mesaucedo

Thanks everyone for the replies! I guess I should start now on my arms and hope for the best!

Hey everyone! I am still pre-op but am getting sleeved on March 23rd! I have been reading a lot about saggy skin but most of those topics address stomach skin. Although I am worried about that I am more concerned about arm skin. I would LOVE to wear a tank top! I am only 20 and love in sunny Santa Barbara so I would love to wear a cute sleeveless dress! I am about 254 so I hope that helps a bit! Did you have bat wings after you were at goal? How can I help reduce them?

I know of a few that do not require a diet beforehand. My doctor, Ponce De Leon, only requires a 3 day yougurt diet beforehand. I do plan on doing a traditional 2 week liquid one though. Maybe you should switch shakes? Did your doc specify that you have to use that one?

I have medicare and medical and I was rejected here in California. They offered bypass because the sleeve was "too experimental" So I got a loan and am doing it in Mexico

You can go to a passport agency office to get it way faster. It looks like DC has one. I think they do it on the spot. http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_902.html

I am super worried too! I am only 20 and haven't ever been above 256 so hopefully it won't be too bad. I have gotten some info from surgeons here in SB and in LA and they said that it is possible to do the skin only and not the muscle so I can still have babies without too much strain. They estimated about 5,000 - 6,000. I think this could be doable for me, I won't be able to get it until about 2 years out anyway, so it is possible. I hope that I won't have to though!

This is so good to hear! I am scheduled with him for March 23rd and hadn't heard much about him! Now I feel better!

This used to happen to me when I was hardcore dieting and working out. It was from dehydration and lack of calories. I would down a spoon of honey for sugar energy and then drink lots of Water or a shake. Hope this was your last time! Fainting can be scary.

Liliana, what pill are you on? I am currently on Depo shot and am looking to switch. I know it makes me crave fructose and glucose so I find myself milling towards sugar! I love the convenience of it but don't want it to add to a stall. I was also looking into the implant.

Something that I do now, pre-sleeved, is make meat in my crock pot. It allows it to get soft and it falls apart nicely.

I too am nervous for it, I am starting no caffeine this Monday (4 weeks before surgery) so I won't be facing too much during my pre-op diet. I think the hunger alone will be enough for me! I have been weaning myself off from coffee to tea in the mornings! Good luck!

I think it also really depends on how much muscle vs fat that you have. We have a few members here that are in the 150-140 range and are a 2/4 because of how toned they are while for others it may take to be 120 to get there.

I have told my employer I am going to Mexico, so I let them know the note was going to be scanned and emailed. The coordinator's have a copy of the Dr.'s letterhead and fill in the blanks like your name and how much time off. My employer was fine with this.

mybodygallery.com Has tons of pictures of real women who submitted images. You can chose height/weight/sizes and body shape to see images. It is interesting. Also, Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson are 5'6" and 120. But they have a more petite frame.

Awesome! I wish I could look as cute as you when I work out!

I think what Sabrina was referring too was how people are creating different reasons for disappearing for a bit. I have seen people say they are telling people they are getting gallbladder surgery and what not. I am just happy that I found people are supporting me. It would be a bummer to have people try to talk you out of it.

At first I was really hesitant to tell people. I told a friend and she became really judgmental. I waited a bit and told a few of my coworkers and they were really supportive. Since then I have told pretty much everyone. The only thing I am leaving out is where I am getting it done. A lot of people freak out when I say I am getting it done in Mexico. They jump to conclusions and say I will a kidney blah blah blah! So far everyone has been happy for me and seems to genuinely support my decision! We will see if anything changes. I agree that it would be tough to go through this alone.

I would take: Books: Cider House Rules and 1984 Movies: Shawshank Redemption and Casablanca Cd's: Michael Buble's Greatest Hits and Anything by Carly Simon What was your dream job when you were younger and how did you end up at the one you are now?

I have not been sleeved but just had this happen to me. Mine was located towards the bottom half of my left rib cage. It got worse when I took a deep breath and came in sharp bursts. I went to a doc and it was actually an enlarged spleen. I was put on anti-inflammatory medication. It has been a week and they said it looks much better! They said it was from my recent bike accident. So a collision type injury. Hope this helps a bit!

I too have heard this. But it is, sadly, usually the truth. Medical professionals are not saying it to be mean. Being overweight causes lots of strain on our bodies. It can cause back and knee pain, heart pain and palpitations and much more. It can also decrease your immune system strength causing you to get sick more often and for longer. Sometimes they may seem harsh or hasty because of how often they see people that just don't care. We, obviously, are doing something about it and care about our health but many overweight people don't care. My uncle had been told hundreds of times that if he didn't lose weight he was going to have a heart attack and he just kept eating. He died instead of trying to get healthier. Maybe next time you go see a doctor you should start out with "I am getting VSG surgery because I want to get healthier...." I do and it seems to help.

I grew up Mormon. Mormon men are encouraged to keep a neat appearance. Facial hair is one of the factors to looking disheveled. A beard is not a no-no, it just has to be a neat looking beard. I know many Mormon men with beards. If you attend BYU they prefer you to not have a beard.

I believe he is. He has done work at USC, so he has to be I think.

I haven't been sleeved yet, but I have already forced myself to stop buying clothes. It is so hard :ack2: I did buy a purse though.... but that doesn't count! I bought a pair of each 18, 16 and 14 pants from ebay for about 10 bucks, includes shipping. One is even Missme brand. I probably have a good ten pounds to lose before my current jeans (20) fit me like they should.

Donna, I did not mean to offend. I wasn't trying to imply that her death was not important, of course it was sad. But from a medically statistical standpoint not too bad of a morality rate. Furthermore, I am not a religious person so that is why it is not a big deal to me. I can understand why it would be to you. Lastly, I want to apologize to you. I today spoke with Dr. Kelly and too was put off by his attitude. I am sorry if I upset you in anyway.

I spoke with Dr. Kelly today, after hearing about the news and to be honest I was rather put off. I kind of ridiculed Donna the other day about making a judgement on personality and now I take that back! He was more than rude. I have dealt with many egotistical doctors, my father worked at UCSF with some of them, but this was bad. I had inquired about whether the accommodations I had with Trish would still be valid (I was going to arrive a day early) and he flat out said he didn't care. It was just a little mean to me I guess. I have yet to decide what I want to do. :/