Tiffykins

I'm praying for you, and please keep us posted on your progress when you are able to do so.

I have excess skin on my upper arms, there's still fat there as well, excess skin on my upper/inner thigh region, and on my boobs and tummy. I will not be having any plastics done until we have at least one other baby. I know that I will get a breast augmentation, and lift. Tummy tuck will be a couple of years after baby. Truthfully, and this is just my personal opinion, I'll take the excess skin over fat rolls any day of the week. I do look a little "prunish", but I realize that I can start working out more, and help build some muscle to fill in that skin. I'm just not going to beat myself over excess skin. I don't get out in the sun (super pale/sensitive to the sun) so I don't have to necessarily worry about a swim suit. I think my perception of myself is still a little skewed. Other people would probably think I look pretty hideous, but myself and husband are pretty happy with my results. The only thing I miss are my big boobs. BUT, push-up or demi bras are wonderful things! ! !

I think everyone has the normal and very rational concerns with surgery. You will be able to handle the post-op, I promise. It's a learning process, and we're all here to help you as much as we can. I'll say a prayer for you that God gives you strength, peace, and grace. You are giving yourself a wonderful gift.

Most of my BBW friends said the same thing. I found out it was it was quite the opposite. They are the ones who don't care about me anymore. I'm not invited to social functions with them, nor do any of them ever want to talk about anything other than all the food I can't eat. I'll never forget "where I came from" or "how I got there", but I know for a fact I won't ever go back.

I'm a military spouse with Tricare Prime. I'll preface my response and tell you that if you can hold out until after the 1st of the year, and get the sleeve, do it. I had a band, it was hell. I had the major issue of not being able to get restriction, and being hungry all the time. Tricare paid for my band, and my civilian surgeon (that Tricare referred me to) disregarded my concerns and pain with a flipped port. So, I went to our neighboring base here in Florida with a referral for a revision to the sleeve. BEST DECISION I ever made, literally. I hated my life with the band. It was miserable, and Tricare Prime covered my revision 100% no questions asked. There are many stateside MTF's doing the sleeve at this time, and have been for at least the last 2 years. Just to give you an idea of my band experience: October 2008 - Band placed Flipped my port (or at least ripped my anchor sutures and the port flipped soon thereafter) in the hospital the day of surgery because a nurse had my pull myself up in the bed after going for a walk. First fill came 6 weeks later Lost 23-25lbs the first 2.5 months then the swelling from surgery went down, LOST all restriction. Next fill came in January still no restriction. Begged for a fill didn't happen until mid-February Pain in my port area had managed to get to a 6-8 some days (on a pain scale of 1-10, 10 being the worse), and the surgeon at the time would not address the issue even though I told him that my husband and I could not have sex some days because the pain was so intense. In March, after begging again, I went not for just 1 fill, but 2 under fluoro because he could not longer access my port, because it had literally moved in my abdomen. LOVELY. I endure almost 40 minutes of him prodding around trying to get to the port under fluoro, and then he finally told me to just diet, and eat smaller portions, but don't work out because it would cause more issues with my port. From the January fill to June 3rd, 2009 when I had my revision, I gained about 16-17lbs back. So, technically, I only lost 7lbs with the band in an 8 month time frame. Since having my revision (June 3rd 2009), I've dropped 107lbs. A week later I started researching my options with Tricare. I found myself at Eglin, and got approved the day of my consult for my revision. It's been rumored that the VSG should have full approval shortly after the first of the year. Since you are overseas, I would highly recommend researching surgeons. There are several MTF's here in the states that are performing them, and that are the preferred surgery. My revision surgeon wanted to just do a port revision. Luckily, I told him that there was something wrong with my band. I could literally feel the tubing of the band pulling on my stomach. The band damaged my stomach severely. If you can hold out for VSG approval, I would highly recommend it. The band is very tempermental. My mom has had one for over 2 years, and she gets food stuck 3-4 times a weeks which leads to her puking up her dinner. She came to Florida for a visit from the Texas, and the humidity here didn't allow her to eat anything but mushy foods because solids would not go down. She's only lost 75lbs in 2 years, and she just thinks her "band issues" are normal and deals with them.

I tried doing a few searches on both of the doctors, and couldn't find any definitive information on either. I would go on obesityhelp.com under the STATE forum, Florida and see if anyone has heard of either of these doctors. Neither are registered with OH, and I can't find any posts about them either with patient history, referrral or experiences.

Congrats DeeDee. . . I, too, was in denial with just "how big" I was. I see pictures from last year at this time, and my jaw just drops. So, I understand how you feel. I ran into a couple of customers from my insurance agency that haven't seen me since surgery because I resigned in July. They didn't recognize me, and one of the ladies said "you're half the size you were" and did a little karate chop move down the middle of me. I just smiled, and said thank you. Yes, you need to take more pictures, and get you some goal clothes. I bought a pair of size 12's last night. I'm hoping to get back to the gym after the first of the year when we get back from vacation. I have to lose this tummy fat because it's holding me back size wise.

I ate a lot of yogurt early on. I would switch between Yoplait Light, and Okios Greek Yogurt with Splenda. When I did have tummy issues, I would eat yogurt 2-3 times a day. It's the only thing that makes me feel better.

Dayquil/Nyquil liquid caps have been my lifesavers the last couple of weeks. We've had horrible weather changes, and it causes my sinuses/allergies to flare up.

How many carbs are in the boost, ensure? Everything else looks really great. I just know that when I was looking at Ensure and Boost drinks, they were chalked full of carbs so I steered clear. Your body may just be holding onto the weight temporarily. Hide the scale for a few days or a couple of weeks, and then weigh-in. I have never had a true stall. Meaning, I've never gone a week (much less 2 weeks) without losing at least 1-2 pounds. But, this week, I've finally been able to get my weight to stay the same. I've had problems with losing too much, too fast.

Old Navy "Flirt" with an average length seem to be my best fit. I haven't been brave enough to try any of the "skinny" jeans on yet, maybe once I drop another 10lbs, I'll give them a whirl. I don't know what size you are, but LEI jeans at Wal-Mart in the junior department are a pretty good fit. I'm in the same situation. I have hips and a tummy roll. The Lee riders that sit right below the natural waist kind of work, but I still find they are bit saggy in the outer thigh area.

I've talked to about 4 other members in the chat room, and they all liked the milk chocolate as well. I haven't heard any reviews on the other flavors though.

I had the same concerns. My husband was super concerned with me changing internally, but I am the same exact person I was regardless of my pant size. I was always super confident, and outgoing. I am the "life of the party" person, and it has only gotten better since losing so much weight. I've had a lot of people who knew me before my sleeve not even recognize me, and comment on how "skinny" I am now. It does boost your confidence, and self-esteem. You will find activities that you once refrained from very enjoyable. I find myself checking myself out in the mirror more. I was always a "camera whore" so nothing changed in that regard. I take tons of pictures now, and before I lost weight. I have caught some flack from my overweight friends because they feel like I "shunned" the fat girl world. I was active in a BBW and Admirers group in Texas, and most of them are no longer close with me because I'm not fat anymore and they aren't willing to accept me at my smaller size. I find it comical that they are now discriminatory towards me, and that's all they want is size equality and to not be discriminated against because of their size. You have to do this for yourself, and your future health. The changes you will see, and feel will be worth it.

I'm so very glad that you are recovering, and only experiencing slight discomfort. Keep us posted on your progress. Happy Holidays to you and yours as well.

I never had to do a liquid pre-op diet. All I had to do was a week of high protein/low carb (less than 30grams per day) . There's some controversial information out there posted that even 2 weeks isn't long enough to truly shrink the liver. I often believe surgeons do the liquid pre-op diet to prepare the patient for the post op diet, and clean out the bowels.

Good job on getting moving. I love Hip Hop Abs at home. I joined the Y because they have free child watch, but I try to go when the kiddo is in school. Keep up the great work ! ! !

I hope you have an amazing time on the cruise, and if you can't post before surgery, best wishes, and I'll be on the look-out for an update ! ! ! Enjoy yourself, and be safe in your travels.

Barb, you'll get there, and I'll attest to the fact that it is a wonderful to steer clear of the "fat girl" section of the stores. You should go back and buy that sweater as goal sweater. I had a pair of jeans in my closet, a size 18 (not 18W) Levi's. They were my goal jeans, and one day when I thought I could squeeze into them, I pulled them out of the closet to find they were TOO BIG. Those jeans, and my entire old wardrobe is in 6/39gallon lawn and leaf bags waiting for spring to get here so I can sell them for new clothes ! ! ! You'll get there, and you will feel fabulous.

Glad to hear you are doing well Sarita. I weigh myself 2-3 times a day, and I've done this since getting home. So, for the last 6 months, I've been scale obsessed. For some it works, for others it makes them insane. It works for me, so I do it. You'll see the pounds/kilos drop before you know it. I only had the drain after my leak repair surgery not with my initial revision from band to sleeve. I had the burning sensation as well, but it was remedied by my doctor prescribing Prilosec once daily to prevent an overproduction of acid.

I would cut the carbs completely, and get back to basics. The 3lb gain could be water weight, and it'll drop. You're not doomed to anything unless you allow this to get you down. Are you grazing or snacking? What are you eating specifically?

Hey Dan, I'm glad to hear things are moving along well for you. I'll disagree with your psych on the band stuff she brought up. The anatomy is changed is forever once that band is sewn onto the stomach, and you're right, they don't last forver, even the manufacturer of those things know they don't last forever. Keep us posted as to what your surgeon has to say. Best wishes and happy holidays ! ! !

Hey Olivia (when we get pregnant, and if we have a little girl, this is the name we've picked out), welcome to VST, and I'm excited to hear all about your experience with Dr. R. We'll be here for you, and if you need anything don't hesitate to ask. Some surgeons don't require the clear liquid phase. I'm not sure why there are so many different regimens out there, but I would follow his program to the T. Make sure you sip, sip, sip as much clear Fluid as you can though to stay hydrated. Good luck and keep us posted ! ! ! Oh, and tell us what you think of the other whey optimum flavors. Everyone else who ordered them that I talked to stuck with the milk chocolate flavor, but I'd be interested to hear about the others as well.

Thank you all very much. He is absolutely amazing, I love him so very much, and every day gets a bit better ! ! !

Janette, I'm glad to see you are improving, and yes, get that book out. I hope the discomfort subsides, and best wishes for the holiday season and New year ! ! !