imaginegirl

I feel more hopeful now!

Good idea. And if I meet with the nutritionist at this surgeon's office and she/he insists on an Atkins-like diet, then I know they won't be doing my surgery.

That's how I look at it. Now's the opportunity to "clean house" and get my mind right.

I'm glad to hear that you no longer want alcohol. That gives me hope. I actually haven't had a drink for three days and I don't miss it. Keeping my fingers crossed.

That's a relief. I plan to talk to the nutritionist before I make a decision just so we're on the same page.

The maintenance plan looks very doable. Whew!

Hi, I'm preop. One surgeon I saw insisted that I follow a high protein, low carb, low fat diet after the op. Nothing "squishy", which wouldn't fill me up (low fat yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, protein drinks), no beans (the staple of a veg diet). These foods are one of the main ways for a veg (not vegan) to get protein! It doesn't seem that an Atkins-like diet is realistic for a veg. I do eat a little fish but don't want to eat it three times a day. What do you think? Didn't a nutritionist work with you to find the best diet for you, not mandate a particular eating plan? I think the surgeon is completely unrealistic.

This is the best thread! I love seeing what you all eat. I'm still in the research phase. My mom and sister had the band. I've seen how they could eventually eat more than a few forks' full. Is that how it works....you eat very little at first, and then your stomach stretches a little so that you can eat a little more? I know I'll never go back to normal portions.

Those cucumbers look delicious. Did you put Trader Joe's Everything Bagel seasoning on them?

You all are so helpful. You've made me realize that now is not the right time for surgery. I'm going to focus on my recovery for now. If I do have the surgery, I want to go into it with a clear mind and ability to set new goals to help myself.

Good news! I'm trying to find an AA group I like.

That's how I look at surgery...as a reset, a tool to help me get on the right track.

My nurse practitioner suggested I cut back to 1 or 2 glasses a night, however I haven't been able to do that. Tonight I'm sober because I'm so tired of being overweight.

So it would take two years to lose 100 lbs? I just can't see that happening. Thanks for suggestion about the sugar free hard candy!

I hate to admit this, but I have a problem with wine...drinking a bottle a night kind of problem. That's probably part of the reason I've gained so much weight. That and my compulsive eating. Stopping is hard so I've started going to recovery meetings. I realize you're not my doctor, but I do value your opinions. Do you think it would be better to see how much weight I can lose by not drinking rather than get surgery? Surgery is a hugely important step. On the one hand, I want the surgery to help me lose a lot of weight fairly quickly (it would take forever for me to lose 100 lbs). I know I'll have to stop bad eating and drinking habits and take better care of myself. However, I want the tool of surgery to help me. Is my thinking way off track? Am I putting too much faith in surgery and thinking of it as the easy way out?

I think you're right. It was an honest mistake. I think I'll talk to him about it when I go in next.

Hi, the bariatric surgeon I have an appointment with requires that my primary care doctor fill out a form letter about my condition. The doctor included some "misinformation" in the letter. He said I'd tried three things to lose weight that I haven't. I know he didn't misunderstand because I never mentioned them. Does this mean that he wanted to "pad" the letter to prove that I need surgery? Is he afraid that the surgeon won't approve me? I hope the surgeon doesn't read the letter too carefully because I don't want any questions about these untruths.

Wow, that gives me hope -- that you were able to take 2 fairly large tablets the next day.

That's what I wanted to know! Thanks.

That's good to hear about your other meds.

I take five pills in the morning now, and after surgery I'll be taking several multivitamins and supplements, as you know. These are not among pills that people sometimes don't need after surgery -- blood pressure medicine, cholesterol med, etc. I've read that you split up the meds over the day. Still, doesn't your stomach fill up so you can't eat?

I would definitely give up drinking for the surgery.

Well, I'll be honest. I drink a bottle and a half of wine a night. I told my psych and now I'm worried that I'll be refused the surgery. I've read that the doctors might consider alcoholism to be a dealbreaker. I decided to go to AA meetings to try to stop, if that's worth anything as far as surgery goes.

Thanks for the clarification!

It sounds like the main reason to have WLS is to lose a lot of weight upfront. I'll still have to fight against biology to keep the weight off. Is that true?