CowgirlJane

Thanks for the info. If I lift my boob into the right location I measure a C. It is all skin of course so it is very hard to guess how I will measure once implanted. I will be very happy if I wind up in the full C to D range. When I Tried them on I felt like I wouldn't go bigger...doc said they will look slightly smaller once implanted so I think just right...

So, I didn't have your experience with the sleeve, but i failed pretty miserably with the lapband, so i can relate to how you feel. You are smarter then me though, you have reached out for help which i was never able to effectively do with the lapband failure. Just some ideas, food for thought so to speak.... People who are succesful don't love to exercise all day. In fact, they are the obsessive ones. Instead, some of us committed to exercise as part of the program and then once we got into it realized that it feels good (it didn't at first!). In fact, I feel that exercise is part of my mental health as much as physical. Consider trying something like Water aerobics that is energizing, easy on the joints and at least for me, just felt good. The whole food thing - that is a struggle for alot of us - me included. You are in a bad spot because you are so far out and haven't been able to win these battles enough times YET. That doesn't mean it is hopeless. I think there is this fundamental shift that needs to happen somewhere along the way. The surgery helped me make that shift during that window of time when I didn't like eating. It was easier to deal with the emotional baggage around food when I wasn't physically desiring it. I still consider it a lifelong war - right now I am in the maintenance phase but feel the need to be vigilant, while learning to eat "naturally" I truly believe that a great deal of the struggle is physical - it isn't all "in your head". Success bring success... as you lose weight, your body doesn't fight quite as hard to keep overeating. As you lose weight, you feel good, you feel even more motivation because you physically feel better. I know some of it is "food issues" but don't discount the power of plenty of Protein, plenty of water and avoiding carbs. Hard at first, but makes it easier over time. When I eat carbs... I get hungry. Plain and simple physical response. Best of luck!!!

I vote with everyone else - find someone who is experienced with and COMMITTED to the sleeve. I believe that not just their surgical skills but their follow up protocol and support is key to success (for me anyway!). first surgeon I saw and started the process with didn't really believe in the sleeve for high BMI people like me. He was technically very competent/good reputation - but I NEEDED to have a surgeon who believed i would be successful.

Well, I have a negative reaction to these experiments. They experimented on me with the lapband and the end result was alot of pain and suffering and being even more obese after 10 years. But, each of us has to do our own research. the sleeve is "newish" but truth of the matter is that people have been living with partial stomach removal for decades - treatment for ulcers and stomach cancer etc. while not exactly the same, it gave me hope that it wasn't just another POS experiment in terms of the "living with it" for decades. The sleeve was also step one for the DS (although they left a bigger sleeve for DS patients) so at least there is a lengthy track record for a reduced size stomach.

I think people who have had your complicatins might be able to help. There is someone on this list who had a different reason, but same problem with food intake. If she doesn't reply, I can PM her on your behalf. A suggestion is to make 2 meals a day a premier proteinn drink from costco. 160 calories each, 30 G a Protein each and very low carb. That gets you near where you need to be on protein for the day, and you don't have to chug the whole thing. You can work at it and count it toward your liquids too. Then on the food, can you add in a piece of cheese or two, some nuts etc - some protein sources that are a bit higher fat and therefore higher calories?

There are a million threads on "regrets" "complications" - you might try doing a search to hear all the horror stories! The risk of leaks is really early on. Sometimes a small leak might not be discovered for several weeks out, but it is believed most of them occur very early. You move out of the woods on that risk within 6-8 weeks post op (again, some are discovered after that, but didn't like occur after that. The main long term risk is not losing enough weight or regaining Another is reflux. there is some studies indicating that the reflux problem goes up after year 3. My personal theory is that it might be caused by people resuming larger portions... but of course I don't know. I have had tremendous success so of course would recommend the sleeve but am only 16 months out.

I was a revision and had great success with the sleeve. I wrestled with the decision for about 2 years - all the fears you mention plus some even crazier ones. First surgeon I saw wanted me to get the rny and I ruled that out after alot of tears and fears before I even heard of the sleeve. After living with the sleeve for 16+ months my personal experience is that it is like having a normal stomach...lol. My old one was abby-normal, way too big and way too hungry. I no longer see the sleeve as too drastic for me - I experienced that band as much more invasive and life disrupting then the sleeve has ever been. This has been a pleasant suprise and exceeeded my expectations. I do get hungry now, but like a normal petite eating woman, not like a ravenous wolf like I often felt, preband and with the band. Seriously, you will need to eat like about 1/3 of what people around you are eating and it is kinda weird at first but once you accept that this is what YOUR body thrives on, it becomes empowering. I have vomited once, maybe twice with the sleeve and I used to vomit all the time with the band if any Fluid. Even empty (no fill), I sometimes vomited with the band. I hated that damn thing and have really had to work through letting go of my anger and regret over how much I suffered with it for 10 long years. I still feel some annoyannce with the people who basically told me it was my fault - if only i were more "compliant" - I am no longer bitter toward them, but i do feel that they treated me wrong. I instead have focused all my energy and efforts on learning a new permanent way. I was never able to do that with the band - I was too busy being in discomfort if I ate dense Proteins and veggies, throwing up especially if I ate a bite of rice, and yet still being hungry. And of course, getting more and more obese with each passing year.

100 calories, 15 grams of Protein and only 1G of carbs. I get them at costco and my whole family loves them. They might be too much/too big for an early sleever, but for me in maintenance, it is a mainstay Breakfast item. a much better protein "bargain" than many other choices. My rule of thumb is that I want 10G protein per 100 calories at a mimimum, for a food to count as a good protein source.

Revisions have a higher complication rate then virgin sleevers. Know it, decide how it compares to obesity risk, decide on surgery (or not) and don't look back....

Congrats on breaking the stall. Eliminating Quest bars was one key thing I did to get to my goal. Are all the flat tires fixed now? How did I miss the flaming threads? geesh ... I thought i read most everything!

My upper arms and delts are very toned due to exercise and genetics. Plastic surgeon complimented me on them today even that I am remarkably well defined BUT I still have extra skin and looseness underneath.

I would suggest you find forums about plastics. Most of us that have lost alot of weight after surgery don't need cellulite treatment - so that is why you don't see responses on a WLS based forum.

I just bought, but haven't tried a new one AmyLu fully cooked Sugarhouse Maple breakfast chicken sausage. These are smaller links - but still decent sized! 3 links are 90 calories, 12g Protein,2 g of carbs - another protein bargain! I live near the home of costco - Kirkland - so maybe we have different products here but the selection in the prepared meats section is awesome. Another favorite is the ham. They are now selling their black forest ham as thick sliced sandwich meat. I take a hunk, wrap it with a partial piece of cheese, toss in a little cream cheese and wrap it all in a piece of lettuce and call it a sandwich. yummy lunch

Kendisue, I would be curious. In a blind study (I didnt know the cc) I picked 331(or 339, don't recall, something like that). First time I picked them they were second smallest of the set. Next time they were the largest in the set. I theorize I will be a D, but bra sizing is so crazy. my surgery is 3 weeks away...I am going to call and ask if I can bring them home to try on. I think i would like to try with a unlined bra, not a sports bra.

If you have it done in the USA, it is very likely to be done on an outpatient basis. I have gone to 3 consults and the quote works this way in all cases: surgeon and facilty fee is one bill anethesia is a separate bill, but estimate is given by surgeon based on estimated surgical time All of them have you buy the compression garments separately. I expect my insurance should pay for the bloodwork and prescriptions. If you go out of country, they tend to be quoted as all inclusive and I estimate cost half to a third of the cost of USA based surgery.

I think you should try everything before committing to the surgery. That way, all doubts are removed. i did last ditch try at things i had failed at before - weight watchers, nutrisystems, that hormone drops thing and seeing a counselor. I even visited an eating disorders clinic...lol. Wow, between that combo I think I gained net about 20 pounds. The sleeve has changed my life in a way that none of those could help me with. It has still been work. I took all that dedication I poured into every crazy ass diet or program I ever tried and applied it to my life as a sleever and it has been awesome. I feel like a whole new woman. Well really, I am about half the woman I once was.

Vogue, you are so right... Scars are nothing compared to the glow and joy of being healthy and active!

Bummer! Read labels - maybe there is another type that is low carb and high protein! My son loves them too and it is good for him too.

I don't have one. Seems like this one would look nice with lots of different outfits! http://www.laurenshope.com/product/2480/D260/shades-of-silver-medical-id-bracelet

Cool! i do her ripped in 30 DVD and it is HARD! I do it with my YMCA classes... so a mix of activities. That suits me, but I definately started getting stronger after her DVD

I think the fact that you are facing it up front goes a long ways. Self awareness is I think a big part of the battle. So, i have had few moments of feeling crazy. Maybe not in the way you are thinking exactly but you don't go from being 300+ somewhat blobby in appearance to a fairly attractive woman in a years time without a few ups and downs emotionally. Girlfriends help alot. Sounding boards and if they are good friends will give you that reality slap if you need it. First, I really didn't believed I looked good. I noticed people (men people) looking at me and just assumed it was because I looked weird/fat/dressed oddly. Sure, my family and friends complimented me - but they love me so they must be lying, right? I think it was the day that my horse vet (very conservative guy i have known for years) saw me at a social event and said "you look HOT!" that i realized... hmmm... maybe I do look more attractive. Second, you have to decide what to do with this new body of yours. It belongs to YOU, not anybody else. i am totally digging that i can ride horses like a fiend, hike, bike, play, workout and just enjoy it! I can dress up and look nice or I can just go casual... and just look freaking normal! If I do happen to get an appreciative look or proposition, I chalk it up to "atta girl" it isn't really something I need to respond to or act on. Normal women have been dealing with that most of their lives, and it is cool - nothing to go over a cliff about. Third, I guess you have to decide what you WANT from your relationships. I have shared before some challenges with my partner, but honestly they have been there for years. They aren't new and they aren't caused by me acting any differently. In fact, I have asked him, my sons and friends if I act any different and they all just say that I am happier and more active. and nicer and friendlier... glad nobody said I had gone skanky or anything...lol Good. Anyway, I find that physical outlets for my BOUNDLESS energy is key. I excercise regularly, and intensely. I do my horse stuff... idle hands are the devils playground or something like that. I have noticed lately that i just feel more regular all the time. I am no longer the obese woman pretending to be normal. I am feeling more normal. My next big challenge is plastics and I expect a revival of some of the crazy feelings here and there. Strap that head on tight and go!

My tastes changed alot. food just didn't taste very good for quite some time - really helped get that first 100# off! The only negative part was that plain ole Water got very tinny tasting to me. That is much better now, but I don't love it like I used to... I use alot of flavorings, lime slices etc to make water palatable.

Never regretted it for a single moment. The first weeks, even the first 3 months were "hard" but oh so worth it. I love my life as a sleever!

Oh, and after my upcoming plastics... my weekends will get considerably mellower as i have a planned slowdown to recover...

Okay, I think this week is shot, anybody game for the walk sometime after work next week? I am pretty busy on weekends....