New to OH

Hi everyone, this is my 1st post - I am scheduled for a RNY on 1/28/15.  I am trying to do as much research as possible, get my protein and supplements ordered.  I am a total introvert, so reaching out and talking to others is VERY difficult for me.  I have been reading about how important support is for success, I have support at home and I have friends, but they have never gone through this before.  I will try my best to reach out more and post any questions that I have.

A little about me - I am 47 and I have not been overweight my whole life, I would say I was average.  I am 5'3" and before 5 years ago, I maintained a weight around 150.  5 years ago I went through early menopause and my body went crazy.  I had my thyroid removed 3 years ago and since then have developed severe hypertension, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea and asthma.  I was at a weight of 220 when my doctor recommended wls.  I am currently at 215 and hope to be at 205 by my surgery date.

Thank You in advance for your support

Welcome!!!!  It's nice your family is supporting you!! That doesn't always happen.  I have a wonderful family too but like you mentioned they really don't understand the changes we are going through.  The LW Board has been my only outside support system and I owe so much to them!!  There are 3 posters on here that if something in my life happens they are the first people I think of sharing with. 2 of them I have never met but it seems like we have been friends for years.

It's a really good time to learn and practice some of things that will help you be successful.  The first thing I did while I was waiting was give up carbonated drinks.  I figured that if I couldn't give that up I might as well not even have the surgery.  The other things were buying a small plate and bowl that made me smile.  I bought a Mickey Mouse because I love Disney and I still use them at 6+ years out.  I was warned not to buy a lot of Protein because it's really true because our taste buds are wacko for awhile.  Everything tastes extremely sweet, sour, and spicy. I used a lot of unflavored Protein early out. 

Keep posting and building relationships.  It really does help with this journey.

Welcome!!! 

My family was very supportive but my Dr group is 1.5hr away and although we were required to go to 12 seminars before surgery, a meeting a week for 4 weeks pre-op and then meetings with every change of diet after surgery, I pretty much stopped going except for my checkups since then.  I still get labs and an annual checkup with them.  this group has been my major support and I love these ladies.

My beginner advice is to decarb and decaf before surgery.  Get a full set of labs done so you can get started on anything you may be low in before surgery.  Many of us are low in D3 and never know it.  Exercise to the extent you are able.  It will help you recover.  Stop drinking with meals.  That is a hard one for lots of folks. Learn to take bites the size of a pencil eraser. 

Looking forward to following your progress!!!

Hi and welcome to our board.  Congratulations on getting a surgery date.  Research is a great thing.  I am shy too but I love this board.  It has helped me so much since my surgeon and support group are 4 hours away from me.

Everyone on this board is super nice.  We don't do the surgery wars or anything like that.  

Good luck to you and be sure to stay on here with us.  You could start posting on the Menus and Miles with us each day.  We have had several do this before surgery just to get into the habit of tracking your food.

Linda

Welcome!  Ask away - many of us on here had RNY and know what you will be going through.  Even those who haven't had RNY (VSG/DS) had to follow the same rules, so they are a wealth of information too.

Thank you guys so much.  I have already given up carbonated drinks (over a month now), and I an also cutting my caffeine, I am drinking half caff now and will go to total decaf the 1st of January.  I have also started the no drinking before and after meals, and eating very slow putting my fork down between bites.  My nutritionist recommended all of these things.  I am a swimmer, so I swim a mile 4 mornings a week and do water aerobics two afternoons per week.  I have arthritis in my knees, so at this weight walking is hard.  I am actually looking forward to getting back to the gym once my doctor says that I can, I use to go religiously until I broke my foot and then all this other stuff starting happening and well here I am.

I am going to force myself to try to post at least weekly from now on and get into the habit of logging my food.  I have a vanilla protein that I have used for years, so I already like it and can mix it with a spoon.  I ordered a no flavor one as well, but not much. 

Thank You all so much