Emerging from the Shadows

Thank you and good luck with your run!

Welcome, Christine.  I read every one of your meticulously-written words and have one burning question may you so kindly oblige to answer:    after weeks of intense research, what brand of coffee maker did you purchase?  I am half kidding, but not at all when wishing you a happy outcome on your Thanksgiving week surgery.  

Lol love the question! After years of owning a Tassimo machine and feeling like I owned a Betamax in a VHS world, I made the switch to a Keurig compatible Cuisinart machine. There are fancier machines out there but at my price point it was the way to go. No regrets!

Hi Christine! Welcome :) which hospital if you don't mind me asking? I'm an hour outside of Toronto too but north. I had surgery at Humber this past May. For the first time in my life I feel like I have a "normal" relationship with food. It doesn't control me nor occupy most of my thoughts. I'll always be a 'foodie' but now I enjoy high quality food in moderation. Good luck on our journey and congrats on your success so far! 

Nikki

Hi Nikki

I'm an hour in the Hamilton direction. I did my pre-op with the Wharton Clinic and surgery will be at St. Joes in Hamilton with Dr. Anvari.

I loved everything about your post. I feel like I'm just starting to get to a "normal" place with food and "it doesn't control me nor occupy most of my thoughts" and "I enjoy high quality food in moderation" both sound amazing!! Congratulations on the success you've had so far and I wish you continued health and happiness!

Awe thanks! You too :)

just making sure you know there is also a Ontario message board with a lot of folks in the Hamilton area and going through St. Joes. If you don't know, click on 'forums', 'local region', 'Ontario Canada'

good luck and please keep us posted :)

Nikki

I know you are going to have great success because you "practiced" and lost 56 lbs....I did the same thing for 3 months before my surgery and my surgeon told me I had lost so much fat off my liver, I didn't even have to do the pre surgery diet.  He also told me that voluntary weight loss before surgery was an indicator of long term success.   And....so far, so good.  Not always an easy road, but every day, I have reminders why I did it, and why I continue to so it!  And every day, I still whisper a little thank you!

Good luck on the 21st.  With your attitude and determination, I know you will be so happy you did this!

joan

Thank you Joan, I appreciate your words of encouragement. It was a good feeling when the surgeon asked if I had lost weight because I "don't look like the numbers I'm reading here". It meant a reduction in my time on Optifast, a change in post op prescriptions and an earlier surgery date. Congratulations to you on your successes, that was very motivating to hear and I'm excited to see what the future holds for me.

Welcome, Christine! Here, you'll find great people who will support you and give great advice.

Im so happy you decided to post. Our surgeries are only 7 days apart! ??

Thank you Kandace. The information I have gathered here has given me so much focus and direction, and that is incredibly valuable.

Your kids are adorable and so fortunate to grow up with a love of the outdoors and an appreciation for responsibility. Much of my childhood was spent on our neighbors farm and I wouldn't change it for the world. Best of luck to you on this exciting new adventure!