Suzi_the_Q

Lately, I remind myself that my food and my health are the only things I have control over. I hope to be able to get back to intense cardio so I can pretend I'm running away from my problems (while listening to music) once I lose a bit more weight. I watch fantasy shows that have little to do with reality or I read books. I need to get back into crafting and art too.

Unless you're 6'8" or something, 300 lbs. IS morbidly obese, generally. It's at least 100 lbs. above healthy BMI. Tell them the truth: diet and exercise alone have an average long term success rate of 5%, WLS is a tool that accompanies diet and exercise that increases that long term success rate to 65%. Tell them you just want to live long enough to hold your grandchildren, or see them graduate college or w/e. Obesity related illnesses can kill you as early as your 50s, sooner for some. Obesity is also a pre-existing condition re: Covid that puts you in the high risk category. Tell them that this is your best chance for long-term success and that you'd really appreciate their support. They're old enough to understand this if put in these terms. Good luck.

I finally got my date set for 12/29- I'm really excited, but also starting to get a little nervous. Not so much about the surgery, but other things:

I'm getting my cpap switched to a bipap and still need to get the right configuration and approval to my surgeon, which will take some time to figure out; then there's the fact that Covid is resurging (though still low in my state) and concerns about hospital stay during peak flu season and need to quarantine from my parents after. Then there's care for my special needs 6 year old- my parents are going to take him while I'm in hospital and for a few days after so I can rest initially, but I have further quarantine concerns regarding him too! (Me not being able to fully quarantine from him rather.) Then there's the fact that my nutritionist commented that since I've been losing about 7lbs. a month on my own, that I might lose too much to get approved by my insurance since my only comorbidity is sleep apnea- THAT really derailed my weight loss for the month, only 1lb. thus far and I weigh in on Tuesday. My BMI is still over 40, so I don't think I have to worry about that, but UGH! I've been talking to my therapist about my subconscious fear of success too. I'm just trying hard not to freak out and hope everything will work out ok.

If you only took a couple of weeks to recover from pneumonia then your body recuperates really well! It took me MONTHS to fully get over it each time I've had it. You can do this!

Click on the tab next to your icon, with your user name on it, then My Surgery, add you surgery info there, then on the left click on Progress to add/ adjust your weight etc. You can create tickers at the bottom of your posts by clicking on your user name tab again and going to My Tickers.

Enjoy!

One more for the Bariatric Advantage chewy bites. I like the strawberry ones and the pineapple-mango ones.

That sucks. Definitely call the lab.

Parkour, Cross-fit, chemo, bulimia, HIV, stomach cancer/ ulcers. The worse thing you tell them, the quicker they'll shut up about it.

I gave Sci-tec a try. It's the #1 brand in Europe and when I showed it to my nutritionist she was impressed and said it has some high-end ingredients. The chocolate tastes like diet chocolate milk. It's pretty good! It's hard to find in smaller amounts to try it, but I found it here.

https://www.iafstore.com/usa/scitec-nutrition/100-whey-protein-professional-codp40749

I found this, may be useful.

https://www.obesityaction.org/community/article-library/weight-loss-surgery-nutrition-and-hair-loss/

https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery-blog/2013/march/tips-for-minimizing-hair-loss-after-weight-loss-surgery

Pretty good! Saw my nutritionist, who's a real hoot! had a couple of walks around the block (which is all I can do yet.) Otherwise hiding in the AC as usual. Social distancing like a mofo! =D

Thank you- I sure hope so!

I just hit my doctor's pre-op weight loss goal! (3 months early!!!) I have a nutritionist appt./ weigh-in in an hour and I'm so excited- they should be giving me a tentative surgery date soon! Of course I still have to wait the 3 more months for them to put it through to my insurance, so hopefully surgery in December or January, but still! It'll be nice to have an actual target date.

Happy happy day!

I won’t miss going to the beach with my family and having to stay back about 300m from the Ocean while they play in the surf because I can’t walk that far. (Like today.) 😢

I watch "My 600lb Life" and that does it for me.

If you put some chia seeds in the Water, the water becomes more filling, plus you get a little Protein and omega-3s out of it. 😃

I haven't had my surgery yet, but from the few people I have told that I'm in the process of it, I can tell you what I have learned: people who do or have struggled with their weight are generally "safe" and supportive; people who have not, generally are not (save for my husband, thankfully!) Going forward, I'm only going to share this info with those whom I know will at least somewhat "get it." I don't need the negativity when this is already challenging enough. Once the weight is all gone, I'll be more open about it because nothing shuts naysayers up like results! It's nobody's business but your own. I'd just say that I've been working on it.

Hey there, what state are you in? I just panic-called my surgeon's office asking about this (I'm on Medicaid too) and they said all I needed to do was have 6 appointments with the nutritionist- I know requirements may vary state by state though. Have you called your surgeon's office to discuss your concerns yet?

Thank you, I really appreciate all of you folks. I feel very connected and supported on this journey thanks to the great people on this forum. ❤️

Your surgeon's office probably has a support system in place for you when you need it, if not, a therapist may be the way to go. The head game is real! I'm not looking forward to the liquid pre-op diet either, a lot of people say it's the hardest part of the process- so don't feel bad! Guilt doesn't serve anyone, just move on and do better. One day at a time as they say. You can do this!

Can you try substituting Beans or lentils for your current carbs? They are nutrient-rich slow-chain carbs. My dietician is cool with it for my program.

Try looking abroad. I've been doing a lot of homework on this and I found a name of a Dr. in a forum here from a couple of years ago, Dr. Kelvin Esubio in the Dominican Republic. I've been cyber stalking his IG and reviews for months and after I lose it all I'm def going to him! The lady on the forum said she got her skin removal and BBL done (possibly boobs too, idk) for around 6k, but you have to consider travel expenses etc. too.

https://www.instagram.com/kelvineusebiomd/?hl=en

He's certified by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery which you can read about here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Society_for_Aesthetic_Plastic_Surgery

Dunno how you feel about Medical Tourism, but it's worth considering IMO.

This thread brought me some comfort. Hope it helps.

I know at least a couple of people here take good ol Flintstones (with iron). Apparently, they are nutritionally pretty close to bariatric ones. Compare the stats and adjust accordingly? Good luck!

Yeah, I have an entire person's worth of weight to lose, that doesn't just bounce back. (I already have a PS surgeon in mind even!) I should have kept it to myself, but I like being open with people I'm close to and we used to be close and recently reconnected. Thanks for the support and letting me vent. ❤️