liteNsun

Maybe now insurances will have to "treat" obesity with dignity and action and not be dismissive. This is great progress.

I will have my surgery done tomorrow morning. I am calm and self assured about it. I look forward to having this done. I want my new life to start right away and feel that I will have the life that I see for myself. For me I have to see it (in my head) to be it! I see a demur pretty woman that attracts attention but is not looking for it. A poised woman. A healthy woman. A fit woman. I have so much to look forward to. I know the challenges I face post op, but so minimal to the thought of continuing being overweight. I will remember that for a while "comfort is a want, not a need" repeat, repeat, repeat.....Thanks for all the Q n A, thus far. You are all my great support. TTYL Michelle

That is the most touching event I have yet to see here. I am so so happy for you.

Thanks for setting the bar higher for all girls. Never take less then......

Hi Sheri, You have been through so much. But having something exciting to put you in control of your weight is a great opportunity and will give you a better quality of life it sounds like. You are very positive about your future and I will be watching for your wonderful progress. I have mine on Wed. Looking forward to it. Prayers and Hugs for all.

I think of everything in terms of 60-80 ratio. 60-80 oz water. 60-80 g protein. and 60-80g carbs. That is what my nutritionist told me to maintain.

Keep us posted on your progress. You are getting a great gift of a new life. My best wishes to you. I will follow you on Wednesday. Can't wait.

Great job and long term success as well. You inspire many of us to meet our goals no matter what our perfect or best results we can get too. I am proud of your hard work.

I had this done after my second son. It was awesome. One thing to ask since they are doing all these areas of lipo and possibly forgotten is to lipo the top pubic area. They can help that too, if you think you need it. I did decide to have more children, but the abdominoplasty held up great after two more large pregnancies. No stretch marks and flattened well after. One of the best things I ever did. Be sure they are doing it under general. They tried to do it under some type of local. They had to stop and bring me back again. I had to pay for the second surgery too. That pisst me off, but the surgery results was so so worth it the second go around.

I appreciate your feedback on the timeline you have experienced. I suspect mine will be similar. Having realistic expectations of what you have given is what will help me psychologically. Information is our greatest tool. Keep up the great work.

I also have a wonderful son with mild autism. He is 14. He wants so badly to be normalized and not stand out. I understand him. I want to be normalized just like him. I am happy to see some mom's on here that have given so much more to the ones that need them then sometimes to ourselves. Good luck to you and I will have mine on Wednesday.

So, I like so many have come to find my weight struggle is unmanageable like never before. I realized I was gaining weight at 6 yrs. old when I tried on my first communion dress and it was tight. I was an active kid. But convenience food was all that I knew when my mom became single at 5 y/o. I had no nutrition choices or learning I just ate what was available. I found my way into OA at 13 and did great, it gave me a food menu guide then, they no longer give that out....too bad. I found tennis and that was helpful and carried me through college but even with workout and lite eating I was never thin like the others. I never got thin. It was confusing. After college my identical twin sis, gained a Hugh amount of weight due to an injury and more eating. She later got the bypass. It helped her so much. I struggled and fought the good fight when having 4 kids. I had a reprieve from the weight war when I smoked for a year. I was skinny. But that lasted maybe a year. Then my mom died of lung cancer and I quit. I went back to weight gain. I barely ate any more then when I had smoked. I was angry. But it was familiar and "doable". However, I HIT 50 years old and I was pre-menopausal. I gained weight like never before. I had a family reunion and saw many of my cousins on my paternal side all had hit this problem of weight gain in their 40's and 50's. I was shocked. I also have two other sister with large weight gain as they age. I saw that this was going to only get worse no matter what diet I next would try. I was sick of making myself feel bad for something that I could not entirely control it seemed. I am a solution oriented person and I was going to find a way to direct my life in a way that was permanent, not yet another trend diet Please! . I studied the VGS procedure and I was sure about my choice. My twin sis took me to her bypass doc. and we set up the surgery time for a month later (My sis also had to get back on her shakes doc said). I am self pay, so I could get things done promptly. After setting up my surgery date, did I then tell my plans to my fiance. He was surprised about any of this. I felt private about my choices and did not want my body to become a democracy. I had the only vote. So, after discussing the issues with him he understood my sadness about my weight struggle and supported me. He went to my pre op last Thursday and my surgery is coming this Wednesday, June 19. My fiance is nervous about it but I have never been more sure. I know he finds this all too much, but he is fit and handsome and may never understand all of it, that is okay, not necessary. Also, I don't want to be the fat unhealthy woman with him. Of course there is a social component for me to look nice as much as a my health going forward. So, I will have my surgery in less than 4 days. I feel in control with this now, where I never had felt control before. If you give me a comprehensive plan to follow, I will. But do not want to spend the next few decades with little self respect. I work harder at everything, job, kids, finances, girlfriend, daughter, head of household, then any one I know. So, I know I will work hard for this success too. My fiance has gotten a hotel room next to the hospital to be with me as much as possible. I found this to be the most loving of gestures, since he only lives about 40 mins. away. I look forward to getting past the surgery and posting all my questions and updates on this forum. I thank all of you as well for every single post too. I learn so much from those before me or the ones along side me. My best to each and every one of you. Hugs.

I am curious how sleevers can live in the "real world, with others" and eat the right foods daily at common fast food and restaurants. WHAT DO YOU ORDER?

My identical twin sis had the bypass done 12 years ago, sleeve was way too new then. She lost a lot the first year and has kept about 50% off. She stretched it over the years. She went with me for my sleeve consult and her/our doc put her back on track and spent more of my consult time on her ensuring she has the tools to get back into the game of losing again. She said she needed that and is actually losing again. I have my surgery in a week and I am happier I have this choice. The absorption problem is an unnecessary burden I think with this other option. Bottom line is that both surgeries need work now matter the procedure. She also started back on vitamins and took biotin for first time and her hair and skin has never looked nicer. So, it can all be helpful to do what they tell you years later

I got Biotin at walmart 4.99 or 7.00. I have taken it a month before surgery. My hair is responding well to it. I have thick hair and it is growing more than usual. I read here someone wished they had started a month before surgery. So, I did. I will have surgery in a week. I hope biotin helps but I am sure I will have some hair changes as well. I will give my input between 5 and 9 mos. as that sounds like the critical time hair loss. I am hoping to be proactive but like most everyone else I will trade hair loss for weight loss.

How many MORE years are YOU comfortable with where you are at now? A window has opened by the offering of a sleeve surgery. Circumstances could change at any time so it closes and no surgery available. YOU already have disapproval historically from your husband, so if you go through the surgery he may disapprove, BUT if you don't have the surgery he will be disapproving sill it seems. So, block out the background noise. Make your own solid decision and "go it alone." But know you have so many here to support you. I set my surgery up with out consult of loved ones and they followed suit. I hope you find a good place with all this.

I hope I don't digress here but considering the question of fat v. thin. This makes me think a lot about how the bigger actress Melissa McCarthy is co staring with thin Sandra Bullock in new movie "Heat". I notice now that Melissa is now the biggerblockbuster star lately in so many shows because she is SO GOOD at what she does in many roles. I see big gals maybe initially in size but quickly notice them for their good work and that seems to be my lasting impression. We can all make an impact on others for good or bad or not at all if we want to.

I am from Redondo Beach, Ca. I have 8 days left. Go for pre op in 2 days. I am happily anticipating my surgery. Thanks for the welcoming question to all.

I worried my fiance' would not be supportive with my choice, so I went to consult and liked what I heard and set up surgery date for a month later, he had no idea, I am self pay. When I got home he probed so much where had I been. I told him I AM getting surgery for my weight loss on June 19. This let him know clearly that my body in not a democracy. I am confident that I know what is best for me. I explained I am in pain with my "older age hormonal change weight gain." He had met many of my relatives and the women especially have gotten hit hard with later stage weight gain. I told him I will fight to change my fate. He accepted it and has become supportive. I think if you take control others will follow. If you leave it open for conversation you will get just that. Your own self endorsement is really what you must look for. Take charge and don't need permission if your waiting for it.

It is great to see you have had great success. Thank You for sharing. Now Pre op, I look to inspiration such as this to be excited about my surgery date and hard work I will be facing.

I know I would prefer not to let everyone know as there is social gossip in many of my current circles. But my close relatives, who I do know tend to say things accidentally to anyone, will force me to be open about this. I am not worried at all about the social stigma. I think people are generally progressive in their thinking around me and are distracted with their own stuff.....I hope. But I would rather keep this all to myself so I can stay focused on my new life and my feelings and not external influences. I do want the influences of this helpful website of course. So, Yes, I will share "If Asked" specifically about "How I am getting the weight off."

What a difference a day makes! So happy for you. Hugs and Prayers.

I hope all goes smoothly for you. Nerves may be hard to take but It is all happening. I want to be in your spot now but have ten days left to go. Let us all know your post op updates. There is many here that have you and others going forward with surgery in their thoughts.

You "only had a Piece", that is better than a whole one right? You paused and considered. Remember, this is about "Progress Not Perfection." Continue on with your progress now.

Remember the check up is a great opportunity to get the most out of your sleeve experience. Go in there offensively to ask as many questions to go forward the next 6 mos. to make a success for yourself. Your doc can be your best friend if you appreciate him/her in that way. The gifts will be to yourself. You are there for yourself and your self care, not for him so much. I still have the surgery to go through. You and your doc have gotten this far together, Let your awesome journey continue.