Went to the Seminar Today

[Christie13]

Before you know it that will be a distant memory!!

[Ann2]

You will not be able to BELIEVE how much easier everything in life is when you weigh 100 pounds less.

I'm 100 pounds lighter now. And I STILL find it hard to believe how I managed to survive three years ago with all that weight pressing down on my whole body.

Obesity SUCKS!

[sraebaer]

The surgeon had a slideshow/power point going at the seminar yesterday and some of his patients were shown, before and after surgery. So many had lost a LOT of weight: 120 lbs; 150 lbs; 160 lbs. And he stressed that THESE people not only ate what was recommended for their new eating habits, but they all went to a gym or worked out faithfully for 5 days a week. And kept it off years after the surgery. I know it's going to be a challenge to get back into exercising daily, but I know it will be easier, without all this extra weight clinging to me like grim death.

Exercise will become a habit and you will love it! You will love how you feel and how you look. It will help you lose your weight, and more importantly keep it off. Your surgeon was right, I don't think I would have had the success I have had without exercise. (Today we had a bad ice storm and I'm bummed being stuck in the house!!) I always recommend walking for getting started, easy to start slow/short distances and work up to faster/longer distances.

[DesertGal]

I live in Las Vegas where it is usually pretty good temperature wise November - May, so I plan to walk, walk, walk (after surgery) before the heat turns on and it's like we're living in Hell! For now, I love the Zumba Fitness DVD's and will do that for the time being. I burn so much more calories in 20 minutes of doing that compared to when I walk for 30 minutes.

Oh, and I see the surgeon tomorrow for my first appointment. I have ALL the papers filled out and he had said at the seminar to please include an all-about-me type of information so he can get to know the patient as it will help him turn in his paperwork to the insurance company. Excited!

[Pattimelt]

Pattimelt, I JUST finished my 20 minutes of Zumba a half hour ago! I am so out of shape and can only handle 20 minutes of it for now, but a week ago I was at 10 minutes. (It really is excellent cardio, and that's what the nutritionist said to do daily- cardio.) When I am finished dancing around my living room, and panting like an Olympian athlete whose just ran a mile in a matter of minutes (but look nothing like one ), I think back to when I could do a full hour and still walk out of the gym in one piece, not wishing for a comet to hit me! Maybe by the end of next summer I can do 40 minutes and look much better at it. My husband stays in the family room but can hear me while I am working my heart out.

I'm SO proud of you Lori for doing Zumba and sticking to your difficult diet! You rock! I have Zumba Gold at home (easier, for older peeps) and I've never even done it. I'm so looking forward to being able to exercise again without feeling like a sloth. You inspire me!

[DesertGal]

I've been sloth like for TOO long and I've had it. I may look like a water buffalo while doing the salsa for now, but it will only get better. I want to enter my 60s feeling GOOD.

I have a 4 disc Zumba fitness and am hanging onto the second disc for now. I'll work up to the next one eventually!!

[ghost_ryder]

DesrtGal, one unexpected thing I have had happen since surgery for me-I am always feeling colder than I used to feel. I wear gloves now during the winter. I never wore them before unless I was outside for an extended time-like shoveling snow. And this year, I have used the seat heaters in my car for the first time EVER. You may find the summer is not as oppressive as you do now. And sweating feels good while exercising so the heat may be a welcome addition. Exercise can be really addictive, I go to the gym everyday after work to wind down from the work day and it feels good to do something I could not do last week.

[Pattimelt]

You're so funny, Lori! How did the appointment with the surgeon go today? I hope it went well and you made some more progress in getting your sleeve scheduled. Did you like your surgeon? Was he helpful, and did he answer all your questions? Let us know the scoop! Cheers, Patti

[DesertGal]

Yes, I saw the doctor this morning. He basically went over everything he talked about Saturday at the seminar. He IMPLORED that my foods I have eaten and eating habits will have to change, which I know. I replied back that it should be easier to watch portion control with a stomach the size of an empty banana skin. Right now, mine feels like a garbage disposal....it never fills up! I guess I passed his candidate test because he welcomed me aboard. He said I will see him again in 6 weeks and they will file the paperwork to my insurance company. By then, I will have had my last nutritional class (or about to have it) and also see the psyche doctor around then too.

He asked me what I would like my weight to be (155-160) realistically , and I told him. My highest weight is now (UGH) and my lowest was when I got married in 1977: 138 lbs. He said he was happy to hear I was being realistic because i won't be seeing the 130's again. No kidding!
All in all, it was a good visit. Oh, he has a support group once a month at the hospital and urged me to come in 2 weeks and bring my husband along. He said he will benefit from it, as well as me. So we're going.

[Ann2]

Don't be so sure about never seeing the 130s again.



I never thought I would either. And then ....

[Pattimelt]

Hi Lori, so glad today's appointment was a good experience and you got questions answered. Not sure how tall you are, but 150 sounds great! I'm only 5'3 1/2 so my goal weight is 135, but 150 wouldn't be bad! In six weeks when you turn in your paperwork, what is the lead time before you get on the sleeve schedule? I hope you're still able to have it in April! I'm so proud of you and happy for you that you're going through all the necessary hoops! You will soon be changing your life, good girl. Heck, you're already making huge changes! Stay the course and the time will fly. By the end of April, we will both be on our way to healthier new lives!

[DesertGal]

I'm 5'7 1/2 - got to get that 1/2" in there now. (I've been 5'8 forever, but at my nutritionist class weigh in they had me at 5'7 1/2". Shrinking! But not in the way I'd like, LOL!)

The way the doctor made it sound, once all the appropriate paperwork is submitted to the insurance, it shouldn't take too long (maybe 2 weeks)? I'll find out more in 6 weeks.

[Pattimelt]

Yay! Not too long! Go Lori!

[Christie13]

I'm 5'7 1/2 - got to get that 1/2" in there now. (I've been 5'8 forever, but at my nutritionist class weigh in they had me at 5'7 1/2". Shrinking! But not in the way I'd like, LOL!)

The way the doctor made it sound, once all the appropriate paperwork is submitted to the insurance, it shouldn't take too long (maybe 2 weeks)? I'll find out more in 6 weeks.

I got my appointment for surgery pretty quickly once my paperwork was submitted. Well I got the call and then had my surgery 9 days later.

[Ann2]

I'm 5'7 1/2 - got to get that 1/2" in there now. (I've been 5'8 forever, but at my nutritionist class weigh in they had me at 5'7 1/2". Shrinking! But not in the way I'd like, LOL!)

The way the doctor made it sound, once all the appropriate paperwork is submitted to the insurance, it shouldn't take too long (maybe 2 weeks)? I'll find out more in 6 weeks.

Yup -- you're right. You're 2.5 inches taller than me, so you'd be a string bean at 135 pounds.