ProudGrammy

jt1826 my surgeons office told me that my insurance requires me to attend 3 support sessions before WLS can be approved they gave me a list of times, locations in my area for support groups. i was then given a "card" that the "leader" had to date and sign when i went to the meeting as proof i found the meetings interesting, and now i go about once a month meeting with people going through WLS, or have already had the surgery - good to talk to our sleeve community speak w/your doctors office - hopefully they can help you out with dates, locations going to a support group is painless, its just like talking here hope ins goes without a hitch take care good luck

teach5 thanx for the update i always wonder what happens to a sleever with a problem, how they are doing....glad things are working out for you its good to be a winner while you are losing take care keep up the good job

Newbie to the board .....- but 2 1/2 months post WLS - 52 lbs gone forever??? good for you!!!! i love to see people from different countries on the forum - always wonder how you all learned about the sleeve, but then again you probably think the same about us glad you've done so well, no complications, great weight loss As far as that "off" button regarding eating - i never could find it either could you share with us "not in the know people"!!! the convertion of a STONE and a EURO??? Curious minds want to know!!!! take care good luck big kudos

somaiswhat when OTR talks "everyone" listens!! I am going to do the paper - memo, note - sounds like a good idea - you too??? you are pre-op, waiting to be sleeved, having doubts?? normal!!! you wnat the results "yesterday" without doing the hard work? sorry bud, not gonna happen you know this is a lifestyle change, eating habits etc. - you won't/shouldn't be miserable through the process you will be able to eat whatever you like, small portions you can eat "candy" for example - not the best choice IMO, but the option is there if you want to eat a small bit - then you won't feel deprived IMO the benefits from the WLS out'weigh" any problems/sorrow/missing food btw - I LOVE dr. phil, oprah and her ah ha moments too take care good luck

KK66 i did retain Water post surgery didn't gain weight - but didn't lose either for a few days weight it will come off as soon as its ready to, in its own sweet time your observation about water/fluid temperatures, some people's tummy don't like extreme temperatures like hot or cold - they have said they drink water at room temperature and things work better for them continued good wishes with recovery - and the gradual eating of "real" food - you'll start to feel like a happy camper good luck newbie

NEWBIE welcome to SLEVELAND, take off your coat and stay awhile sounds like things are moving along well. understand those "doubt" feelings you had pre-op, glad you are happy post op with weight loss - so many health issues improve - hopefully this will help your hip issue - if you need that hip replacement - weighing less, will help you, healing PT et al you being on full liquids - you will be very happy - improvement from only broth!!!! ahhhh, i see your boyfriend is not only very helpful, which is great - he's a looker too "one" of the reasons having WLS - changing and improving your life - also doing this for cute little grand-daughter Gabby!!! what a lady you are!!!! you already are that "cool Mimi" for Gabby - now you can enjoy her more and more as you get healthier - you will both be happy for you - what a great Christmas present you got 3 years ago!!!! a first grand-child!!!! take care good luck speedy recovery

greenfamily004 i'm 2 weeks from celebrating my 1rst surgiversary!!!! i hope too this, restriction will last forever, but................. not positive that the restriction will be as good tomorrow + , as it is right now i know i (we) will always have to work with our "situation" really hard work sleeve was never meant to do this hard work solo wish i could give you a better, straight forward answer to the longevity of the sleeve "total" stomach restriction for the rest of our lives???, we will have the restriction, but it might be less than it is now the best exercise i do is arms stretched in front of me - pushing away from the table - and a one and a two good luck to all of us

mokee, you can listen too Pam i also have type 2 diabetes - took insulin/meds these past 20 years, high blood pressure meds, wore CPAP all gone since about 4 weeks post op many people have the WLS - one of my many health reasons to do the WLS is to improve/get rid of diabetes meds et al i hear you about treating each meal prior to WLS like it was your last i did the same, not adviced, but manny do this congrats on losing 15 lbs pre-op you didn't mention any immediate problems from WLS that you just had on 11/26, so sounds like you are doing ok, right???? you are still early in the game, things should progress nicely get as much Water in these first days, stay hydrated - Protein is very important - but if you can't hold down shakes yet- worry only about the liquid and sip slowly - things will move slowly but steadily HAPPY HAPPY BELATED B'DAY to you i was gonna bake you a 2 tiered chocolate cake (i don't think so!!!) so i'll toast you with a glass of H20!!! Pam, Pam i didn't forget you - good luck to you too-maybe starting to lose some weight now is a good idea. take care good luck

Pam welcome newbie come on bud, age is irrelevant - you could be 23 and look and feel 20 years older, just 58?? drop in the bucket - you are still a young chick or................. you can be the "ripe ol"/younge age of 59 in 2 weeks (hmmm, guess who??) and look and feel like you are 35??!! maybe i am also a proud breast cancer survivor (14 years and counting ) chance of CA reacurrance down 50% if you are not obese??? sounds pretty terrific- one more good reason to lose this weight with the help of the sleeve losing weight helps improve all aspects of your physical well being. my mom always blamed all my health problems on my "excess" weight. if i got a paper cut mom would probably tell me its because i was too heavy!!!! are you already approved, insurance DOS ??? exciting having your 1rst appt with doc in a couple of weeks my first appt with the surgeon was the day i went to seminar about the sleeve - DH and i talked with him, he thorougly explained the procedure - we talked some more, that was it with him - pretty basic saw him again in 3 weeks, it was "suggested" that i lose some weight by the time i came back - well head hung low , i hadn't lost any weight - but dr. didn't seem too concerned?! told me not to gain at least!! i saw the dr - he did NOT put me on a pre-op diet - BUT........i know many/most?? dr.s do require you to follow a strict liquid diet - and lose some weight prior to WLS my bmi and weight and co-morbities were high enough (lucky me ) to show that i needed the WLS and insurance did cover me losing weight prior to surgery is important, helps the fatty area around your liver (something like that) then its easier for dr to perform WLS safer start to lose weight now - it will be helpful in the long run remember you are as young (or old as you feel) Pam like you said this is a "quality of life issue" - your health will greatly improve good luck with WLS wishes for a speedy recovery

jennie good for you, get rid of clothes that are too big, putting clothes away that are presently too tight, starting a blog, Utube!!!! I love the "writing yourself a note pe-op" you are definitely mentally prepared for this WLS probably already know this, but - take measurements and pictures through your journey - you'll be amazed at how things change if you do as well on your food prep, dealing with your food, drinking etc etc etc. - girlfriend you will do great!!!! So happy for you FYI - i meant to do all the above one year ago, didn't follow through - sob sob DOS 12/15/11 235 lbs 11/30/12 136 lbs i have all the good intentions to start a private blog - called"one year after WLS" blog will consist of food and regular stuff normal life - wish me luck as far as your concerned - - great start and future toward health, and happiness with WLS!!!! your DOS 12/11/12 - right around the corner - good luck, speedy recovery

azrrel Welcome your NEWBIE stripes are showing PCP = Primary Care Provider per profile pre-op or post op ??? good luck on your journey to health and happiness you'll get lots of good advice and support here and we don't "usually" bite

congrats on your successes, you have been in onederland for awhile-you have lost almost 55 lbs - concentrate on that!!! when is the last time you were under 200 lbs??? we all lose at our own pace - this is not a race - you have your whole life ahead of you - slow and steady..... remember, its AGAINST the LAW to compare your weight loss, time it is taking you to lose weight, don't ever ever compare to others you've made a couple of oooops, oh well - every day is new-you can do this-stay on program, drink all your water always-- be strong (how's this for tough love)!!!!

almam aka newbie liquids, liquids and more liquids are very important protein is very important too - but be more concerned now with the Water hopefully you'll be able to hold down Protein shakes soon - and as your eating progresses, certain foods like cottage cheese and yogurt are chock full of protein good luck welcome to the neighborhool -

newstart! great weight loss - what a way to start happy happy b'day - with many more to follow I see a new and improved, healthier, happier life in your future keep up the great work

Pumpkinmeli you are doing great - feeling healthier compliments from others, what a shot in the arm keep doing what you are doing - its obviously working for you WooHoo, congrats

ShrinkyDinkMe22 congrats on getting through the 1rst tough days of pre-op!!!! you are doing great with your food plan - drinking Protein shades, Jello, broth and plenty of Water - you will lose weight helping towards your WLS more importantly - getting ready for your new eating patterns right after WLS - always drinking et al - way to go!!!! mind does play tricks on you pre-sugery - it says "come on, you can eat this chocolate cake, and those Cookies, I won't tell" no, no, no - its the devil speaking. you know your not hungry, don't listen to those "noises" i think part of the head game is because you know that you really "can" eat those "nasty" foods - but you know that overdueing is not the way to go - and you are wisely prepping yourself for post WLS - head hunger???knock it off after surgery, once you can eat, you are not "capable" due to your new and improved small tummy to eat much - you might still struggle with head hunger though - common dilema not going to tell you that you won't ever have to deal with head hunger - hopefully it will subside especially with your hard work - you will attain your goal - get new great weight and tell head hunger where to go . good luck bud

karely007 12/11/12 WLS - experienceing doubts ???? i feel you should go with your first wise decision/thought you have your younger age in your favor - most "older" sleevers (30+ ) say how they wish they had done WLS years earlier i was an old fart of 58 when i had my WLS best thing i ever did - but wish i had been 23 years young when i had the procedure need to be very committed, determined to have this procedure - if you think you'll go in to the hospital on a friday and go home on monday 100 lbs lighter??? think again!!!!{my mom thought that was what would happen to me] the sleeve is here to help you lose the weight - you have to work with it for the rest of your life, but you have a lot to gain - and lose you have to change your food habits, small portions, drinking et al - but it will change the rest of your life for the better you will become healthier during this process - i took diabetes meds/insulin - High blood pressure meds - wore CPAP - no longer IMO plastic surgery shouldn't be done until AFTER you've had WLS "they" say that your body will "settle" over the next couple of years exercising during your weight loss period and after will help firm things up a bit, - then if you still need/want PS - great!!! plastic surgeon who told you you weren't fat enough for the WLS - and he's worked on "fatter" people with good results??? not fat enough - left handed compliment OMG if you have tried to lose weight a few times only gaining it back + , and if you have co-morbities that would qualify you for surgery - IMO go for it good luck

suepeeps adoreable baby and sentiment

jac1970 hmmmm, who is that behind those foster grants eyesglasses?? like you said "it all starts now" 3 month pre-diet, other steps in preparation for WLS - its wonderful you are getting ready for that official 1rst day of your healthier, happier life with your new best friend, the sleeve!! you are pro on having anesthesia - people still can be alittle nervous prior to any surgery many people also have those doubts concerning the WLS - the fear of "never waking up" i can only imagine what that must feel like, concerned, scared about the anesthesia Here are my 2 cents - thoughts almost one year post op - WLS was the best thing i ever did people do 2nd guess themselves, I can tell you are a smart cookie go with your first wise decision to have the surgery the "what ifs" ...... all surgeries have "possible" problems you'll see posts on the board concerning problems during or after WLS - and they might stick out in your mind most sleevers are great, no problems, and get happier and healthier by the day talk about your concern/fears with your dr. - hopefully he can put your mind at ease take care good luck with WLS

selbradey congrats on you 1rst of many 23 lbs great start!!! referring to your great before and after pictures......... about one month ago i went clothes shopping - salesperson showed me some nice clothes for a special upcoming event - most of them were black they were very nice - i looked at her and said "i've always had to wear darker clothes - no, no more black for me!!!! i told this "stranger" about my successful journey, we talked and she said, "i understand, lets get a color for you" selbradey - its a great feeling not to HAVE to wear dark clothes enjoy wearing bright colors (bought a nice blue outfit) congrats again on your 1rst of many losses!! take care continued good luck

as i said in an earlier post, she apparently doesn't feel comfortable in her own skin to tell people about the WLS at this time - maybe she won't later either - but thats ok i only told my immediate family prior to WLS once things progressed i did tell people when asked about my weight when someone asks me now about my situation - i do think to myself, should i tell the whole truth, or just say, diet, small portions, exercise et al i have chosen to now tell anyone who asks. even expained some of my NSV's when they comment on my tattoo. many times - explaining the connection for me and the tattoo and my increased confidence i am sometimes"concerned" about different peoples thoughts sometimes how silly is that - justify/defend myself by telling them "this is not the easy way out" then i explain the hard work, major surgery. how silly is that - explaining, defending myself, no more!!

kariwimms aka karen be proud of that 87 lbs lost!! WooHoo you know what to do to get back on that horse - you sound very committed - good for you!!! knowing the problem is half the battle don't know if i said that right stand up straight, get back to work with your eating and drinking, exercising et al i have confidence that you can do this now get going good luck

Mrs.Gina when "you"/we are overweight - this could be a problem agreed Amazon13 - as you lose weight, you will feel better ALL over your body problem should resolve itself - this is normal you can always give your dr a yell