MarciaN

I can't believe I am saying this but... I am thankful that it has taken 9 month before I am finally having surgery (which is tomorrow!). I was able to lose 67 pound on the preop diet which makes me much more healthy as I do into surgery. I was also able to emotionally prepare for this life changing event. I am not nervous-- just very excited. I feel like I truly understand that this is a tool and not a magic fix. I know I need to be following the plan and also forgive myself if I make a mistake...I know I need to immediately hop right back on and not make excuses. I am so thankful for BP. I learn so much from everyone. This is my support system and I hope to continue getting support but also being a support giver as I continue on this journey. I am thankful for each of you.

I am doing the happy dance! Tomorrow if FINALLY my big day! Leave work today at noon and start my prep I have lost 67 pounds so far on this 9 month journey. So I think I am as healthy as I can be before surgery. I'll post when I get home (hopefully on Thanksgiving!) What a wonderful Surgiversary for me to have. I'll be Thankful for this new wonderful journey. Have a wonderful holiday everyone! Marcia

I am 5'2. Finally getting sleeved this coming Tuesday, Nov 24th. I've been on this journey for almost 9 months and am happy to report that I've already lost close to 64 pounds! Can't wait to finally have this done. How is everyone doing?

I travel a lot so I ended going on e-bay and getting both types of extenders (depending on the company--for example Southwest has a different type of seat belt than United). I always book an aisle seat. That way you can sort of "lean" into the aisle giving you more space (only have to tuck in when the carts come by. Middle seats are of course not good and it is surprising that the window seats can feel tight. I have not had surgery yet but have lost 64 pounds in my pre-op and am finally, after 9 months, having my surgery on Tuesday! Last week I flew and did NOT need my extender. So... if you want to message me your address and which airlines you are going to be flying on I'd be happy to give you my extender. Hopefully you won't need it for long and can send it on to someone else starting their journey. Good luck!

I am excited that I am FINALLY having my surgery on Tuesday! Lots of postponements but I think this time is a go! Can't wait to join you all.

We are all in this together!

I have waited almost 9 months. At first I was SO bummed but now I am so glad that I had this time to prepare. Each person's journey is unique to them. So is the journey of how much weight we lose and the amount of time it takes us. The important thing is to support each other and remember that if we do what we are asked to do, we will all make it to the goal line. After we get there and maintain for a few years, the differences in how long or short it took us to get there won't seem that important. Just that we made it and stay there! Good luck on your individual, unique journey.

I am FINALLY having my surgery next Tuesday! (Yes, only one week away!) I've been on this journey for almost 9 months (started March 1st). The good thing is that I think I am physically (have lost 63 pounds pre-op) and mentally ready. This is a big deal and I want to embrace this. So happy to have each of you going on the journey with me.

So excited! Only one more week and I will FINALLY be joining you! I am hoping to lose 2 pounds this week so I can have a pre-op loss of 65#. Had my third pre-surgery physical yesterday. Hopefully everything turns out well or I will just cry! I can't believe how excited I feel today. Woo Hoo!

I am on day 4. (this is the 3rd time I have done this because I've had my surgery postponed two other times). But...I was extremely nervous at first. The first day I was apprehensive but just kept drinking between my Protein shakes so I wouldn't experience hunger....yes, I had to go to the bathroom ALL the time. By day 3 I wasn't even thinking about it. It was actually quite pleasant not having t worry about what I was going to eat at each meal. I just knew. You can do this! The little bit of inconvenience we will experience for a month or so will be so small when we have the rest of our lives to be at our healthy weights. Good Luck!

@@thisfathasgot2go Thanks! I need the encouragement.

I'm on a business trip so I've just been accessing this site on my phone. I was able to log in on my laptop and now I am giddy! Just remembered that I put in the ticker on how many days till my surgery and it made me happy! This has been postponed so many times that I am thrilled that it is FINALLY almost here! I don't even mind that this is the 3rd time doing the liquid diet--- I am getting to be an old pro! Looking forward to all you seasoned veterans getting me through the initial stages after surgery

Hoping things turn out well

Finally starting my two week liquid diet... For the third time. Only 2 more weeks till I join you all!

Congratulation on making this wonderful journey together.

You can do this! You'll be surprised how easy it gets after a few days. (don't have to make a whole lot of decisions...) Just think of the end result

You can go this! You'll be surprised that each day gets easier and by day 3 or 4 you will be in the rhythm of things. (My surgery has been postponed 2xs so far so I've done this 2 separate times. I start again on the 10th. Third time is the charm!)

I started my journey on March 1st. My insurance requires 6 months of supervised diet. By my 6 month mark I had lost about 42 pounds and was very excited to be sleeved. Took 3 weeks to get approved. Then when I had my preop testing my EKG came back "irregular". After well over a month and lots of tests I am happy to say that while my heart "beats to the beat of a different drummer"- this is perfectly healthy and fine for me. So last Friday the cardiologist gave me a "low risk" for surgery. My surgeon immediately scheduled me for Nov 24th. Here is my dilemma... I started at 286 and am now 227 (59# loss) I still have 92 pound to goal. I am 7 pounds away from being below 40 BMI. I called my surgeons office today and told them I wanted to cancel. They told me to think about it for 24 hours and give them a call back tomorrow with my final decision. Yes, I have been a yo-yo dieter- lost weight and then gained it back. The difference this time is that I was always "on a diet" and would actually try to "cheat the system". This time I feel like I have had a total mind shift and am concentrating on only putting good and healthy items into my body--and seem to be doing just fine for the last 8 months. I read about folks who after about 2 years from surgery start gaining weight back and then having to start all over. Not sure if I want the constipation, gerd, and a plethora of other "inconveniences" that seem to be things that folks dealer with forever after surgery. I would be so interested in hearing back from all of you and getting your input. Thanks

I am having my surgery on November 24th (started journey on March 1st). At first I was really upset that I was going to have to wait so long. Now that I am almost there I am actually glad for the time I had to get new habits established. Plus the weight I have lost in the pre-op stage will make my surgery easier. But, ultimately it is your decision to make. Good luck with your decision- Marcia

So glad to find all of you! Don't know why I didn't think of search "iowa" before now! I started my journey on March 1st 2015. Having surgery with Dr Smolick on Tuesday, Nov 24th. It will be almost 9 months since I started so I am ready! Have lost almost 60 pounds since I started and hope to be down by at least 65. Sounds like most of you have already had the sleeve. How are you all doing? Is there anything I should know before my date?

I started March 1st. Having my surgery on November 24th. I immediately gave up soda, caffeine, and alcohol. I started logging all my food on the Fitbit app. I try to keep under 1200 calories. Concentrate on getting between 65-90 grams of Protein a day and keeping my carbs low. I am so thankful that I have almost lost 60 pounds. I feel like my sugar addiction is under control (of course, I know it can rear its ugly head at any time so I try to be diligent.) The two times when I thought I was going to crawl out of my skin for wanting sugar I allowed myself to have a prune. I know this sounds funny but it was nice and sweet but also has Fiber and other good things in it. I also got rid of everything in my cabinets that aren't good for me. (Because I can be really creative with putting ingredients together when I want to!) I also have changed my relationship with food. Before (I hate to say it) I would always secretly try to "cheat the system". I'd eat "diet products" that were treats and fat free things--etc. Now I am trying to give

You misunderstood me, ProudGrammy- % of folks keeping off weight loss without the surgery seems to range anywhere from 1-5%. (I have done this over and over.) With WLS I have a MUCH better % of keeping it off.

HW 286 CW 226.9 SW- Hoping I can be 220 by surgery (Nov 24) GW 135

How about a cup of warm chicken Bouillon. It is like having wonderful chicken Soup but only has 10 calories. I use Knorr brand and it is yummy.