MINI-Me

Yes it does! Yahoo! I think this is a new phase on our journey. This is the part that we've all failed before - maintenance. This time we have a tool to allow us to succeed. I look forward to hearing more about your journey & I will post mine as well. We are in this together!

Congratulations!!!!! What a great accomplishment. (You need to update that ticker ... still shows 142 & 8 pounds to goal. Be proud of your accomplishment of making goal!) I think we all have that fear of food once we decide on maintenance. There is a maintenance thread out here that you may want to check out. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/11768-official-maintenance-thread/page__pid__106032#entry106032 I'm still battling the maintenance "demon" myself. I have an appointment with a NUT next week ... I promise to report back any advice she has about maintenance for life.

Congratulations. Sounds like you are doing well on your journey!

Awesome news! Congratulations on your journey to health.

I did not have Bliss Insurance, but it sounds like you purchased it. I would talk directly with the nurse who gave you your Bliss Insurance number. I'm sure she's dealt with all this before & will be able to help you submit the claim or provide information to the hospital so they can submitt the claims. But first of all ... breathe. Sounds like you covered yourself well ... it's just a matter of proper paperwork at this point.

Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming surgery! You will find this to be a very friendly and helpful group. For now, you may want to go back and read some of the old posts and such. If you have any questions, just ask.

That truely is a WOW moment. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Congratulations to you. Hopefully the financing works out & you can start your new life asap. From my personal experience, this was the best thing I ever did for myself. I like feeling comfortable in my own skin ... and I am very appreciatitve of my new found health. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask!

For the most part, it's been good. My side of the family is obese (good genes huh?) ... they are complimentary of my weightloss, but seem to be waiting for me to "gain it all back". My husband's family are very supportive and go out of their way to encourage me & help me out. I have found that strangers (especially men) are much friendlier to me. I get offered help a lot quicker in stores and people look me directly in the eye. I even got hit on New Year's Eve! After being a married woman for so long, that was a bit of a shock and a confidence builder! The most interesting thing is how much husband holds me close when we are out in public. Not sure if he's so proud of me & wants to show me off or just wanting to make sure no one tries to steal me. Either way, I like it!

Sometimes you gotta do whatcha gotta do. I couldn't stand Protein powders either! (And luckily, carbs didn't seem to be an impact on my weightloss.) You might want to try unjury chicken Soup. It's a little salty, but it didn't taste like Protein Powder to me & really helped out those first few months. You can order samples from their website.

Chilo1 - isn't that only 6 pounds to goal?

Congratulations! Just remember, sip, walk, sleep, sip, walk, sleep. That will be it for the next few days! Glad you have a "Sleeve Sister" along with you. Keep as posted when you can.

That is totally awesome. I bet it's a day that you (and your girls) won't soon forget. A "Memory Day" as I call them. You go girl!!!!!

Love it!!!!!!!

Coops - go for it. If the 18 is baggy, the 16's may be a bit roomy as well. Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C ON G R A T U L A T I O N S ! ! !

It takes a while ... and, as soon as you get the current eating stage figured out, your surgeon moves you on to another phase. Just take it a day at a time. Follow your plan and if something doesn't feel right or you are unsure, call your surgeon. We're glad to help answer questions, but your surgeon can give you the best medical advice. Congratulations on your new tummy and new life!

I think we all want the best for our kids and worry that they will make the wrong choices - whether it be eating, drinking, making the wrong friends, etc. For me, I think honesty is the best policy. I became pregnant with my first son out of wedlock. I raised him on my own until he was 7 and I married my husband. I have been very honest with my boys about the "dangers" of sex and the emotional needs/destruction that can come when you have it too soon. Since obesity runs in my family, we have been very open about being overweight as well. We don't harbor on it, but talk about the genes the boys need to fight if they want to be healthy adults. (My father's passing away in 2009 due to obesity issues kicked my butt in gear to investigate WLS.) I have never put them on a diet, but try to have healthy choices available to them. The younger they are, the easier it is to monitor their intake. That's a lot of rambling ... sorry. My point is to be honest, provide healthy choices, and help guide your children towards a better life. That's all we can do as parents.

You've had some good advice about the cause. I found a heating pad on the shoulder helped to relieve some of the discomfort.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. The support of this board is overwheleming at times. I am so blessed to have my Sleeve Sisters and Friends. I can hardly believe it ... I never in my wildest dreams thought I could get to this weight. I really hoped for a size 10 & here I am in 4's and 6's. Believe me ... anyone can make goal if I can. I had my doubts along the way with horrible stalls and worries about "what if's". I'm normally the one in the group who has all the issues and problems. (You know the one I'm talking about.) This is so unreal. I haven't weighed this amount since maybe 6th or 7th grade and 5 inches shorter than I am now. LOL!

Good to hear some positive comments. I was still losing on 1200 calories a day, so I've upped it to 1400 this week to see how I do. I'm so afraid of getting on the scale and seeing a 10 pound weight gain. I know that's not scientifically possible, but part of me really believes it. Since this is also PMS week, I'm trying to stay off the scale for the week. Not sure if I'll make it, but I am going to try. Wish me luck!

You would need to check with your STD Carrier and see their requirements. Sometimes there is a waiting period of x days before benefits kick in. Also, many have a pre-existing clause that may exclude obesity.

Awesome job Bill. Life is good without all the "insulation", isn't it?

Welcome! I'm sure it was an emotional roller coaster waking up and not having the surgery you knew/researched/understood. While I'm surprised the surgeon didn't talk about options & complications pre-surgery, I'm glad he was able to contact your daughter. The frist few weeks are going to be a big adjustment for you, but you'll be very happy with this surgery. I know I am. Best of luck to you. Keep us updated on your progress and let us know what questions you have.