KeeWee

"I made it a whole art form to avoid taking pictures of myself. " lol that's funny and I think I took that class 101. I mostly only have face pics but I will definitely take some day before surgery pics... maybe ask friends or a family member, you know they always catch you when you least expect it but they may have some just for your own personal tracking...

I FEEL younger! Almost immediately after surgery someone said I looked younger - that made me feel good. Once I started working out (not just walking, but working out), I feel so much better, not as fatigued. I've noticed a difference in my skin since surgery - especially my face. It looks so much healthier. I'm far from a beauty queen, but I see improvement - most of all, I smile more. Crown yourself hun!! You look beautiful...and definitely younger!!

Ummmmmm, I'm saying tho...where do you shop because that black dress is a must have!!! Please share where you got it!!

Way to go....looking good girl!! I also have thick hair and I'm hoping to maintain as much as possible but I wanted to know, where do you experience the most hair loss? I'd hate to lose hair around the edges...

I can see it...I hope you feel it!! That a great loss in a small amount of time...aaahhhhhhh...ok..going back to daydreaming...lol

Wow and you have a date already...Lucky girl!! I'm dying over here waiting until 1/31 to submit paperwork then another 2 weeks just to get a response...Imma need a paper bag in order to breath until then...lol Good luck with everything!!

WOW!! you guys look great...lol

I'm here for the responses...I have recently diagnosed myself...lol, I haven't been able to sleep or focus or anything since I know I submit paperwork on 1/31/14. The thought of it all gives me breathing problems and headaches and I cant eat most times. Im so super excited I cant even focus at work... this whole process is completely consuming me but I guess my ultimate fear is more...possible depression! Having to do this surgery the month before my husband and I complete our classes and accept jobs causing us to move from Baltimore, Maryland to Santa Monica,California. Currently planning my daughter's sweet 16 event and having to train a temp to cover my position while I'm out...Pssssst, I hate people touching my work!! All these major changes at once have my mind in a whirlwind. I'm deep breathing right now...I just can't wait until next year already! Hopefully all smooth sailing... Taking all prayers!! lol

Go girl...this is gonna be a good look!!

If I want to thicken up just a lil bit, could I just skip a few workouts and gain? My post op sleeve buddy says she kept losing even when she didn't want to and even while pregnant, she continued to lose. Is there a way to gain easily? My concern is getting too small and then having personal issues with that. Being skinny has no appeal to me...I don't want this surgery to heal my issues physically then cause mental issues that I've never dealt with before. How much control do we have with the sleeve?

Well let me tell you this...I have my 6 out of 6 appointment coming and I want to tell anyone with Kaiser what to look out for...it's what I wanted to know... 1. you can possibly get more monthly visits added on but cannot do anything to reduce the time in the program. 2. you should start a diet to follow immediately and let that be what you track in your food journal...unlike me, who thought they wanted to just see what we were currently eating.. I was unaware that the diet begins at that first class you attend. 3. If it applies, don't stop smoking too soon...I gained about 6lbs immediately and never found out that losing any weight gained is you final goal in the program. 4. DO NOT GAIN WEIGHT!!! I never knew there would be any weight requirement, only the classes and appointments but at my 5th appointment, I found that I must get back to my lowest weight in the program before we can move on to submitting paperwork. Which only gives me 4 weeks but if you gained more than my 6, this could be a shocker! 6. Make sure you schedule all your appointments immediately after your visits because those appointments go fast and some time they may not even have a schedule up for the following month until the 2nd week of the current month. My 6/6 appointment is 1/31/14 and we will be submitting paperwork...feel free to hit me up and ask me any questions about the process... Good Luck neighbors!!

Hey just a quick question...do you happen to have Kaiser? They offered St. Agnes or GBMC...I loved GBMC when giving birth but I chose St. Agnes cuz it's closer but I'd love to hear of your experience at GBMC!!

This is my major irrational fear...for there are many but this one is a serious concern for me.. I've been with my husband for going on 18 years, since the 10th grade and even then, he has always been a fan of the heavier women. He loves my size, he touches me constantly and holds me close every chance he gets...My fear is that he will secretly not admire me the same. If I know his preference and I do this surgery, am I setting myself up for issues within my marriage? If your husband loved you thick, have you noticed any differences since the weight came off?? I just feel like this fix will be physical and now I will be faced with so many mental challenges...

I feel so silly for needing to hear this but the fear got real...real quick...lol. thanks!

Thanks guys, I guess, my concern is not if his feelings will change but do you notice any change in the norm of how you're handled or dealt with? If you know he's always loved big women and even during sex he makes comments about loving my weight because a "skinny" girl would break in two...and i believe it..lmao!! I guess I just hope things don't get awkward in that department..remains to be seen! but needless to say, we talked about this last night and he said, I was that small when he met me(165lbs) and he honestly has always seen the same 15 year old girl and I've never changed in his eyes so the mirror will continue to always be in my own 2 eyes...that helped alot..I love that man!!

I'm pre surgery if that question was for me..

lol, I love that!!

Yes, I'm pre-surgery and my psych eval is next week and my last appointment 2 weeks after that so the reality is setting in and the questions are gathering but I just wanted to know as much as possible about how much control over my life I will have with my new tool...it's still exciting to me either way..

I would say you should count your personal goal. Your doc is tracking his goal for you so you should track you goal for you!! I personally am a "size goal" kinda girl, I'd like to get back to a size 10-12. I love how I look in a 16 and a even 14 so i'm hoping not to lose too much since i like a bit of weight to throw around. Either way...good luck

Great article and so informative!! It's true, I've had really bad responses to my choice to change but they don't hinder me but I will make sure to inform them instead of shun them. Thanks

Thanks!! i talk to him but he always says it won't matter but men are such creatures of habit and visuals...I've never even seen him look at other women and I feel if I was to catch his eyes straying now, it would hurt me deeply...But you're right, he does love the smile on my face now just thinking of it so maybe it will all be ok...thanks again.

You two look great!! I absolutely love this pic!!

Ok so ladies....update please!! How'd it go? How do u feel? What if any complications are u currently experiencing? Tips or advice?? Are you settling in well?