KimA-GA

just another update… down to 374.4! thats 65 lbs this year so far! it’s been several years since i have seen my weight under 390!! Been doing some really hard emotional work and am pretty used to the keto… think that combo is bringing success

If you believe surgery is not a good fit, You are right (because you know you best). It’s a huge change in your diet that you must maintain for the rest of your life after a major surgery with a very mindful recovery process. the idea of injections (i don’t have any conditions that require that) and compression socks don’t bother me like the liquid diets and recovery process… it’s a big, life altering commitment. but all that doesn’t scare me half as much as what being overweight is doing and will continue to do if i don’t shed a massive amount of weight .. Best of luck trying to find a new way of eating and exercise that will give you the life you want to live! I hope you quickly find something effective for you.

people with the dental issues seem to be either people with issues related to vomiting or reflux after surgery or those who have poor dental hygiene to begin with. there are interventions and remedies that dentists can do to help with the acidic issues if you discuss it. I have a life long issue with acidic conditions in my mouth and use a Toms of Maine toothpaste rapid sensitive relief toothpaste that has l-argine in it. it changes the ph conditions of your moth to help protect against dental erosion. i went from many cavities to it being rare! (i used to have to import another brand from canada… believe this is still the only brand that uses this chemical formula in usa)

@Starwarsandcupcakes and @SpartanMaker are spot on. talk to your dr and be honest and open to avoid potentially serious complications.

do you think that you may not qualify because you haven’t lost weight? do not worry about that. it’s more of a formality that insurance companies put out there. I guess the thought is that overweight people have never tried to loose weight so they should try once before surgery lol have you consulted with a nutritionalist yet? that can help you prepare for the bariatric journey even if it’s not required. do you have an app or journal where you track off of your food intake? for me, this was important to gauge what i was eating and where i needed to adjust. i currently am doing a pre op keto diet and use “Carb Master” to look at all of my nutritional macros (protein/fat/carbs/calories). it helped me actually shed some weight before going down to keto low carb levels (and been fantastic since hitting that level) i will say that it is important to understand your nutritional habits and change unhealthy ones if possible before surgery to avoid issues. knowledge of self is true power in this situation! have you completed the other insurance requirements or still working on them?

make a list to ask the dr. each surgeon is different with their pre and post diets, time off work and other requirements. complications do happen with any surgery from time to time, but from my research, gastric sleeve has a relatively low complication rates overall. if you can listen to the dr and follow the instructions you should do well.

loosing inches is great!! are you doing strength training to tone up?

worry is completely natural. talk to the doctor openly and honestly about your concerns, issues and fears. A good surgeon should have answers and make you more comfortable with your decision. You CAN do this. You CAN improve your life and have a new and exciting chapter. message me anytime make a list of what you want from life. see how many of them surgery will help you achieve. The liver shrinking diet that i was given is not as bad as I thought (Dr plans vary!) and am already doing it without an exact surgery date. I am not on liquids but low carb (keto) which is doable for the short term. come here for support, ask questions or release your fears. we want tos we you live your best life!

I am pre op but have lost over 60 lbs already. I was expecting to loose some face fat by now but pictures really haven’t shown a difference… however over the last year i have lost about 8” around my midsection and 2” on my chest and about 1/2” each of my thighs… where did you “loose first”? when did you start loosing the face fat/reduced chin and neck??

i am pre op but have made major dietary changes this year. tbh 80% of my cravings for sugary and carbs have already disappeared with the changes i have made. once i made the choice to reduce my consumption to “sparingly” on fast food, sugary items and now carbs, (begrudgingly due to upcoming pre op diet) and went through an adjustment period, the cravings majorly reduced. now the specific cravings are few and far between. also, i worked on WHY I used those items as an emotional crutch to get me through some challenging times. that made a huge difference. another big change is when I feel a craving, i can tell if it’s emotional or physical. emotional can be soothed by working on the emotional issue causing the craving; physical can often be satisfied with a very small portion of the food desired. it has been a freeing experience that was worth the extremely hard work and tears to get to this point. (lost 40 lbs since the end of April.. 56 this year) Journaling has been my best tool. There are other tools like meditation, therapy, channeling energy into a hobby etc that can help too. Remember this process is truly changing your life!! The more you look at all of your life’s patterns and seek out the healthy path, the better off you will be.

Since your surgery…. what’s been your biggest change? what was the biggest surprise? biggest challenge? biggest personal victory?

You look fantastic!!! Keep up the amazing work. what’s been your biggest change? biggest challenge? biggest personal victory? over the last year….

people have a hard time with change and some need time and patience to adapt, but the trick is not allowing destructive behaviors to take root or at least make sure they are discussed. i really fear some of your situation for me. think i already am experiencing some of it. it is hard to both be sympathetic to someone who needs time to adjust and protect myself from harmful behaviors. its a personal balancing act that i hope you find the right path for so you can enjoy this exciting new chapter of your life to the fullest. (and me too;) )

wow, name calling. thank you for showing who you are. it is showing how helpful you are!

life tip, Tek: if i you you ever have to put the words “i don’t intend offense” it means you do intend offense and don’t care how nasty and judgemental you are to another human being. and of course, I don’t intend offense by that

Wanted to recommend a product! i ordered some Millie’s Sipping broth and they are fantastic. Really lovely savory flavors while being low carb, low calories. These will be a great addition when I am in the liquid phase. i got four packets with three broth bags each - Tomato Basil, Spicy Tortilla, Thai Lemongrass, and Delight Pho The flavors really hit that mental satisfaction for food with me. Comfort in a cup!

totally get this fear… lots of alcoholism in my family. i have always been cautious with alcohol because of that but realized and that my weight came from using food to mask sadness, depression and anxiety… just another addiction! so important to do the emotional work. half the battle is acknowledging it… great for you in getting a therapist to help you work it out.

you guys have good… attributes

I understand where you are coming from and see issues like that for me coming up…. Unfortunately he isn’t changing but I am. I have been married for 22 years so it’s not a relationship i want to flush down the drain, but I have to start to prioritize myself over everyone else. He too likes the way things are and is trying hard to avoid change. it has been too much hard work to change myself for the better and loose the weight i have to go back to the destructive patterns of the last 21 years….. I am giving him a little more time to adjust but also letting him know that I need emotional support and help around the house too and if he is not willing to change for me, I wish him well on his solitary path. It’s hard when partners are out of sync; even worse when one refuses to adjust for the other … I hope he can change for you.

oh, one more piece of advice… start looking at your before with eyes on forgiveness. disordered eating usually stems from self protection or other personal reasons that got you through life. forgive yourself and set new patterns. it is easy to get upset by past actions.. but they are just that, in the past! forgive and forge a new path. and forgiveness is hard, especially at first…

it is so difficult!!! i have only got fast food once in the past month! huge achievement and change for me … you can do it too!!! packets of tuna and cut up cheese along with apples and peanut butter were my staples that kept me from getting those 1000++ calorie fast food meals

sounds like you are doing fantastic and all of your family is doing well! remember the scale is just a number - it more depends on how you feel and it sounds like you feel great!

great attitude!! that will get you far

I live in Middle Georgia. Grew up in Central Mass

for me after i stopped eating sweet stuff for a while, my desires decreased massively and found that very small bits satisfy the way large portions didn’t. monkfruit with erythritol or just straight erythritol seems to work well as a sweetener to me now - i can’t stand splenda or aspartame or saccharine… keep trying to find what works for you… but give plenty of time to kinda detox and make a new start with sweets