ILKrista

I feel you on the doubt and questioning your decision. I am about 2 weeks from surgery and I keep tossing those same questions around. However, I have a few other questions that I like to remind myself of whenever I'm doubting my choice: How long can I realistically expect to live at my current weight? You typically don't see very obese people over 65. What will my quality of life be if I don't lose weight? I dread flying, going to an amusement park, meeting strangers, eating out, going to any event where the seat might be too small or the chair too weak, etc. Will I let fear keep me from changing my life for the better? All of your worries are ligit, and I think we all have them. In the end, you have to weight the pros and cons and make your own choice. Yes this surgery has some risks, but so does everything else in life. Best of luck with your decision.

Best of Luck with your surgery! I think being nervous and doubtful is very normal. I get sleeved at the end of the month and my two big fears are that A) I'll die during surgery and I'll do all of this and won't loose weight or get healthier. I think you just have to have faith in your doctors and yourself. Just remember that you are one of the few people in the world who has the courage to make changes in your life in the hopes of a better future. Let us know how your surgery goes!

Hilarious! Maybe I should ask the doctor to pass me a $20 before he puts me under.

I'm pre-op and I've been so worried about getting everything done (tests & dr. exams) that I hadn't really thought about the fact that some unknown person on the surgically team would be shoving something into my lady-bits... Now I'm freaking out! Thanks a lot.

Fingers are crossed for you. Keep us updated with what happens.

I voted for you. And I wanted to say that I love the idea of getting a charm each time you lose a certain amount of weight.

I am sort of in the same boat as you. I've been doing the nutritionist supervised diet for over 6 months, and I actually gained weight. I will admit that I was not following it a rigorously as I should and I gave myself the excuse that it was okay because I had also given up smoking at the same time. However, I met with the surgeon and he told me that if I didn't have 'significant' improvement, then I would have to postpone the surgery. I am now religiously following the low-carb, high protein diet. One thing that I think has helped me to start finally losing weight is that I am measuring all my food to make sure the portions really are correct and I am also avoiding sodium as much as possible. Like you, I work 65 hours a week, so getting to the gym is difficult. I am forcing myself to get there at least 3 times a week even if it means going after I have worked a 12 hour day... which is horrible. But I am finally seeing some results and hopefully that will be enough for the surgeon. My best advice is to keep detailed documentation of everything you eat, drink, and any exercise you do. Even without weight loss results, showing that you are putting in the extra effort should help a lot. Best of luck and fingers crossed that you will be approved.

I have to share the fairly hilarious thing one of my coworkers said to me. I have been very open about the fact that I am planning to have this surgery and I finally got a date of Feb 23. When I told my coworker that, she says, "Just think, soon you'll look like Kim Kardashian." I said that I hoped I looked like her, but without the enormous butt. She leans around behind me, looks at my butt and says, "Yep, just like Kim Kardashian." What made this even more funny was that she is nearly 70 years old and I still don't know why she knows who Kim Kardashian even is. While I'm glad I've been open with people about what I'm doing, sometimes I really can't believe the things that come out of their mouths.

I just got my date today... I'll be getting sleeved on Feb 23 provided I can really get my butt into gear. I quit smoking 4 months ago and instead of losing weight, I gained 10 pounds. If I can be really committed this month, I will be sleeved in Feb. I'm going to do this! Best of luck to everyone.

One inch for every 30 pounds... is that possible. Just trying to do the math. So if you lost 150 pounds you are talking an extra 5 inches... my jaw is on the floor if this is true.

Let me update mine by adding that in addition to a fabulous beach vacation, I'm really looking forward to getting on the airplane and not worrying that I'll be too fat for the seat belt or that the person next to me will be sighing because they were seated next to me. I will be thrilled to wear shorts and not feel like I have the fattest legs on the planet and that everyone is staring. I'm also going to take some sort of sailing lessons... right now I'm afraid to get near the water for fear that I'm so heavy I won't be able to swim, but man to I love the water. Also, and this is probably more important than the vacation or anything else, I'm really looking forward to going to work (children's librarian) and not having kids ask why I'm so big/fat. Innocent question from a young child, but humiliating to me especially when asked in front of coworkers or other adults. I can't wait to be sleeved! February can't get her soon enough.

Hello all, I have been prowling around the site off and on for a couple of months and I thought I would finally introduce myself. My name is Krista and I'm a future sleever in IL. I initally thought I would be having surgery in Nov or Dec, but a coworker on maternity leave has pushed my surgery back to at least late Feb. In July I knew there were 2 things I had to do before surgery: 1) Quit smoking & 2) Lose weight. I've managed to make it to nearly 4 months smoke free. Unfortunately, I've gained 20 pounds instead of losing it. However, now that I no longer am afraid I'll relaspe with the smoking everytime I leave my house, I'm ready to get serious about the weight loss. I would love to find someone to help motivate me & who I can help motivate. I really need to be accountable without feeling like I'm being judged. I don't feel like I get much support from the friends I've told about the surgery. They dont' understand why I can't just lose weight with a diet like a 'normal' person, which tends to frustrate me & make me feel like a failure. Good luck to everyone. Krista

Thanks for the encouragement! It's nice to know I'm not the only person who really struggles to let go certain favortie foods... for me its a burger with fries. Its taken a while to convince myself that I deserve to be healthly instead of thinking that I deserve a fast food fix. Did you have any trouble getting approved by insurance? Krista

Dr. Rosen is the only Dr. my regular dr. refers to unles I want to have the surgery in Chicago. I haven't been to any of the support groups. Dr. Rosen only offers them on Thursday nights, which I typically have to work on. What other support groups are in the area? Where do you go and how do you like it? Sorry, you'll find me full of questions as I don't know anyone else who's done the surgery. Krista

I'm going to use Dr. Rosen out of Downers Grove. Who did you use? How has it been going so far? Krista

Thanks for the support. I'm meeting with the surgeon the first week of January, so I'm going to have to push myself and resist temptation through the holidays. However, I'm feeling more positive about my ability to do it today. Krista

Hello all, My name is Krista, and I am relatively new to this forum. I have not been sleeved yet. I'm still trying to complete all the insurance requirements. What I'm wondering is how much time were you off work after the surgery? If I need more than a week off, I will have to wait until March due to a coworker being gone for 3 months on maternity leave. Is a week completely unrealistic for the sleeve surgery? I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks, Krista

Good Luck! I quit using Chantix 2 months ago. Unfortunately, that time was also part of my 3 month diet required by insurance, and instead of losing, I've gained 15 pounds. It really sucks. My surgery will probably be delayed for several months because of it, but at least I'm smoke free (My doctor requires 2 months smoke free before he will do surgery). I have to say, that first week with no smoking, I made a coworker cry. Not smoking made me mean! Good Luck and try not to be too tough on those around you!

Well, I'm in the opposite boat. I told everyone. I've had tons of doctor appts and when people ask why, I tell them I planning to have weight-loss surgery. I decided to tell because for 2 years I have been religiously going to the gym and doing very restrictive diets. I lost 60 pounds in the first 6 months and and have gained back 50 pounds in the last year and a half. A coworker was talking about her husbands weightloss and she finally admitted it was with weightloss surgery. Knowing this is what gave me the hope that the surgery could work for me too. I hope by telling people I'll help someone else with extreme weight problems get the help they need. Some people have been supportive and some have felt the need to make negative comments. One person told me that it was my own fault that I was fat and that I shouldn't be entitled to have surgery because of that. I told her I hoped she had that same attitude about people who get cancer from smoking or have heart attacks from eating fatty foo. If someone's got a problem with what I'm doing, I have no problem being a bitch and getting them to keep their opinions to themselves. In fact, I've kind of been enjoying doing it. However, at the same time, this is a job I hope I'm only at for another year or 2. When I move out of state, I may not tell anyone. Krista

Hello all, I'm relatively new to this forum. I've been lurking here and on the Lap-Band site for a few months, trying to make up my mind what surgery to have. After a lot of thought, I'm pretty set on the sleeve. Right now I'm doing a 3 month supervised diet to meet insurance requirements. In an effort to really be committed to improving my health and life, I quit smoking. Unfortunately,now I've been gaining weight like mad. I'm afraid they won't approve me for surgery because I'm up almost 15 pounds. Did anyone else have to quit smoking or gain during the supervised diet? Did you still get approved? Any suggestions on what else I can do? Now that I'm not getting my happy fix from nicotine, I'm reverting to fast food to get that feeling, which I know I should not be doing. Any suggestions or advice? Thanks!

Tiff, Would you mind adding me to your list as well? I'm trying to choose between the band and the sleeve and it seems like your blog would be a good one for me to read. Thanks, Krista

I had my psych visit a week ago, and she had me take a test, which I thought was related to weight loss.... I checked off the things that applied (ie. anxiety, avoid social situations, tired, etc). Then she tells me that it was a test for depression. I tried to tell her that I wasn't depressed, I was fat. She got me so upset that I started to cry... which she told me was another sign of depression. In my mind, I'm not depressed. Feeling anxious in public, being tired, etc are all symptoms of being overweight, at least for me. I just took the 2 written tests this morning to be approved by insurance for the surgery, but I'm worried that she won't pass be because she thinks I'm depressed. Anyone else have an experience like this?