ginabee38

I don't know if certain brands are any better, but I LOVE the little 4oz containers of Breakstone's cottage cheese. The curd is small and it has a good taste, to me anyway. I dont put snything on it, but you can put some cinnamon and stevia (not truvia...look for Sweet Leaf or other pure stevia, not a mix). Another option is ricotta cheese, which is much smoother and lends itself well to sweet (cinnamon and stevia) and savory (anything...I go to Italian spices such as garlic and oregano). Good luck! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Alcohol should definitely not be in the pre-op diet. Alcohol is known to cause liver inflammation that lasts up to a couple of weeks. Wow...the inflammation can last a couple weeks? Good to know. I only drink occasionally, but I wilk do my best in the next month or so to stay away from alcohol to heal my liver. Waiting for insurance approval for 12/23 surgery date. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

How are you feeling 2 days out? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Best of luck to you! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Good luck tomorrow! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

When my mom mentioned my interest to my dad, he said "what's the point if she's going to gain it back?" My dad is a good guy, but can be a bit insensitive at times. My first response to hearing this was an open mouth and a sound of exasperation and surprise. As I though about it though, it occurred to me that if he had such a lack of faith that I would be able to KEEP it off, what makes him think that I would be able to LOSE the weight on my own in the first place?! This thought actually gives me a bit of power back. I think with a lot of hard work, this can work. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

It's so frustrating. Some of it, I feel, is based on the fact that they love and care for us. I think that's the first part, that you can do it yourself without surgery. I'm not sure what the second part is about. So far though, I have learned that it is crucial that we work on the emotional part of our journey, otherwise this "tool" that surgery gives us will be wasted. Maybe they don't want us going through surgery if they think we can't follow a diet plan...and believe me, part of me believes it to...part of me worries that the surgery will help me lose the weight, then I'll gain it again. It really is a mind game though, so if you're ready to make it happen, find a good therapist and/or support group and start your journey! We are here to help you and I'm glad to hear that your husband will be supportive of you and your choice. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

You look great! I love your boots in your post-op pic...very cool! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

I was hoping by some miracle that I would be able to jump through pre-op hoops to get approved for surgery quickly snd have it by the end of the summer, but it did not happen that way. I am now grateful that I had this time yo really get on track. I feel like my brain is starting to shift a bit as I've been really delving into WHY I do certain things. One big thing I have learned with regard to my bingeing. When I am gearing up to eat a lot, I noticed that I give myself a type of permission...oh, payday...what can I eat?! That means I can get Chinese food! (Then it occurred to me...do I even WANT Chinese food?...and I really didn't!) I went through a few other not so healthy foods (like McDonalds,Taco Bell and Sonic) and made the same assessment. I didn't actually WANT to taste these foods, but something in my brain was craving them and telling me to go for it. You got PAID! You can eat ANYTHING YOU WANT! I'm wondering if it comes from a type of scarcity conversation in my head (like a deep fear that there will not be enough for me) and I think it might. I remember as a young kid, 10 or so, and having to split a food with someone...I always wanted to make sure that the portions of both people were the same, or maybe that mine was a bit larger. I still find myself thinking this way, but sonetimes I can stop the inner 10-year old). So, last night, I made the initial choice of pizza (NY-style pizza slices) and I enjoyed my first slice...and I was full...I had the 2nd about an hour and a half later. I thought, as I drove home, "you can always get delivery later, if you want", but I actually forgot about it (last night, anyway). Sometimes I remind myself, "you can gave Chinese another day...no need to have everything today". For a time, though, I used to do that after almost every Weight Watcher's weigh-in...I would allow myself a smorgasboard/feast and get 3 different types of food (but not necessarily eat it all). How's that for disordered eating?! Anyway, I wanted to share that bit of awareness with you all. Anyone else have this type of awareness wash over them...like an epiphany? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

We are all human and we sometimes slip and make mistakes and have momentary lack of judgement. It seems that the pre-op liquid diet serves 2 major purposes: to shrink the liver and get your brain prepared to make safe, healthy choices for your body post-op. If you have a fatty liver like I do, it would probably be in your best interest to shrink it as much as possible before surgery. I have not yet started the pre-op liquid diet, but I'm working on dropping some weight now and modifying some bad habits. I think people get really crazy when you're post-op (and rightfully so) because "cheating" can seriously hurt yourself. Pre-op is quite a bit different. Life happens. My surgery is scheduled for December 23...I expect to have a challenging liquid pre-op, especially because of the timing near the holidays, but I need a good week or so to recover, so I'll just have to do my best. Hang in there. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for all your responses. I appreciate them all. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of issues did you have post-op? I'm especially worried because my surgery is December 23, so close to Christmas. I'm working on being positive, but sometimes it's hard. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for your response. The one word that jumped out at me was "longevity". It's the maintenance afterwards that's really tough. I think this surgery will help. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

As for the alcohol, it's important to cut it out as much as possible because the surgeon wants/needs you to shrink your liver. Not drinking will help you towards that goal. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Last week I went to my NUT and discovered that I lost about 5 lbs since August, and almost 10 since my first visit with Surgeon on June 8. I matter-of-factly shared this news with my mom. She said she has noticed I've been watching (what I eat). Although she doesn't really want me to get the surgery (VSG) she has been the most supportive in my immediate family. However, after I shared this news, she said something like "see, you don't really need it..." I was at a loss of what to say in the moment. I KNOW it will help me. I'm very worried about regain, but I think I will actually have a chance at really losing a significant amount of weight. Several years ago, I was able to lose 30# over the course of several months through walking, eating better and drinking a lot of green tea, in order to meet a weight requirement of 250# to go sky diving...and I did it! Unfortunately, it's something my mom likes to reference when trying to discourage me from the surgery and make me realize I can "do it on my own". Luckily, I think she knows that I'm pretty gung-ho about it. To me, this is my next "sky-dive" and it's going to happen (still waiting for insurance approval). Still, I'm frustrated on what to say in the moment when this conversation happens. Any ideas/thoughts? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Thank you..I been doing good besides a bite of mash potatoes it's not easy I dont get my Proteins im at all Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App Definitely work on the proteins. This is VERY IMPORTANT. You need to keep your muscles well fed and prevent loss of lean muscle mass, and I believe that adequate Protein helps with hair loss. Other people on here can probably support this. As I understand, PROTEIN and HYDRATION are the 2 most important things. If you're really struggling, call your doctor. Good luck! We're here if you need us! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Good luck on your journey! There are many helpful people on here. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for clarifying that. Yeah, ordering food and drinks for someone who can't and shouldn't eat many foods is definitely NOT respecting you. It's one thing to not agree with your friends about the surgery, but to blatantly show yhat lack of respect is unacceptable. I'm sorry to hear that you had to deal with that. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Gina. Thank you. Keep setting your goals and build your focus in the preop and postop. I've met so many who struggle after surgery because they were not mentally prepared to sacrifice. It's a change of lifestyle in the first year. Unfortunately I had to end a few friendships due to they didn't care about my surgery and continued to eat out and drink but that was not the way I wanted to continue. What are you stats and goals? Where in NYC ? I am gearing up forthe sacrifices. My mom was asking me last night about "all the little places I like to go" (I'm assuming she meant eating establishments)...I told her I am going to learn how to sacrifice them for awhile. I told her I probably won't be able to have pizza (or Pasta or rice) for about 6 months, or more, and even then, I expect to be full on half a slice or less. In the end, I just want to be able to eat like a person maintaining a normal, healthy weight. I know I'll need to seriously sacrifice foods, but ultimately I hope to learn some real moderation. So, I have some questions for you. What do you mean by the fact that they continued to eat out and drink? What type of change were you expecting them to make? Just curious. Did they not support you at all? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using BariatricPal mobile app

My sleeve is planned for December 23...hope I can be home with my family on Christmas eve (my surgeon said I would most likely be released on the 24). I'm still waiting for insurance approval. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Yes! It was great to meet you all! Also looking forward to another meet-up! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Hi! Running late! I'll be there soon! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Hi! Looking forward to meeting you all! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Fellow NYer here! It's great to hear stories of success like this. Great job! I can't even remember the last time I was on a bicycle...I would have to say it's one of my NSV goals. I'll be 42 this November, then surgery is planned for December. I'm looking forward to a healthier new me. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

I totally understand. I rushed to get pre-pre-op clearances this summer and I realize now that I was a bit delusional in thinking I would be able to get everything approved and done in time to have surgery to go back to school, between August 12 and September 1st. It didn't happen., and now I have to wait until my next school break. I'm still not even approved, but at least I finally have a surgery date (12/23). In the last few weeks, I have been noticing a shift in my thinking, so I'm feeling ok and possibly even thankful about the delay. Good luck with your process. Have faith things will work out for the better. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App