LuminousLife

Holy heck! I forgot my password and was locked out for a few days. I got my date a and insurance approval!!! December 3rd

I'd wet your skin down before but that's just me. I also take Vitamin e plus all my other Vitamins. And st. Ives skin firming lotion

Yes wet your skin 1st. And be careful not to slip. You'll also need to wash the tub out after.

Add a splash of vanilla extract to the sugar and olive oil paste for a yummy sent. Women in my family have been doing this mix for forever and have amazing skin. Even now (pre op) I get a lot of compliments on my skin and its all due to a once weekly sugar, olive oil and vanilla extract scrub. Careful not to slip in the tub. Also makes shaving a breeze.

I started at 214#. Had surgery in feb. and I'm at 132. You will lose.

Wow! You rock! All of you do! Thank you for the lower bmi perspective. I struggle to lose now (2 wks pre op) on a very restricted diet so I worry i won't lose. This is very inspirational. Thank you!

Anyone mind sharing their starting weight? I'm starting at 230. I've been told people with lower bmi sometimes lose slower :/ just curious

As far as the last supper idea' date=' our NUT said clear liquids only the day before. And if there is any solid food in the bowel at all it can be dangerous & surgery will be called off. Soooo, I'd suggest doing the last supper two days before or even the night before you start your preop diet.[/quote']

I think will go out for dinner with my husband the night before my 2 week diet. Nothing crazy but something gourmet

I used to ask for extra butter at the movies! I also would pop a bag of buttered microwave popcorn and add a 1/3 of a stick of melted butter. No wonder I was chubby and cholesterol through the roof. Eventually I would have had a heart attack. I truly made a decision to think of carbs like crack to a drug addict. I crave them like mad. The one thing I've found that has helped me is Protein chips and I found a cracker that is high Protein. The crunch is so satisfying. Bariatric Advantage had Snacks that are good!

Carbs and BUTTER are my vice. I love butter! Lol

There is a lot of talk about excess skin and plastic surgery post goal. What are the best practices for reducing the chance of having lots of excess skin? What are some of the less obvious factors that contribute to excess skin? Has anyone lost 80lbs or more and not had any issues with skin? What can really be done during the weight loss to help? Are there any creams' date=' potions, special clothes, witch doctors or spells that have worked for you? Do share....[/quote']

I still have 2 weeks until my surgery but my friend said she used goat soap and she has no loose skin. I do notice mine is tighter when I use it.

Had a great recovery was up and about cooking walking in the park doing some light exercise felt great ....the last few days I have a sore to touch and pulling feeling above my incision that has the suture . When I stand up it can't completely stand up straight right away it takes a few mins . Any ideas if this is normal ? I spoke to my nurse practitioner today she says if it there's no redness swelling or heat coming from the area it should be fine ' date=' but I can't help but be worried cause I start work tomorrow. I'm a hairdresser .[/quote']

My surgery date isn't until a few weeks so I can't speak for what's normal but listen to you body and don't push yourself too much. Now much time did you take off? Not that is comparable but I did have ear surgery once and I felt a pulling feeling for like 3 weeks lol

I'm not sure of my diet yet. Probably same as yours. I also have diabetes. I go to find out details this wednesday. Best of luck to you.

Sounds like we are on the same schedule. What hospital are you going through?

I meet with the surgeon Thursday morning. He will then give me a 2 week diet of shakes and 1 meal prior to surgery. So of course I'm craving everything under the sun! Does anyone plan on having a "last supper" before the pre op diet? Im trying to resist.....

Update, I was able to drop 3 out of the 6. They took mercy on me and cleared me to meet with the surgeon. Working to drop the last 3 by that visit. This is solo hard but a good reminder of why I'm doing this.

tuna cups? That's all I got lol

Keep us posted on your surgery date. I know you must be so excited and waiting on that call tomorrow. Best wishes!

So excited! Will do. They are pushing to get me in before my deductible re-ups on Dec 1. I will try to post in real time what it feels like. I know that's the biggest unknown for me. Pain, mindset, pain, hunger, pain lol ect The feat of the unknown is the worst!

Got the green light to meet with the surgeon! They will call me tomorrow to make that appointment and once I meet with him I will have date! Shooting for the end of November early Dec! Soooooo close!

I lost 3 out of the 6. Buuuttttt they cleared me to meet with the surgeon anyway!!! She said to just try to lose the last 3 by the time I see him

I have no tips. I think you pretty much covered all your bases.

I just want to wish you good luck! I want to hear how it goes tomorrow. I am pulling for you.

Bonnie

Thank you Bonnnie I need it. I swear if I'm a pound over the dress is coming off! Lol

Tomorrow at 1:30 I step on the scale. If I am down my final 6lbs I will get my surgery date. I'm so worried I won't make it and will have to wait even longer. I have to get in before December 1. So I had 2 shakes today and a light supper. I sipping a homemade drink that should act as a direutic. Any tips on making weight? Its freezing out but I will wear my lightest dress. I even plan to stash my panties in my purse. All jewelry off and I even trimmed my nails lol I almost cut my hair but I'm not that crazy lol any tips? Any and all welcome!!!! Please!

When I look at the pic I see the difference but sometime it just still doesn't see like enough Plus my weight is stuck 1 lb away from 100 lbs lost from my highest weight!

Got to keep it going.

HW 343 SW 326 CW 245 GW 177 (98lbs gone) woohoo

Wow you look so amazing you should feel amazing too. Look at your butt! Where did your butt go??? lol

Thank you to everyone who replied to this thread with their insights! I was able to talk to my insurance it looks like they have the 6 month documented weight loss time period before the surgery it was not a year like the DR had mentioned ... Also looked into my prescription of the weight loss pills that my Dr prescribed me it is called Qysmia which has phentermine as well Topiramate' date='which is used to treat seizures with apparently ... The side effects are kinda scary mentions suicidal thoughts , and even seizures if you come off the medication too quickly so I have not gotten the prescription filled ...

So with that being said I have another appointment on Monday but with a different doctor from my medical group just to get a second opinion on the medication and more importantly the surgery! I would love any advice anyone can give me with talking to the DR about the surgery!! With my BMI alone it shouldn't be a problem I am just nervous!!! Thank you !![/quote']

You moving into he right place. I am so glad that you chose to seek a second opinion. Doctors are people and some people just can't understand the perspective of someone who has been struggling like we do. I wish you all the best we are here for you keep us posted

[Long Post...]

Perhaps this should be in a Post-Op forum' date=' but when I was considering the Sleeve, I wanted to know what recovery was like, so I'll write a few notes here... I was sleeved Oct 14th in Tj by Dr Garcia, and it was a good experience in Mexico! Hospital was clean, personnel very helpful, Marriott was great. I had a lot of nausea the first 24 hours but it passed. My tummy was really sore but not too painful, and I didn't use a wheelchair at any airport on my way home as I felt I should walk. (I won't repeat details about the first week from an earlier post.)

Now 11 days later, I'm doing good -- I feel almost 'normal' again! It's just been BUSY around here lately: Three days after I got home from Tj, we had company show up for two nights (long-time friends who are like cousins) and then ANOTHER couple arrived who we hadn't seen in years and they stayed three nights! No visitors for months, and we have TWO couples arrive the week after my surgery!!! Crazy.

However, I started feeling a LOT better after that first week, and now I'm amazed that I'm doing so well. It was strange fixing foods for everyone and then eating soups/shakes/yogurt, but I haven't been really hungry and it wasn't too much of a challenge. Altho I'd planned to keep it quiet (just say I had stomach issues so was eating soups), I ended up sharing with both couples what I'd done, and they were supportive and one friend is very interested to learn more. I don't intend to be a commercial for WLS but I'm also not going to hide it, especially if it's someone who might benefit. I'd never heard of the Sleeve a few months ago, until someone told me about it and I started researching, so I want to pay it forward.

Anyway, my tummy is hardly sore at all now, I've been able to zip up my jeans (my tum was too swollen at first), and my energy level is much better every day!

I'm tired of liquids but not in any rush to push my stomach to do more than it's ready for, so I'll take it slow. We went out to dinner last night and I forgot to take anything with me! and the restaurant had NO soup! So I got mashed potatoes & gravy and it was fine. I even treated myself today to a tablespoon of my homemade guacamole -- I just made sure I didn't swallow any lumps or tomatoes. Yum!

I've lost 16 pounds from my starting weight, which is amazing to me cause I haven't seen this weight in YEARS. I can see a difference in my face in the mirror, so it's starting to be real to me. I'm wearing a top today that I bought a year or two ago; it was very snug but I told myself I would lose ten pounds and I'd wear it... Never did until today!!

So -- for me -- the first couple of days were nauseating & sore, the first week was tender & slow, but every day since then has been an improvement! If you're getting ready for the Sleeve, be prepared but know that "this too shall pass" and you'll soon be feeling good and looking forward to being slimmer & healthier for the rest of your life!

I am. :-)[/quote']

Thank you for sharing that. So sweet and encouraging.

Just got my surgery date this afternoon....dec 2!!! It is a long 6 weeks away. I'm hoping the time goes quickly.

Congrats!!!!

I have been watching this thread and researching for probably a month now and decided to speak to my dr about the gastric sleeve! I do have a BMI of over 40 and no other Problems so I thought I should be a good candidate for the surgery... Well today was the day I thought I would get some answers regarding insurance and requirements and atleast get the ball rolling .... I was totally wrong !!! My Dr. Was the least supportive she didn't have much to say other than usually insurances want to see 10 percent of your weight lost and maintained for a year before they will even consider you ... This was just so discouraging because when I asked her about my insurance and what they require I was just told to call them and find out... I feel like I am starting the process alone!! Has anyone had this happen? I just want to get a start to it ' date=' I know surgery won't happen over night I just felt like she was so unsupportive !![/quote']

I told my PCP that I needed help w weigh loss and that is like a recommendation to a place that specialized in obesity treatment. He wrote the referral and since then all I have worked with is with obesity center. Don't be afraid to switch doctors. Its your health and it needs to be taken seriously.

Sugar addiction behaves similar to nicotine addiction. Do you smoke?

A couple of things happen. When you eat that "feel good drug" (sugar) in your brains releases the feel good chemical and then the chain starts. You want to keep feeling good so you keep doing what you know that makes you feel good. The thing is..... ITS A TRICK! It does NOT really make you feel good. It makes you feel bad and sick and like you failed. Then you want to feel good again so you eat more sugar! Just being able to wrap your head around what is really going on in our complex minds can help us to defend ourselves. Like I said.... first things first.... REMOVE YOURSELF OR THE BROWNIES FROM THE AREA. FILL UP ON Water. BRUSH YOUR TEETH. Allow yourself to admit that YES' date=' you would like to have it, but NO you will not have it. You will not be a slave to a freaking brownie. Just reaching out on here like you did is a sign of wanting to not fail. Go for a walk. Whatever it takes. Don't use the fact that you already had cheesecake to justify having a brownie. Set a goal.... Stay within your calorie range and workout routine for a week and reward yourself with ONE small low fat or healthy made brownie at the end. Give yourself something to look forward too. Now, get off the ledge! [/quote']

What an amazing support!!! Wise wise words. I hope you are still active on here when I go under In a few weeks. At the end of the day no one understands like the peers here. Its like a sleeve-hood lol

Husband has friends over for the World Series. Ate a piece of cheesecake tonight and now I want a brownie! I am freaking out! Almost 5 months out and I can eat anything! And I feel like I'm losing control!!

My husband and his buddies are knee deep in Chinese food and I am trying make weight for next week to get approval. I'm going to bed! Lol