I can totally relate to the Anxiety issue!! I have GAD and panic disorder and have had times where it's been debilitating - like to the point where I can't work, don't leave the house etc...

I was terrified of surgery, of complications, of failing, of change even of success (as ridiculous as that may seem!) but it all just boiled down to being scared of the unknown.

My appointments would not have been possible if I didn't get a ride to each and every one of them. My nerves were so bad that I could not drive myself. Even medicated, as a passenger, I still would have the occasional panic attack on the way. The appointments are scary and I have some social anxiety issues that make this hard as well... I'd also obsess over small things and work myself up ...

There came a point in the process though where I had to decide if this was what I really wanted and start putting the work in (both mentally and physically). I decided I did and am now 4 days post op!! My surgery went perfect, it was 46 minutes long (in total) and I was released from the hospital not even 24 hours later not needing anything more than regular strength Tylenol for the pain!!!

I built this up into something negative and scary when really it's been positive all around!! I'm already down close to 40 pounds since starting optifast on dec 28th!!

If I can do it ANYONE CAN! If this is what you want and you truly feel like this is the right decision for you then don't let fear and negative thoughts hold you back. Talk to your doctor about medication and seek out therapy!! You can get better!!!

Good afternoon :

Thanks for the review Ginnny ;) sounds like a more interesting way to get some exercise. I shoveled snow today and that just about killed me.

I also went to see a counselor and dietitian and they are going to give me some ideas for snacks and meals to start getting back on track more to where I want to be.

Tonight we are going to look at another house... This one needs less work than the last one and is closer to my family. It is also near a river which makes me a bit nervous.

Post-op three years and ten months.

Breakfast - protein bar

Snack - mixed nuts

Lunch - sausage and quinoa

Snack - Greek yogurt and blueberries

Dinner - sausage and quinoa leftovers

Snack - pudding

All water and vits.

I was having smoothies regularly in the morning, till one day, I was using 3 large tablespoons of plain greek yogurt, 4 oz. Ocean Spray Diet juice (10 cal / cup**** and about 1/2 cup of mixed berries. One day there were a few more berries left so I just added them in.

I was drinking on my way to work and about 5 minutes after I finished started getting tummy cramps, the shakes, was on a country road so had to drive a few miles for a safe place to pull over, luckily dumping doesn't give me bowel issues, I sat on the side of the road for a few minutes till I started to feel better, even had someone pull over to see if I was okay...

Took me 4 weeks till I was willing to try another smoothie, haven't had the problem since just really watch the berry measurement.

If I have too much sugar I tend to also develop hypoglycemia as my body starts pumping out insulin to counter the sugar, not something I do to often, but I know it's going to happen and I've learned how to treat effectively.

The tricky part sometimes is knowing which one it is, as I don't take insulin anymore, I stopped carrying my glucometer.

I've had times where I am fine with something and then could have the same thing another day and dump. Its weird.
I've had no problem with bananas though and eat them often.

I think that yogurt may be the culprit though, I have to spend a good amount of time in the yogurt aisle checking all the labels. SO many of them have WAY too much sugar.

My Birthday is in April too!