mwrarr

Dang! That's such a difference! Yeay!! :} 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

Amazing! Congrats! :} This gives me much hope that I'm on the right path finally. :} 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I think it would be totally funny if you showed up that morning with a garlic lanyard around your neck & a bottle of "holy water" in your pocket. Hehe 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

My youngest is a leap day baby' date=' too. :} We have fun with it. He's become less uptight about the "you're only..." jokes as he's gotten older. Lol 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I like that kind, too. But the Cookies & cream is blech! X'P 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I used the couch to 5k program. Easy to find on google...& free. It got me running quickly & smoothly. The trick is not to go for speed at first, just get the running gait down & keep the rhythm. :} 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

You'll do great! 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

The Atkins advantage bars are the only only "Protein bars" I'll eat. Basically everything else is loaded with sugar. 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

It may seem a little drastic to others, but we are here to support each other, not to judge. As for te "slower" WL...it probably is due to the lower procedure start weight, BUT as long as you're following the sleeve "rules" it will at least be steady dropping. Best Wishes!! 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

This is where the lack of "long-term" anecdotal & peer-reviewed studies evidence comes into play, and why VSG'rs have to do more research using non-surgical WL & other bariatric surgeries as cross-reference for what to realistically expect. That being said, emotional issues are one of the biggest rocks we have to climb, along with addictions, self-delusions, undiagnosed eating disorders & general life issues such as stability of home, career & community/support system. Additionally, medical issues are sometimes helped or even reversed by drastic WL, while others can be exacerbated by it--or slow/cease WL altogether. 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

Thank you! I'm realizing as the sedation drugs are finally fully working out of my system that the clear exam means I'll be clear for VSG (instead of RNY, which would've been my only option if evidence of active ulcerations, etc) My final referral appt is with cardiology next monday @ 8am. Then one more wrap-up appt with my surgeon & insurance submission! :} \:D/ 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

Thanks all :} It was fairly smooth, although not as quick as they made it out to seem. At the 1st Gastro consult they said it'd be about an hour total in &out, but ended up being more like 3... Ugh. I started tearing up in the processing & then in waiting room. Poor Sam didn't know what to think LOL throat is a little scratchy, but no big deal now. I'm glad they gave me a copy of the pix...I'm rather morbid that way haha I may frame it & hang over my desk. ;} 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

When you say pre-op, which stage are you referring to? I felt the same way a few months ago when I had my 1st surgical appt. But things have opened my eyes along the way since then. I still feel it's radical, but I know now that I cannot do it alone. 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

"God" didn't intend for us to have GMOs instead of food, either...but she (we all do!) eats them. Nor did "God" intend for fast food joints, buttery movie popcorn, greasy/sugary/grain-loaded foodstuffs.... But we are stuck with them, & no one belittles a skinny person for buying the exact same junk. [sorry if that's a little cranky; I dealt with a similar inquiry recently] 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I finally told my youngest son. His reply was "you're not fat, mama..." & "but what will you look like?!?" I'll tell my oldest son maybe tomrw...if he didn't already hear it from the lurks guy. (they've been @their dad's since Friday) 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I got a lot of "activity leads" from my Y. Plus, a pretty good workout. But, I'm very lucky to only be about a 5-min drive fom the house to the Y. I worry about the friends issue as my journey towards VSG travels on. I already have a divide between my "best friend" as anytime I try to talk about it, she gets all hyper & says things like "I just couldn't do that...*I* know what I'm doing wrong..." etc (she's morbidly obese, too). Shes a nurse & has said that it just terrifies her, but she will support me. But her idea of support is trying to get me to change my mind & try the next fad. As such, I just avoid it. She lives an hour away anyway, so it's not like it's an everyday issue. The other one is my BF... Our relationship is pretty steady, but lately he's showing weird signs (I think he's just scared & it's manifesting in weird comments/actions), but we are also very social & up until now almost all of our celebrations/dates, etc centered around food/drink. I'm afraid he's going to (possibly subconsciously) take my inability/desire to imbibe/gorge as a rejection of him &/or us. *LeSigh* We've talked about this & he's tried to assure me that my weight/surg would not be the takedown of our relationship, but who knows. I have faith, but faith can fail... My family is great. I'm very lucky that my sister went first (RNY in 2010), so they are not phased at all by the possibility that I'll be going thru the holidays on liquids. My step-mother even said, "oh hell, we'll just find some sugar free pumpkin pie creamer for your tea" haha <3 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

Abby...idk how I missed your reply, sorry! :} I'm glad things seem to be going better. It seems from what I'm reading all over (not just this site) is that when (post-op) it's good it's awesome & when it's bad it's awful. I'm getting so nervous. Trying not to talk myself out of it. I'm glad there's more of us!! Even if still just considering it... :} I haven't found another person in real life who's had it done, & even my dr seemed to be trying to talk me into RNY. 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I will be sending my brightest lights to you 2 ladies tomorrow!! 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

FABULOUS!! :} I love this reply!! 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I moved to a new town almost 1-1/2 yrs ago. I found that getting involved with local events, farmers market, local music scene, etc...as well as watching postings at the library, craigs list & local groups/businesses/artsy groups' FACEBOOK event listings, etc...has kept me busy & in the loop. I still don't have a lot of friends here, but I know a boatload of people & have a lot of fun. That being said, I still hold back bc of my size & that's (one reason) why I decided to do the surg... 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

This thread is just what I needed to see this morning. :} I'm so happy for your changes. 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I started bowling on a mixed league. And Omigosh, I am terrible! Haha but I didn't give up & ppl started to know who I was. I went from "that chick with the 37 avg" to having made a ton of friends, probably bc of my never-say-die attitude abt my crappy avg! Lol I also just made a list of things I wanted to try. I started painting again, & joined a local art group to do public shows. I started singing again & put some focus on my music, & now I have a whole other side of life to express myself through. I lamented, too. & mourned. For so long. The best advice I can give is to stop doing that, and start living!! 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

I'm pre-op & tending towards VSG, but awaiting the endoscopy results as I have a life long history of GERD & previous ulcers. Most of my "experience" with bariatric surg comes via my sister, who had RNY in 2010. She was 55bmi, type2 ins dep, Hypertension, degenerative joint issues, you name it. I can tell you that she's made her Drs goal & is abt 40# from personal goal, had a baby 2 yrs out, & can drink like a fish (though she's now a major "lightweight"), & pretty much has normal (aka "recommended") portion sizes. She still can't handle dairy or sweets too much, but did have a bite or two of her wedding cake. I know abt 5 ppl personally who have done RNY over the last 10 yrs...they all live pretty much normal lives & eat fairly normally. However, to me...they all kinda have that "green under the gills" look, even though they're skinny/healthy now. My surgeon said it's likely due to malabsorption, & that it should pass bc the body figures out how to bypass the malabsorption issue around 1-1/2 to 2 years out. I know absolutely no one personally who has had VSG, but the pyloric valve is pretty important to me... 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

YEAYYYYY!!! 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)