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Starting to set in... (Finally being real)



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Last diet visit: September 3rd.

Class: October 5th.

And then everything is being submitted.

I have united healthcare, and have heard the process moves quickly. But knowing me I will be calling... A LOT! I also know that there's not a weight requirement (restriction?) so I should be okay with that.

I started thinking about WLS a little over a year ago, but never followed through because my insurance didn't cover it. But to be at this point seems so surreal...

I'm 22 years old and weigh 400 pounds. I've never said that to anybody but close family before. I am a single mommy to 2 year old twin girls, who are absolutely positively my "Why". I've always and I mean ALWAYS been the "bigger girl" and would honestly attach myself to anybody who actually showed interest in me. When I was younger being bigger phased me, but eventually I got used to it, and continued to gain confidence in myself. Regardless of my weight, I was/am a good person.

But I'm finally going to gain control of my own life. I'm so so so excited. Bring on October, bring on this 3 week liquid diet! Bring it on. Because nothing... And I mean NOTHING will hold me back from my future any longer!

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Good luck to you! As most of us, you have found your ultimate motivator. ... your beautiful twin daughters. You will do well! Stay uplifted and follow the program.

I too have united healthcare in georgia. I am in the middle of a 6 month supervised diet program with anticipated surgery November 22 (week of thanksgiving. .. I purposefully planned it that way. )

Keep us posted.

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Good luck on your upcoming surgery. I recommend you do three things.

1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.

2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.

3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery.

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I was 23 and 402 pounds when I started the bariatric program at my hospital, and 450 at my highest when I was 22. I'm now 209, and I will be one year post op in three days. That's going to be you soon! So excited for you! :D I never believed it was possible to be here, yet here I am and still losing, slowly but surely...

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Thank you for this post. Your attitude is truly inspiring.

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That is the way to think don't let nothing or nobody stand in ur way I started my program four months ago I'm hoping to have my surgery in October and I'm 270 lbs and a single mom of three and I wanna be able to do more with them. I have fibromyalgia and the weight just in not helping I wanna be able to do more with my kids. I wanna feel like I have energy. So I'm right with you keep up the positive thinking and wish u all the best!!!

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Congratulations on your decision,start your limited diet as soon as you can. My Dr. Start me 3 month's before my surgery, 2 Protein shakes a day no more then 1200 calories a day. Do your research and find what works best for you ,I'm 5 days post op and I'm 40 lbs down from my first Appointment back in May create good habits because it's so easy to sabotage yourself. Good luck in your journey????????????????

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Best wishes to you. What a wonderful role model you are for your daughters.

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Great attitude, you will do well. I want to see your before and after pics next Oct and I would love to follow your journey.

I'm 13 weeks post-op, and down 42lbs. since surgery! That might be slower than some but I am completely happy with it.

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Thank you all so much! I'm super nervous, and can't help but think about what will change but I'm ready! I want my life back.

Is it "back" when you never knew what life was like before being heavy. The lady time I was a normal weight I was 6.

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Congratulations I would suggest if the Dr. Hasn't put you on a diet now. Start a liquid diet asap. Or incorporate shakes now so that it will be easy for you after surgery. I started replacing one meal for a Protein shake for two weeks then 2 shakes and one small meal until mt surgery. Now Protein drinks are very easy for me to take.

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Congratulations I would suggest if the Dr. Hasn't put you on a diet now. Start a liquid diet asap. Or incorporate shakes now so that it will be easy for you after surgery. I started replacing one meal for a Protein shake for two weeks then 2 shakes and one small meal until mt surgery. Now Protein drinks are very easy for me to take.

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My surgeon doesn't like Protein Shakes after surgery and I'm only going to be on liquids for 2 days after surgery before moving on to purees.

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Then start with liquids but start now. And be sure to get your Protein intake. It's the Protein powder people have a hard with. So start early. I'm use to adding Protein Powder to Water because I started before surgery.

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