bikerchick519

For me it was only hard for the first 4 days or so and then it got easier everyday. My preop was 2 weeks. Giving up Diet Coke was the killer for me and now I don't even want it. Hang in there, it's all worth it.

You look great. What an awesome feeling.

A lot of insurance companies will pay, it was my employer that has an exclusionary clause against any weight loss surgery. My surgeon also had a lot more experience than any of the surgeons in this area. I got a lot more personalized treatment there as well.

I'm from the Kansas City area but I was sleeved last November. Good luck to you. Paula12, we go to Mexico because our insurance doesn't pay and when you are self pay, it's about 1/3 of the price there. I had the best surgeon you could ask for and I would do it all again.

You will definitely feel full when you start eating food. You will be surprised how quickly you get full.

Thanks everyone. I feel so great and can't wait to get to goal. Getting ready to start Title Boxing Classes and get ripped! I've never been to the Fayetteville rally but will look into it.

The first picture was in Sturgis 2010 and the second is from last week. 83 pounds difference. Had a great time and it was much easier to walk around. I didn't get tired at all.

I went shopping the day I got out of the hospital and spent maybe $70 on momentos. Other than that I spent very little as I was on clear liquids and had no appetite what so ever. I did tip the hotel staff and the cab driver. I think I spent a total of about $100 on just me so plan on more for your hubbies foods.

I had a great surgery and the easiest recovery. I was very lucky. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself and the only regret I have is that I couldn't have done it years ago.

I think I waited about 10 or 12 weeks. I have about 6 oz. or red wine and I am buzzing. I've also had a margaritta a few times and one is all I need. It definitely doesn't take much now and it hits me pretty fast.

I never thought I could give up Diet Coke but I did for my preop and I haven't had one since. You will be so glad you did and after a while you won't even miss it any more. I know it's hard but you can do it.

Not sure what happened but I tried to report the pictures in the original post so hopefully you can see them now.

Shape_shifter, I so much prefer Daytona Bike Week over Sturgis but it just hasn't worked out that we have been able to go recenty. Next year I promised my daughter a trip to Disney World so maybe the year after that I'll go to Daytona again. By the way I see you are going to Dr. Kelly. He was my surgeon too and I loved him.

Two years ago I went to Sturgis Bike Week in South Dakota. I weighed about 250-257. We are going again this year and I currently weigh 176. I was looking at the pictures from last time and I couldn't believe them. The pictures this year will be so much more fun to take. I can't wait to post them here. I was buying XL or 2XL t-shirts last time and now I will be buying large. Even though the weight loss has really slowed down, it's still exciting to see the changes. Here's a picture from 2 years ago and one taken just a few weeks ago. I will post more after vacation.

Two years ago I went to Sturgis Bike Week in South Dakota. I weighed about 250-257. We are going again this year and I currently weigh 176. I was looking at the pictures from last time and I couldn't believe them. The pictures this year will be so much more fun to take. I can't wait to post them here. I was buying XL or 2XL t-shirts last time and now I will be buying large. Even though the weight loss has really slowed down, it's still exciting to see the changes. Here's a picture from 2 years ago and one taken just a few weeks ago. I will post more after vacation.

No saggy skin so far. I did lose quite a bit of hair but that has slowed down now. I get compliments all the time about how great I look now. I feel and look very healthy. It was the best thing I've ever done for me.

Sorry to hear about all the problems. What I can tell you is that Dr. Kelly is the most awesome doctor and I would put up with a lot of inconveniences to have him operate on anyone I know that needed the surgery. My daughter is thinking about having it done and Dr. Kelly is the only choice we would consider. She was with me when I had mine done, she met him, loved him, and she sees what a great recovery and success I've had. He is the best!

My pre-op was in stages, protein and salad, then shakes, then clear liquids the last few days. It was easier for me that way because you ease into it and it gets easier. Going to Mexico was breeze, no worries.

I use the mini and at this point I can eat 4. I put the recipe the way I made it in myfitnesspal and it's 160 calories.

We've all had that around that same time. Just wait it out, it will break. You're not doing anything wrong. Your body just needs time to adjust.

I'm not sure what I would do without the egg bites. I eat them for breakfast all the time. I tried the enchillada ones last week and I loved them. I'll be making the others tonight. Thanks for the new recipes to add to my other egg bite favorites.

I work next door to a Yogurtini and I have it sometimes. It's a great tasting treat and it's better than ice cream. Theworldaccordingtoeggface has some great protein ice cream recipes. I just got a frozen yougurt maker so I'm going to try some of them.

It was the best decision I ever made and the best thing I've ever done for me. I started out at 257 and now I am currently 179. I'm about 5'7" tall. I was a size 22 and now I'm a 14. I feel so much better and don't have to worry about being diabetic like the rest of my family. Good luck to you.

I had surgery 2 months before you and I just got over a 5 week stall. I didn't do anything differently during that time and it was frustrating. I just cut back on carbs, started drinking a protein beverage with fiber every day and lost a pound and a half last week and a pound so far this week. It will break eventually just hang in there.

My favorite ones are the Herbalife ones, wild berry is the best and Click, which has espresso in it. Blend the Click with ice and it's better than Starbucks. They have Mocha and French Vanilla and they just got decaf too.