TwinsMama

I mentioned in my last blog post that I was visiting my Nut earlier this week. I'm happy to report I'm down 5 lbs. I've officially met my required (6 month) weight loss goal. Now I have to stay under this weight for another month to be submitted for approval. After I'm submitted for approval, I can then start the long process of waiting for a date. My surgeon is wayyy backed up, so I am not expecting to have surgery until probably this summer. The good news with that is I will have worked up even more leave so I can stay out longer during recovery. I'm shooting for 3 weeks at least with 4 weeks being the most. That's how I'm managing to keep the frustration (of this long process) down. I'm just glad I have made this much progress. Now here's to a loss during December...holidays and all.

Today I have my 5th month apt (out of my 6 month pre-op process). I am more than nervous. I didn't over do it on Thanksgiving but still I worry I have not lost enough weight. I read a blog post that said people really only gain about 5 lbs. over the holidays but most of us tend to think we gained more. That's me. I am so worried that I gained and/or didn't lose enough to qualify. I mean I have 1 more month before I can be submitted for approval and well Christmas is in that month. I'm trying not to stress out (I'm known to do that around highly important events). I also have to submit my food diary, questionnaire (why I want surgery and what my lifestyle is like), 1 day of meals post-op, and 1 day worth of meals during the puree stage. Looking back, this has been a long frustrating journey. Every time I am ready to have a pitty party or get frustrated I think about the blog 300poundsdown.com. Holly is a true inspiration. She is someone who has a story to tell. While sure our stories and challenges are different, I can count on her posts to help me realize that no matter where you start, it is worth it to keep going to goal. One thing about me...I've never been a crier (at least not a sappy one - pain sure okay). I watch movies and when the person dies, falls in love, rides off into the sunset...yup I'm in the wow, s/he can act camp. But cry and feel a sudden sense of loss...nope, it is just not me. Same goes when reading high charged emotional books, stories, etc. That being said, I have to say, I've never met Holly but feel like I know her. Her posts can bring anyone (yes even me) to tears. Her determination and sheer positivity is amazing. Her blog is my go-to when I'm ready to get down on myself for not losing enough, making a bad choice, thinking of giving up, not having progressed in this process enough, etc. I realized a few minutes ago when reading her post over lunch that I have made her my unofficial WLS hero. She will never know this but I say this to encourage anyone else out there that feels frustrated during this pre-op process: Go on over to Holly's site and check out her story. You'll find she will really inspire you to just keep on going.

This is a rant, so I apologize in advance for being all over the place... So the last few days I've had ZERO motivation to work out. I'm just coming off my cycle so I know that's part of it. However, I just feel so blah. Part of me knows it is the cold weather too, the sunny days, late nights of summer...I hate the heat but love the summer... Okay back on task...I'm just in a funk regarding exercise. I walk daily but that is not enough. I have literally every exercise DVD, tape, etc. known to man. So there is variety I'm just not feeling it. I even have an exercise bike, bands, weights, you name it but still no motivation. I had the great idea to buy something (my other form of therapy I'm working on) a new workout outfit and a new piece of equipment. I thought I'd buy either a home gym thingy (like the one Chuck Norris uses) or a treadmill (my 3rd one - I've given the others away). Then I thought I'd buy one of those exercise chairs like on the Steve Harvey show, (see it here) until I saw it was $700 for something I can basically make myself. Don't judge me, it takes me a while to figure out the real deal with me sometimes. That's when I knew I was avoiding the real problem...no motivation. I've never been the type that gets a rush after exercising. Even when I was thinner I didn't feel all giddy after working out. It was/is a means to an end. Now don't get me wrong...I love belly dance, pilates, and bollywood dance. So I know there are things I enjoy. I think I'm just a combo of bored and lazy. Plus, when I do those, I don't get as good a workout as when I used to hit the gym or lift weights. So it feels like they are not worth my time. I do tolerate callanetics and t-tap which are good exercises but man they get boring really quick. Which brings me to my next point...I don't want to go to the gym. My days are literally full enough without going to a gym for a hour a day (I live in the country rual suburbs). Plus, to pay for what I already have at home seems like a huge waste. After all this, I guess there is no real point to my post other than I'm bored and lazy. I guess I'll get back to my pilates and callanetics and maybe buy myself something to use when doing pilates. Don't judge me, I'm still a work in progress.

My comment got all loopy... I think I'll look online and see what tricks I can find for increasing the desire to work out. I did see a nice barre workout on YouTube. @Catherine, good job about the back door trick. I feel the same way about winter and YES it is tough to work out in the cold weather. I walk to work (also take public transit) but it is not enough to really get a good workout.

Good job..congrats on the weight loss!

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I can tell by the tone of your post that you really are frustrated and don't want to hear "there, there, it gets better". So, I won't say that. Instead I'll tell you why the stuff you don't put effort into comes easier than the stuff you try hard at...EVERYTHING worth having takes effort. You are persistent enough to even deal with this office and even before that, to make up your mind to even have surgery. Now realize, this process (while frustrating right now) will be so short in the grand scheme of things. Once you are post-op you will realize that the 3 months of pure frustration you went through, will yield you a lifetime of benefits in the way of health, energy, and success if you stick to the plan. See this as your WLS test and your continued diligence post-op as your lifetime reward. Sending good thoughts and energy to continue this fight...hopefully you won't have to but if you do, know that you aren't the first or last person to experience inept people and poor customer service. Also, remember this...the pen is mightier than the sword. Send the Dr and your insurance a letter...I have a feeling the ball will really get rolling if you do that.

Cool...that is one thing I can't wait to see. Even when I was thinner my knees were always "healthy".

Congrats!

I think most of us pre-op peeps have asked this. The general answers fall between working out (cardio and strength), heritage/family history, and just accepting many of us will have some sort of loose skin. So far some people have also suggested compression garments, lotions, etc. The jury is out on those as it seems the 2 camps (for/against) have about agreed to disagree on those. I think the best advice (and most common) is to start working out asap and understand it will be 2 years post op before you really know how your skin will handle the rapid weight loss.

You are doing really great. Good for you for making such progress and to keep pushing yourself when walking. Pretty soon you'll look up and realize you've walked even farther than a mile. Very very good job!

I like seeing the larger mannequins. I can't stand to shop in a plus size store or even catalog and see a rail thin display/model. The clothes always seem to fall off the models especially. I think we need to see more images in stores and magazines. I'd love to see mannequins in wheelchairs. I mean why are so many people so ready to find offense even when there is none? There will always be things not pleasing to someone's eye...I wish people would get over themselves. And BTW, yes, curvy is hot while this assumption that plus size equals box shape is not.

Congrats on being on the way! Don't stress over what's not done. Just get what you can done and the rest, just has to wait. Good luck to you.

Yes, it sucks to think things are a go and then find out, someone else messed up. Keep going, in the long run, the extra days/weeks won't matter. Right now, you have a lot on your plate so sure it is a tough spot. Don't let up on everyone and make sure they send, document, etc. everything so that you don't find this happening again. Best wishes to you.

Good luck...I so much like to see real people who have had success with this surgery and my Surgeon. Like Catherine said, you are helping others save their lives.

This past week was wonderful. I was able to spend much needed time with my family (worked from home multiple days), enjoy a nice long weekend, and just de-stress. I did pretty good eating over the holiday. I was pretty proud of myself. I decided to view the food as "not going anywhere" rather than my "last hurrah". This made all the difference in the world. It helped me to realize just because I'm getting sleeved doesn't mean I will never eat some of the foods I enjoy again. I'm sure I won't be disappointed at my next weigh-in. I have about a week to get ready. We'll see what the scale holds.

Congrats!!!

This weekend was B U S Y for us. We had lots of events and although it was jammed packed, it was a blast. So if you've read any of my forum posts you no doubt know that I have a very close friend who had RnY (3 years ago). This weekend I got to see her. She still looks awesome. I even noticed that some of her saggy skin reduced. Now she does go to the gym 6 days a week and doesn't cheat. Plus she is not an emotional eater. All in all she did her homework and really follows the plans set by her Nut and surgeon. It was great to see her. While we were at her house, I made the big announcement to everyone (RnY friend already knew) that I was having WLS. I told them I had decided on the sleeve. Everyone was very supportive...even my one friend who doesn't "believe in WLS". The icing on the cake was that another friend in our group of 4 said she too is having surgery. She was considering the band but hadn't done any research so she was not sure which surgery she'd have. We (RnY friend) and I did tell her that if she uses our surgeon, he won't recommend the band. She asked a lot of questions and we were honest but didn't try to convince her of anything other than the results. I was very happy to hear she is considering WLS. She too has struggled with being overweight her whole life. It was funny because we both tend to yo-yo together. We ride the highs and lows of weight together. When I looked at some of our old pics, yup, we were big at the same time and thinner at the same time. I guess we really are born 4 days apart...although she is older. I'm really happy to have someone else to go through this journey with me. I need all the support I can get.

Hi Denise, I'm pre-op but also in MD. Congrats on your new sleeve!

Hey Cool, my good friend had RnY (best support system to me other than hubby). She yo-yo dieted for years even losing 100+ once. When she did Weight Watchers everyone held her up as a hero. After WLS, she got more than a few negative comments. Her go to response now is that she changed her lifestyle (diet and exercise). If people ask she tells them but she doesn't broadcast. Also once someone we hadn't seen in years asked her what happened (shock of seeing her thin), her response I'm still the same X, just 100 lbs lighter...so cute and quick come back. We all laughed!

Guys I'm fairly new to the board but let's agree to disagree. I think the question was actually not to far out of left field. It did seem a bit troubling that OP was asking Sleeve Vets about something so serious. But then when OP explained that the purpose wasn't a cry for help but more of an inquiry that made sense. And could have been the end of it. Now, I have to say, I read a couple of WLS sites and some posts do appear questionable. Not to say this one was but I have seen some. Iggy I have been following your posts and have learned TONS about what could go wrong. Thanks for documenting everything for us newbies. But, I also don't think someone who doesn't stalk the boards like me would know there could be such serious complications. I say all that to say, I think sometimes when something is so dear to our own hearts it immediately causes us to assume things are one way without considering the other side. I felt the need to post this because I usually find value in your posts but the gab at the baby was a bit much. BTW, my intention is not to single you out but your the Vet so (based on your previous posts) you seem like a lovely person. Lets all move on from this post unless we are back to helping the OP.