LindaS

How exciting!

I finally took a new picture today. I started at 234 in August and the first picture was taken the morning of surgery. The "so far" picture was taken today in the same door frame. Started a size 20 and now I am 14-16 depending on the clothes. I am just so excited to finally start seeing a difference!

Irene, you are amazing! You are a beautiful, tiny woman. So, if you are going to continue to get smaller as your swelling goes down, are there sizes smaller than a zero? That end of scale was not something I was ever familiar with. :-)

I made my goal today......
I want to thank each and everyone of you for all the encouragement and the very helpful posts that you all make and we get the pleasure of reading. If it was not for this site, I'm not sure I would have been as successful as i was.
My weight loss journey has been a dream. No problem or complication. Most importantly....no Hair loss either. (big woohoo) but I was expecting it to happen, so bonus that it didn't.
I just had to share my excitement with all my new friends/family in here.
Good luck to everyone, keep it up, it will happen for you too.
Donna

I think mostly our basic body shape doesn't change. In other words, the saddlebags will probably be the last thing to go.
I have giganto-calves. Incredibly thick, almost as big around as my thighs. They've shrunk tremendously, but so have my thighs, leaving my (much skinnier) calves still almost as big around as my (much skinnier) thighs.
As for the lady area, I noticed after about 75 lbs that not only did my clothes fit much better, so did my husband.

"UHC covers plastics" is sort of misleading. I have UHC Choice Plus, as well as I work for a large hospital that is also a Center for Bariatric Excellence.
Major medical health insurance, by it's very definition will only cover medical procedures and/or treatment that is medically necessary, and when you use CPT codes and ask if it is covered the representative that you are speaking with is only referencing the code and your plan type to see if that is a covered benefit. The caveat is that being told something is "covered" is not a guarantee of payment. Payment of a claim can only be determined at the time said claim is received. At that point they are looking at surgeon's notes, diagnosis, etc.
I cannot tell you how many patients have had procedures at our facility and later received a large bill because their insurance told them something was "covered".
With that being said, UHC does not cover "plastic surgery" because plastic surgery is not medically necessary and is done for cosmetic purposes only BUT certain plastics can become medically necessary and after WLS the typical surgeries that patients want their insurance to cover are panniculectomy which really is not the same as the cosmetic Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty). A panniculectomy will only remove excessive skin below the belly button, which is basically the "pouch" that hangs on your pubic area and is a purely functional surgery. The abdominoplasty removes the skin AND tightens the abdominal muscles and often involves "contouring" of the abdomen to give that area a more aesthetic appeal. Again, purely cosmetic and has no medical implications at all. No insurance will cover abdominoplasty.
Also the guidelines under which an insurance company will cover panniculectomy, breast lifts, thigh lifts, etc ... are pretty much the same. The patient has to have experienced recurrent tissue/skin infections as a result to massive weight loss and excess skin. The type of insurance you have, and your employer benefits will determine if this is covered, and if covered how long you have been affected with skin infections, but almost all want to see chronic infections that have been treated with multiple courses of oral medications (most common tetracycline) - they want to see continued use w/ no improvement.
Lastly, do not make the common mistake of thinking because it's UHC that all insurance plans are the same! They are not. There are SO many different plan types, exclusions, etc. Since UHC does not offer individual policies and group only it is impossible to compare plans to a friend, etc. Your employer will determine ultimately what your plan benefits are. They purchase policies from insurance companies that are packaged and what your friend's UHC policy covered may not necessarily be covered by your own policy.
Hope this helps.

I am sorry your feelings are so hurt, this just sucks. i have to tell you though, maybe in some kind of strange way this is a good learning experience. A friend of mind has a saying "you don't have to get on the crazy bus" meaning, it is your choice in how to react to someone's meanness (hysteria, irrationality or whatever it is).
This woman has some kind of game she is playing and she has reeled you in! I personally think that the next time she wants to discuss your size, your weight, your clothing, giving you clothing or really anything of a personal nature related you should just politely tell her to "get lost". By politely tell her i mean something like saying "no thank you, I am not interested". Or when she asks you about weight loss say something like "I am really happy with my progress" and just walk away. It will drive her bonkers as you won't be so much fun to toy with anymore, but she'll get over it and move on.
Next time she hurts your feelings and you just politely say "no thanks"... just visualize that crazy bus driving off without you and don't give her another thought. And part two of my friend's saying "don't worry, another crazy bus will come along soon, you aren't missing out"

After 2 weeks of Clear liquids, surgery, and then 2 weeks of full liquids, I was so excited to start on soft-but REAL-foods today.
I had been craving "fried" egg whites with ketchup (gross to some I know). I carefully calculated the Protein and calories for the 3 whites I planned to have. Plated them up. And then could only finish 2!
In the "before" days I would have found a way to force down the last once-which looked and smelled so scrumptious-but I knew that taking even one more bite would push me WAY over my limit.
Who knew I would EVER be satisfied with a 2 egg white Breakfast, with no sides! Certainly I never would have thought that possible.
Even though I am only two weeks out I am certainly glad I chose this tool to help me along my journey to having a healthier more active life.

I had initial set my goal weight at 220lbs. At the time, being 492, I never thought I would be able to get there. Well I did. On Nov. 14, 2011, 10 months and 4 days after my receiving my sleeve, I weighted in at 220 lbs.
It feels great to be here, but now I am reevaluating to see where I want to get to.....what a completely unique idea for me, being able to feel like I have the ability to control what weight I want to live my life. It's still all so surreal.
I have decided to reestablish my goal weight at 192lbs. Why? To have something to shoot for because I don't think I'm where I want to be just yet. Additionally 192 would put me at the total lost number of 300lbs. I have a slight numerology interest and 300 just seems like a cool number.
Ok, deep breath, appreciate where I've been and where I am going, now back at focusing on doing what I need to do in order to be successful. See you at the next stop.
Update: 11/21/11 weigh in, 215lbs.

Welcome to Onderland! I gotta admit, I love it here. All those holiday songs about Winter Onderland have a special meaning this year :-)
Lynda

Today I finally weighed in at 199! I am so flipping ecstatic, I can hardly contain myself. I had surgery on 8/15/11 and I think I have been losing slowly or slower than I want too but my results are inching along. I make sure to take my measurements monthly and that helps with the slower weigh in numbers because I see results monthly in my measurements.
My goal was to be under 200 on my 37th birthday on 12/17/11 so I am happy that I met that goal early. My next goal is to be 189 by 1/4/12. My husband should be home from Afghanistan around 1/5 and I think that will be an awesome surprise for him! We have skyped but I sit at the computer so he doesn't see the whole me. I really want him to be surprised when he gets home. I can't wait!
I really try to stay on program and get in all of my Protein. I am supposed to get in 65 grams a day and most days I make that goal and if not I always get at least 50 grams. For my last labs my only Vitamin low was Vitamin A so I added that to my Vitamins this month. I feel great and am not tired at all. I do exercise at least three times a week. Twice a week I workout at the gym for 50-55 minutes while my kids are in Tai Kwon Do class and usually do cardio, elliptical or treadmill. Then on the third day I do a lunch hour class at work that rotates weekly between hustle dances and kickboxing. When my husband comes home I hope I can up my exercise to 5 days a week but for now I do what I can.
I am so happy that I am finally out of the 200's. I can't really remember the last time I have been in the 100's. I love my sleeve!

Greetings folks! I know it's been a minute and wanted to poke my head in. I was wondering - how far out should one be from surgery to officially be considered a success? I mean, we all will lose a significant amount of weight - but what is the timeframe?
Only asking...because at 14 months post-op and 100+ pounds down, I sure as hell FEEL successful! But there is still a journey ahead of me. Just trying to Celebrate the small victories, yanno?
Also, I keep forgetting to post my "real" (ie: unfiltered *lol*) posts here - so I will link if you are interested. I've done 2 pretty significant updates - you can check them out here (with some GREAT comp shots *whew*)
http://vanishingvixen.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/who-wants-to-be-fat-seriously/
http://vanishingvixen.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/what-average-looks-like/
Also - I posted 2 recent pics in my album. *SMH* I still can't believe how awesome this experience has been...

This past week has been filled with so many NSV's that I have to share...
1) my 16 year old outgrew a pair of his 30X34 jeans- they fit me!!!!!
2) I recently started a new job & still haven't got acquainted with everyone- I overheard someone describe me as "the tall SKINNY girl with blondish hair"!!!!
3) I went to North Face & bought size 8 khakis!! (I thought size 8 jeans I have were a fluke!!)
4) I ran into someone who hasn't seen me in a few months & she didn't recognize me!!!!
5) I never ever saw a resemblence between my children & me until reently- I found that we have the same facial features/bone structure, mine was just hiding!!!
6) Oh yeah- I've caught men lookin'!!!!
7) My shoes are too big!!
8) I made an appointment with plastics, for a few minor enhancements!!!
9) I walked by a mirror the other day & thought "she's got on the same shirt as me", only to realize "IT IS ME"!!!!
10) I posted all of my old clothes for sale on a classified site, I'll NEVER need them again!!!!!!
Hope all of my fellow-sleevers enjoy the little NSVs as much as I do!!!!!

Since my surgery, I feel like one of my close friends has been avoiding me. I would have said we were similar in size although she is a couple inches taller. When she found out I was having the surgery, she said she weighed about 40 pounds less than I would have guessed. I didn't question it. She also said she was close to qualifying for surgery.
Anyway, since my surgery three months ago, I've only seen her about twice. The first time she was acting very concerned for me and kept saying how hard it had to be emotionally to not be able to eat and drink normally. I told her I was doing great and didn't have problems. She kept saying, "Well, yeah, but...." It was sort of like she was trying to create problems for me.
The next time I saw her, she was noticeably smaller. I made sure to comment on it. She looked good. I can't help but think my weight loss made her do something. I suspect she may be taking diet pills, but she hasn't said so. She lost about 20 pounds.
Things were still weird between us. She still seems distant and is looking for reasons I should be concerned. I'm not going to worry about it though. I need to do my own thing.

It's almost impossible for the sleeve not to work. I mean, you'd have to try awfully hard eating absolutely terrible foods to actually GAIN with 85% of your stomach gone.
Now, does that mean you'll reach goal? No. You have to do the head work to get the eating under control. Grazing isn't good behavior, but if you choose the sleeve and continue to graze I'd highly suggest you be doubly diligent about logging your food. You MUST log your food or it's easy not to realize how much you're eating and to live in total denial about your food choices.
The VSG will remove 85% of your stomach and leave your entire brain behind. So any food addictions, overeating problems, coping mechanisms - any food issues you have are still going to be there. The sleeve is going to keep you from sucking down a Big Gulp slurpee in one shot. It's going to keep you from eating half a pizza. But it's not going to choose healthy food choices for you or make you stop bad habits. So you have to really evaluate what's going on when you eat before you can stop that. Yes, you can "abuse" the sleeve and not lose weight. I think it would be a real challenge. I'm no role model. I follow the rules about 60% of the time. I'm a SLOW loser as a result but I don't gain weight. So to me, imagining someone actually gaining back is bizarre. But yeah, you could easily eat such crap, even in small portions, that you won't lose. So if you think this will be an issue, I recommend some counseling or support group time before you opt for surgery again.
I was in absolute denial about my overeating and my food behaviors until post op. It's been a struggle at times but I wouldn't trade my surgery for anything. I'm totally happy with my choice.
Now, about your husband. Look, my husband was the exact same way before my sleeve. He liked me bigger, has never been attracted to skinny women, etc. Once I told him how I feel and why I want this surgery he was supportive. We've still had some tug-o-war over the fact that I'm now thinner than he prefers. But as long as I've given him the option to vent he's felt like I'm taking his opinion into consideration, too.
I won't lie - your lack of success with the band is already going to be an issue. He didn't want you to lose weight and now he's watched you struggle post op. Convincing him to jump on board for another surgery will not be easy. I hope that you'll do what's best for you but also try to take his feelings into consideration. Sometimes if both partners aren't on the same page it can get ugly as the weight falls off. I don't say that to worry you. It's a very real thing. I recommend you search the forums here for more posts about this post op relationship stuff. But the general rule seems to be that if you're on the same page and doing well before the sleeve you do great post op. If you're not both on the same page it sometimes causes friction.
Look. It is genuinely hard for our husbands to understand WHY we feel the need to lose weight. My husband took it as a sign that his love and acceptance of me just wasn't enough. Communicate and figure out where you both stand on this before charging ahead and you should be fine.
Good luck. Do lots of research and scope out this board for a good long while before making a choice. I think I watched the boards for five months before even creating an account, and watched another seven months after that before having surgery. I wanted to see the real story about the sleeve and feel like I knew what to expect after surgery. It worked really well for me.
~Cheri

Since my surgery, I feel like one of my close friends has been avoiding me. I would have said we were similar in size although she is a couple inches taller. When she found out I was having the surgery, she said she weighed about 40 pounds less than I would have guessed. I didn't question it. She also said she was close to qualifying for surgery.
Anyway, since my surgery three months ago, I've only seen her about twice. The first time she was acting very concerned for me and kept saying how hard it had to be emotionally to not be able to eat and drink normally. I told her I was doing great and didn't have problems. She kept saying, "Well, yeah, but...." It was sort of like she was trying to create problems for me.
The next time I saw her, she was noticeably smaller. I made sure to comment on it. She looked good. I can't help but think my weight loss made her do something. I suspect she may be taking diet pills, but she hasn't said so. She lost about 20 pounds.
Things were still weird between us. She still seems distant and is looking for reasons I should be concerned. I'm not going to worry about it though. I need to do my own thing.

Hi fellow sleevers:
YES, I finally hit the century mark!! I was sleeved on April 18, 2011, so it's just over 7 months out. I am so thrilled to reach this milestone!
My progress has been pretty fast, I think. The first couple of months, I had sincere buyer's remorse, because I had excess acid and was sick every day for 8 weeks! Then the folks on this forum advised me to take Prilosec, and that solved the problem; I took myself off of that med at 5 months with no residual problems.
My husband was sleeved a year ahead of me and has been encouraging from the beginning. I've had amazing support and positive reinforcement from friends, family, colleagues, and students, and that has been a huge help and a tremendous source of happiness for me. I would absolutely recommend this procedure to anyone struggling with their weight--now my outside is starting to match my inside, and my "fat suit" is never coming back!!!
The attached pics are one of me from a cruise last Thanksgiving and one from this morning, so almost a year's difference. :-) I still have a ways to go, but as I told my husband a while ago, if I don't lose another pound, it's still been 100% worth it.

I go to the thrift stores too, I actually prefer them, I don't want to look like I am wearing new clothes. I like the look of a older weathered shirt and jeans, makes it look like I have been a Medium for a long time when it has only been a month.

Update: surgeon contacted me and NP also, they told me the article is a hugeeeee hit! Can I say I'm happy about it? Hahahaha even got suggested to write a book about my life before surgery, being I suffered so much thought out school and everything else. It's like I tell me friends "I got a story to tell"

Long story short I spend a lot of time outside, even in the cold NY winters. I have been putting off buying a new Jacket, and had given away all my old ones that were way to big. I went shopping for new Jacket last night, not only did I find the same Columbia jacket that dicks had marked down from 210.00 to 150.00 Kohls had it marked down to 129.00, TJ Maxx had it for 79.99, Major score on the price! Now for the most important part of the story, its not a XXXXL, XXXL, XXL, or even a XL, its a large, and I still have extra room in it! Its hard to believe that last fall I was wearing XXXXL - XXXL depending on the type and brand of the jacket. I have never in my life been able to fit in anything made by Columbia, This is just the motivation I need to get back at it for the last 25 lbs I need to lose.

Ladies this one is just for you...
I had to pick up a pair of panty hose...I used to have to buy Plus size because the Queen size didnt fit any more. Today I looked at the back of the package and...
I wear a size A now!
Almost cried in the store.

I am so excited, I am beside my self. I am like a kid waiting for Santa to come. I saw my reflection today, normally I am just mad and disgusted with what is looking back at me, but not today! Today I saw myself and just thought "eh, won't be long". I have this new pep in my step and positive outlook on what is to come. I can't wait to finally be ME, not me in this fat suit, but really, truly, Me. Dec 5 can't come fast enough!

Good morning! It's been a few days since I've posted on how I'm doing. One word: GOOD! I have been raised to Good... oh thank you Lord for helping me through this!!
I don't think there has been any surgery worse for pain than this one. I'm kinda just a big baby when it comes to that. I have a very high tolerance for pain, so when I say something hurts its pretty bad. I also hate for anything to hold me back. Good thing: I've been released for some light exercise. I think I'll start on my exercise bike today. Very slow, no resistance... but I just want to get my legs moving. I can tell they are ready... they've been screaming at me. I do get that weird restless leg syndrome if I go too long without workouts... haha! And no, I'm not really kidding, it's the truth.
The reason I've decided to do what I'm doing is I really did have a lot of residual fat on my knees and thighs. I don't have good knees and with so much fat there it really held me back in my running workouts. I can't tell you how much I love doing that, and once I'm all healed I will be able to run like the wind. I will be complete free from anything that ever held me back before. I know 100% that I will feel outside, and most importantly on the inside that my journey has been completed. Gimme that trophy... I HAVE WON!!! I'd also like to say that it really made a difference in the way my pants fit. They'd always have a gap in my waist, the hips would fit fine but my thighs would be so tight. It made me feel I looked ugly in my clothes, even after losing all this weight.
It is never been my intention to get waste away skinny. That's why at even my weight I've decided to slow it down. I know that no matter what my body will settle in where it wants, but seeing others in my family, we are either very very thin or very very thick. I just want to be normal. Is there anything wrong with that?
Thank you all so much for listening to me about this. You all have been such an amazing support for me in all aspects of my journey. Even when I was doing serious research on the sleeve and praying to GOD that I wasn't making a SECOND mistake on WLS. Can you even imagine the mind games something like that plays on you? Especially when even from your very own surgeon it was always made out to be MY fault I couldn't succeed with my Band? *sigh* Well now that I'm skinny and super fit... I know that's simply not true.
I'm not even planning anything else beyond what I'm doing now. My Hubby doesn't even care about any of this. He loved me at 330+ Lbs, and he still loves me now. He just has always wanted for me to see in the mirror what he sees every day. That's the hardest part I think of all of this. Loving me for ME... What I'm saying is, he loves me the way I am. Always has and always will. Now I have to love me the way I am.

Anyway, next Friday is the last stop. Now that the pain is minimal and I don't look like I got run over by a Mack Truck... and even the swelling is starting to go away - I think I'm ready for it!! I don't expect the pain that I got on this past one. Besides, those areas aren't as sensitive either. I don't really have as much fat to be removed on the outter thigh and a little in my waist. I'd say they'd probably remove another 3 Liters which is more than others, but nothing like the 5 Liters + on this last removal.
Wow, I must be one tough chick because if I were reading this on the other side, I'd probably need to drink some JD just to soak that in.
Hahaaa!!!
Blessings everyone. Make ALL your dreams come true. Because it's YOUR life... and you deserve to be completely happy. Always.

Look at your counter girl! When I came to this board, your little sun was below the half way mark and now its nearly at the end! I know its been slower than some, but its still almost there!

Seriously Diva... you are such an amazing and determind woman... As much as I try, I just don't seem to be making progress right now!! I will keep fighting, I was born fighting....lol.... but LOOK at your achievements in such a short space of time.
Honestly, if I had the money, I would have my whole bloody body sorted, sucked and nipped to get to goal!! Yep, I am that desperate now!
xx