1Day1Life4Now

I am scheduled for mid February. Can't wait. I still have a few hurdles to complete in January but I will get it done. I am sooo focused, this is all I can think about. Good luck to everyone.

Hi Cupoflojo, I am 5'4", and I weighed 260 starting my pre-diet. I have lost 10 pounds so far so I'm at 250, and will have my surgery in February 2014. I am hoping to lose at least another 10 + by surgery date. I was a 42DDDD but had a breast reduction about 10 years ago. (Not sure how that will play out once I lose all the weight, LOL) That big bust thing was sooo over rated. I have a big bootie but narrow hips, and in my younger years I was described as hour glass-ish. Now I feel like a blob. As soon as I can figure out how to post pictures I will do so. By looking at your pics, we look very similar in body type. I have to admit, I've spent a lot of time on utube looking at Sleevers who were the same weight and height so I could just get a mental picture of what success could look like. It is certainly a motivator for me. I wish you luck and would be honored to be a friend and support system.

Oh Farmgirl, you really do need a hug. Sending them to you!!! Do you have a girlfriend or a neighbor you could call to help wrap those presents and take that pressure off of you? Sometimes teenage girls will do that for a little bit of cash. As a mom of grown children I understand the pressure you put on yourself about doing it all and making it a wonderful Christmas. Well guess what? No matter what you do or don't do.... it will be Christmas. I will be making a pot of Gumbo for our Christmas because I am depressed and not up to the festivities of norm. Maybe you could just put a big pot of Soup or stew on and let that be it. It's not what you eat, or what presents are there. Its all about enjoying and loving one another. Its time your boys understood that you are not Superwoman. I know losing our moms is so difficult. I lost mine 15 years ago and I still want to pick up the phone to call her and I still see things in the store I want to buy her... I am sorry for your loss. Take care of yourself and I am sure in a couple of weeks you will feel like a new woman, but till then... get your strength back. Oh, and you might want to have a heart to heart talk with your sons and explain everything to them. They don't understand your limitations right now so you have to articulate that to them. I am sure they will understand once it is presented to them and you've hit them up side the head a couple of times. Merry Christmas and wishing you a better new year.

As one of the previous posters stated, start with one of the University Hospitals in your state. They are set up for helping people that can't pay. I wish you the best.

SBailey, the key is absolutely to start NOW. I have been on my mandatory supervised 3 month diet. I gave up caffeine, carbonated drinks and am sticking to my diet. I have a Protein drink for Breakfast, one for lunch and I eat a healthy supper. It was difficult getting started but now it is so much easier. I feel better, and If I try to cheat... my stomach knows it and retaliates against me. LOL Think about why you are doing this surgery. This operation is just part of the process, the other part is you sticking to a diet. So you have to wrap your mind around that NOW so you can do it after surgery. Nothing worth doing is easy so keep your eye on the prize and do what you know you need to do.

After 7 years of researching this surgery, I settled on the Sleeve because it best fit my needs. When I first started going to the seminars, the sleeve was not being offered and the RNY and band seemed so invasive that it scared me so I just waited. When I started reading about the sleeve and the success people were having, I knew it was for me. My surgeon has done all of the surgeries but just recently has become very reluctant to do the band. She stated that of all the surgeries she has done, only the band has offered complications and some of those were several years out. She really didn't say anything positive about the band in our meeting so I know she was steering me away from that particular surgery. Do your research and see what works for you, along with your Doctor's input. Everyone is different and so are their experiences. Good luck in what ever you choose. I've not had my surgery yet but will be in February. Can't wait to get my sleeve.

Maybe its just me but I don't think it is ever TOO MUCH INFORMATION ...in this forum anyway. This is all stuff we need to hear and share. Its not like anybody else would understand our feelings about these things. Its so nice that people can be themselves .... we all have anxiety and well, it just holds us back from living our lives. Thanks to all of you who are willing to put it out there for the rest of us.

I also complete my last nutrition visit for the 3 month supervised diet on January 13th, 2014. My surgery should be in February if all goes well. We're shooting for the 11th or 18th but as with all things.... its subject to change. I wish everyone good luck and positive results.

I am impressed. Such a big difference in those two pictures. You look light you are 10 years younger. Congratulations.

No brag... just fact. You look fabulous. Congratulations on your weight loss, your attitude and your willingness to help others through this process. You have every right to be proud as this is truly an awesome achievement. You should be very proud of your achievements.

This was indeed very cleverly done. Though my parents taught my siblings and me that speaking of religion, politics and money in public was always in bad taste, I will have to jump in on this topic. I have never embraced the idea of hell as a place of an eternal burning inferno, as too many people in this world have had to live in a worldly hell. Any person that has had major ups and downs in their life has probably questioned their personal belief system. That is human nature to second guess ourselves. Not all persons of the same religion or same denomination believe everything exactly the same. We all take what is most palatable and go with it. What ever brings us comfort and gets us through the difficult times is fine. Some people feel they don't need that and it is fine too. To respect and love one another as humans who have value is what is most important. Eternity is too complicated for us mere mortals to deal with .... lets all just do the best we can in this world and let God do the "sorting" when the time comes. If God had wanted us to be the same he would have made only one version of the human. God loves diversity, and created all types for us to love and enjoy. It's all good!! Peace my friends.

MS Queen, I tried to set up a Mississippi Room but didn't have good results. If you will start a new one, I'd love to join. We would certainly have a lot in common since we would be facing a lot of the same type of food problems.... you know Mississippi girls use EVERY occasion, good or bad, to either cook something or go out to eat. Part of our "social make-up" I suppose. Glad to have you on board. Janet

Hi, Christine! Quite a thread you came into! No worries! Welcome! GMan, were you a Gman by profession?

Thank you everyone for keeping it real!!!! Sometimes we think about things that affect us but we're too afraid to mention it to anybody for fear of being judged or simply for fear that we're the only one that might have certain feelings of inadequacy or self consciousness. I am happy and honored to be one of many who will be changing my attitude on my sense of self. I just can't wait till I've lost the weight and can look at myself differently. You have all added a sense of levity to the situation and have given many of us hope for future natural healthy relationships. Way to go Sleevers.

wow, that is wonderful and exciting news. You are quite lucky that you have a group of sleevers so close to you. that you can use for support. You have done a great job so farmm so keep up the good work and keep us updated on your continuing success. You are an inspiration for me since I haven't had my surgery yet.. Send pictures when you can. Thanks for sharing your story.

I can't believe you made that transformation in just 5 months. Totally unbelievable. You look great. Keep up the good work and send more pics of your journey. This really has been inspiring. Thanks.

Hi Rgrana, I too have BCBS Federal and I'm also on the 3 month supervised diet. I lost 4 pounds the first month and none the second month. My last weigh in is mid January. The nutritionist told me if we can maintain during the holidays without gaining, that is still very good. She still wants me to lose as much as I can between now and mid January to make the surgery easier. At the beginning she did tell me there was no certain amount that Insurance required us to lose and they wouldn't deny us for not losing so I am holding her to it. I am trying very hard to get some of the weight off but I am not stressing over it either. I'm in Mississippi, where are you? Do you have a tentative date yet? My tentative date is February 11th. I hope it will happen then and not later as I am planning a 2 week vacation out of the country in June. I want to be able to eat regular food. Good luck and let me know how it turns out since we are in the same boat.

You Mississippi girls are doing FABULOUS. lol good job. I'm from Madison County, just north of Jackson. I am tentatively scheduled for Feb. 11 th but that date may have to be changed. I hope not but I just don't know how my insurance is going to play out. I can't wait till I'm post op and on the losing side of this battle. Keep up the good work and hope to see y'all around the boards. Janet

When I saw your photo the first thing that came to mind was that you might be on blood thinners. Do see an endocrinologist and get that thyroid checked out properly. Please let us know what is going on with you and I wish you much luck.

I never thought about there being food ornaments. I was going to say, Ohh nooo, I only have Santa's and balls on my tree but after closer looks........ I have real candy canes all over it. I guess subconsciously we all associate food with our holidays. lol

I am 2 months in on my 3 month supervised diet and I've only lost 4 pounds. I have been dieting pretty strictly but I did cheat over the Thanksgiving weekend. I drink only Water and SF iced tea. I can't exercise due to problems with my knee and foot but I thought with the cut back in calories and low carbs the weight would come off a lot quicker than this. What am I doing wrong??/ The Nutritionist didn't say how much I had to lose, she just said lose weight. I bought some of the medical Protein shakes today so will start those tomorrow and eat just one small meal per day. I hope that helps. I've been using the Atkins shakes but I guess that just wasn't getting it. Any advice would help.

Will we ever be able to have diet coke and coffee again?

Hi Mississippi Queen. I'm from Mississippi too and more of a newbie than you. I won't have my surgery until February 2014. I'm still having issues with the preliminary 3 month supervised diet. So how is it going for you now?"

Indigo.... happy to hear it. Just another part of life that we all have to deal with and while I had not read about that on the boards, it was crossing my mind. LOL Good luck to you.

Maybe its fluid retention.