Sassygirl06

I didn't right before surgery, but I did about 6 months before. It is what helped me to finally be able to think clearly about getting help for my weight. I was always in denial about needing some sort of tool. I am two years out now and I have been off of those meds for over a year now, and I am doing wonderfully. Just because you need to get some chemicals in check doesn't mean you are crazy, or that you aren't normal either. You may not need them forever, but goodness I know I needed them for a while. Good luck to you. And good job at recognizing that you may need some help!

My arms were pretty big and have done very well compared to what I expected. I will even wear sleeveless shirts and tank tops. I have an after photo on my profile with my arms showing. You can see I still have a little wing, but nothing that I am embarrassed over. Btw, your face looks sooooo much thinner already! Good job!

I got one for my husbands laser eye surgery. 0% for 18 months. I was approved for the cost of his surgery...$3700 I don't have great credit, but I paid it off before I had to pay the interest, and when I asked for an increase for plastics they didn't give me an increase. Pissed me off! I paid on time, and more then I should have ....and they still wouldn't up it so I could have my surgery. Grrrr!

I have made it to my goal. Riding a roller coaster was something I wanted to do, and have done it now! It was great fitting in the seat without any problems. I have never been zip lining and that sounds like a blast! I am the kind of person that wants to try everything at least once...and since the sleeve I can finally do it! I hope you all get to your goals and are able to live life to the fullest! Good luck!

Congratulations. You look so much more happy!

You did say one thing that I really agree with...you are in the beginning and your opinions may change. In one month I will be two years out, and I have changed my way of thinking about food on so many levels so many times. Saying that I didn't do this surgery to be on a diet is very true for me. I wanted to be able to enjoy food still...just not to much of it. I was a strong food addict...very bad before surgery. My every thought was about food. I would wake up wandering what I would eat, then right after Breakfast I would already be imagining what I was going to eat next. I would sneak away to eat. I would go to the store and buy 4-6 candy bars and eat them all in one sitting. I would finish all of my food and sit there watching everyone else eating their food and if they had left overs would sometimes take theirs. It was really bad. That was one thing I was scared about was not being able to control myself and eating all of the wrong foods and failing at this. But the opposite happened. This surgery has helped me retrain my brain. I no longer live to eat, I eat to live. It is so incredably freeing not to have every thought be about food. I have to remind myself to eat at times! When I say I did not do this surgery to be on a diet for the rest of my life it means to me that I don't want to count calories, carbs, Protein, and eat diet food for the rest of my life....constantly saying to myself....oh no, you can't eat that...you are on a diet. I did this to live again, and well, mission accomplished. I can honestly say that I am no longer addicted to food! I also can say for the first time in 19 years that no, I am not on a diet, I just have a new outlook on food and I chose not to let it rule my life anymore. Good luck to you!

Appeal...appeal...appeal! The insurance company will try this stuff so they can pay the least amount of money possible. They are hoping for the weak patient that just sits there and takes a denial. Be your own advocate! Don't give up!

I would do the pre op diet anyways because you would be even madder if you don't do it and then you do get approved in time but then still can't have the surgery because you didn't do the stupid diet...just a thought. Good luck!

My nurse from my general practitioners office told me that I would end up a drug addict or an alcoholic! I was absolutely floored! Needless to say every time I go in for a checkup since surgery I make sure to make a comment like....well still not on any meth thank you! Lol Some people can be really rude and insensitive to other people! Grrrrrrrr!

No I had mine in Bakersfield California. I am not sure what the Mexican doctors require for pre testing, but you wouldn't be doing them in Mexico as I know most people only go down there for a few days for the surgery. I would be terrified to have a new doctor preform any surgery on me, but that is my own opinion. The best outcomes for the surgery, with the least amount of complications are from highly experienced surgeons. Good luck!

You will feel tired and just not yourself for a while. It is your body recovering. Remember not to try to do to much before you are ready. Before you know it you will have more energy then you have ever had before! Good luck to you all!

It is not required for most people....some get discharged the same day...but my doc kept me two nights because I lived over 200 miles away and he wanted to keep me for the just in case. It isn't to bad....take advantage of that pain pump! good luck!

Yes, this is normal. They pump you so full of liquids. It will all go away...and then some! Stop worrying! good luck!

You can take a bottle of mag citrate....that will for sure clean you all out! Good luck! Oh, and if you do take mag citrate make sure to drink 16 oz of water along with it!

I had to do an upper gi, a stress test, psych eval, nutrition eval, lung function, blood tests, EKG, among a load of other tests. My insurance required them all...so they paid for them all as well. I was one of the lucky ones. I paid a total of $45 for all the tests, doctors visits...and get this...surgery! I wish we all had this kind of insurance! Good luck to you!

I was...but they put it in after I was out and pulled it out before I woke up so I don't remember a thing. Good luck!

Never had that...I have had hiccups...and the slimes....and saliva from hell. Needless to say I avoid the to full feeling now!

Haha! That is the good kind of hurt!

With working out as much as that you may need to increase your calories. This sometimes helps a lot!

My doc told me I would probably lose 70% of my excess weight. I ended up losing 20 more pounds then he expected. My original goal weight was 150 but as I got to the weight I am now I decided I am happy right where I am. I will be having a tummy tuck, which will probably take off another 5-10 pounds, but that is all skin. I fit into a size 10 now, so I am guessing that after my tummy tuck I will be in the single digits....and that is just amazing to me! Ultimately where you end up is depending on how badly you want to work to get there. If you want more then exercise more. This is a fantastic tool and when used right you can blow those doctors numbers right out the door! this was the best choice I have ever made for my health! Good luck to all of you!

I haven't ever counted calories. I just make sure I get my protein amount in and then after that I don't worry about anything. I am in maintenance now. I find I fluctuate back and forth between 165 to 175 pounds in a month. If I step on the scale and I am getting up in the 170's then I makes sure to eat extra healthy for a week and problem solved. This is what works best for me. good luck!

Congrats!

Yes! I have been married for 19 years now. I was overweight for 17 of them. I love that he gets that look in his eyes again for me! It comes with a price though...he is now way more jealous of me then ever before. I know this stems from his own insecurities...but he is coming around. I am scheduled for a tummy tuck and breast lift with implants very soon, and that is a whole different set of emotions. I am thrilled that my journey is almost complete! The weight loss has had a very positive change to our sex life! Good luck ladies!

I had these problems as well. All I can say is that it took me up till between 2-3 months before I felt normal again. Every day gets a little better. This shall pass, and you will be loving your decision very soon. In the mean time....when I was at your stage I bought protein shots from Walmart. They have up to 27 grams of protein per shot. Get them incredibly cold....and then they don't taste that bad. It helped me to have more energy and feel better. You need to make sure to get all of your protein in otherwise you will start losing muscle....and that is not what you want. Good luck! I hope you feel better soon!

I know that feeling!