MINI-Me

You may be surprised by your family's response. Have they seen you struggle? Have they seen you lose only to gain again? I was afraid to tell my mother-in-law who is a surgical nurse. Surprisingly, she was the most supportive. Heck! She even went with me for surgery. Totally supported me. I say just tell them why you are considering it. Show them that you've done your research and that you need this tool to get you back to the healthier you. It's up to them to support you or not. p.s. - my husband was concerned about the money too. But now, he says it was the best money we ever spent. It gave me back my life and gave him a wife that enjoys physical activity and doesn't get tired all the time. Wearing cute little dresses doesn't hurt either!

Congratulations! Well done.

Going one below sounds like a good plan for now. Though - that is pretty expensive. You probably won't be in it but a month or two.

AMEN!

Kohls doesn't have the one you show, but looks like they have lots of other options. Wish the mock-layer tank was cheaper - that would be great for spring/summer. http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/intimates/brandswomen/flexees.jsp?bmForm=guided_nav_search&SubcatFolderID=2534374752657294

If you are crazy, I must have been psychotic!!!!! My BMI was 32.8 ... but my entire family is obese or morbidly obese, I couldn't keep off weight and I was gaining more and more each year. 30.0 is considered obese. Just how "obese" do you need to be to make this decision? That's for everyone to decide for themselves. But, I am not looking back. I love being "normal", feeling comfortable in my own skin, and enjoying movement again.

I so remember those last few days before surgery. I went through every emotion possible, but KNEW I was doing the right thing for me. At that time, I hoped to be a size 10 when I got to goal. I never thought size 4 would be my reality!!!! Best of luck ... keep us posted on your progress.

I couldn't stand greek yogurt either. If you have a Kroger or Fred Meyer near you, you might want to try Kroger Carbmaster yogurt - 80 calories, 4g carb, 12g protein. I liked it much better.

I definitely think this is part of the journey that no one really talks about. I am sooooooooo going through this right now. I hate my stomach - the excess skin is revolting to me. My husband thinks I am nuts & I should "just be happy with where you are now" ... but he can't do it for me - I have to come to that point. If I can't, I need to find a way to surgically "fix" it.

Thanks for all the responses. You guys are the best. I guess the thing is that tummy tuck/body lift is just not affordable right now. Plus, I really wonder if all the pain and another major surgery is worth it. I am interested in the body sculpting with liposuction. I know it won't get rid of excess skin, but it may be able to smooth out some areas that are resistant to losing fat. I don't have a lot to remove, but they said they could remove some from the lower abdomen and the little "bra rolls" I have. I guess I'm just concerned about how I will feel about even more skin on my tummy once the remaining bit of fat is gone. I know my clothes will look better, but I wonder about the naked me that only my hubby and I see. Will it make me feel more self-conscious about being naked or more positive about how I look in my clothes??? I would love to say I lost 5 pounds in one afternoon! LOL I told the plastic surgeon's office that I would call back on Monday with my decision. Maybe I can just be honest and say, I can pay "x" which is $800 lower than you quote. Maybe they will be willing to bargain with me. I guess it can't hurt to try. If they say no ... I can always save up - that will give me time to have all the cash & time to consider further. Thanks again for all your support. I knew you guys would understand what I'm feeling. I love all my sleeve friends.

Hmmmm ... 86 views and no comments.

Day 4 was a turning point day for me. Just keep plugging along, it really does get easier. Do you have access to a heating pad? It may help with tummy, shoulder, and neck pain.

Thanks for the smile. Speaking of real, you are doing REALLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations! Those first couple of days make you go "What did I do?" But, it is all so worth it. Around day 4 I found myself thinking ... "this isn't so bad". Just focus on walking and sipping as much Water as you can. Welcome to your new life!

I've used several of the hand-held calculators that somehow test it. I've been around 24-26. I like that much better than 32+. YIKES!!!!

I've been tracking this ever since my "breakdown" in December. It seems that I go up 3-6 pounds the week AFTER my period, but by the end of the month I am back down again. I'm not doing anything differently as far as eating, exercising, etc. So, I'm just coming to terms with it & know the scale is going to be up. It's frustrating and hard to watch THAT number, but at least I know it will go back down. I still weigh every day & track my weight religiously. If I ever see it not going back down, I will jump on it quickly.

So, just 2 weeks ago, I posed in the New Year's Challenge that I hit 126.0 with a goal of 125 by New Year's Day. I was so excited to think that I could really hit my "ultimate" goal of 125. It was so close ... I could (pardeon the expression) "taste" it. scale showed 130.2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT?!?!??!?!?!?! I am doing nothing different. How can I be up 4.2 pounds in 2 weeks? (I can't bear to change my ticker, so just know that I am lying today.) I'm sure it's Water weight, planets aligning, the phase of the moon or some such nonsense. But, today I am feeling very discouraged and fat - Like the "old me". I hate this obessing about my weight. I'm ready to be done with it. I could really use a pep talk.

I have a hard time with these type of measures as well. I'm 5'6", weigh between 123-128 & was given a Body Fat of 32.48%. That puts me back in obese & wearing a 4 (vanity sized or not), there is no way that I am still obese. I take these as guidelines ... guidelines that require some common sense.

Welcome back to the USA! Enjoy getting aclimated again ... things will settle down & you will get to your goal. Just keep plugging away!

Oops! Somehow I missed this & didn't respond to your question. Yes - I had a great experience with Dr. Umbach. He is a definitely skilled and competent surgeon. My mother in law is an OR Nurse. She flew with me to have the surgery. I told her that at the 11th hour if she met him & didn't have a good feeling, that we would just go home. She met him, grilled him with questions & was very satisfied with his answers and experience. She really liked the webinars that he makes you go through at home - gave a lot of good information & helped to set expectations for the surgery. If you have any questions, send me a PM & I will be glad to answer. I agree - you don't want to just go by price. An experienced surgeon is a must. Luckily, I got both!!!! Good luck with your search!

I ate them early out ... I hated protein shakes & they were easy to transport.

There seems to be a lot of variety on the post-surgery diet. Yours seems similiar to mine.

I was self-pay with Dr. Umbach in Las Vegas through Medical Tourism. I paid just over $10K with everything included.

I agree on all the discussion about pre and post-op diets. Where I am different is the in/out patient issue. I was outpatient and did great. It was nice to sleep in a real bed instead of a hospital where I would be constantly woken up by a nurse to check my vitals. If I am alseep, let me be asleep!!!!

That is awesome. I'm so glad that you found someone to "give it to you straight" but also willing to work with you. CONGRATULATIONS!