cajunredpanda

I'm sorry you had to deal with that too. I'm great at losing 30 pounds by myself but then something happens and I regain everything and more. I was hoping to have sleeve as an additional tool to get me over the hump and keep going. Obviously I wouldn't know how my restriction would be like until after surgery, though. I've mentioned this to my psych and she was still like "I'm not risking what you'll do if you don't have restriction etc so we need to keep going." Sigh... I'm planning on calling the clinic tomorrow and see if I can at least contact my nutritionist. My NUT is a sweetheart and I felt comfortable talking to her. Thank you for the validation. I seriously felt like I was going crazy. I'm going to start with seeing the NUT again and maybe switching to another psych if I can help it. If that doesn't work then advocate is an option. I have Aspergers. I had disability assistance along with therapy for depression and anxiety from Kindergarten to college (note: the therapy started in high school). My psych claims that she has approved people "lower functioning" than me so I'm wondering what did they do "right" and I'm doing "wrong?" HIPPA prohibits specific information about the others but still, that's a serious question. Everyone else has been willing to work with me including my surgeon during our initial consultation. Heck, my normal therapist approves of my surgery plans and thinks that even with the new lifestyle changes that losing the weight would overall help my mental state. The problem is that she has no bariatric experience so her thoughts on the subject are considered moot. You're right about the new psychologist having my records. Maybe having someone new will make it easier to talk since I have to re-say everything. Who knows. I really want this surgery; I wouldn't be struggling with this if I didn't want it.

Mmm, poke bowls. There's a place by me that specializes in poke and ramen. I like mine with shrimp. Are the shirataki noodles fishy smelling?

I have both the regular and pumpkin mini waffle makers. The pumpkin one is especially adorable. I got it for $10 with Amazon Prime. Just today I got a Dash mini griddle at Marshalls for $8. I don't like pancakes but I may try making "buns" with the chaffle recipe by blending it into a pancake batter consistency.

I'm afraid I might've totally messed it up by doing that. I think there's one other counselor at the clinic but I'm afraid to switch at this point. Probably need to. Just don't know if it's okay to call the receptionist and go "hey, can I change to ____?" I just want my parents to come to a meeting or two with me but they don't seem to want to go. When they do take me to meeting since I can't drive they just drop me off and go to McDonald's. Then they'll tell me everything I'm doing wrong and nothing I'm doing right. That I'll be like the people on My 600 Pound Life that get the surgery and then go straight back to eating copious amounts of food within a month. My brother compares himself to me because he's been losing more weight than me despite me telling him that males lose fat easier than women and yadda da. You're right though, I may need to write down refutes. (I meant to say that my initial interaction with the clinic was November 1, 2018. Sorry for the confusion.) I'm confused why what my nutritionist said isn't mattering. I got cleared on that end in early August. She said that my food intake was overall good. I'm making changes and as long as I keep making them that I'm doing great. If anything my fiber was too low. That and to check food labels for fat and sugar intake. Meanwhile my psych is telling me that the more stressed I am the more I eat, so you need to do something about that. She nearly got on me for eating cake on my mom's birthday and I had to clarify that it was one slice and I didn't eat any leftover cake. Heaven forbid I want to celebrate. I keep feeling like maybe I should find someone else but I don't know if I can. There's one other psychologist in the clinic I believe but I don't know how to switch or if I can. This is the only clinic I can really use. My clinic has a Facebook group and list of people that had the surgery that I can talk to. Do you think I should ask one to be my advocate?

I wish I could say that I was cleared, but I wasn't. I admittedly started sobbing when I realized she wasn't going to clear me... this time. She said that I'm making good progress. I'm just not "ready" yet. Her main concerns were that my family isn't very supportive (I live with them) and that my daily calorie range is too high (I'm eating between 1200-2000 a day). I didn't tell her that I had support on the internet (plus my LDR) because, well, I was too upset. I even had a panic attack and had to calm down before leaving. It was bad, y'all. The pyschologist is going to see if there are other support groups besides the hospital one that I can participate in while I'll try to focus on eating better. I'm eating better overall; it's just not "there." The main reason I was upset is because I'm supposed to have cardiac and pulmonary clearance a month before surgery. I had my pulmonary clearance over two weeks ago. I also didn't have to see the nutritionist and exercise trainer until surgery unless something came up to delay it. Add that I now have a sleep study next week and I'll be pushed back yet again. I feel like I'm starting at square one again. I called the clinic November 1st and it appears I won't have surgery until over a year after starting my journey it seems. Sorry for the mini rant. That's just how much this clearance at this time mattered/s to me.

I have my latest psychology appointment tomorrow. This is my final clearance. I really hope I get cleared this time. Last time her main concern with me was eating too many carbs so I've been cutting back. Hope that's enough. I'm so close to submitting to insurance...

I don't use it all the time, but McCormick cake batter flavor is good with chocolate shakes. It does add that batter taste to it.

Good luck!

Good luck!

I'm preop but a power bank for my phone is one of the most useful things in my daily life; I'm sure to pack it. I find that 10000 mAh lasts a few days depending on use. You also don't have to plug it to the wall like a phone charger. I got my current one on Amazon but TJMaxx and Marshalls have good deals too. I read that chapstick is a common choice for dry lips but didn't think about mouthwash for the mouth. I'll consider that, thank you.

My mom likes to do that. Yours looks refreshing!

Had my latest psychology appointment today. She was pleased with my tracking, my protein and exercise goals, and that I'm taking my medicine. Her main concern was that I'm eating too many carbs. She's also concerned about my finances (family's in a bind right now. I do have vitamins and calcium at the moment; she's worried about how I'll get them long term if my situation continues/worsens). I kinda expected it. At least it wasn't all woe. Got my next appointment in two weeks.

Thank you! I could do better reducing carbs (eating smaller portions and removing at least the top of buns so far) but I'm definitely focusing on protein and water. I'm getting at least 100 grams and 96 fluid ounces respectively every day. Most days even more. The psychologist said that I was eating too little protein so I'm hoping that since I upped my intake that it'd show an effort with the other things.

I was planning on going for bypass if I was diagnosed with GERD but that wasn't the case for me. I'm fine with being recommended gastric sleeve in the end. It's annoying for sure. My other doctors are totally on board with surgery so far. I was also advised on FB support groups before my psychological evaluation in March that as long as the doctor knew you were getting help with your depression that I'd be approved. Obviously that's not the case if I'm still having therapy months later. I wish my mom could come with me on Tuesday but she's busy with work when my appointments are. My family are pretty iffy on surgery itself but are willing to support me if I undergo it. They are appreciated, thank you!

Thank you! Oh cool we have the same highest weight. You're doing great! Congrats on Onderland! It's definitely not an easy ride for sure. You did fine explaining. My surgeon's original recommendation was bypass because of my weight but he felt that VSG would be "easier" for me to deal with in the long run once he discovered that I was autistic. Not that it'll be a piece of cake either way. But I've had tough spells before and emerged on top with help. I'm journaling and improving my food intake and showing that I have routines for my medicine and vitamins so I'm unsure what's keeping me from getting approved by her. I see her again on Tuesday and dreading it.

I'm more excited about clothing. Just the thought of having the option of something besides plain t shirts and pants when and if I want to. I just started going to the gym and I cannot find gym clothes in my size. The thought of losing enough weight to wear gym clothes of all things is strangely inspiring to me.

I just got a small pedal exerciser as a gift. It's a little wobbly at the pedals so I'm going to have to fix that (I think it has to do with how I assembled it; I stink at it). Otherwise it's nice to use while watching TV. You can also use it to work out your arms if you place it on a table.

I've tried a sample of the Celebrate multi chewable in Forest Berry and it was actually pretty good! It looks so ugly in the package that I worried I'd just taste medicine and grit but didn't get any of that. A pleasant surprise. I've also had luck with Bariatric Fusion multi with iron chewables (I believe I've had the orange flavor). I prefer capsules but have to do chewables the first couple months. I also got a sample of the vitamin powder drink mix (can't remember the flavor) but I'm curious at the citrus since you mentioned Tang haha

1) Not have to wear the maximum length of my seatbelt 2) Be able to paint my toes easier 3) Sit in seats more comfortably 4) Be able to make the hikes at the local national park again (used to be able to do it) 5) Be able to cosplay at conventions/use sewing patterns without lots of altering since I currently size out of most 6) Be able to wear clothes off the rack without accidentally going into the maternity section while looking for the plus size section 7) Be able to walk the dog for longer because she deserves it

My program allows decaf coffee and tea during the full liquid phase, but no caffeine until three months post op.