JustinsMama

Wow, Moonshadow, are you saying you've lost 20 pounds in just one week...impressive!

Probably not what you want to hear but can you just drink a protein shake to fill you up until lunch time?

I'll give you two versions of an answer, the first one is one you probably want to hear: Sure, let's all coddle you and say go ahead and have that steak because you've gone a WHOLE 9 days on a liquid diet and I'm sure you'll do what you want any way regardless of what anyone else here says. The second version is the bitch version: You're not going to waste away, it's only 5 more days out of your life, suck it up and stick to the liquid diet. This way of thinking is what got you (and probably all the rest of us) in this situation to begin with. Take it for what you will and good luck to you.

I don't mean plastic surgery but I've always wanted to have a fuller top lip. So if I lose enough weight, I'd like to try collagen injections in my lips. Not trying to be Angelina Jolie or anything but just a little plumper would be nice on the top one. I don't however want to do it now because then I'll just have a fat face with a fat lip. Oh yeah and if I ever got lucky enough to have a flat stomach (not particularly counting on that though) I think I'd like to get my naval pierced. I'm 35, guess to old for that now huh?

I would think at 2+ months out you would be fine. Memorial Day is at the end of May, correct? Yes, it's May 26, that's appx. 62 days, I would think plenty of recovery time if done laparoscopically.

Long and lean, ha-ha that's funny (well not to you I'm sure). I'll just to have to invest in a good tight fitting bra I guess to hold mine in, 'cuz I'm not going to have the money for all the extras.

Do they do laser eyebrow removal? I called a place one time about having that done and they said they won't do it near the eyes for liability reasons (guess if someone has an unsteady hand they think they might blind someone). I'll have to check into that too. Good luck to you! :blushing:

That something is to shrink your liver so it can be safely moved out of the way when they put the band on you. If your liver is enlarged from not following the diet some doctors will close you right back up after opening you and not do the surgery or some may go through with it and risk the chance of injury to the liver and the ramifications from said injury.

And is now down between 140-160? I'm 5'5 now and weigh 275 but my ideal weight would be in the above range. Heck, right now though I'll take just seeing 199 again. In high school when I was about 5'3 I got down to 146 and fit (with a struggle) into my friends size 9 junior jeans. So I'm thinking with my boobs being bigger now, and me being a tad bit taller, then that would be a perfect weight for me. I haven't gotten the band yet but hopefully will be on my way in a few months and hope the above range is realistic. Thanks for any comments!

You da man!

I've finally gotten to the point where I'm saying to myself what has this lifestyle been doing for ME all these years? The answer is nothing but keeping me fat or making me fatter. You need to ask yourself that question. You're family isn't going to lose the weight for you (no matter how much "helpful" advice they try to give). You have to do what's best for you because nobody else can or will. Good luck to you.

It's three days out of your life - once you get past the first day, you'll be fine. Good luck!

Are you a doctor, P.A. or nurse? I'd say no to begin with anyway but would have to say hell no if none of those three.

I have to ask (and ignore me if you don't want to answer) but what excuse did your sister give you when you found out she told your kids?

I don't think it's necessarily about your heart (though quitting couldn't hurt for that reason). I think it's more to do about the healing process, when you smoke you take longer to heal because smoking does something to your blood vessles, capillaries, etc. that isn't conducive to healing. I had a friend who had to get reconstructive breast surgery after breast cancer. She couldn't quit for the 6 weeks they told her to and the operation didn't take (basically she never healed right). I guess people can tell you they smoked all the way up until the operation and were fine but you asked so I assume it concerns you even somewhat. At any rate, whatever your decision I wish you the best of luck!

Does anyone know if you using a surgeon/center of Excellence (designated this by BCBS) if you have BCBS insurance make the approval process go any smoother or quicker? (provided you meet all their guidelines for surgery - which I do). Thanks in advance!

That's encouraging to hear Foofy (that's a cute name) :smile2:.

Thank you for your reply. Actually to kind of answer my own question the insurance liason for the facility called me back and I asked her basically the same question and she said with BCBSNC if I meet the requirements, I'll basically be approved. I hope she just wasn't telling me what I wanted to hear. I'll post back with a follow up at some point when hopefully all is said and done. Thanks again!

This is me thinking about how I sometimes react to alcohol...I never know when it will make me feel queasy which could then possibly lead to getting sick or dry heaves which in turn could lead to somehow damaging the band...but sometimes I don't know when to say when either so I guess everyone is different.

Thanks again you guys are all doing great :tongue2:

Great work, you can definitely tell in your arms and face

Great post (and nice golf ticker) you'll be there in no time with that attitude!

Have you looked at obesityhelp.com (they have a search function to look for bariatric doctors by state)? I've heard good things about Dr. Voellinger at Southeastern Bariatrics. Good luck!

Don't do what I did. The day after I had my c-section I was watching cartoons in the hospital room and drinking my Water at the same time. Something in the cartoon made me laugh and then the water went down my wind pipe. Needless to say from the laughing and then coughing I was in pain! I guess I should have been watching serious stuff since I was a mother now, but I'm still a big kid, oh well. You'll be fine though

You look great! Thanks for the encouragement :cursing: