voiceomt2002

I had so many problems with both stress eating and the holiday food, we took drastic action and divided the foods. We have two refrigerators and two pantries, so we put everything I could have in the refrigerator and pantry closest to my home office and locked everything I can't have in the others. My DH and roomie have the keys to the locks, but I don't. It worked very well! The guys can get to the carbs they need for their physically demanding jobs, and I can't get my greedy paws on the holiday treats. Admittedly, it's close to hell on earth to watch them devour the foods I can't have, but when I can't take it anymore I go for a walk or at least leave the room. :tongue_smilie: It's not a perfect solution, but it worked for us. Lena

I already packed up my Gas-x, lip balm, one comfy "easy access" gown, those oh-so-glamorous slipper socks:wink2:, and a small pillow. Because I have severe sleep apnea and I take blood thinners, the hospital insists on keeping me overnight. They did apologize for my inconvenience. LOL! Today is the day I stop taking my Warfarin. I've been on the first phase of the pre-op diet since Friday, and while it's not easy, it does ease me into the final liquid phase starting Wednesday. Yes, I'm hungry and somewhat uncomfortable, but the tiny increments of discomfort now will mean less problems on those final two days instead of total starvation. (wry smile) For me, the true discomfort begins on Wednesday morning. That's when I have the first of at least two Lovonox injections (and one Heparin the day of surgery). I'm needle phobic, so my husband has graciously volunteered to jab me. I'm more worried about those injections than the pre-op diet, to be honest. Has anyone else been using SavingDinner.com to get the low-carb menus and grocery lists? They've been very helpful and I'll miss the delicious foods while my body recovers. Even my picky DH likes most of the recipes. Lena

This morning I found myself pondering yesterday's diet sabotage attempt. A dear friend of the family brought over a gift of coffee and homemade cookies, totally spacing that I'm having weight loss surgery and am on a very restricted diet. Bless her, she meant well. As soon as she left, I handed the cookies to my husband and brother with orders to gorge themselves and then hide the rest. Since the bag is no longer in evidence to tempt me, I'll assume they followed instructions. Today I'm re-thinking the holiday traditions of hostess gifts and holiday traditions. Why can't I give candles, coffee, and useful things instead of contributing to the obesity of my friends and family with carbs? What I bring to share in a celebration doesn't have to be a consumable, carb-laden food item. Why not give something that sticks around to remind the recipient of our wonderful times together? For instance, a friend of mine loves and admires the permanent gift tags I made with polymer clay and cookie cutters. She wants a set for her family so badly, she's practically salivating. They take maybe an hour to make, tops. Why can't I make her a set? I sew little gifts like wallets, purses, and teddy bears all the time. Why can't I make some to keep around for quick little hostess gifts? Even when I do feel obligated to bring a food item, I'm sure I can be more creative than mere cookies. Hmm. How about an apothecary jar filled with decaf instant tea flavored with Crystal Light? Today, I'm hitting my hobby corner. I'm going to make a few hostess gifts in advance, because it's time for new traditions. Next year, I will serve low-carb healthy feasts and give better gifts. Lena:thumbup:

This morning I found myself pondering yesterday's diet sabotage attempt. A dear friend of the family brought over a gift of coffee and homemade cookies, totally spacing that I'm having weight loss surgery and am on a very restricted diet. Bless her, she meant well. As soon as she left, I handed the cookies to my husband and brother with orders to gorge themselves and then hide the rest. Since the bag is no longer in evidence to tempt me, I'll assume they followed instructions. Today I'm re-thinking the holiday traditions of hostess gifts and holiday traditions. Why can't I give candles, coffee, and useful things instead of contributing to the obesity of my friends and family with carbs? What I bring to share in a celebration doesn't have to be a consumable, carb-laden food item. Why not give something that sticks around to remind the recipient of our wonderful times together? For instance, a friend of mine loves and admires the permanent gift tags I made with polymer clay and cookie cutters. She wants a set for her family so badly, she's practically salivating. They take maybe an hour to make, tops. Why can't I make her a set? I sew little gifts like wallets, purses, and teddy bears all the time. Why can't I make some to keep around for quick little hostess gifts? Even when I do feel obligated to bring a food item, I'm sure I can be more creative than mere cookies. Hmm. How about an apothecary jar filled with decaf instant tea flavored with Crystal Light? Today, I'm hitting my hobby corner. I'm going to make a few hostess gifts in advance, because it's time for new traditions. Next year, I will serve low-carb healthy feasts and give better gifts. Lena:thumbup:

You go, Camel! A friend of the family brought over homemade Cookies along with her holiday gift of coffee. I thanked her and waited until she left before handing the entire bag to my husband and brother. "Gorge yourselves and hide the rest." I suffered while they stuffed themselves silly, but the bag is nowhere in sight today. The coffee is delicious. I know our friend meant well. I've come to realize how much of our society is geared to make friends and family diet saboteurs. A hostess gift is often food or wine, any celebration involves rich foods, and of course to show love involves high carbs. There's something wrong with this picture. We are not our ancestors, where food shortages were common. Maybe I need to rethink our traditions. I'm a writer. Hmm. I sense a story coming on. LOL!

Thanks, Ann. I have to admit I breathed a sigh of relief now that the major holiday celebrations are gone for another year, just in time for me to start the one-week diet the doc wants. I keep chanting to myself, "One week. One week." Lena

Thanks for the kind words, Camel Cracker. I did manage to survive with only minor lapses, and recorded an official weight loss of eleven pounds when I reported to the surgeon for my pre-op appointment. Not too shabby at this time of year. Eating beforehand helped a great deal. I wasn't starving by the time food was served, nor was I overwhelmingly tempted by the appetizers. Yes, I must be insane to try to follow the low-carb pre-surgical diet at this time of year, but I'm managing to not screw up too badly. I admit my lapses and get back on the wagon as soon as I can. Next Frieday, my wait is over hopefully. Lena

I'm the only one in my household who *must* low-carb my diet until my surgery on January 2. While most of my family has been reasonably supportive, I'm finding the temptations to cheat getting worse with each passing day. Last night was the big dinner with the family. After my many attempts to explain how I must stay below 1400 calories and 30g of carbs, my stepmother still brought out biscuits and sweet potatoes and insisted on giving me a heaping plate of banana pudding. (Fortunately, I'd brought the banana pudding, and it was made with Splenda, diet pudding, and all the f/f or low-carb ingredients I could. The bananas were the only unaltered ingredient.) My father adores banana pudding, so that was my gift to him. Y'all would be proud of me. I took a polite couple of bites of the sweet potato, tasted a thumbfull of the biscuit, and gave half my banana pudding to my husband. But, oh, it was soooo hard! "Want" doesn't begin to cover how much I wanted to pig out on the holiday feast. What are your survival strategies? Lena

Yes, my PCP was on board from the very beginning with the idea. She practically shoved me toward her referral clerk! LOL! No, she's not on base. She's on the economy, but less than a few miles from NAS JAX. In fact, Dr. Baptista the surgeon is much farther away, practically across town from me. I don't mind the drive, really, and I am thoroughly impressed with the hospital where I'll have the procedure. I'd never seen a hospital with valet parking, but I'm a spoiled gal now! The outpatient surgery processing area is not far from the main entrance, not around back like you're a red-haired stepchild. Tricare has been very efficient through the whole process. They don't ask for six months of doctor-supervised dieting like some insurance providers. Dr. Baptista's office works hand-in-hand with certain labs so everything is done very smoothly.

Yes, Julie. I'm in Jacksonville. I will say I like Dr. Baptista a bit more.

Wow, I guess I've been working pretty hard. I've not been here for a whole month? My appointment is tomorrow to see the doc. I could say something snarky, like "I wonder what he looks like." It wouldn't be true. I met him once a few months ago for about fifteen minutes. Maybe he'll get off the cell phone and actually talk to me this time. If not, I really don't care. I have a few questions and suggestions based on what the anesthesiology department of the hospital recommended. For instance, because I'm a "hard stick" (read that as nearly impossible to start an IV by most supposedly normal hospital employees, and definitely impossible by the lab rats) they recommend I get a PIC line. Hey, anything to avoid breaking the current record of 21 sticks to get an IV started. :biggrin: I have them all written down in my ring binder, ready for tomorrow. I just want to scream, "Get it over with, willya? This diet of 30g of carbs and only 1400 calories max is trying my patience and my marriage." Besides, trying to do this liver reduction diet during the holidays would try the willpower of saints, and honey, a saint I ain't. Lena

Wow, I guess I've been working pretty hard. I've not been here for a whole month? My appointment is tomorrow to see the doc. I could say something snarky, like "I wonder what he looks like." It wouldn't be true. I met him once a few months ago for about fifteen minutes. Maybe he'll get off the cell phone and actually talk to me this time. If not, I really don't care. I have a few questions and suggestions based on what the anesthesiology department of the hospital recommended. For instance, because I'm a "hard stick" (read that as nearly impossible to start an IV by most supposedly normal hospital employees, and definitely impossible by the lab rats) they recommend I get a PIC line. Hey, anything to avoid breaking the current record of 21 sticks to get an IV started. I have them all written down in my ring binder, ready for tomorrow. I just want to scream, "Get it over with, willya? This diet of 30g of carbs and only 1400 calories max is trying my patience and my marriage." Besides, trying to do this liver reduction diet during the holidays would try the willpower of saints, and honey, a saint I ain't. Lena

I'm getting banded January 2 here in Jacksonville, FL. Dr. Baptista will do the honors. Lena

Hi! I got approval two weeks ago after starting the whole process waaay back this past summer, but I ascribe most of that delay to the sheer volume of folks now getting the lap band. My surgery is January 2. Tomorrow I see the doctor

Just how much humiliation am I supposed to take? Today was a group session at the surgeon’s. You know what I learned? What an ass one of the surgeons is. That’s it. After the weigh in, in which I gained a whole half-pound, we had the usual and repetitive lecture on how important it is we shrink our livers. I was feeling pretty good about my weight, actually. I’d had a full bladder and heavy winter clothing on, but the scale said only half a pound. I could live with that. I knew also I’d had a few too many macadamia nuts over the past few days and vowed to cut them out. Finally, the surgeon appeared. He was as handsome as rumor had claimed. I had a hard time understanding his accent, since he was from South Africa. The Afrikaners I’ve known can seem to mumble a bit to our American ears. I’d had an Afrikaner teacher back in real estate school and I’d adored him, so I was prepared to like the surgeon, Dr. Cywes. How wrong I was. After introducing himself and matching faces to files, he immediately turned to me and asked me if I felt my life was busy. I warily answered, “Yes.” Then, without warning, he launched into what I can only call an attack, using me as the proverbial bad example of a patient who wasn’t on board with the program, addicted to carbs, and out of control. I was shocked and humiliated. I protested that I’d only gained half a pound. He thrust his finger at another member of the group. “She lost ten pounds.” He then went on with his lecture, now pointing out how I was defending myself and in total denial of my actions. For the next hour, I swallowed tears and humiliation while he pontificated as if he knew me, accusing me of eating all sorts of carbs, ignoring the diet, and –the crowning touch—comparing me to a drug addict in need of a twelve-step program. I was never so grateful when he finally ended his speech and swept out of the room like he could barely stand to be around us a moment longer. Baby, the feeling was mutual. Worse, I found out one of the other women in the room had gained a pound and a half. I can only surmise that my file was on top and therefore most convenient. All I can say right now is that I will make a special request that the other doctor is my surgeon. I barely responded when another one of his staff came in and told me my paperwork was complete and the packet would be on its way to Tricare tomorrow. She informed the whole group that surgical dates are now being filled for January, so we can plan for late January or perhaps early February. Lovely. Somehow, we must all remain on the liver reduction, low-carb diet through the entire holiday season. Are they insane? Why don’t I just move to a nice deserted island until January 1?

Just how much humiliation am I supposed to take? Today was a group session at the surgeon’s. You know what I learned? What an ass one of the surgeons is. That’s it. After the weigh in, in which I gained a whole half-pound, we had the usual and repetitive lecture on how important it is we shrink our livers. I was feeling pretty good about my weight, actually. I’d had a full bladder and heavy winter clothing on, but the scale said only half a pound. I could live with that. I knew also I’d had a few too many macadamia nuts over the past few days and vowed to cut them out. Finally, the surgeon appeared. He was as handsome as rumor had claimed. I had a hard time understanding his accent, since he was from South Africa. The Afrikaners I’ve known can seem to mumble a bit to our American ears. I’d had an Afrikaner teacher back in real estate school and I’d adored him, so I was prepared to like the surgeon, Dr. Cywes. How wrong I was. After introducing himself and matching faces to files, he immediately turned to me and asked me if I felt my life was busy. I warily answered, “Yes.” Then, without warning, he launched into what I can only call an attack, using me as the proverbial bad example of a patient who wasn’t on board with the program, addicted to carbs, and out of control. I was shocked and humiliated. I protested that I’d only gained half a pound. He thrust his finger at another member of the group. “She lost ten pounds.” He then went on with his lecture, now pointing out how I was defending myself and in total denial of my actions. For the next hour, I swallowed tears and humiliation while he pontificated as if he knew me, accusing me of eating all sorts of carbs, ignoring the diet, and –the crowning touch—comparing me to a drug addict in need of a twelve-step program. I was never so grateful when he finally ended his speech and swept out of the room like he could barely stand to be around us a moment longer. Baby, the feeling was mutual. Worse, I found out one of the other women in the room had gained a pound and a half. I can only surmise that my file was on top and therefore most convenient. All I can say right now is that I will make a special request that the other doctor is my surgeon. I barely responded when another one of his staff came in and told me my paperwork was complete and the packet would be on its way to Tricare tomorrow. She informed the whole group that surgical dates are now being filled for January, so we can plan for late January or perhaps early February. Lovely. Somehow, we must all remain on the liver reduction, low-carb diet through the entire holiday season. Are they insane? Why don’t I just move to a nice deserted island until January 1?

Victory shall be mine! I’m doing the happy dance! :cool: After weeks of no weight loss results because my willpower was weaker than a kitten, I finally had a temper tantrum. I was tired of being sabotaged by my darlings, who do not have to watch their carbs. While Randy is thin as a rake and Dante not so thin, both have the right to eat as they please. Before my tantrum, they’d eat their carb-loaded goodies right in front of me, leave the food out where I had to look at it, desire it, and eventually snitch some of it. Worse, they’d actually encourage me to cheat by offering to share or whining when I made healthy meals. I absolutely must shrink my liver. If I don’t shrink the liver, the surgery must be cancelled. Therefore, it’s imperative that my weak willpower must be shored up with something. Finally, I had a breakthrough and a tantrum. After I “explained” to Randy how he and Dante were unconsciously sabotaging my diet, he worked with me to create “contraband storage.” The gray pantry and the big black refrigerator out in the Florida Room now have sturdy locks on them, and that’s where all the contraband goes. What I can have now stays conveniently in the pantry and fridge here in the house, where I can make the easier choice to eat healthy while not denying the boys their right to the snacks they want. It seems to be working! For the past two days, when I got hungry I went to the pantry and saw only what I was allowed to have. My choices were simplified with no temptations to make me stray. Then yesterday I stepped on the scale at my doctor’s office. I’ve lost FIVE pounds! Okay, so it’s not the 8-10 pounds a month I could lose. I’m happy. Any weight loss counts as liver shrinkage. Next week is the second of the three doctor visits allowed by my insurance. After I “see” (hah!) him in a group session, the next time must be my pre-op. Am I finished jumping through hoops? No. I’m not that stupid.

Victory shall be mine! I’m doing the happy dance! After weeks of no weight loss results because my willpower was weaker than a kitten, I finally had a temper tantrum. I was tired of being sabotaged by my darlings, who do not have to watch their carbs. While Randy is thin as a rake and Dante not so thin, both have the right to eat as they please. Before my tantrum, they’d eat their carb-loaded goodies right in front of me, leave the food out where I had to look at it, desire it, and eventually snitch some of it. Worse, they’d actually encourage me to cheat by offering to share or whining when I made healthy meals. I absolutely must shrink my liver. If I don’t shrink the liver, the surgery must be cancelled. Therefore, it’s imperative that my weak willpower must be shored up with something. Finally, I had a breakthrough and a tantrum. After I “explained” to Randy how he and Dante were unconsciously sabotaging my diet, he worked with me to create “contraband storage.” The gray pantry and the big black refrigerator out in the Florida Room now have sturdy locks on them, and that’s where all the contraband goes. What I can have now stays conveniently in the pantry and fridge here in the house, where I can make the easier choice to eat healthy while not denying the boys their right to the snacks they want. It seems to be working! For the past two days, when I got hungry I went to the pantry and saw only what I was allowed to have. My choices were simplified with no temptations to make me stray. Then yesterday I stepped on the scale at my doctor’s office. I’ve lost FIVE pounds! Okay, so it’s not the 8-10 pounds a month I could lose. I’m happy. Any weight loss counts as liver shrinkage. Next week is the second of the three doctor visits allowed by my insurance. After I “see” (hah!) him in a group session, the next time must be my pre-op. Am I finished jumping through hoops? No. I’m not that stupid.

I've been ready to beat my head against the wall for days now, trying to maintain any semblance of willpower to stay on a 30g/day of carb diet. They say stress is the divided state of mind when your good sense overrides the overwhelming urge to choke the living crap out of someone who richly deserves it. Yeah, I feel like that right now. I want to grab up the dietician and scream, "Look, Skinny Minnie! If I had this much willpower, I wouldn't be having lap band surgery, now would I?" :cool: I saw the dietician on October 17, a little less than a month ago. I do great all week, staying on the 30g a day or less. Then the weekend comes. My DH and brother come barrelling through the door on Thursday night with the full intention of relaxing and making pigs of themselves with every kind of contraband snack food you can imagine. Now, my DH is thin. My brother Dante is as overweight as I am, I think. Believe it or not, they both have a job at the same factory. Just goes to show what a difference genetics can make. Anyway, after today, maybe things can be different. My DH has helped me install a locking hasp on the outside pantry and a bike lock on the outside refrigerator. I've removed all the contraband shelf stable foods to the locked pantry. All that's left in the kitchen pantry are foods I can have or things I won't eat willingly. Later I will do the same with the kitchen refrigerator, removing all those perishable things I'm not supposed to have. I've made a list of those things I can have if I'm to shrink my liver successfully. No, I don't have to be this meticulous right now. According to the dietician, the 30g/day becomes important 7-10 days before surgery, then I'll be on a liquid diet 2 days before surgery. (Lovely. Right around the holidays? Am I nuts?) Still, I'm going to give it the best try I can. I want this liver the size of a pea, if I can.

I've been ready to beat my head against the wall for days now, trying to maintain any semblance of willpower to stay on a 30g/day of carb diet. They say stress is the divided state of mind when your good sense overrides the overwhelming urge to choke the living crap out of someone who richly deserves it. Yeah, I feel like that right now. I want to grab up the dietician and scream, "Look, Skinny Minnie! If I had this much willpower, I wouldn't be having lap band surgery, now would I?" I saw the dietician on October 17, a little less than a month ago. I do great all week, staying on the 30g a day or less. Then the weekend comes. My DH and brother come barrelling through the door on Thursday night with the full intention of relaxing and making pigs of themselves with every kind of contraband snack food you can imagine. Now, my DH is thin. My brother Dante is as overweight as I am, I think. Believe it or not, they both have a job at the same factory. Just goes to show what a difference genetics can make. Anyway, after today, maybe things can be different. My DH has helped me install a locking hasp on the outside pantry and a bike lock on the outside refrigerator. I've removed all the contraband shelf stable foods to the locked pantry. All that's left in the kitchen pantry are foods I can have or things I won't eat willingly. Later I will do the same with the kitchen refrigerator, removing all those perishable things I'm not supposed to have. I've made a list of those things I can have if I'm to shrink my liver successfully. No, I don't have to be this meticulous right now. According to the dietician, the 30g/day becomes important 7-10 days before surgery, then I'll be on a liquid diet 2 days before surgery. (Lovely. Right around the holidays? Am I nuts?) Still, I'm going to give it the best try I can. I want this liver the size of a pea, if I can.

Thanks, Hersheybar. Makes me feel better to know someone understands. DH insisted on going with me to buy the locking hasp for the pantry, and even figured out a way to use an old bike lock we had laying around to lock the spare fridge. (Sigh of relief) I feel so much better knowing the evil carbs are locked out of reach. However, I didn't want to listen to DH gripe so I'll wait until tomorrow to go buy the shakes, broth, Jello, yogurt, and other items. You'd think he had to starve to listen to him fuss, all because he's got to store his Cookies under lock and key. (Rubbing thumb and forefinger together to simulate playing world's smallest violin.)

Yes, it's a modified Atkins. However, understanding the restrictions and being able to live them by myself has proven difficult. None of the other members of my household are willing to give up that many carbs. Because they want the cakes, chips, rice, and potatoes I'm not supposed to have, they're sabotaging my chances despite their promises to "provide support in every way possible." I finally became desperate as of yesterday when my husband came home sick from work and my first thoughts were, "Oh, darn! How will he sabotage my diet now?" (He didn't.) We talked and worked out a compromise that might actually have an effect. Soon as I get off work, I'm going to rearrange the pantries so that the one outside can be locked. All the "contraband" they want can be stored out there, out of my sight and reach with a lock and key. I'll even install a lock on the spare refrigerator and put any perishable contraband out there. I'll put all the things I can have or don't tempt me here in the convenient pantry and fridge in the kitchen. I've already weaned myself off caffeine, sodas, and most breads. Doggone it, I've sacrificed too much this year to give up now. If it takes drastic measures like locked pantries, then that's what it takes.

Hi Merrid, I'm at the same place you are, waiting for the final approval. I'm having a band because that's all my insurance will pay for too. I'm taking reams of notes right now about the liquid pre-op diet, what to pack for the surgery itself, and questions for the doc like, "Will I need to bring my CPAP machine to the hospital?" Lena

I think I'm going to fail on this diet thing. The dietician put me on a 20 carb a day max diet, and I fail every weekend to stay on it. Saturday and Sunday when my family is home, they're eating "normal" foods and it's right there in front of me. So, I grab. I'm terrified to step on the scales at the doctor's office next week. I don't think I've lost a pound. In fact, I may have gained. How will I lose weight through the holidays? Was I insane to try hard-core dieting at this time of year? Lena

I'd love to go to a conference, but I'll wait for one closer. Also, more warning would be a good thing. In these hard economic times, spending several hundred dollars or more requires saving up. Other conferences give up to a year or more notice so if one appears on the schedule that is conveniently --or enticingly-- placed, attendees can start putting money aside.