minnesotafats

This is certainly an inspiring story. I absolutely agree that everyone is different and we shouldn't compare our own journey with others. I have to remind myself of that repeatedly. I have to keep focusing on where I was in May before surgery, and where I am now. My weight loss has slowed to a crawl and I have 18# to go before I reach goal. I find myself wondering if I will ever get there. Perhaps I won't reach the goal I have set, but even if I don't, I have come this far and I won't give up.

Hi Everyone! I have "Get to know you" question. Have you always struggled with weight or did it happen to you later in life? I was born a fatty.....a 9# baby who never slimmed down. When I was in elementary school my Mom made my clothes and we always had to use the "Chubby" patterns. There would always be an array of cute patterns for the regular sizes, and then approximately 3 patterns for the chubbies. By fourth grade I weighed 130#, and I was always a shortie so that was pretty fat. I distinctly remember my weight because the teacher was doing some type of lesson and she made each of us tell our weight when she called our name. ( a TERRIBLE thing to do). There was only one girl in the class fatter than me and her name was called first...Sherry said she weighed 130#. I knew that couldn't be right but no way was I going to say I weighed the same as Sherry. So I lied about my weight (the first of many times in my life..LOL) and I felt really guilty for lying. Most of the girls in the class weighted between 75-90#. Anyway, I have never been a normal weight. One time when I was in my 20's I dieted down to 130# but I couldn't maintain it for long. That was the only time I have ever been normal weight and normal BMI. So how about you ladies? did you get to enjoy slender years? I have always wondered what that would have been like.............

Definitely "holier than thou" or in this case "superior to you" because they think if we just ate like they do we would be their size...which is WRONG!

Sassy, Sorry to hear you have to jump through hoops yet again. You have certainly had a difficult time trying to get your surgery. I think most of the pre-op hoops are totally ridiculous and I am glad I didn't have to jump through any of them.....except for the pre-op diet. The diet was not fun, but it did give me a head-start on weight loss. I hope things will finally fall into place so that you can finally move forward into the next awesome phase of your life! I will definitely send prayers for this situation.

Sassy, hate to admit this, but I have a Baby Boomer brain.....which sometimes means that I forget things:) I don't seem to remember the article. If you have a link you could post, I will read and comment............in the meantime...I have to ponder why I went into the kitchen and where I left my reading glasses

I was tired just reading about your workout:) I haven't been to a gym in several years. I know when I get back I will be at square one. By then you will be an expert at all the machines. I had both my knees replaced at the same time in 2012. This darned foot seems like it has been a much bigger deal than the knee surgeries.

Sassy and Cheryl I have a thought on dieticians and nutritionists,and having worked in health care my entire adult life, I have know many of them. It seems to me as if those in the profession are all people with normal metabolism and no weight problems; and I have never thought that they truly understand what it is like to be overweight. While it is true that we heavy weights usually eat "wrong" in some ways, I know without a doubt that there are people who eat totally wrong, don't exercise, and stay a normal weight. I have lived with some of those people...in fact, I STILL live with a couple of those people. Anyway, that's my 2 Cents on that particular subject.

Faye, sorry about the trainer misunderstanding. It was very nice of him to go the extra mile provide you with the written instructions for the meal. What machines are you working on? My favorite used to be the elliptical but it would probably kick my tail now. I hope to get back to it after my foot heals.

Hi All! I did an intro post in the other section yesterday. I won't go into all that detail again, but I had surgery 5/5/13. I did my surgery in Mexico so I don't have a nutritionist. I have also had a broken bone in one foot since a few weeks after my sleeve surgery, so I have not been able to exercise as I should. But I'm plugging along and can now ride a stationary bike. I'm looking forward to knowing everyone in our group and exchanging information and support! Southern Soul, I think it is great that you have joined a gym and have a personal trainer! I was a little surprised also that you got email instructions instead of one-on-one instructions from the trainer, but then I haven't been to the gym in 5-6 years so in another way it doesn't surprise me. There isn't much personal service anyplace nowadays:) Caspinelli, I think 90# in 6 months sounds awesome! I would go with what the Dr office said. I think we all lose at a different pace and don'r really see how you can expect one set number for results. CoCO, you said you are losing slowly....I am too. I am at about 1# month but at least we are losing. I have had some difficulty finding the Boomer Chat room but I think I finally have it figured out...LOL I saw the Dr today for my broken bone issue. He says at least one more month in the boot cast and continue to be non-weight bearing. I'll be so glad to get back to full weight bearing with no boot; my current status is seriously cramping my style!

Ok....here goes: Hello to everyone! I was sleeved on 5/5/13. Starting weight 196, current weight 158. I love my sleeve! I have never had any kind of complication or problem. I think I could tolerate eating anything...Now, if only I liked meat I would be set. I am trying my best to eat some of the nasty stuff every day. My preferred proteins are the protein drinks like Unjury and Premier Protein in vanilla, eggs, cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt. I do like chicken breast grilled or baked (boneless and skinless) but I get tired of it. We are heaving grilled steak for dinner tonight. I hate it but will try to eat an ounce.......

Hi Karen, This is Jean. I was sleeved on 5/5/13. I was self-pay and went to Mexico for the procedure. I have a good friend who had the gastric by-pass about 7 years ago. My friend's daughter-in-law also had the by-pass and my friend's son had the sleeve. While my friend is happy with her gastric by-pass, she said she wishes she could have had the sleeve. The sleeve was not well known when she had the by-pass. Both my friend and her daughter-in-law have had absorption problems and vitamin deficiencies. Her son has done very well with his sleeve and has had no problems whatever. That said, I am not trying to sway you toward the sleeve, just telling you what I know about 3 particular cases. I have not had any kind of problems whatever with my sleeve and am very happy with it. I didn't have as much weight to lose as some people. I started at 196 and am now 158 and not done yet. I'm 5'4". My friend, Cathy, who had the by-pass surgery, lost 150+ pounds. Her son with the sleeve lost approximately the same amount. I would be happy to answer any questions regarding my sleeve experience. Feel free to inbox me. my user name is jeanielan. You might want to make a pro and con list for each surgery to help with your decision.

I can finally comment on this post! Look forward to meeting everyone and chatting.

My BMI is 34 but I have several weight related issues including 2 knee replacements. My insurance won't pay for a sleeve no matter what the BMI, they flat don't pay for it. So I am self pay , but I'm going to Mexico. I can't see paying so much more out of pocket when I feel perfectly comfortable with Mexico, but that is a personal decision.

Thank you Amberlydw8 ! I am so excited for my sleeve day (5/6)

Thanks for all the info! I'm getting sleeved 5/6 and I'm gathering ideas.!

I am just in the stage of looking into bariatric surgery. I want the sleeve because I understand that I will still be able to take Celebrex after surgery. I also have a friend whose son and daughter-in-law have had the sleeve and are very pleased. My insurance pays for some bariatric surgery but not the sleeve. I live in the Lee's Summit, MO area so I will have to travel some no matter where I choose to have surgery. ONe nice thing about being self-pay is that I can go anywhere. I'm very interested in hearing people's experiences, what they think of their doctor and also, how long did it take you to get scheduled for surgery. Any info appreciated. I look forward to learning a lot on this site. The seminars are helpful but I want to hear from those who have ecperienced it! Thanks. Jean

Wow. I think I need to look into the surgery in Mexico. I appreciate your responses. Did you get to come back home the same or next day.....or do you have to hang around a few days post op? Going to Mexico seems a little scary but your experiences sound very encouraging.