Heller2u

Got the biggest kick today! Just realized I now really actually weigh what my drivers license says I weigh! Hopefully by the time I renew, I can (probably for the first time in my life) tell the truth about my weight and it will be lower than it is right now. It's a good day!

Highest weight was 294 (3/17/11), date of surgery on 10/14/11 277, today 245! I hit a stall at 3 wks, but I'm back on track to losing 2-3 lbs a week. I am 1 lb away from an even 50 lbs since I began this journey and so excited! My favorite meal is buying a rotisserie chicken at the store and eating part of it as a meal first, then cleaning the chicken off and putting it into little containers for an easy quick Protein snack throughout the week, and it's so yumm! Good luck to all! Loving my sleeve!

I had my surgery on 10/14/11 and have lost 40 pounds! Yay for the sleeve! :shades_smile:

Hang in there! It will get much better (especially when you start dropping pounds like crazy)! I like different things at different times of day...in the morning I sip room temp water, but the rest of the day (some say its too sweet but not for me) I drink fruit2o all varieties. I've never been one to be able to drink just plain water...boring, boring, boring...but fruit20 helps me so much. Crystal Light is too sweet but I find the flavor of fruit2o just the right amount of flavor.

Yes! I did get sleeved in Mexico on 10/14 and I'm down 21 pounds since 10/6. I did keep a food journal on "my calorie counter.com" I finally submitted a few days of that showing that I kept the journals and discussed meal planning with my doctor even if she didn't write it down and that I couldn't legally re-create her notes. Good luck on the insurance phase of this journey. Don't fret too much about it, nobody can seem to figure those ins companies out! They're very inconsistent!

Oh my goodness! This was so conflicting for me too. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be successful in losing weight to show them that post surgery I could stick with the new program or if I was supposed to fail at the weight loss to prove that I needed the surgery. I do not have BCBS, I have a local insurance. I finally did get approved after a 6 month physician supervised diet (denied first then appealed). I only lost 14 during the entire 6 months. They initially denied me because they said my physician didn't document enough about exercise, bmi and meal plan. sheesh! Needless to say, I made plans to go to Mexico before they reconsidered and once I was approved, I was 2 weeks from going to Mexico. My surgeon's office still hasn't called me to schedule my date or acknowledged that I was approved nor do they know I went on my own and did it. Long story short, the weight loss or lack there of never seemed to be an issue at all.

I feel for you. I also agree with the others, there are simple ways to make yourself feel pretty and acceptable. However, have you checked the clothing exchange forum on this site? There are a lot of people who can no longer wear the nice things in their closet and I for one would love to send you something if I have anything, most of them don't want anything but the cost to ship. I haven't dropped much in size yet, but you could certainly use whatever I have much more than I can. What size are you looking for? I've got a variety of sizes from 18/20 - 26/28. I'd love to help you. Send me a private message if I can help you out at all. Maybe I could take a couple pics and send some options to you.

Hi Monisue! Welcome! I was also sleeved recently...Oct. 14th. I agree, I'm so happy to have it done and love, love, love watching the pounds fall off. I too still have this idea that I want a huge bite of something (burger, mexican food, etc) and then 2-4 small bites of something I can have and I'm satisfied. Good luck to you on your journey! Keep on smiling! :coolgleamA:

I turned 45 on 10/8 & was sleeved 10/14. Still adjusting, I'm back at work (went back on 10/24) figuring out what to eat and how much, but I'm loving it! Feel free to ask any questions. Welcome!

I had my surgery on 10/14 and returned to work on 10/24 (one week). It was plenty of time. I was and still am tired at the end of the day, but I was before the surgery! If you feel well enough, return to work and then use the paid time to Celebrate the new you in a few weeks!

Well done! You're very inspirational. Happy Surgiversary!

Did Aretha Franklin ever admit to WLS? She's another that dropped a lot of weight.

I was just sleeved by Dr. Kelly on 10/14. (I'm 45) At first I didn't tell my Mom and only told my sister & niece. As the day approached I called her and asked her to trust my research and not to make me regret telling her. She was very very nervous and scared (which I'm sure your parents are too). She wanted to drop everything and go with me and I told her this was something I had to do for myself and by myself. I gave her Dr. Kelly's information and she researched about him on-line. Up until the day I left, she still had her doubts. While I was there, I brought my netbook and communicated with them online from time to time (the hospital has free wi-fi, I highly recommend it vs. a cell phone) When I called her yesterday to let her know I was home and safe and felt great, she told me she was proud of me. I know your parents will come around too when they see how successful your surgery will be. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have via personal message or even give you my email address and I'd even speak to them for you if you'd like. It will be a difficult time for you if you have this added stress of their lack of support. I would explain to them where you're going and that their support will actually help you to heal and recover. Good luck to you, Dr. Kelly is wonderful! The nurses are fantastic (tell Sarah Stephanie says hi), the orderly Jose (sometimes called Pepe) was fun and helpful, housekeeping was very friendly! There are some Amish families there too (receiving cancer treatments and other surgeries like hysterectomies). I had a really great experience and no regrets.

Hi everyone! I got sleeved on Friday and I'm doing great today. Getting drain out and they will transfer me to a hotel after the leak test. I think I'm getting better care & attention from nurses then I get in US. I'll check in again when I get home. No regrets!

Congratulations to all on successful surgeries! I'm headed to the airport and will check in as soon as possible after surgery too.

I 100% know that you did not intend it, and I honestly am not offended at all. At first when I read it I though, huh why does she get to be "smallsteph" then I realized her name too. I honestly laughed out loud. You're wonderful to organize the October Sleevers !

Chris, (said with pouty spoiled rotten voice) I NEVER EVER EVER GET TO BE "SMALL" STEPHANIE!!! You just wait until I start rocking my sleeve! lol, totally joking. Good luck Stephanie, we're getting closer!!! Sincerely, Apparently not so small Stephanie (he he)

This reads like I typed it myself (except for the husband and son part). I have completely felt the same way over the last two weeks and I did the house cleaning last weekend and compared it to "nesting" when you're pregnant. I am scheduled to leave tomorrow morning and feel like I have been neglecting every part of my life until I leave. I can't even get into tv! I have made lists and now packed as much from those lists as possible. I wake up in the middle of the night and although I'm exhausted, I log into the computer & check VST. I am a strong independent woman who has raised my daughter (now almost 10) completely by myself from the day I found out I was pregnant, yet I have felt weaker in the last few weeks than ever. Take out food and the craziness begins. I am starving for something to CRUNCH on (and I don't mean ice chips). You've done the right thing, reaching out. I've been reaching out to my girl Kelly L (no shocker there, she beat me to the post) she's been very uplifting to me just by knowing what I'm going through and popping in at the moment I seem to need a boost the most. You're almost there! Stay strong and keep your eye on the prize!

I'm struggling right there with you! My surgery is the 14th. I even went out to dinner last night and really struggled looking at the menu (it was a mexican place and they put a basket of chips right in front of me, arrrg, my sister poured some salsa for me out of habit) I fought through it and ordered the Soup (but margaritas are liquid right)! Yay! Hang in there, good luck to you on your journey!

I think if you add in the weight of your Ex, you've lost a lot more than 1 lb! (not trying to be rude, just trying to lift you up) You're doing great! Get back on track & enjoy your success!

Hi October Sleevers! I just wanted to check in and tell you about some awesome support I just got from my family. Saturday 10/8 I will be turning 45 and I have made it perfectly clear to my family that I'm unable to go out to dinner or Celebrate with cake because of my pre op diet (surgery on 10/14 woo hoo). So instead of eating, my mom, my sister & I just went out & got celebratory mani - pedis! My sister gave me a Ninja blender and my mom gave me a digital scale for gifts...is that support or what?! It makes me so happy that with all of the secrecy because I'm telling very few people, these two are there for me 110%. Finally, I thought I'd mention that it's that time of year...wouldn't hurt to get yourself a flu shot! I know it sounds crazy but it couldn't hurt to prevent any possible illness since some of us will be traveling to Mexico and all of us will be in some type of medical facility with sickies why not get one, it couldn't hurt right! Well good luck to all & find those 1 or 2 people to lean on right now, even if it's another October Sleever (or a veteran sleever too if you're reading this KellyL you're an angel)!

Oh my, just noticed that both of our names are "Stephanie" too! October 14th will be a great day for Stephanies! woo hoo

I'm Oct 14th too! Operation Pre-op is on! I think its easier than other times I've dieted because I know it will be over soon and I'll have the assistance of my sleeve. Good Luck to you and I'll meet you on the losers bench!

Hi Monty! Hope you're feeling ok, when you feel up to it, tell us how it feels to be sitting on that losers bench...is it comfy? Save us some room, we'll be there shortly! Congratulations... and from what I've read, sip sip sip & walk walk walk.