Sarah E. S.

So my Dr works closely with you during the 6 month weight loss diet plan presurgery. We set a goal for me to lose 16 pounds between now and surgery ( My personal goal is 25) however, I've already lost 9 of those and I'm only in month two ( WOOT WOOT).

Anyone else know if you lose more than you are required if that will mess up the approval process? I know that the more I lose before surgery the better the results after surgery, but I worry still, that I won't be approved.

You are doing amazing! <3

oh goodness I know exactly how you feel, even though I have lost so much, I still look very much larger than I feel. I feel like a size 14, I AM a size 22, and when I catch site of myself in the mirror on a bad day, it can be a little depressing, but you know what? That's ok! It's good to take that and make it into more fuel! <3

You really look as good as you feel you look, you can be 400 pounds, but if you have confidence, you and others won't see you that way!

I hear all the time, when I tell people my weight " My GOD! You never looked that heavy to me! Where were you hiding it?!?!" lol <3

Thanks! I will definitely try to be more positive on that note, but I have not gotten discouraged, even though I still have about 150 pounds to go, I am ready and willing to take that on!

The small goals I set for myself help a lot as well My dr only wanted me to lose 16 pounds before my surgery, ( I have to wait 6 months because of my insurance) And I have already lost 9 of those pounds 6 weeks in to my 6 month program LOL! I have no doubt I will we well below the goal we set by the time I go in for surgery, and because I am so committed, I ahve no doubt I will get to my goal, I was told to only expect to get down to 170, but I know that since I am determined, I can get to my personal goal which is 35 pounds below my dr's goal.

So yall recently I finally got under 300 pounds, this has been a now 21 month journey, I started at 397, and am now 295.4 ( Yep I count the ounces too because those really add up ) I cannot even express how excited and happy I am!!

I was between 307-311 for months, and then about 6 weeks ago I stepped on the scale and it was 299, then it was 27, and now it's 295.4!!!! I know that I still have a long way to go ( Over 100 pounds still *sigh*) But see the scale continue to go down is so inspirational! I am really and truly excited about this! The surgery I will be having in a few months will only help.

Something I hear a lot from people who just don't know, is that Surgery is teh easy way out, I disagree, the surgery is a TOOL, without it, you can still lose, but maybe not as much, maybe not fast enough for you to feel like anything is even happening, but it's definitely not the easy way out! So much work goes into preparing for the surgery, and actually getting it takes time and recovery is painful, and UPKEEP goodness gracious, you have to be truly COMMITTED to losing this weight, you have to change your whole life, eat what's good for you, Cheating is something you can only do rarely, and even then, you can't cheat much, because your tummy just isn't the size it used to be!

But yall I"m committed, I'm going to make it work, and I'm going to make it stick, I'm going to lose all this weight, and I'm going to keep it off, and my profile picture will soon feature me as I see me, Thin, Beautiful, Ready to take on life in all it's glory!

I hope I can inspire anyone who is worried about what others think, because I have lost 101.4 pounds in 21 months without surgery, I KNOW how hard you all have worked, because I have worked just as hard! I'm proud of you all, and I'm proud of me, and I can't wait to get to my goals!

I have set a mini goal to be 289 ( At least) By December 16th, and I think I can really do it!

I went and tried on that dress I posted about last time again, and I will have to actually take it in to wear it to my job's Christmas party, I can't go a size down yet, because my hips are still a size 22, but my waist has gotten so much smaller.... This week has been marked by both Scale and Non-Scale victories, and I couldn't be happier!

Thanks for the read! <3

Sarah

I SO AGREE!! I adore MyFitnesspal! It inspires me to not cheat, and when I do cheat I still don't feel too bad, because I am almost always under my calorie goal with nutrient rich foods, my favorite part about the whole thing is that it tells you your nutritional information as well! So you know what you've eaten and how much of it you've eaten. I Also really like the label scanner, though since I started using it I have been making more of my food at home, because it's healthier, and usually has less fat.

Thanks for sharing!

And as my surgeon says - It takes courage to show who you really are.

This touched me, thanks for sharing iegal <3

Oh I understand that! I have had mixed responses for my decision, some are scared for me, and some think it's laziness, and some think it's wonderful, I just have to do what I think is right for me, because in the end, I am the one who has to live in this body for the res of my life, not them. You can do it girl!! <3

Hahhaha!! I've been on my preop diet for on month, they have me on 1500 calories aday, no sodas, no juice, and I had to cut waaaaaaaaaaay back on my sweets and carbs! I have, and I am finally below 300! I am at last weigh in 297!!

that puts me at 4 pounds lost since I went to my first appointment, and the Dr only wants me to lose another 12 before surgery, surgery will be sometime in march because I have to have the 6 months preop due to my insurance, but this is so exciting!

Now I haven't lost any weight in the last 2 weeks, but I did have a rather huge non scale victory, I went shopping for my company holiday party, as it's black tie, I needed a nice dress, every 24 I tried on was too big, and only one 22 fit right ( 20's are still to small) But I was so excited! Luckily for me the 22 that fit just right was my favorite lol.

Thanks for the read!! <3 <3 <3

You tell em! No joke, you deserve to live your live the way you want to live your life! I'm proud of you, and I totally 100% support you! <3

I TOTALLY feel you , I made the decision and now have to do the 6 months of hoop jumping LOL it's all I think about, talk about, plan for.... I am seriously obsessed. I have these serious in depth conversations with people about the merits of this surgery over all the others, and I vlog about my journey ( Even though it's JUST beginning) It's just everything to me at the moment, I know it's right

Lissa! Welcome! I am a youtube freak, so I would suggest watching some youtube videos about the surgery, That's what I've been doing, it's so incredibly informative to have it directly from someone's mouth what you experience and what to expect, and also how to prepare

Good Luck in your Journey!! <3

SO happy for you! I can't wait til I'm there as well!! You are such an inspiration!! <3 <3 <3

It's pretty awesome!!! <3

So I went to my PCP today, because I"m sick as a dog ( Walking Pneumonia apparently) And while I was there, I figured, Well.. why not ask about that Letter of Medical Necessity...

She had it printed up and ready to sing in like 5 minutes flat LOL She told me that this was the best possible course of action given my weight and history and just handed it over and told me she would fax another copy to my Surgeons office.

I was kind of in shock....

LOL

Well I suppose I needn't have worried about that after all! <3 <3 <3

Thanks so much all!! I really super appreciate your encouragement! I don't think that I could face doing this without your encouragement! it really takes a lot to make this decision. I've tried for so long, and I thought I could do it on my own, but the fact of the matter is, I need help! <3

You all rock my socks with your own incredible journeys!

Thanks!! I agree it seems a bit much to count even cough drops, I just want to be as accurate as possible., But I'll keep the cough drops out

oh yeah, Aunt flo likes to come and freak everyone out before their surgery! Something I've heard alot about is that Surgery makes your Cycle come on... Not exactly the funnest way to go ( Who wants to change dressings in TWO places) But totally ok! Good luck hon!!

Ok so this is probably a silly question, since I can't get enough calories when I'm sick anyway, HOWEVER would you count the 5 calories per cough drop in your daily journal?

To me, it seems like a bit much to even count that, but you know... maybe my dr will want to see that.

What do you all think?

Wow Thank you all so much! Reading about your experiences really does help!

@ NancyRivers I've anxiously awaiting another video from you! <3

You all are so helpful, thank you again for putting my mind at ease After reading all of your comments I went through and looked at exactly what the insurance paperwork said a few more times, and finally got past all the junk to the meat of the matter, and I"m pleased that it doesn't seem to be as tough as I once thought. I think that all the medical jargon scares some people off lol! I Vlogged aobut what everything in the list ( That applies to me) Really means.

<3 <3 <3

I'm waiting and waiting and waiting...for july 15th, and it's taking FOREVER to get here. I've been dieting and exercising for 19 months, and will have to go on another month diet and exercise program ( Which Is fine). But I'm getting emotional lol. I just want to be PAST this already, I want to be at the point where I look at my husband and say ... ok.. it's over, now lets try this whole starting a family thing again!

I don't know why I"m feeling this way I assume it's pretty normal to just want to get it all over with.

if anyone else has recently gone through the whole process is reading this, what can I expect on my first dr's visit? ( The surgeon's consult), and when you went to your PCP for a letter of medical necessity, did you just ask for it? did they just immediatly say Ok, sure no problem? I mean what am I really looking at here?

Hope to get some replies Thanks all <3 <3 <3

Your encouragement is so helpful!

Yuck! Sorry hon! Can't wait to hear when your surgery is going to be! Finger crossed for you! <3

You know I don't even have my date yet, I haven't actually even seen my surgeon yet ( Appointment is on the 15th) And I already have those what if's. But you know what other what if's I have?

What if I don't get this surgery, and I die of heart disease

What if I don't get the surgery, and by the time I actually die I'm so heavy, I can't have a regular funeral?

What is I don't get the surgery, and for the rest of my life I hate myself for backing out of the once chance I had to REALLY help myself.

What if my kids grow up unhealthy because they see how unhealthy Mom is?

Your what if's are so valid! I know it's scary! This is a major surgery, even if it's just " Laproscopic" It's a real major surgery. Your Fears are valid. I understand them.

But what is also real is that either way you go, whether you get the surgery or not, you are risking something. I think you should risk the surgery, and come out healthier on the other side. There are all sorts of medications for nausea! And as long as you follow the diet your Doctor gives you, you WILL lose the weight. It's a matter of following simple instructions now, and you can do it!

Be courageous Bryn, take this bull by the horns and CONQUER it! You are going to be in the Loser's club soon! Soon after that you will be in ONEDERLAND!!! you can do it! I'm so proud of you!

If you'd like me to be your personal cheer leader, just PM me, I will be that for you, because above all else, I beleive that this is the right decision for people like us, who have tried so many things and just need help!

*Hugs and comfort!*

~Sarah~

I have to say I'm totally with Wishes on this one! Just ask your sister, " Hey sis, I know this is a tough time, do you want me to push back my surgery to be with you? And whatever her answer is, go with it.

Thank you all so much! your words mean a lot to me! I am so excited to have my consultation on july 15th! I will probably post more at that time, once they give me a bunch of information to digest.