sleevie.wonder

Thanks so much! Same to you. And nope, not yet. It's been quite the long process. But I am getting there! The next step is meeting with the surgeon, which will be sometime this month. Hoping for an early March surgery date! Nice! Where are you having surgery? So you must be right around St. Bernardine's. That's where mine's going to be. I am excited as well. SOOO very excited! Anyone have any dreams about the surgery at all? Oh man, I had the most REALISTIC dream last night. It felt so real. It was basically me laying on the operating table and them giving the anesthesia to knock me out, then before I knew it I "woke up" and the surgery was over and was a success. But the weird thing is that I "felt" the stomach pain in my dream. It was soo realistic. I've never had surgery before so I think it's just the unknown that kinda freaks me out! Not knowing how I will feel when I wake up... stuff like that.

Congrats to everyone whose gotten a date! Can't wait to get mine

I don't even have a date yet and I'm having a food funeral. Today I went on a junk food buying spree at the store, topped off with buying two boxes of Girl Scout cookies on the way out. Wth is wrong with me!? I don't even want it anymore. But it felt good to buy it for some reason *shrug*. I went to the support group Thursday evening, and I really enjoyed listening to the unbiased, real and heart-felt stories. Everyone had great progress but also sheared their struggles. I will definitely be going to those after surgery. Friday is my bariatrician appointment.. Fingers crossed that I get in with the surgeon soon after that. Work is going to be a problem, there are only two designers at my job, me being one of them, and the other one goes on maternity leave in April. My boss really needs me there by then. So needless to say I'm getting antsy.

What was your starting weight? I am 5'9 and 150 seems so unrealistic to me! You must look amazing. I am going to ultimately go for 165 lbs. I am starting at 315 though...

This is very reassuring. I of course worry (because that's all I do!!) about all my feelings staying the same, even after the weight comes off. Feelings such as the general unhappiness with myself. I am so happy for you. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the info on the vitamins! And you are absolutely right about having support.

I had my psych eval on Friday. She cleared me, but was worried because I have a lot of anxiety and worry. She said it's just going to get worse after surgery. But I don't think it will be anything I can't handle. Now I just have to wait for my bariatrician appt on the 7th, then he will refer me to the surgeon for an appointment. I am also going to a bariatric support group this Thursday. It is a requirement but I am looking forward to it actually. But we're getting closer! I just try and tell myself everyday... Even though it seems like it is taking forever... Every day that goes by is a day closer. Has anyone bought all their Vitamins yet? I wasn't sure where to go buy them where they have everything that I need. This includes the fact that most/all need to be chewable. Hope everyone is doing well!

Glad that you are still here to tell us your story. Hope you have a speedy recovery!

And if it helps at all, I've seen the brushes at TJ Maxx and Marshall's as well for pretty cheap if you're not one to order offline.

I haven't been sleeved yet so I can't say from experience, but I am nervous too. I've read that skin brushing works well. So I will probably try that with some cocoa butter. Here's to hoping!

Amazing results, you look fab! You had surgery in October and have already lost 100+ lbs? Or am I reading the date wrong? Sorry, American here lol.

We are here for you! Just keep your eye on the prize. Have you tried low carb? I like that better than low calorie because you don't feel so hungry. And as far as your family goes, let them think and say what they want. Do what you feel is right for you because ultimately this is your life and your decision. And won't it be amazing to prove them wrong!

Awesome! It'll be here before you know it!

Oh ok I see. So our processes are a little different. I had to do 12 classes of Options. Then we meet with the psych, then the bariatrician, then the surgeon to get our surgery date. Good news guys my sleep apnea study came back negative! One less thing to worry about. I am with everyone else with the worries about the AFTER surgery part. I am still fighting my drive-thru, sugar, and caffeine addiction. How will I cope? I am already finding myself gravitating towards spending. I will definitely talk to my psych about cross-addiction because I can see myself going down that road (to spending addiction) since I already have a small problem with it now. Also, my bariatrician appointment isn't until feb 7th so looks like I am probably looking at a March surgery.

From Baltimore, MD. I have Kaiser Mid Atlantic. Did you have to do the Options classes through the MD Kaiser?

I have Kaiser in California, but I think they have Kaisers in one or two other states as well. Whereabouts did you live? I am in the Inland Empire (San Bernardino county.) I know how you feel! I have enough anxiety as it is, but this is a "good" anxiety. I just want to get it over with so I can start my new life! To be honest, I don't shop much anymore. It's too depressing like you said. When I do find something that fits, it is usually something that is ugly. So that's why I am usually wearing black. And plus size stores such as Torrid are just too expensive. I'm so over it! I've only told my parents, my boyfriend, boss (only because he's the one who has to give me the time off to go to these appointments), and one of my sisters that I am closer too. I have three other siblings that I will tell when I actually have a date. Other than that, I have no intentions of telling anyone else. I MIGHT tell a friend, only because she had the sleeve as well. I am apprehensive about telling her, though, because at one point she tried talking me out of ever getting it done (she knows I was considering it). Her reasons? She lost a lot of hair and has flabby skin now. Uhm, I will take that over being this big anyday! I am from Southern California, San Bernardino county. I am having my surgery through Kaiser. Nice!

I'm hoping for a Feb/March date as well! I finished my 3 month classes through Kaiser, all that's left is a sleep study, psych appt, and bariatrician appt before I meet with the surgeon, who will then give me a date. Soo ready and excited

You went from 305 to 166 in six months did I read that right?? Wooow! You are an inspiration. We have the same stats. Do you have pics?

Hope everything went smoothly!

Anyone get sleeved at Kaiser Fontana? Friday is my last Options class. Also, how long after you finished your last class did you get sleeved? TIA

While you do lose faster with bypass because of the malabsorption, the amount of weight that you lose in the long run is going to be about the same with both surgeries. Both surgeries have their own set of possible complications, as with any surgery, so it is ultimately up to you which you feel more comfortable having. I personally don't like the idea of re-routing my insides and the malabsorption, which is why I am choosing the sleeve. I have 150 to lose as well. There are a lot of threads on here that weigh the pros and cons of each surgery . Good luck

So glad to find this thread. Next week I have to take equipment home for a week to test for sleep apnea. I thought at first that it was a gigantic waste if time and only pushing my surgery date further, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. If it comes back positive and I need to wear a CPAP, so be it. I sleep terrible, but always attributed it to sharing my bed with my 4 year old since the day she was born. But this could answer some questions!

Not really a newbie to the board, but a newbie to the process. I have Kaiser and this is my last week of the Options classes (there were 12). So I am very stoked about that. The only thing that is in the way at this point is the fact that I need to do a sleep apnea study but my appointment isn't until March!! So I will basically be twiddling my thumbs until then. Been bugging them about getting in to any cancelled appt spots though. Annoying thing is that I have no symptoms of sleep apnea but they are still making me do it. Oh well.. I figure these things happen for a reason. After that I will have a series of pre-op appointments, such as psych, etc. I'm excited though. Best of luck to all

You look great! Your scars are not even noticeable. Hope mine end up like that

Thanks for these updates! Hope you are feeling better