lucky8mb1

I was reading in another thread that keeping your skin well-moisturized can possibly help lessen (not prevent) sagging skin. I'm all for trying anything to help - especially something that simple. I'm still pre-op but I'd like to get started with hydrating my skin now so it can be in the best shape possible for my post-surgery life. Does anyone have any lotion/cream recommendations? Anything that you think worked really well for you? Thanks!

I'm tentatively scheduled for surgery on 12/10. (Tentative because my doctor doesn't book that far out, but I'm penciled in and that's the day I need/want.) Anyway, I'm probably hovering anywhere around 280lbs now. I refuse to get on the scale, but I've been eating like crap since I made the decision to have the surgery so I'm sure I'm at least 280 or a bit more by now. My goal is about 150, but I wouldn't complain if I got down to 130. I'm self-pay so I have no requirements about doctor visits, weight to be lost, etc. My doctor has a 2 week pre-op diet that is part liquid, part lean solid Protein. I'm 34 and female, for what it's worth. I'm going on a beach vacation the week of Thanksgiving and I'd love to drop a bit of weight before then. I would eat pretty much how I wanted on vacation and then start the pre-op diet 2 days after I get back. It sounds horrible, but I'm concerned that if I go on a strict diet now and start losing weight, my "honeymoon" phase of post-surgery weight loss won't be as significant. Am I being absolutely ridiculous? For those with similar stats and who chose to (or had to) lose weight before the pre-op diet period - was your post-surgery weight loss average, or above/below average? Thank you!

Thanks for the response! I'm about 5'4.5", so very close! I have a very similar body shape and carry my weight almost exactly like you do, so I'm most definitely going to watch your updates! Congrats on your success and keep up the good work. Can't wait to start sharing my progress in December!

You look great! I looks like we have similar starting weights and goal weights. May I ask how tall you are? Please continue to share pics of your progress. I still have two months to go until my surgery and seeing this keeps me motivated!

It sounds like you and I are at the same point of our journey and facing some of the same issues with regards to the surgery itself. I had my consultation today. I'm also self-pay. Weighed in at 284lbs at 5'4.5" this morning. My BMI was 47-48. I want to lose about 120lbs. I also have a vacation planned for the week of Thanksgiving. An all-inclusive, out of the country vacation and I'm far too nervous about 1) not being on solids yet and/or 2) having complications while I'm so far from home. In order to even consider doing it before my vacation, I would have to start my 2-week pre-op diet this Monday and have surgery in 2 weeks. There is no way I'm ready for that. I've been beating myself up about the fact that I'm leaning toward doing it after vacation I feel like I'm making excuses so I can binge at the resort and I'm just going to spend the next 2.5 months getting bigger. But as I talked to my husband about it today, he reminded me this is a hugely life-changing decision. If my choice is to do it now or do it in 2.5 months, 2.5 months may be the wiser choice. Especially when I consider having to schedule time off from work, gathering finances, mentally preparing for the pre and post-op diet, beginning a solid exercise regimen, etc. This needs to be a permanent change and I think making the changes bit by bit in preparation for the "big event" is going to be the best course of action for me, personally. Perhaps for you as well. So, I'm looking at a December 10th surgery date. Yes, it will be a bummer to be that fresh out of surgery during Christmas, but I'm kind of hoping all of the craziness of the season will help keep my mind off the fact that I'm not eating real food! Regardless, good luck with your decision. Hopefully we can compare notes and success stories in 2013!

I'm new here. I live in The Woodlands and I just started seriously looking into the sleeve a couple of weeks ago. I've spent many hours poring over info online, and today scheduled a consultation with Dr. Balette for 10/2. I'm not 100% decided yet, especially since my insurance covers no bariatric surgery at all, but I feel like I really have no other choice. Looking forward to getting to "know" some of you better.