FluffyBleu76

I would say you look not quite 15 but definitely about 19! Either way, you look great... keep it up!

LOL @ Fatty: Although our weight issues are not a laughing matter, I couldn't help but chuckle at your screen name:-) @ Chell: Like Fatty said, any surgeon that requires you to be on liquids for sooooo long is questionable. Remember, this is life changing so if you don't feel something is right or you don't understand, ASK, ASK, ASK. And if you don't get clear and concise answers, look elsewhere. Best of luck to the both of you in your weight loss endeavors!

How do you get the free samples? I don't want to get anything from the stores in our area (BJ's is over priced!).

Spanx! A friend of mine who had lapband swears by it. http://www.spanx.com/home/index.jsp?camp=kw=s3z4kqrpW|pcrid|11953337996|spanx

I am great Better! Thanks for asking. Endoscopy went well and it looks like things are on track!

I am good Better! Thanks for asking. Endoscopy went well and it looks like things are on track.

Woo hoo!!!!! I do love downing a bottle of water but sips are cool and as long as I can enjoy raw veggies during the summer, I am good. I was told this surgery decreases your desire for junk food. I hope this is true because I am a carb addict. Otherwise, I eat pretty healthy.

I am set to have my surgery on 4/20. As the surgery date draws nearer, I am pondering my new life. I love water now and I wonder will I ever be able to enjoy water like I used to? I like raw veggies and I wonder if I will ever be able to enjoy those again. I keep thinking that maybe I can do this without surgery but as soon as I stand up, the pain in my ankles, feet and one knee quickly bring me back to reality. I don't want to have giant plates or stuff myself every Thanksgiving, I just want to be healthy and enjoy life.

I love fruit! Will I have to give up fruit?

I have an out of pocket of $3000!!! But, my job gives us an *** and ppo with no premium for me or my family. So, I guess this isn't so bad considering I have never had to pay for insurance in 8 years.

LOL... my husband did the same thing!!!!! All you can do is look at them and sigh.

This maybe waaaayyyy TMI but, my husband has told me he has plans for me after the surgery (he, he, he). He asked me if I was still as limber as I was in my days of gymnastics LOL On a more serious note, in the past before my orthopedic issues were such a problem, I have lost weight from diets and exercise and hubby was thrilled! Not just because I felt better about myself but because I was healthier. In his words, "I want you in this life and in the after-life so if getting surgery can make you healthier and hotter than I am behind you 200%". While I think some of our significant others would get a little annoyed at some extra attention, I believe that if the person really cares about you, the results of the surgery will only enhance things. Please keep us posted,

I had my gallbladder out at 19. I wasn't overweight at that time so with the first attack, the ER gave me pain medication and sent me home. The second attack had me thinking I was going to die so I made my "death bed" confessions to my mother, asked her to give my siblings certain things of mine and wrote a letter telling everyone how much I loved them. I passed out from the pain! Fortunately, the next ER decided to do an ultra-sound sound on my abdomen and I had 3 very large rocks in my gallbladder! Surgery was scheduled for a few days later. Now, besides having to answer to my parents for some of my confessed mischief, I think that having those attacks were the best thing that happened to me. From what I hear from others, the attacks happen more frequently and are worse. Had I known that I had gallstones, I would have never waited for the pain... it's not worth it. Get the surgery.

I love hummus and I wanted to know if that would be a good post-op soft/pureed food. I also like mashed up pinto or black beans. Would that work?

No, I go for the endoscopy in 5 days and surgery is scheduled for 4/20 but I have a feeling that we may need to push it closer to the end of April, My PCP, reluctantly, approved my surgery. He is not a fan of WLS but he knows how I have struggled with my weight for the past 10 years. Other than this OSA and being a fatty, I am relatively healthy! I hope that being in relatively good health means our recovery will be fairly easy.

Thanks everyone! My wonderful husband and I have learned in these few years of marriage that being 'active' is extremely important no matter what is going on in our lives. It keeps a lot of the tension down. I am so glad that he loves me fluffy, un-fluffy or anything in between, He just wants me to be healthy and happy.

Wow... age, weight and height (almost. I'm 5'4.5") are identical to mine.

I have been looking for this answer but I haven't come across it. I know everyone heals differently but this is something my husband and I desperately want to know

Hey... you sound like an Exercise Physiologist! That or you have done quite a bit of research on how the body burns it's fuel (calories) and how to keep motivation up. Back in the day when I was fit and trained people, I would recommend they avoid the scale. But, to each his/her own! Some people need to see the numbers to feel like this procedure was worth it.

OK, so I went to see my PCP today as directed by Dr. Feiz (the bariatric surgeon) for the pre-Op evaluation. I have had the same PCP for over 12 years and I know, just by his tone of voice, when he doesn't agree with something. Well, he definitely does not agree with my desire for surgery. He made me promise I would do my research- which I have. He was telling me horror stories of WLS gone bad and now, I am a little nervous. My BMI is 35.4 and he believes that I can do this without surgery but my 53 lbs. of extra weight feel like 153 lbs. on my weak ankles and aching feet and sore knees. I just really don't know what to do. I was sure about this until I saw my PCP. I want this surgery so I can have a better quality of life but do the risks outweigh the benefits? Someone, please chime in on this. I need brutally honest opinions.

On Friday, I got a call from the doctor's office that my insurance had approved the procedure! The date is set for 4/20. I am soooooo excited yet nervous as all heck. I am no stranger to surgery and I feel like I will be in good hands but I keep having nightmares about leakage and excessive vomiting. I am afraid I will be one of the few that this doesn't work for. I am afraid that I will lose all my hair. I am afraid I will become malnourished. I need a permanent way to keep my weight off and I believe this tool will be the best option for me. More than anything, I feel like I am a failure because as a trainer, I should have been able to keep my weight off. I am ready for this but all the worry is making me so anxious. What to do?

This is good question. My husband asked me to ask the doctor. I am going to assume that if you go cowgirl or doggy style, it shouldn't be a problem (sorry if I was too graphic, lol).

So I get a call from the Dr.'s office and I thought I was going to get denied. Well, it looks like it was approved and the surgery will take place in very nice hospital by the beach! 4/20 is my scheduled date. I am nervous and excited all at the same time :-) I hope these 50 extra pounds that I carry, will be a thing of the past whithin my first year. I just want to be healthy again

I don't think there would be enough stomach left with RNY :-/ I hope she gets the help she needs!

I remember when my mom had her open heart surgery in 2001. She was admitted through the ER and the attending cardiac surgeon had the WORST bedside manner! It was so bad, my mom said she would take her chances and wait for another surgeon to do it (mind you, she was in the ER so it was pretty bad)!!! To make a long story short, she had complications and the surgeon with the attitude from hell had to come in to do the surgery while she was under anesthesia. This man's hands were blessed by God! She had only a 50% of coming out alive, only 45% of her heart was functioning at the time and we were told she would be lucky to get a few more years (she lived until 2010)- most surgeons wouldn't touch her! After the surgery, he was still cold in his demeanor and when my mom was up and alert, he was sooooooo negative (but he sure loved to point out and look at well he sutured her chest). In short, of course physicians should be kind in dealing with their patients but there is a saying in the medical community: "Doctors treat diseases and nurses treat patients." Your business is just about done with this man and as long as you have a support system and you are healing well, leave him to his own devices. You are doing great and it's natural to have up's and down's. Just pay attention to how your clothes fit and your overall wellness.