Know someone who had an NSTEMI (type of heart attack) earlier this year. A ngio was good; didn't need any stents. He is fully recovered and working out regularly and still wants surgery. He had his nurse appointment and had his internist appointment next month. Is he automatically going to have to wait a certain amount of time? Anyone know?

Hi,

There's currently quite a wait to see the psychologist and dietician. I saw the internist in May and I've had my scope and all my imaging already. I see the dietician and psychologist next week, then I should have my appointment with the surgeon sometime in September. I'm looking at probably November for surgery.

Last month I celebrated the 13th anniversary of my RNY but I didn't post. Well today I've had a few moments to myself so I thought I would write up a little something to let newer folks (those of a few months to a few years out, know what life is like post surgery.

The AWESOME: Life is good! Life as a normal sized person is a wonderful thing. I am in a size medium and one size DOES fit all.

I have completed 5 half marathons, coached Special Olympics, and found a new love of kayaking.

Post surgery I realized I had an eating disorder (BED) and used food for so much. I've done therapy and have had to work really hard to work on those bad habits like "all or nothing", and allowing my fat head to criticize me.

Food is and always be a struggle. When you've always been overweight since childhood, "moderation" does not necessarily come innately even with a pouch! When regain happened, it was very daunting and I swung to every fad diet out there which of course, worked short term, but eventually lead to gaining it all back. In January, I was 27 lbs above my goal and that was scary! Regain is and always will be EASY!

I've worked this year really hard to find "balance" in my life which has proved to be a good thing. I have lost 18 lbs of my 27. I've gotten rid of thinking of short term solutions, and instead have focused on the long term haul by setting small goals for weight loss as working on getting back to HABITS. No radical plan other than more whole foods, fruit and veggies, protein first, less processed garbage etc. I still have treats and I still enjoy social events. It takes commitment to portion control and healthy eating overall. A treat isn't a "treat" when it's every day! If I ate what I wanted all the time I would be back to 300 lbs. this takes effort, discipline and portion control in a big way!

My activity involves me getting my 10,000 steps in most days and doing the occasional video and taking lots of walks. I don't want to spend hours in a gym - that's just not for me. So I am not a muscle woman nor a size 6 but I'm okay with that. I don't have to be.

The CHALLENGES: osteopenia (told wrong calcium to take), always iron deficient and I have reactive hypoglycaemia. All are manageable and a welcome trade off for my normal life. I take no medications - just supplements.

The biggest challenge of all is the one I mentioned above. Food will ALWAYS be my challenge! Surgery doesn't change the weight rollercoaster. I can't tell you how many times my weight has fluctuated up and down those same 20 lbs! Just because you kick it to the curb doesn't mean that the weight (or even regain!) is gone forever. I know this will be a commitment FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!

Was the surgery worth it!? A million times yes! Until you live the long term life though you don't see it's greatest challenges. The best advice I can give is to find people to support you, always find new ways to spark your journey, deal with your food issues, ask for help, use your support group and mentors and most of all, stay connected to wls communities such as this one! ?o

Yay Friday is here!

Best of luck with the lil nuggets shots.. hopefully it is a very short lived unhappiness for both of your sake's. I'm looking forward to a couple of days off but also need to get some cleaning done around the house... blah!

QOTD: I wouldn't say I am super tech savvy but I know enough to be the one everyone comes to for tech issues at work. It's not something I would want to do on a regular basis so I give your DH props and anyone else who enjoys all that trouble shooting. The paper supply was a very quick thinking trick! That's a great story.

B - greek yogurt

S - pretzel thins, PB

L - chicken skewers, salad

S - protein shake

D - leftover rotisserie chicken, cauliflower

S - turkey pepperettes

For myself... I usually limit myself to a sip of my husband's or a big old sniff of his Guinness! If I have some hootch it does go right to my head and I don't like the feeling. There is also the bubble factor. You can try mocktails with infusions of things like cucumber and basil. If it's a wedding toast, I don't think a sip of two champagne will hurt.