nowatgoal

Hi KayyyBeee - You're stalkin Seattle Sue too? LOL I love your Forty Tude and sense of humor! Good luck on your sleeve journey.

Meggie - I really laughed when I saw your Goal #1 because that is a definite goal of mine too - There's something about weighing less than the man in your life that makes you feel a little more feminine! I've watched and enjoyed many of your youtube videos (so great that you are documenting this journey). I'm considering doing some youtube videos as well so I have something to look back on... I'll watch for your happy dance Onederland video!

I'm sure you will all understand the emotional hold a "goal weight" can have over you. I've lost and made it to goal and then gained the weight back more times than I want to admit. I have three goal weights... I'm 5' 6.5" tall and according to the charts, I should weigh somewhere between 120 and 160. I'd say I am average boned. I have three goals but I want to get some feedback on how others decide on their goal weight. Part of me knows it is only a number on a scale and there are so many other goals I have in mind. I can't wait to feel strong and fit again. I can't wait to wear the clothes that show my body and aren't all black. I look forward to all the NSG benefits of losing the added weight. But, still, I'm drawn to set a goal for myself weight wise as well... When I used to weigh 150 lbs. my body seemed to maintain that weight without my being too terribly hungry all the time. But I was always wishing I was a bit thinner here and there. I call this goal weight #1 because once I reach it, I will see how I look and feel. My second goal weight is 140 lbs. When I was this weight, I felt like I could wear whatever I wanted and wasn't self conscious. I felt strong, but it was a bit of a struggle to maintain this weight. I call this goal #2 because if I'm not happy at 150 I'll shoot for this. My third goal is 130 lbs. When I weighed 130 I felt that I looked the best as far as how the clothes fell on my frame. I could wear what I wanted, and felt "thin". BUT, it was very hard for me to maintain this weight. I guess in my dream world 130 would be my true goal, if I felt I could maintain it without struggling all the time. So... how have you all set your "goal"?

This is SO helpful - thanks for posting!!!

What a great update just ONE day post-op. You sound like you're doing terrific! I'm hoping my surgery goes as well as yours. I'm on day two of the pre-op two-week diet and I'm hungry and have had a continual headache (caffeine withdrawal) but I know it will be very worth it in the end. Keep us updated. :-)

Whoohoo! Congrats! So glad you are doing well and now I'll look forward to hearing all about your success post-op.

I was wondering the same thing as Jensharley - could she be thinking that since you are "dieting" you aren't cooking and she's trying to help out? But, you know her so if you're seeing passive aggressive it also fits. Your best revenge is to not let her know she's getting to you. Smile and say thank you and then throw it away after she's gone if you have to. Good luck!

I love reading these types of posts because it keeps me motivated and feeling like I CAN do this! Way to go! Your weight loss it fantastic and you are inspiring others!

So sweet!!! I love it!

Wow - you've really lost a lot in your pre-op phase! That's fantastic. And twenty years of taking meds - what a wonderful feeling it must have been to be told no more! Congratulations!! You body is really responding to the weight loss. Eating slowly and sipping are my toughest things too. That's not how I've done it for 40+ years. It's going to take some real presence of mind to remember. Started my pre-op diet today. This was a good post to read to keep me positive, because I'm HUNGRY.

I keep looking for a "LIKE" button on this forum!

Started my two-week pre-op diet today. I did have several food funeral type meals. I'm not sorry that I did but realize that it was not the best choice to make. Just think, in two more days you will not be hungry (or have very little hunger) for a long time! Good for you for making such healthy choices before hand!

I'm really proud of the fact that you are going to do this for YOU regardless of what your boyfriend or daughter feel about it. I was with my last boyfriend for 5 years and I really wanted to have WLS. He was an exercise addict and kept telling me to just exercise more and the weight would stay off. I didn't feel like I could have the surgery without his support because he was SO adamant about how he felt. It would make him angry when I even mentioned the subject. Well, I should have been ADAMANT about how I felt. I am now engaged to a wonderful man, truly the love of my life. When I brought up my wish for WLS he was immediately supportive. He said that if I had really done my research and felt strongly about this, then he would do whatever he could to help make it happen. I don't mean to say that you should leave your boyfriend, because he's probably just worried about you and the drastic nature of surgery, but do continue on the path of what is right for you. I wish I had done this years ago, without being so concerned about what my significant other felt. Perhaps, after the surgery, when he sees the weight dropping off and how great you are feeling, he will come around. In the end, do what makes YOU happy.

You look so great! What an accomplishment! You're daughter is adorable too. Would love it if you posted followup pics on your surgiversary. You'll definitely reach goal!

Your my sleeve twin! I'm going alone, but only because it just seemed easier that way (fiance has 4 very young boys). Can't wait for it to be OUR turn!!!

I'm so very sorry about your grandma phatgurl80, and the fact that you will need to postpone your surgery must also be very difficult. My heart goes out to you.

Debbie - I'm so excited for you! All your waiting and anticipation is over and this time tomorrow night your surgery will be behind you! How wonderful! I'm sending you lots of good thoughts and looking forward to hearing how you're doing.

Just heard back... Here's what she said: "That's fantastic on your weight loss, and it's completely normal and they encourage it. They will not turn you away at all. That's a normal question as I thought the same too cause I lost right before." So, I feel much better. I'll follow my pre-op faithfully and lose what my body will lose in the next two weeks knowing that they won't turn me away.

I just sent an email to my liaison at alighterme with questions about this topic. I'm having my surgery done in Mexico with Dr. Kelly on 08/22. On the original paperwork I guessed on my weight as 220 because I had packed my scale in storage out of frustration. As we made plans and set my surgery date, I got my scale out and was happy to see I was actually 210. I let the liaison know to change my weight and BMI on my paperwork. But the 210 was with clothes on and my first day of my cycle (sorry if TMI) so when I got on the scale today w/out clothes and the water retention down, I'm now 204.4. This puts my BMI to 32.5. I start my pre-op diet tomorrow. I'm thrilled that I have less weight to lose but I'm worried that with two weeks of the protein shake diet I may lose another 10 lbs. or more and bring my BMI to 30 or 31 (or even 29?). I usually do really well on diets the first couple weeks and lose a lot of weight. Will the doctor turn me away if I lose too much on the pre-op diet? I don't want to become too "thin" to qualify! Seems like such a silly thing to have to ask...

It's so great to read these responses! I feel more "normal" (whatever that means) about the fact that I have several goal weights and they are arbitrary in how I picked them. I'm going to try not to become obsessive about reaching these goals - I want to celebrate each pound along the way and rejoice in the JOURNEY... That won't come naturally to me since I can be obsessive about watching the scale. I'll need to post reminders to myself around the house with the mantra "Enjoy the Journey".

So excited for you all!!! Hopefully this weekend will fly by for you. I have a feeling I won't be getting any sleep the weekend before my Monday surgery (Aug. 22nd). Good luck and keep us posted!

Good luck trizzy35, happyevraftr, BigManIndia. As my date looms, each day I think about "who's having surgery today?" and I go to the calendar and check it out. Can't wait to get to MY day. I hope the three of you breeze through your day today with it being as uneventful as possible! I'll be looking forward to hearing about your success.

WOW - talk about jumping sizes!!! That is amazing! Congratulations!

Hi Cay. To answer your question about surgery in Mexico - I believe it's largely because of cost. I can't afford the large payment of doing the surgery in the states and since I've traveled a lot I don't have the fear that some might have with doing surgery outside the country. I have researched like crazy to find a doctor I feel confident in and that led me to Dr. Kelly. I am self-pay (my insurance doesn't allow WLS, and I wouldn't qualify for the insurance plans that do allow it because of my lower BMI and the fact that I don't really have serious health problems at this point due to my weight). I know I need to do this because I can feel my body starting to suffer with the repeated yo-yo gains and losses and I can tell my emotional state towards food is slipping because I don't have the fight in me to battle with it any more. I find myself wanting to just "give up" and not care what I look like or eat any more because it would mean not being at war with food any longer. The fact that I want to give up scares me because it is the fight that has kept me from getting so much bigger than I already am and I fear who'd I'd become if I don't take action. I was even "coming to peace" with the fact that I wouldn't live a long life and that I'd die early because of my weight issues. That's just sad! This surgery has given me hope that I can live a long life, stop that battle with hunger and self-doubt, and enjoy life. Consider me a "sleeve sister" and keep me posted on how you're doing. You seem like a beautiful person with the strength and wisdom to take care of yourself! Hugs!!!

Thanks, Seattle Sue. I grew up on Whidbey Island - I'm in Tucson now, but I sure miss the NW. When did you have your surgery? I'm scheduled for Aug. 22nd and I'm starting to get butterflies (but in a good way)... Oops, never mind - I found your post and see that you're four weeks out from your surgery. Big sigh - wish I was there with you at that point. Feel like there is so much I need to get through in the next 6 weeks. Keep up the great work. It looks like you're doing amazing!