the next phase after my VSG surgery on November 18th.
I wake up, go to another room and meditate for 20 min, watch a YouTube video on a topic regarding personal growth, go for a 35-40 min walk and then get the day going with the family. I am learning so much and I'm developing a more positive self-confidence through this practice. It doesn't cost me anything and I feel good knowing that my self-care is paying off. During my walks, I listen to past episodes of the Weight Loss Surgery Podcast, which are incredibly helpful and informative to me. Good luck with this exciting next phase for you!

I am 7 weeks away from my surgery and 5 months from my intro seminar. I am the same weight now as I was when I started. In the meantime, I have lost and regained the same 10 pounds twice now. I realize I am eating compulsively to deal with my anxiety about the surgery and other things. This week I am working on mindful eating and exercises for emotional eating. I’m getting awareness but have not been all that successful about stopping. My biggest fear is not about the surgery and recovery but I am terrified that I’ll keep eating sweets and go back to old/bad habits. I feel like I have been such a failure regarding weight loss and that I’ll be spending all this time, energy and money only to have it not be effective. I need to hear from those who felt their eating was out of control before surgery.

As I get closer, I understand the need for physical support. I had a real moment last week thinking about not wanting to overwhelm my extremely small support group. I also have to honor who I am and stay true to self, I have boundaries and respect for other's business and beliefs. I'm not seeking validation or permission, but we will need support. My advice is to share with caution and listen to your inner voice. I just shared with another person who I felt would be an asset to my cause. I know she didn't mean any harm, but her response was..."you don't need that surgery, you aren't that big." Ohhhhh, how I loathe that response for so many reasons. Now, I have to explain my health is on the line--prediabetic, high blood pressure, hormone levels are out of whack and etc. Then I get the, but you look good... so do I have to be physically displeasing to you before I can have your support???? People who don't struggle with weight and health issues due to your weight have no idea how hard it is to to walk in our skin. We each have our battles and some far worse than others, but no journey is the same. So, yeah I will be keeping this procedure to myself as this is for me. I have enough ppl who know.

Congrats!

Don't worry. You won't . Your much smaller stomach and hormonal changes sort of prevents you from eating too much.

My former "friend" used to be the thin one and I was the fat one...but she has gained alot of weight and, of course, I've lost (nearly 100#).
She got so jealous that she began tracking her weight daily and logging her food...but she still ate tons of food and never exercised. She actually gained 10# in 6 months but kept telling everyone about how much she's doing to lose whenever they would compliment me.
Maybe your mom is jealous and feels hopeless that she'll ever lose like you are. Just keep following your weight loss plan...maybe encourage her to exercise with you. My family has been totally behind me, which I'm so blessed.

What are your alternatives, though? Think of it this way... Even if you did go back to gaining a pound a year or what-have-you, you'd still probably be in a far better place for the next 25 years than you are now.
But take heart—your much smaller stomach sort of prevents you from eating too much in quantity, and the effort of going through the surgery itself goes a long way to strengthening resolve to make better quality choices. 😃

Would it be possible to postpone surgery until after the deployment?
It is *possible* (but highly unpredictable as you will have no clue what state you'll be in post op)
I've taken long rides immediately after surgery but they NEEDED to be broken into segments to prevent the development of blood clots.
Also, I was absolutely exhausted and i wasn't even driving. Public bathroom breaks were fraught with peril.
If you must: carry your Protein Drinks with you chilled along with meds, Vitamins, Water etc... Try to make them a priority especially hydration.
Good Luck 💚 and thank him, for us, for his service

Thank you!

Thanks. I’ve never been great st alterations - I hate the ripping out but the challenge will keep me out of the kitchen so I guess it’s a good time to learn!

Thanks. I’ve never been great st alterations - I hate the ripping out but the challenge will keep me out of the kitchen so I guess it’s a good time to learn!

I ran across this video which has a pair of pants with Velcro in the waistband that can get you through a few sizes: https://youtu.be/oTxDpaYeuEw Starting at minute 7:19.

I was wondering if any of you sew and can share pattern numbers that have worked best for you as you have lost weight?

Thanks for your encouragement and input. The office manager called my insurance and they said no way. They said the 6 months is a hard requirement. So, my new date is Dec 10th. I’m not comfortable with the 9 month insurance gap with my RNY so I will have to spring for some Obamacare coverage for the gap assuming pre-existing will still be covered. I am disappointed but FluffyChix I will take your advice and start tackling those things.

Thanks for your encouragement and input. The office manager called my insurance and they said no way. They said the 6 months is a hard requirement. So, my new date is Dec 10th. I’m not comfortable with the 9 month insurance gap with my RNY so I will have to spring for some Obamacare coverage for the gap assuming pre-existing will still be covered. I am disappointed but FluffyChix I will take your advice and start tackling those things.

I had my 3rd of 6 monthly appointments with my team today. I was shocked when my surgeon said I was doing great and tentatively set my surgery for OCT 7th!. !!! Yikes !!! My insurance requires 6 months but counseling but will sometimes accept WeightWatchers for some of the time. I asked about that at the start and he said - let’s see how you do. He wants to try it since I have documentation from WW.
I was not prepared for that and am not sure I am ready but I feel like I should try as my insurance runs out early next year. I have a 9 month gap between that time and Medicare.
Insurance has 3 weeks to respond so if they take the entire time I will be starting my pre-op diet a week before I know (wouldn’t that suck).
I’m thrilled and scared to death!

I had my 3rd of 6 monthly appointments with my team today. I was shocked when my surgeon said I was doing great and tentatively set my surgery for OCT 7th!. !!! Yikes !!! My insurance requires 6 months but counseling but will sometimes accept WeightWatchers for some of the time. I asked about that at the start and he said - let’s see how you do. He wants to try it since I have documentation from WW.
I was not prepared for that and am not sure I am ready but I feel like I should try as my insurance runs out early next year. I have a 9 month gap between that time and Medicare.
Insurance has 3 weeks to respond so if they take the entire time I will be starting my pre-op diet a week before I know (wouldn’t that suck).
I’m thrilled and scared to death!

I had my 3rd of 6 monthly appointments with my team today. I was shocked when my surgeon said I was doing great and tentatively set my surgery for OCT 7th!. !!! Yikes !!! My insurance requires 6 months but counseling but will sometimes accept WeightWatchers for some of the time. I asked about that at the start and he said - let’s see how you do. He wants to try it since I have documentation from WW.
I was not prepared for that and am not sure I am ready but I feel like I should try as my insurance runs out early next year. I have a 9 month gap between that time and Medicare.
Insurance has 3 weeks to respond so if they take the entire time I will be starting my pre-op diet a week before I know (wouldn’t that suck).
I’m thrilled and scared to death!

I had my 3rd of 6 monthly appointments with my team today. I was shocked when my surgeon said I was doing great and tentatively set my surgery for OCT 7th!. !!! Yikes !!! My insurance requires 6 months but counseling but will sometimes accept WeightWatchers for some of the time. I asked about that at the start and he said - let’s see how you do. He wants to try it since I have documentation from WW.
I was not prepared for that and am not sure I am ready but I feel like I should try as my insurance runs out early next year. I have a 9 month gap between that time and Medicare.
Insurance has 3 weeks to respond so if they take the entire time I will be starting my pre-op diet a week before I know (wouldn’t that suck).
I’m thrilled and scared to death!