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Good luck! I was self pay also and decided not to go through my primary care physician...not sure if that's an option for you? I did inform him about three weeks before surgery, he already thinks I'm sort of flakey and knows that I manage my own care through many specialists. I'm very excited for you and your journey.

I hope your appointment goes (went) well. I've found these forums to be very helpful and educational. I look forward to getting to know you through your journey.

Welcome Dancer! Congratulations on your decision to have the VSG. Like others have mentioned, the first couple of weeks I found myself very tired. I didn't quite get all of my energy back at the two week mark, but think I would have been fine going back to work. Good luck with your pre-op stuff! This is a great place to be to get your questions answered.

I've been feeling somewhat sad for the last couple of days. For some reason I'm feeling fatter right now than the day of surgery (I know it's not rational and not true, but it's how I feel). I'm very happy with the weight loss number I've had so far (it has exceeded my expectations by so much, I was hoping to be here by Christmas initially), but when I look in the mirror I just see an unattractive, overweight woman. This morning my husband came in and informed me that our scale was not working because it said he was 6 pounds lighter than last week and we needed a new one. I explained that it matched my surgeon's scale exactly last week, but he just wouldn't let it go. I lost it and started crying and told him if it was broken then I must weigh 6 pounds more than I thought. I know he felt bad and it wasn't a big deal at all and nothing worth crying about, I just couldn't help myself. He sent me 3 emails throughout the day saying how proud he is of my progress, I thought that was nice. Tonight at Jazzercise, a woman came up to me as we were transitioning between routines and commented on my weight loss. She asked if I was doing Weight Watchers or something else (I guess she wasn't there the many times I mentioned my surgery) and I told her that I had surgery. She just sort of gave me a baffled look, her whole excitement level changed, and she went back to her spot. It was the first sort of negative reaction, but at least I didn't cry. I'm not sure what is wrong, but I just don't feel right. I'm thinking it might be a hormonal change like I've read about with major weight loss. I think I'm going to have to drop one day of my exercise classes to start going back to my therapist again (haven't seen her since mid-September) at least for right now.

I've had this problem too. Someone once told me it was due to cellulite, but I never could find anything to back it up. I do know for me it tends to happen if I haven't been exercising in a while and when I start back up it's pretty bad. Once I start to scratch I have to keep it up because it does not alleviate the itch. Also it seems to be worse in the fall and winter (colder times). I hope someone can chime in with a reason/solution.

Congratulations on your loss! And good luck on the next 20...I'm sure you will make it based on your success so far.

I love the comment about the boob popping out:-) I just bought a new sports bra from Walmart a couple of weeks ago (on clearance-it wasn't the best) and yesterday I noticed both boobs trying to escape from the top while I was jumping around in class--it was one of those deep cut ones. Good luck on your walking routine! I'm thinking of trying to add lunges and squats at home because my lower body is like jello. Yay on the almost size 14! What an accomplishment.

Yeah, you know yourself best. And if you trust your surgeon, I'm sure he'll/she'll be able to help guide you. You may want to check out the DS group on obesityhelp.com if you haven't already done so. The choice of wls is such a personal one and many factors have to be considered. I think all of them work for certain individuals and feel so blessed that we live in a time where there are so many options. Again, good luck! Let me know how you're feeling after your consult.

Welcome Jade! I felt the same way when I was researching the sleeve, I wanted to read everything I could from as many different perspectives as possible, so happy I found this board. Good luck on the pre-op diet, the 21st will be here before you know it and the pre-op diet will be a memory.

I just wanted to say good luck! I can't really help with insurance because I was self pay. You may want to post on the finance and insurance forum if you haven't already done so. As for the surgery type, I've read of people who have lost what you need to lose and from my understanding the sleeve is the first part of the DS procedure so maybe you could revise to the DS later if you aren't completely successful with the sleeve? Again good luck!

I feel the same way, I get tired of people mistaking my surgery with a band or bypass AFTER I've taken the time to discuss the VSG procedure I did have with them. Not that there is anything wrong with the other procedures, but it isn't the one I had, it's not true and I like to be true as much as possible...I'm pretty much an open book. If I knew people were just confusing the name of the surgery, but still knew what I had done, it probably wouldn't bug me so much. The other week when I had to leave work early because I was feeling sick, my assistant principal wanted to talk to me about Vitamins because her good friend "had the bypass also" and she knows how important it is to take all the vitamins because "we" do not absorb everything. I kindly explained once again that I did not have the bypass and although vitamins are super important, I do absorb what goes into my body and I was taking mine. It's just a pet peeve, and while it may not bother some, it seems a lot of us get annoyed with it.

You will do great! Sending lots of positive vibes your way.

Congratulations! Are you getting it done in the Maryland area? I had my done at Fair Oaks Hospital in VA. I like your outlook of looking forward to a year from now. I wish you luck on the pre-op stuff. I've only been sleeved for a couple of months, but I feel this is one of the best things I've done for myself! Sorry, forgot to add information about the ticker. If you click on mine below, you can click on the link stating "create a new ticker" and find the weight loss ticker link. Hope that helps.

Today is my two month surgiversary. As of this morning I am 186 pounds; down 52 pounds from the beginning of my pre-op diet (July 7), and 36 pounds since the morning of surgery (August 4). I have been at the same weight (+-2 lbs) for 4 days now. I am really hoping to make my second weight goal of 184 lbs, by my 30th birthday, which is on October 12. I made this my second goal because it was the lowest weight I have ever been as an adult (my first goal was 199 lbs). I had my 2 month follow-up visit with my surgeon two days ago. He seemed very happy with my progress and he cleared me for solid foods. He wanted me to get my labs done before this visit, but my vacation did not allow time for that. I'm going in on Friday and he will call to go over them once he's received them. Overall, I think I am doing very well. I'm still learning to adjust to my sleeve--eating slower, recognizing when I'm full. I'm also noticing that I MUST continue to plan out my food in order to make the best decisions. Last week was my first week back at work (although I'm subbing until the 15th when I take over my classroom again) and I didn't do the greatest with my eating. But thanks to this tool I know I will get back on track and continue to lose. I am so happy that I had this surgery!!!

People have noticed and commented more on the clothes I am wearing now more than the actual weight loss. I have gotten some really nice comments from people that don't see me everyday, but not much until I lost around 35-40 lbs.

I'm sorry you're feeling down. Your boyfriend is correct in saying give it time. You are also right in that you are taking in so much less, you will have to lose weight. It WILL happen. My surgeon told me not to even step on the scale until I came in for my first follow-up visit and I actually listened to directions for once (well almost). Good luck through this stage and CONGRATULATIONS on the weight you have already lost! (You did mention that you haven't lost much, but that does mean you've lost some, right?)

Welcome Charity! I definitely do not regret getting the sleeve. Like you, I began researching the band and then decided it was not the best surgery for me. I am so happy that I made this decision and wish you luck in yours.

If you keep the end result in mind, getting your sleeve, it will hopefully be more bearable. In hindsight, this surgery has been one of the best decisions in my life and seeing and feeling these results make everything I had to do as a pre-op worth it (but truthfully, I didn't have as strict of a pre-op diet as you, but I still think it's worth it:thumbup1:).

Welcome! I have learned so much from this group of people. I wish you luck in jumping through the hoops. January will be here before you know it.