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Amazing difference! You look awesome!

The second step is an option for you, but it's not something you absolutely have you do if you're not comfortable taking the extra step. Check out LessofSarah on YouTube. She had similar starting stats and had the sleeve a year ago. She still has some weight to lose, but I personally don't think she has enough to warrant a second surgery.

I also had three c-sections and a transabdominal cerclage placed, and I had no trouble having my sleeve. Two of my three c-sections were complicated, and in one of them, my incision reopened a few days after surgery because of a hematoma. I had a wound vac and several weeks of wound care, and I was left with a lot of scar tissue and a gnarly incision line. Additionally, I was involved in a car accident two weeks before surgery. My van was totaled, and I had a giant line of bruising all across my belly under my belly button. The surgeon had to see it in advance, but he said even that wouldn't negatively affect my surgery because he was operating all above it. I still had to give myself Lovenox injections around that bruise line post-op, but there were no complications even with that. Here's a picture of the bruise line and a picture of my incisions one week post-op for reference. (Not sure if/why they're attaching twice and/or upside down, and not sure how to fix. Hopefully you'll get the idea.)

You might get some more quotes. A girlfriend of mine had a tummy tuck, breast lift and augmentation, and a rejuvenation of her lower girly bits all for $15,000 from a respected surgeon in a prestigious area of the DFW metroplex. Maybe there's more competition here and that lowers the price? Not sure. I'm a long way off from that process personally. Best of luck!

I'm still in process, just over five weeks out from surgery, but here are a couple of progress pictures. The face pictures are me around surgery consult weight, the day of surgery, and last night at five weeks post-op. Please pardon the bralessness of the pre-op full body. I took them the day I started my pre-op liquid diet (so, seven weeks ago), and wasn't planning on sharing, but I don't have any others in my phone. The full-body shots in the brown dress were taken this morning. This was a goal dress hanging in my closet that I've skipped right over. I was holding a handful of fabric in the back and side. I couldn't squeeze into it five weeks ago, and now it's at least two sizes too big. Also, not wearing any shape wear -- just discovering there's a different shape to me and not just round. Haha! Looking at these pictures, I understand now why a couple of people have said I look like I'm melting. Highest recorded weight: 276 Surgery consult weight: 267.2 (what I calculate from) Surgery weight: 250.4 My weight this morning: 222.7

I have Cigna, and did a three-month "diet" and a few other tests. My meetings with the NUT weren't 30 days apart, but rather 3-4 weeks and always in a new calendar month. Initial visit in mid-August, 2nd mid-September, 3rd early October, 4th early November. Accidentally submitted to insurance early on Halloween, a few days before my final NUT visit, but they sent over the notes from that visit same-day as an attachment, and I had my approval within 36 hours (or within one week from the initial accidental submission). My start BMI was 41+, and I had none of the typically recognized co-morbidities. The hoops I had to jump through we're minimal compared to some requirements I've seen on here. Overall, MUCH easier than I thought it would be. I had surgery 12/03/13.

I tried them, and thought them disgusting. I take the Celebrate Multicomplete chewable. It's yummy! Orange is my favorite.

Thanks again for organizing this, Bea! I'm at 222.7 this morning, so down 2.8 pounds since Last Friday. Reading through this list, I'm so envious of the 4-15 pound losses, but I'm only in week 5 and I haven't stalled yet. I'm losing a bit less each week, but so far, still losing! I still have so much to figure out, but the biggest struggle I'm having in this journey is the head game. This whole process is so mental! I'm easily getting in all of my water and averaging 80-85g protein, but that seems to leave me at about 800-850 calories/day. Wondering if cutting those calories would cause me to lose more or to stall. Doc says just eat to a comfort level and strive for 2-3oz. protein and 1oz. veg per meal, otherwise no other restrictions. I've added the 1/2c. per meal limit based on what I've seen around here. Thoughts from other experienced people? Maybe I need to just chill out and enjoy the fact that I'm still losing and not stalling.

So I'm in the middle of this. I had surgery 12/03/13. When I was pre-op, I debated telling people. My husband knew and my dearest friend knew, but no one else. Then, I decided to tell a small circle of 5 close friends in confidence, and when I got a range of responses from super excitement to criticism, I decided to stop telling. I didn't need the stress of dealing with other people's emotions and second guesses when I had my own to work through. I didn't want to have to backtrack if insurance fell through or delayed the process. Additionally, Even if things worked out and surgery was a go, I didn't want the food scrutiny early on and constant calls or texts from people about how much weight I've lost when I'm just getting this thing going. Now I'm five weeks out. I'm eating actual food -- soft, low carb food, but still food. I'm choosing behaviors that don't draw a lot of attention to me because that's what I prefer. I've lost 44 pound total, 27 of those in the five weeks since surgery, and people are beginning to comment. Many people still can't put their finger on what's different about me. When the nurses at my surgeon's office (who KNOW I've had surgery and am losing weight) asked if I got new glasses, I simply replied, "nope, same ones!" and left it at that. When my husband's boss asked if I'd gotten my hair done, that could be answered with an honest yes because I just had. When someone said I was looking "thinnish," I laughed with them and said, "oh, I don't know about that!" but they didn't ask if I'd lost weight, and I didn't feel the need to tell them I'd had bariatric surgery. Yesterday, a couple of moms at my daughter's playgroup asked if I'd lost weight. One is naturally thin and gorgeous and not someone I've known very long, and I told her I had. The conversation went back to her then, about how she needed to lose weight, but she was just too busy. There was no question about what I'd done to lose. The other mom, though, we've been good friends for years, and she just went on and on, and began asking what I was doing (as we've share weight struggles for years). I asked if she could keep a secret, then shared I had bariatric surgery. She was so excited and impressed, and wanted to know how I felt and how things were going, etc. She asked some really good questions. It was good! So far, I like the way I'm handling this. I'm not ashamed of having surgery, but I don't feel it's necessary to broadcast this to every single person in the world. When people who care about me truly express interest in what I'm doing/have done to improve my health, I don't mind sharing. Eventually, I'm sure word will move through the grapevine, but by then, hopefully I'll be further into my journey and will have an even greater handle on this baby sleeve.

Haha! That's too funny!

My fitness pal is a food tracker/diary both in website and phone app form.

I just went to the movie at one month post-op. I carried in a completely full (20oz.) shaker bottle with unflavored Protein powder and a single packet of sugar-free mixed berry limeade. It was nice to sip on something sweet, and I worked on my protein and Fluid intake without having to try too hard. I love popcorn, but I really ever only eat it in the movie theater. I imagine in the future, on the rare occasion I do go to the movie, I'll have a bit of the bag I buy for my kids.

My pain was suddenly gone, too. Went away around week 3.

A few more days have passed, Linda -- how are you?

I've been getting that -- random incorrect observations. The nurses at my surgeon's office asked if ingot new glasses probably 15 pounds ago. (Nope, same ones I wear to every appointment.). Then, on Friday, we went to a {delayed} holiday party after which my husband's boss went on and on about how good I looked. He asked my husband if I'd done anything different to my hair and named a few other things, then decided I must look so different because I'm not pregnant. (I've had three full-term pregnancies in less than five years.) Only one other friend that I rarely see hinted that I'm looking a little "thinnish." I just brushed it off, and she dropped the conversation. I've lost 44 pounds now and I'm down a few sizes, but people just can't put their finger on what's different. That's okay by me! The longer people aren't certain about what I've done, the longer they'll go without voicing their opinions about my health choices, food intake, etc.

Gamergirl -- I'm just north of Flower Mound, but I'm in and around Keller/Roanoke all the time. (We lived just west of the Texas Motor Speedway for seven years until this past summer.). I've been stalking your "What I had for lunch" thread for a long time, and had I known you were just down the road, I might've invited myself over for some of your creative concoctions.

I did this yesterday with the vanilla shake. So peanut buttery! Going to have to give your Reece's Peanut Butter shake a try!

I use the Syntrax Nectar unflavored protein. I buy it on Amazon, but I believe the Vitamin Shoppe carries Syntrax. If you plan to mix into your soup, measure out the portion of soup you plan to eat, then from that portion, reserve at least a couple of tablespoons of the cold or room temp soup. Mix your protein powder into this to form kind of a paste, then mix that paste into your warm soup. This will reduce or prevent clumping.

The Celebrate Multi-complete has 36mg iron in the two-a-day tablets, so a full day's supply. Do you like the taste of your Vitamins, JeanZ? I was so worried they'd be gross, but after trying a sample at my surgeon's office, I was hooked! Now they're like a treat!

I love the idea! I'm just down the road in HV/FM. I had my surgery five weeks ago at Baylor Grapevine, and though I attended the hospital-based support group, I didn't find it as supportive as I did informational. I know there is a group of DFW sleevers that meet regularly, but I think they're kind of from all over and they meet all over. Please keep me in the loop. Amanda

I take the Celebrate Multi-Complete vitamin. They're a multivitamin specifically formulated for the sleeve patient, and they have the iron already in them. I have both the orange and the forest berry, and they're delicious! I believe you can order samples from the Celebrate website, and I order my vitamins from Amazon.

My OB recommended an amino as well, but when I conferred with my maternal-fetal medicine specialist (who would do the amnio), he asked if there were any terms under which I would terminate a pregnancy. Since there weren't in my case, he said for me he didn't feel like an amino was worth it. There is a small risk of miscarriage with amnio, and ultrasounds, particularly when combined with the simple quad screen or Maternity 21 test, can determine risk or Trisomy disorders, etc. Since I'd already had six losses due to other crazy situations on my body, I went that route, and kept my risk of loss as low as possible.

Here's a thread from earlier today asking this very question: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/293606-how-long-were-you-out-of-work/

In not extraordinarily concerned about either reason for that label, personally. I'm 37, and I've had two full-term, healthy pregnancies since passing that "advanced maternal age" mark (though I've been "high risk" in every one of my pregnancies because of hormone imbalances and cervical incompetency). As for the bariatric surgery, you're taking in food now and have no trouble eating. Making sure you're prioritizing fluids would be your #1 thing since dehydration can cause preterm labor down the line, and as for food, the recommendation would be to prioritize protein, which you're likely doing anyway. I would absolutely not let these labels worry you, and enjoy every single moment of this blessing! Congratulations!!!

Here in Texas, I think I'd have no problem going to a BBQ restaurant. When you've correctly advanced through the food stages, you could easily choose smoked turkey breast or chicken, some jalepeno beans, pickles and onions, a bit of fresh salad. I'd skip the sandwich buns and rolls, and try to order a kid's plate or plan for leftovers.