Flagstaffian

That is so interesting. I am glad that there is this worldwide community where we can share things like that. Like, I found out yesterday that I LOST weight during the holidays (i am still ~3 mos. pre-op)...it was only 3 lbs, but I felt RAD.

Your ticker is showing now, yay! Have you forwarded a message to an administrator?

I just had my first (and maybe only) consultation with my surgeon, Dr. Aaron Baggs at Kaiser Richmond. I explained to him the reasons I wanted the sleeve over the other WLS types, and he approved wholeheartedly...YAAAAY!!! The even BIGGER and BETTER news is that I lost 3 lbs over the holidays!! OMG, I can't believe it! I was trying to be good, and I guess it (kinda) worked So, according to Dr. Baggs, I only have to lose 10 MORE POUNDS to be at my goal weight for surgery. A 13 lb total weight loss...with a BMI of 52....before getting my surgery scheduled...this seems low, but if you can't trust your surgeon, you're in trouble! I am choosing to put my faith in G-d & my faith in the Bariatric Team at Kaiser Richmond. I can't help but wonder though- is this normal? It is only about a 5% reduction in weight. I'd love to hear some other voices on this. ((HUGS)) Sarah

Thank you for that, Lissa!

Thank you! I am still getting to know that threads & what not. Love this site!!!

Hi TIffany! I have the VERY SAME WORRIES as you. I don't have kids (yet!!!), but I know my loved ones are worried for me. I am meeting with my surgeon next week and have a tentative surgery date of March 30. I have only been a member on this site for a few days, but it is a wonderful community of people just like you and me, with the same hopes and fears. I'm scared and excited at the same time, but I just keep telling myself: "Hasn't every experience in life that was the MOST MEANINGFUL, the MOST VALUABLE, also been the hardest and/or the scariest?" I think, yes! i look forward to journeying along with you! ((HUGS)) Sarah

Hi guys, newb here. I have tried to join a few groups on the site: VSG in your 20's, NorCal, etc... Everytime I click "Join Group", the site gives me this error message: VerticalSleeveTalk Message Invalid Link: The security key for this page is invalid Retun to this Group's Home I have tried on a desktop PC AND an iPad...so what am I doing wrong here? A little help from the loser's bench, please ((HUGS & Happy Holidays))) Sarah Flagstaffian

I totally understand people's hesitancy to be open about WLS. To people that have not struggled with their weight for DECADES, it might seem like the easy way out....people LOOOOVE to judge others. For people that know you and love you, that have seen the toll that excess weight takes on your mind, body, and soul, well...they love you and so they should want you to live as long and healthy a life as possible!! I do worry about what some of my friends and family think, but I have chosen to be completely open about the process. I have been researching and jumping through Kaiser's hoops for 4 months now, so I am trying to get my loved ones warmed up to the idea gradually. Yes, they are worried, and yes, some of them are skeptical that I'm "BIG ENOUGH" (266# and 5'0"?!?! yeah, hell-O?! I need this), but in the end- people that love you will support you. My people are warming up to the idea, and they will have a lot of time to get used to the new me. After all, I AM THE ONE LIVING IN THIS FAT BODY, tired of being invisible, tired of wondering if everyone is watching me eat, tired of not being able to shop in "normal stores". I'm 29 years old, and starting to deal with several obesity-related health issues. Unh-unh. Enough is enough. Ultimately, we each have to do what's best for ourselves, and I'm choosing to be proud of that. And now, for all the naysayers, a quote from Salt-n-Pepa, 1993: "The moral of this story is: Who are YOU to judge? There's only One true judge, and that's God, so CHILL, and let my Father do his job!" There, that should shut 'em up

Shell! Thank you for that!! You made me feel a lot better about meeting with Dr. Baggs on the 28th. Do you feel like there is anything you WISH you would've asked at the initial consultation? I have heard that the process goes very quickly with them! How much weight did you have to lose (10%?) I'd love any info from you! I see you have lost SO MUCH weight! Have a blessed day! sarah flagstaffian

OMG Kara- You were cute before...You look SO BEAUTIFUL with those cheekbones now, girl!

Knee2010, Thank you!! One thing I have committed to is following my doctor's instructions 100%. It seems like the BEST and ONLY way to minimize complications. fljovideb, I am rooting for you!! I will be so interested to follow your journey, a few months ahead of mine. Happy holidays, guys! Sarah

Hi everybody! I have been reading (lurking on?) this site's postings & blogs for about a month now, but I've finally decided to join. In my head, I have been considering WLS for a long time now, but my mom died 9 years ago due to complications from a gastric bypass, and the thought was (previously) terrifying. Now, as I turn 29, and am at my highest weight EVER (266#, 5'0"), I realize that VSG surgery may in fact be the best option for me. I've been on Weight Watchers 3 times, and tried Opti-fast last year through Kaiser, but I eventually just gain back the weight that takes so long to lose. Gastric bypass surgery makes me VERY uncomfortable, and the Lap-band scares me because of the foreign body inside of you...so that's why I feel like VSG is the sensible middle ground. My family all lives on the East Coast, but I do have 1 brother, an amazing boyfriend, and 3 of my best friends here in NorCal and they are all being extremely supportive about my interest in WLS. They want me to be healthy and to live a long time! In July, I asked me PCP at Kaiser (NorCAL) Walnut Creek about a referral to the WLS program. I have attended the info seminar AND the 5 hour Orientation at Kaiser Richmond. The #1 reason that I am writing today is: I have my meeting with the surgeon next week! Currently, my assigned surgeon is Dr. Aaron Baggs, and I have read good things about him on this site. But, I am so worried that I will "freeze up" at the appointment, and forget what to ask him! I am hoping that some of you in VST land might be able to give me some ideas about the kinds of questions I should be asking the surgeon? I will also need to tell him at the meeting that I want VSG above the other types of WLS- any pointers on how to broach that topic? PS- I am also terrified because I am a HUUUUUUGE wuss when it comes to pain! HUGE!!! Sometimes when I read your posts about post-op drains, pain, incisions, etc- I feel queasy and light headed. Do you think this means I am not a candidate? i'd love your input!! Hugs, Sarah (Flagstaffian)