CowgirlJane

I didn't lose slower with sleeve...much faster actually. It depends on your starting point- I was over 50 BMI at time of revision. It is my opinion that regardless of bougie sized you will be able to eat more quantity and more variety of foods with sleeve. That worked for me because I can eat salads etc and est more normally. I resorted to sliders with band due to pain eating dense Protein. It is important to have realistic expectations. The trade off is that I feel I manage to eat more normally without vomiting or sliming or whatever.

No Florinda, but I read a study that indicates 3-6 years post op... big increase in some people's acid issues.

I can't answer that because I had all at once.... LBL, breast lift/augmentation, arm lift and "small" thigh lift. his prices are pretty much all inclusive, include the time at the clinic, hotel, compression garments etc so it is easy to budget for. If you email him (and other surgeons) you can get quotes for your particular situation

If you would have asked me years ago I would have said I was a binge eater because I could eat so much (basically eat like a man..haha!) but I went to an eating disorders clinic and was thoroughly evaluated and did not meet the clinical definition of a binge eater. The surgery has so far worked for me (will be 3 years out in December and went from super morbidly obese to normal BMI and now maintaining). If I understand binge eating correctly, it is not really about hunger so i would worry that over time the urge to binge may negate surgery benefits. I am certainly not an expert, but have you considered really being diagnosed by a non surgical practice? I would be careful though of doing it through a pschologist associated with a surgeon because you might wind up getting denied based on being "honest". I tried EVERYTHING multiple times - weight watchers, the hormone drops, nutrisystems, talk therapy, hypnosis, etc but i was always still hungry. for me the physical reduction (not elimination by the way!) has helped me learn to manage food. I could not do it was driven to eat 24/7. I do get hungry now, and one of my many "learnings' is to tolerate it... gee.. it is a normal human experience to be hungry before a meal, who knew? Anyway, my hunger is way reduced so it is something i can cope with.

I think it is also important to consider your own personal tradeoffs. I too had an amazing experience with Dr Sauceda and love my results. My boyfriend told me that it is by far the best "boob job" he has ever seen or felt... very natural compared to many. I was scared of having fakey looking boobs, a flat ass and horrible arm scars. My arm scars are amazing (hardly noticably 11 months post op), my boobs have zero scars and like I said get good reviews and my ass isn't half bad for a girl who had a LBL and no butt work. I told Dr S my goal was to look feminine, not boyish, but to look natural. I feel like he achieved my personal goals to a "T". i think I would have gotten "tighter" results if I had been willing to do my work over 3 surgeries by a very good local surgeon where I live - I wasn't. I am pleased to be just DONE with body plastics anyway and honestly look better than I have since I was like 22... I am 50. I am thrilled with my results and frankly can't imagine going through body plastics again. It disrupted my life a great deal (recovery time, emotional adjustment etc). My goal in all this was just to be normal, I am way BETTER than normal (for my age)... haha... so thrilled beyond expectations. Anyway I don't know anything about Brazil, but I just want to share the perspective of not only finding a good, experienced with massive weight loss (we need way more than a mommy makeover ladies!) but also being very aware of the consequences of decisions and tradeoffs. Someday I will get the neck wattle addressed, so always wanting to hear about face work. I am worried about scars of course, but also about numbness. I do NOT want a numb face and don't understand why some face surgeries result in that and some don't.

So, recap. I hit goal of 158 in Feb 2013. Regained 5 last summer and started 5:2 at 163. Got down to 150 in time for plastics. Swelling etc didn't see 150 again until maybe Jan 2014. Accidentally lost 10# this spring and got to 140. This morning 146.5..definitely bouncing up. My 5:2 goal is to get down to 140 again. If i quit drinking wine it would probably happen....

Hey swizz... might not be my biz.. but curious if the "total mess" is life or just weight related? Thinking of you...keep hanging in there! Denise I used to cardiovascular away my anxiety too. But in hindsight it only partially worked. The who med situation sucks but not as bad as anxiety did! Florinda glad you are enjoying your new digs. Are you outdoorsy oriented? Ski? The gray arrives sometime in Oct or Nov and can be a downer so now is the time to be lining up how to make the most of our cloudy but usually mild winters. It is a killer adjustment for some and others love it (no snow to shovel). Georgia, seems like we all did good on 5:2 last summer. How far are you from your goal? M2g...thrilled for your career success. Carve out time for you. I didn't do that well as a career mom and it contributed to my obesity.

I know the bmi charts are flawed but I think that it gives a rough guideline. For example I have never met a person who's bmi was between 25-30 who was too skinny. It's a strange situation for many of us...my BMI is about 23; weighing 140 is very reasonable for. 5'5" tall woman but I have people who think i am too thin and have girlfriends way thinner (one is 117 at same height) but since people are used to it she is not too skinny. The best exercise is the one you will do. The best goal weight, as long as it is somewhere in the healthy ballpark, is one you can maintain.

Oh never mind me I think I am having an extended midlife crisis..ha. I am so motivated to make the lexapro work because the tiny dose controls my anxiety. I dont feel down or blue if my anxiety is in control. So I had a wild weekend. Friday I did company sponsored "day of caring" for United way. 50 of us did habitat restoration which meant digging out invasive plants with a pick or shovel. It was brutally hard work but felt so good. We accomplished so much. One of the volunteer coordinators was so hot and awesome but given the setting...it wasn't really appropriate to ask him if he was single! My arms and shoulders were sore from all that shoveling. Saturday morning I went riding..fun as always. Sat afternoon I did another wine walk with 3 girlfriends..super fun. My niece and her hubby and somepals did it too. My oldest son and his roommates showed up to look at antiques and had appetizers with us. Awkward moment...the boyfriend of an acquaintance got really drunk and was hitting on me. I know he was loaded and that is why but I worry she overheard it. ..sigh. I did reflect that in the last week 2 guys have hit on me, and the volunteer coordinator guy definitely talked to me...might or might not have been flirting. And he was sober even. I didn't feel flattered but I had one of those "wait a minute, celebrate our hotness" moments. Pat on back...we all need to do that More. My son had a school buddy over Sat night - I loved it. Today, Sunday I did a hike with Theo. It was brutally hard for us oldsters but we loved the scenery and had a nice day. He took me out to dinner after. It was nice..and where I am at with him is just backing off and seeing him sometimes but I am going to date others if I ever find the time. I started the day with my young horse double barrel kicking me. Oddly the impact site is okay as I was nearly out of range but I was tossed like a lawn dart. My neck and shoulders hurt from the impact. I wished I could have seen it filmed because I really felt airborne! Yes, I did the brutal hike after that. Loved all the updates! I am not quite ready to restart 5:2 as I have a weird and tough week at work ahead. In a few weeks I am IN. I have been drinking way too much wine....been having a fun summer in spite of my troubles (bettys death and the nightmare that went with it)

When faced with a similar situation I did talk about it in advance. Feedback I got was that I made too big a deal out of it.... Of course I should mention he might be vision impaired as he insisted I didn't need plastics (this was later). After I got plastics he was like "wow... amazing. ..you looked like a million bucks now you look like a billion " ha So I'd mention it but don't get overly negative and self conscious.

I am no expert. . But for me carbs are way more of a problem than calories so i think your plan is solid

Switch surgeons

I am sorry..but it does get better. I know you say it isn't acid related..but I can't help but wonder...

I dunno...don't remember. And THAT is the important point. I went from super morbidly obese to a normal weight and the details no longer matter. Not trying to downplay your concerns but rather offering you the long range view... we all move at a different pace..our own journey. The details are important at the time but the long view is..jus keep working that sleeve and you will get there!

So silent here...going through withdrawal..Haha. Coop, would love to hear about your detox program.

My kindle isn't getting along with the site today...trying again. I went on a work sponsored "day of caring" volunteer work. We did HARD physical labor restoring habitat. One of the experts/leaders of clueless volunteers was HOT. Totally my type physically and I really liked how he interacted with people. Age appropriate too. So I am very conservative in work related settings. He was coordinating volunteers so I guess has similar"limits". We clicked though and worked side by side alot of the day because I am a tough cowgirl and not afraid to sweat. I think he liked me too, but, it didn't seem appropriate to ask for his number and he didn't ask for mine. He came over after the event and talked to me about my car too. No wedding ring but who knows? This is how I want to meet someone though. I HATE online dating. I really can't handle the idea of meeting someone in a bar. Due This isn't the first time I met someone interesting (on the trail or out doing something active) and I just didn't know how to express interest...and would later realize....that was a NICE guy expressing I interest but I don't know how to give him the right signals. Ya know...I just want them to know I would like to find out more...advice? Bikerchick said something about a lifetime of avoiding rejection due to obesity. I think I do the same thing n ow. I think it might be interpreted as aloof. I am told this is also a Seattle thing...guys don't feel like they can ask..outside a bar setting I guess. Anyway how do you tell someone...ask me out allready?? I realize today's situation was difficult due to the work setting, I mean more in general.

Today tot

I am gonna laugh if your pants fall off. Congratulations and good job!

Truth is that many of us worked 5:2 in a way that is "workable" for us. I don't track or count calories, but on my "fast" days I did try to have long fasting intervals - meaning stop eating 7pm the night before and don't eat till around noon or 1 the "fast day". I am not sure that the longer fasting interval made a difference, but it worked for me and helped me keep overall calories/carbs down. If you feel really uncomfortable - don't do it - have the Protein drink! I think reading up on it and sorta getting the principles or idea of 5:2 and then making it work for your life is the key.

I think it's amazing you have lost half of your excess weight in 2 months! It slows down closer you get to goal...just keep following your program and you will reach goal.

Shell, you are such a beauty - can't help but comment on that! I read both the posts you started and your comment on the b*tch thread. I have so much to say, yet don't really know what to say. This is all food for thought... take what is useful and leave the rest behind. My intention is to be supportive but I remember how tender the heart is at the preop phase too. Amazing success IS possible with any WLS. It really is. research it HARD though. I had the band for 10 years and didn't do well. Frankly, i suffered alot. I am told the band is better now, I can't comment on that, but in 2001 it pretty much resulted in eventual issues and removal for everybody I knew. I thought the reversible thing was good... like all I had to do was lose weight and life would be easy breezy...haha... Queen of DeNile. Others have done well so I am not trying to talk you out of it, but, for a high BMI person ... there are considerations. Again, take it or leave it. The best advice I can give is to consult with more than one surgeon (I found out THEY are very biased too!!!) and go to some support groups. It was very educational to go to support groups of post ops... pretty much everyone therehad bypasss (that surgeon really preferred bypass) and only one other person was awaiting revision from band. I remember thinking how thin she looked, I couldn't imagine why she needed WLS. of course, when you weigh over 300... lots of other people look "thin". I was too chicken to go for the bypass, the band didn't really work for me... so I wound up sleeved. I learned alot from that support group even though they were mostly bypass patients. I had a BMI over 50 when I was revised to the sleeve. Right now, my BMI is about 23... so yes, i lost more than half my body weight. Losing that much weight (168# lost since sleeved - now weigh about 140-145 range) was not always easy but it was really worth it. I had reached the age in life (late 40s) where I was seriously getting concerned about longevity and disabiliy due to my weight. I had reasons to be SUPER motivated. The changes to my looks were just a side benefit. Recently, my 40 year old niece died of a heart attack. She was very very overweight - heavier than I was. It was so sad, she had half a lifetime ahead of her and it was gone in an instant, largely due to her obesity. I advise you to take the time to research, really understand pros and cons of each procedure (trust me, they ALL have negatives) and decide which you think you have the best odds of success. I spent about a year in anguish over the revision decision. It was not pleasant, but i think that painful year of indecision actually helped me when the going got rough post sleeve. Whatever you decide - best of luck. You deserve good health and freedom from obesity. People you know who might be 10, 20, 50# overweight... well... they kinda understand but frankly we are in a little different situation. It is hard to express how enlightening it was to meet with a surgeon who helped me understand the metabolic issue of obesity and just how complex it is. i hope you get that chance too.

i am doing stress eating - eating when not hungry. I HATE when I do that. I am super stressed out about work right now, but it will get better, getting ready to turn a corner I think. It is weird that when I was feeling horrible before, I stopped eating... i didn't mean to, it was this kind of stress reaction thing. I guess that just tells me i still have major "food issues". i am not binging and not eating junk, but even too much salad and shrimp is too much food, right? I am feeling weird this week. Kiddo is gone so I am alone. I am not really upset about Theo, but he wants to see me and I have lost all desire to see him. I feel that I am being unfair to both of us and stupid to me because he really is still a good prospect (maybe?), that it isn't my real self but rather my messed up self that just turned the "off switch" there. I have been sleeping alot, which while it sounds healthy doesn't seem to be. I have been trying to watch Netflix stuff in the evenings, but i fall asleep. I think I am really stressed and my mind and body just want to shut down for awhile. I am making deals with myself and that is helping... like if I get "X" done at work then I allow myself some energetic behavior. I am not working out and have been so active all summer it hasn't been a problem. I am now just feeling fat, which is stupid. I weigh about 145 this week and i am not fat. Issue is that my meds are completely mucked up and I am managing the best I can. I have tried all sorts of things... seems like taking 1/4 of the smallest dose pill everyday with food is tolerable so far - done it 3 days in a row now. I think now that i am back taking them I expect to calm down and refocus. I am not as bad as I was say a year ago with the anxiety but I got so used to feeling GOOD that I can barely stand feeling any of that weirdly unsettled anxiety feeling. I was feeling so good taking half a pill 4X a week but now when I do that I feel sick. I get an upset stomach, I get a headache and flu-like symptoms for about 3 hours after I take it. Very upsetting because feeling gross everyday messes me up and of course I started missing doses which is what got me to having a weird week. Anyway, I am doing better than i sound, just had a rough couple of days. I don't want to do anything, not even ride my horses since Monday. Well, actually I started feeling bad on Sunday. Kiddo comes home tomorrow after being gone nearly a week. Having him here sort of forces my life to have more structure so that is a good thing. How is everyone? Remind me how I felt so thin for awhile there... i honestly feel absolutely huge. I measured my waist, it is still the same. Why do i feel like I weigh about 300#? I think I am a little bloated and that contributes to it but it makes no sense. I am not like paranoid to be seen in public, nothing like that, more like i just feel stuffed into my clothes - I guess 5# makes a difference ... Good news - before Monday i was just "killing it" getting stuff done around my place.... woo hoo! I know I can get back on that track again.

You do know that people like me who have lost massive weight (I am down about 168#) didn't do it in an organized linear fashion and that stalls are normal... right? Hard to not get discouraged, but follow the plan, trust the process, the weight will come off!

Your tickers are there viewing from the webpage. Unfortunately the app doesn't show ticker or most profile info. This is why newbies want us to type our stories up in threads....I think it's a shame as I spent alot of time reading tickers and profiles preop!

RJ, I just read your post. I also think you are great right where you are but I have a hard time understanding why anyone would think you are anorexic. Sounds like their issues, not yours. I really ignored alot of it. I had the benefit of new friends who never knew me obese. Not a one of them thought I was too skinny. It was only people who were used to seeing me so big.