RainyGirl

I like that "Not If I Succeed but WHEN I Succeed"! Great motto!
I'm so excited! Good luck to all of us!

I can now officially say instead of sometime in July it is JULY 25th!!! So flipping excited!

...I'll be a Sleeved Sistah. As I am preparing this evening (washing clothes, visiting my mom to tell her I love her--in case I don't make it, packing...), it feels surreal. What if this is the last time I'll see my mother? This is really REAL. This is IT.
I followed my 2-week preop to the best of my ability. I tried my best. I cheated too. I gave myself the excuse to after I got sick from the sugar-free (yet chemical-filled) pudding. But overall, I did better than I expected and have thus far lost abt 10 lbs. These last 3 days of clear liquid, having nothing but Water, tea, broth (repeat), have been the toughest. I've gone through a range of emotions from hunger to anger to despair. But I made it.
And as I end this preop journey and prepare to begin another, I feel...surreal. I know without a doubt that without this surgery I'd most likely never lose this weight. So I am thankful for it. But if I'm honest, I still wish there was another way. I wish my current life was set up to support the weight loss I need. But it isn't. I wish I had the courage to change it without surgery. But I don't. That's the God's honest truth.
And so, here I am. Ready to change, but full of fear too. Full of what if's. One thing I know for sure, though, is that this surgery is my leap of faith. I believe I was meant to be MORE than who I am and how I am right now. And I'm willing to face death in order to truly live.
Is this will be my end, then so be it. But perhaps it will be my beginning. Perhaps my rebirth. Whatever awaits me on the other side of this surgery, know that I was here. And I tried, really tried to live my life with meaning, passion and purpose.
Sorry, I just need to speak my truth to the universe...and any of you who've bothered to read this far.
Love.

I'm leaving for the hospital in a couple hours. Surgery starts at 10:30 this morning. Down to 302 this morning. . Was 338 when I decided to do this. Its been a rough couple days for. Please say a prayer. Really needing some comfort. Talk to you when I get home wednesday. .
Thanks for all of your support and advice. Made it so much easier with this support group.

Welll! I have been working on this whole weight loss thing for a little over a year now with Fresh Start Bariatrics in columbus Ohio, And its so surreal to me that im at this point now! Its three months out and I have lost about....drum roll please..........69 lbs since surgery!!! I cant believe it. That makes about 145ish since April of last year. I feel like I need pinched. I have more energy now that i ever remember having, and i finally weigh less than 300lbs, which i havent since probably freshman year in high school! And i hope to never ever see the three hundreds again!!
While everything has gone great during my recoverey, i have had a few dizzy spells. Also I get this really horrible pain in my abdomen. its hard to explain, like nausea but like my muscles in my chest and abdomen are super tight....the squad came to get me because my BP went up, and then I was in the ER a couple weeks ago because the pain was not going away. What makes it weird though is i was in pain for a few hours, and then all of a sudden it was just gone. It was the same way the first time it happened. But Dr. Sonnanstine told me he thinks that it could be my gallbladder, and that it most likely doesnt have much to do with my surgery. He wants to wait a few morw months to see if i have any more episodes before ordering an ultrasound.. He said it could just be my body healing or a form of dumping syndrome, but hes pretty sure its my gallbladder. And even though its very unpleasant when ithappens, ive only had these pains 3 times and the energy i feel on a daily basis is amazing, and i would do the surgery over again in a heartbeat, i do not regret my decision at all!!
I would have to say the best part so far is being able to walk into a store and buy clothes! now i can fit into a size 22 (i feel like im lying, like i shouldnt be able to fit into a 22, but its the truth!! crazzzyyy!)
Mentally its so hard for my mind to catch up! While i have bought a few new pants, I bought my shirt too big because i look at the clothes and feel like there is no way it will fit me. its so exciting to go into a dressing room and not leave wanting to cry! But since some of my old clothes still fit me I dont feel like my body is all that different... When i really take the time to look in the mirror at myself its hard for my mind to comprehend the changes that i see. Also, my mind completely messes with me when i receive complements on how i look. People say how different I look, how my stomach is gone, that i was pretty before but now i look so much better... and it feels great to hear it, but after having so many people say it over and over again its like wow, people really didnt think of me the way i thought they did, and it just feels odd. I dont know, I am just hoping that with time my mind will catch up and these contradicting feeling will go away!
Im soo excited for my future. There are so many things that people take for granted that you cant do that are a lot more difficult to do as a severely overweight person.. like ride on the back of a motorcycle or ride on a rollar coaster, or on an airplane... or even sit in a normal chair for that matter. Ive got the last one checked off the list already, which feels sooo amazing...and i know the rest will happen all in good time... I just feel like life is great right now, and i have so much to look forward to. This surgery has really changed my life as a wife, a mommy and a woman for the better, and I sure am thanking my lucky stars for every second of it!

I've already got my reward planned, and surgery isn't even until July, lol... I will be taking my son to Disney and Universal Studios since I'll be able to fit in the roller coaster!!

What is natural? If we were dogs we'd be naked....natural. If we were grizzly bears we would rip open deer bellies and eat them raw....natural.
We are humans, humans have big brains although some don't use them a lot.
Our appearance has a great deal to do with how we think as does most everything else in our life.
We have subjected ourselves to having part of our stomachs dragged out through a slit by our belly button. Not a natural thing. Our brains ordered it. Our body's objections were overruled and now they profit from our brain's dominion.
I have encountered many instances of being grateful that women opted to use that unnatural substance: makeup.

Go for it! I was 61 in December when I had full body surgery in Mexico with Dr. Sauceda. Best money I ever spent! I have felt bad about my body for decades. Now I look in the mirror and smile at my reflection. You can see in my signature everything I had done.
I watched movies all night after my 13 hour body surgery and was up walking around the next day. A week after my body work I went out to lunch and to the movies. It was so much fun I did it three days in a row while in Mexico. It's way less painful then you might imagine.

I go through the same trepidations about concentrating on body concerns at the expense of spiritual priorities. My conclusion is that body, soul, and spirit are all connected and that improvement in any one of them will help the rest. I personally feel the pleasure of God with me because I did this "temple maintenance". My spiritual life has improved as well as my mental and emotional elements. It certainly makes it easier for others to relate to me, which in turn makes it easier for me to be a good witness of His kindness.
Yes, my body looks better. I believe the only time that improving appearance becomes a detriment is when it takes priority over loving others. You can make yourself a god or improve yourself as a thanks to God for life. You are grateful for what He has given you, you take care of it.
What if a billionaire gave you a beautiful house? If he would return in 2 years and find it run down and neglected he would think that you are not grateful. If instead he found it beautified he would think that he made the right choice.
You have the money. Enjoy your life!

okay, Crosswind - here goes....
SNAP OUT OF IT
I'm with Lissa ... you are 47, and dangit, "we" in our 40's deserve to have the best... best tummies, arms, legs... you name it! Stop tripping off of all the other stuff and go for it..
And by the way, scoot over - 'cause I'm next! I was already researching tummy tucks, etc... when I logged back on here and saw your post! I'm just 8 weeks out, lost 40 pounds since surgery and I already feel successful. And guess what? I have several children, love them dearly.. love my hubby, and my house... but this time, it's about me.

Yeah, see, the other thing is I'm not scared of complications, pain, drains -- any of that. *I went to Mexico and had my stomach cut out.*. I was prepared to throw up endlessly and have my stomach blow apart six times with complications. I was on an airplane drinking apple juice out of *another country* two days after my stomach was removed. I don't care about that.
I don't even care about the money. I *have* the money. I mean I suppose I should be investing it in something more practical like gold bullion or long term care insurance or some annuity for my old age but....okay, let's face it, we should all be doing that, right? Accepting ourselves completely and working towards not being a burden to society in our old age and all that.
But the thing is one thing people spend A LOT of money on also is the attractiveness of their bodies. I don't think this is an industry that preys on our insecurities anymore, I am starting to think it's a human need, like the need to feel useful and loved. How silly is this really?
I'm in a place in my life where I have to start everything over. I know it's vanity but at the same time it also means I'll be able to walk around knowing I look pretty good to other people. When you have to start over -- that really, really helps, is what I'm thinking.
And I also keep thinking, well, listen, I'll just take care of this one last thing and *then* I'll concentrate on the loveliness of my soul and so forth. Then, like, I *promise* I will.

Pardon my french, but HE#* yes, you're worth it and HE*# no, you shouldn't give up on the idea of having a sex life. You're 47, not 107...and I understand the geriatric set are into sex in a big way, too!
I think you have laid out an excellent case for why you want to have surgery. You have busted your butt to lose weight and do what's right for everyone else. If you want to have this done, I say go for it!!!

I've already got my reward planned, and surgery isn't even until July, lol... I will be taking my son to Disney and Universal Studios since I'll be able to fit in the roller coaster!!

I have been rewarding myself every 25 pounds. I need it! my next reward is going to be a full body massage. I have never had one because I have felt to fat to do it...it would be so embarresing....but now I am feeling more comfortable in my own skin and am looking forward to it
when I lose all the way to goal my reward is going to be a lot of stuff! #1 will be a Tummy Tuck and a boob lift/augment
#2 will be a whole new wardrobe and #3 is going to be an ankle tattoo of my kids names.
you definatly need to reward yourself! you deserve it! congrats!!!

I've done every 25 pounds for something really nice like a makeover at MAC or Clinique. But every 10 pounds I try to do something a little special too like a new bottle of nail polish (I purchase the gel polishes so they are $15-$20 a pop). I'm quickly approaching 100 pounds lost and wondering the same thing. I really think I'm going to splurge for a full body massage. I find as I've lost weight and my body is re-adjusting itself to its new shape I have some aches and pains and figure it would be a nice way to relieve stress!

I am almost to my 100lb lost goal!! I had hoped for 5 months-but I guess I'll have to settle for 6!
I want to reward myself with something special as a reminder.
I want something more permanent and memorable than clothes, or makeup. Just got a new haircut.
I have considered a nice bracelet-but my wrists are still too large to just buy one-maybe for my 200 goal!
I don't wear earrings or rings. Not that fond of necklaces either (it's that size thing again-plus I'm more bohemian style)
I got a makeover the Last time I lost 100 lbs (and then quickly proceeded to gain it back).
Taking a cuise with my kids in December (hoping to lose another 50lbs before then!)
So what did you do to commemorate? Or what do you plan to do?
Do you Celebrate every 10 or 25 lbs?
Just looking for some ideas.

Okay, here's what I'd advise to anyone just starting this journey:
1. Take your measurements pre-op. Keep track of them as you lose weight. When you stall/plateau, and we all do it, take your measurements again. Stalls are when I seem to lose sizes and notice the inches going away.
2. Stick to your post-op diet religiously. Your doctor has prescribed this diet because s/he feels that it's the safest diet to avoid complications with your new sleeve.
3. Start walking as soon as possible after surgery. Always try to do a little more than you did yesterday.
4. The minute you're released to lift weights, start lifting weights. I do a lot of low weight, high repetition work and I started out doing 10 reps of the simplest arm exercises I could find. Biceps curls, triceps extensions, skull crusher.
5. Be patient. You didn't gain all this weight in a hurry, so you won't lose it in a hurry. It will still seem incredibly fast when you get to goal.
6. Visit a therapist to help you learn how to deal with the life changes from VSG. We wouldn't be here if we didn't have food issues.
7. Drink your 64 oz of Water daily. Get in your Protein daily. Repeat and repeat.
8. Join My Fitness Pal or one of the other food logger sites. It's tremendously motivating.
9. Look for the Non scale Victories (NSV) every single day. It will help you stay positive about your journey and will give you motivation when yours is flagging.
10. Stolen straight from FavoredOne... ENJOY THE JOURNEY. This isn't a race. You don't get extra points for not eating properly or for being the fastest/slowest/most average loser.
Does that help any?

If doing resistance training, you surely want to get some Protein in within an hour after your workout. Also a few slow digesting clean carbs like broccoli, grean Beans, etc about an hour or two after your workout. The juice idea is really good immediately after lifting and exercising, like as soon as you walk out of the gym door...... if you can. If it's a good hard workout, your glycogen levels in your muscles will be depleted and any simple carbs (sugars) you consume right after the workout will go directly to your muscles and not stored as fat or in the liver. It will also help you recover better. Just be sensible like "Pookey" said and just drink a few ounces. What I do is consume my Protein Shake (with just a few of those quickly digesting simple carbs) as I'm walking out the gym door. Then about an hour or so later, I eat my lean meats with veggies. But everyone is different. Experiment and see what works for you and go with it. Good luck!

Yup, Protein drink as I walk out of the club.

Praying for your dad and you during this difficult time. Glad your sleeve is working on your emotional eating.

I mash mine with a little pico de gallo and lemon juice. So good and refreshing.

"You have a bobble head."
My comeback: "A pinhead would think that!"

I'm a bobble head because now that my body is losing all this weight, my head can't support my super intelligent, large brain

Too light for me. I was thinking more like at least I am not a ***** But obviously I need to be smarter than just criticizing them.