KatieOkieDokie

I think before/during/after pictures work wonders when it comes to seeing your own weight loss progress! Often you are the last one to see the difference because you have nothing to compare yourself to! You don't notice the change because you get use to what you are seeing. If you were to take your picture once a month (at the same or around the same time) you could compare the pictures and see the difference!

I have to admit I got a little teary eyed when I watched this because I know how much you struggled at first with your leak etc.and now to see the before and after and how far you have come along..it's really heart touching!! I'm so happy for you! You are doing amazing! I bet you feel amazing and you look amazing! It's sad that you have people who have tried to hold you down because of their insecurities and face it probably jealousy. I think WLS in general has been thought of as being the "easy way" out for so long that people just accept that. They don't understand it's not the easy way out. It takes work, and commitment, and not everyone can commit to it! You can and have! That just shows you're stronger than them!

Thank you

Ohio weather has been awful also!! And mall walking is a great idea! I actually think my local mall is used more for people walking than for shopping! Especially in the mornings..lol. Something I did the other day was tried to walk around the pool (while inside the water of course) it was kind of hard because of all the people I had to get around, and once I hit 5 foot it was more like hopping..lol. But it was fun! lol.. Good luck! Hopefully things will start to cool down! I'm in Ohio we'll have about 2 weeks of fall coming up before winter! (Maybe)

I think that we are always the last one to see ourselves different! My best friend got sleeved about 3 months ago and I don't think she see's her loss like everyone else does! She's lost about 70lbs and it's noticeable! I can see it in your picture!! You're beautiful! I think I like looking at face before and after pictures better than others for some reason! Maybe it's because I see the eyes and smile up close, and see how much happier people seem to become as the months tick on, and they continue to lose!

YAY!! You are about there! Congrats!!!

My cousin had mentioned that there was a rumor an office was going to open in Dayton..so they must have opened one!! Where is at? I tried to google it but had no luck I'm just going to buckle down and get to work! It's the best thing for me! I know this!

You went to Dr. Curry (seen it your siggy) That's who I'm actually planning on going to! My cousin went to him for her lapband, and I have heard nothing but good things about him! I have already started changing my habits, I guess I should just buckle up and get motivated so I can get this baby done! The good thing is my family dr. is REALLY working with me too!! I'm just so impatient. lol.

I have read/heard that many surgeons will not do WLS if someone's BMI is over 50. I was wondering if anyone have experienced this? As of right now my BMI is around 70, and to get down to 50 I would have to lose almost 100lbs! I was just wondering if anyone else had to lose a great deal of weight before getting WLS due to high BMI

I'm not in Northwestern Ohio, I'm southwestern I'm just wondering how you are doing? Has things gotten better for you?

I just want to feel good again, to be able to walk without being in pain, or out of breath. To hopefully not have to prick my finger several times a day to check my blood sugar, and get off meds! I'm tired of being tired!! Yes I also want to look better, but just to feel good would be OK for me! My goal weight would be 200lbs.. I'd be happy with that! Of course lower would be great too! lol

I'm from Ohio too! Just I have no insurance and trying to find ways to pay for this surgery on my own! NOT easy at all! I wish the surgery cost what it does in Mexico!! As for your family I would either A) Let them know that you need this surgery to live, and you do not have the money to do this, at least not at the cost they charge in the state. Mexico is much cheaper, and just as good! However, if they have a problem with you going to Mexico, you would be more than happy to allow them to help pay for your surgery! Donations will be gladly accepted! or Pick the the one person who you would want to join you in Mexico and convience them that this would be a vacation of a life time! lol.. No really. They are probably upset because they are unfamiliar with Mexico's stats on the surgery. I think education would pay off (hopefully). I wish you the best of luck!

You will be in my thoughts and prayers, and I'll be sending you support through brainwaves and heart strings! I wish your family was more supportive. Just remember who you are doing this for, and why you are doing it! They will come around and be thankful you did this too, and hopefully understand that you are doing this to save your life, so that you can be in their lives for many more years to come!

Hello! My name is Katie. I am 32 years old, single and I have no children. I am very proud bird nerd, and amature photographer, whose trying to decide if she wants to finish her degree in Nursing, or Social Services, or both! I live with my parents stil, I struggle a lot. I have one brother whose married to a wonderful wife whose the sister I never had! They have two little boys who are my world! I love my nephews to death! I am an animal, nature, lover! I am most happy sitting outside taking in the sun rays, and enjoy the beauty around me! I live near Dayton Ohio. I have yet to have surgery, so I haven't officially joined the losers bench. I am working toward it though, slowly one step at a time (would have had it done 6 months ago if I could have).

I have had the oposite happen to me, and instead of being told that "I wasn't that big" I was asked (by a doctor nonetheless) as to why I am so big, and how come I don't have WLS? My reply was Obesity is a very complex and their are usually several reasons why someone is "too big" (you would think being a dr. .he would know that). And I that I was working on funding to get WLS, since I do not have insurance and will have to be self pay it might take me sometime (I should have added since your a dr. would you like to donate to my fund, or pay for it for me)? lol. I will admit that I am someone whose guilty of looking at some and thinking "she/he really isn't that big". I do this because I am comparing them to me. I quickly remember that everyone is different, and we are all in the same boat striving for the same thing! A health life!

I have *yet* to have the surgery and I struggle A LOT with energy and walking. I mean a lot! I have gotten to the point that I can barely do anything anymore without being in pain (lower back, legs, ankles) and out of breath, and feeling as though I've been wiped out! Now I know some lose pretty quickly, so I guess one of my questions is.. how quickly did you notice after the surgery that you was able to do more physically without feeling zapped, or it being hard to walk etc? And when you noticed that you was able to do more, walk further etc. what did that feel like both emotionally and physically? Did it feel like a weight (no pun intended) was lifted from your body, did you feel free? Because I am dying to feel that way!

I have *yet* to have the surgery and I struggle A LOT with energy and walking. I mean a lot! I have gotten to the point that I can barely do anything anymore without being in pain (lower back, legs, ankles) and out of breath, and feeling as though I've been wiped out! Now I know some lose pretty quickly, so I guess one of my questions is.. how quickly did you notice after the surgery that you was able to do more physically without feeling zapped, or it being hard to walk etc? And when you noticed that you was able to do more, walk further etc. what did that feel like both emotionally and physically? Did it feel like a weight (no pun intended) was lifted from your body, did you feel free? Because I am dying to feel that way!

I think DuranFan1969 said it greatly! It doesn't matter what other think you are doing this for yourself, your health and YOUR life, and if they don't want to get on board and support you and your drive to LIVE then so be it! More than likely people are going to watch you, they may even want you to fail. You just have to remember that this is YOUR journey.

I have decided to actually do a journal on here, and not use my blogger for a change. I am still hopeful about getting sleeved, even though at times it does not seem like it is suppose to happen for me. I often question God as to why.. but I'm sure there is a reason it's taking so long. I still say "When I sleeved" instead of "If I get sleeved" I am hopeful. I did go to state appointed dr. yesterday. That was a trip I'll remember for the rest of my life probably. He was a grumpy old man, probably around 90 years old, and should retire. He was one of those blunt and honest drs. I probably wasn't in the office for more than 5 mins before he just came out and asked.. "Why are you so overweight, why are you so fat? Do you eat too much"? Now six months ago I probably would have cried my eyes out, and that would have broke my heart, and while it was rude as can be, it's not like I don't know I'm overweight. I mean I know. I feel it. I feel it in my muscles, my legs, my arms, my everything. I KNOW I'm overweight (and I'm here seeking guidance, an education on getting the sleeve). I still didn't know how to react to the question though, because I thought I was there to get me help, not beat me down. After not answering him, because I didn't know how, he asks me if I have mental problems, and that's why I'm not replying to him, and rudely let me know that time is running out, he wants to get this done quickly. I never did answer him. He did ask me why I didn't have surgery for my weight issue. I replied.. well you need money, and I do not have the money at this time for the surgery. It's something I am seeking. He really didn't examine me much. Mostly asked questions. However, at the end of the appt. he listened to my heart, and his reaction to my heart was enough to scare me, and have my mom crying her eyes out. The look on his face was scary.. he was dumbfounded that my family doc. has never had my heart checked, and he let me know that the weight has to come off sooner or later or I'm in trouble. I'm basically a ticking time bomb. Scary, it had me in tears. So.. here I am. Unable to work due to my weight, so I have no insurance. I'm ready to have 50 million garage sales, and fundraisers to help me (however I have learned that people are not to hip on donating money to WLS). My parents talked about helping me out, getting loan. My dad figured that if he and my mom would stop smoking, they could easily pay off a loan within 2 to 3 years! That's a lot of smoking. I think it's an awesome idea! Not only would they be saving my life, but their own life too. It was mentioned once, and that's it. Needless to say my parents are still smoking,and now we are all ticking time bombs. I really wish a door would just open, and I could get the help for this surgery!

Easter #2 was yesterday! Yes Easter #2. This is what happens when you come from a close knit family, that's huge! You have to plan holidays on different days of the actual holidays!` We've had Christmas in Jan. for years! I love getting together with my family, not everyone was there, which was sad, but it was still nice to see those who did come! It was nice! We had a HUGE Easter egg hunt for the kids! There was probably over 200 eggs, and only about 6 kids. Needless to say they made out like a bandit. LOTS of candy! So much candy it was kind of sad. I did well though, and did not touch any of it! Then we had the big Easter egg hunt. It's a money egg, that you have to pay to hunt for. 2 dollars per person. This egg is hidden the night before, and everyone can hunt, kids, and grown up. The money goes into a jar, so the egg is empty. Whoever finds the special egg wins the jar of money. This year there was 28 dollars in the jar. It was pouring rain, and there was several people out looking for this egg for 28 dollars. I however was not one of them. I sat on the couch and watched from a distance. Wishing I could be out there with them, but knowing that physically I couldn't. And you have no idea how much that killed me. I hate watching life from a window. And that is what I am doing watching life through a window, watching as everyone else carries on, hunts Easter eggs, plays and runs with the kids. Rides bikes, flies kites and enjoys life to the fullest. I watch from a couch or chair because physically I can't do it. And this kills me! I hate this so much. I know it's one step at a time. But those steps are so hard..and painful! I look at my life and feel like a failure. I can't do anything, I can't get a job, I can't make money, and I can't have a life of my own. Because of this weight. This prison I've put myself in. I don't want to live like this anymore! I want to be free.. but I can't do this on my own. I feel bad begging people for money, especially people I do not know well. Which is why I haven't been doing my fundraising any more. I figure if people wanted to donate to my cause they would have. I was even told that WLS is not a good enough cause to donate money too, the risks are too high, there isn't enough proof that it is 100% effective, and that sometimes it's just better to be overweight. Well thank you for saying that my life isn't worth it! That stung. But then I realized how uneducated, an uninformed this person was. I mean we live in a society where media tells us what to believe, and most people believe what they see and hear on TV, and instead of finding out the facts for themselves, they go by what they media says.. and that's that. (I mean look at our Government and that mess! Not going there though..not in this blog). My dad had mentioned at one time that they could possibly get a loan and have it paid off in three years, if he and my mom stopped smoking. Well after hearing "stop smoking" it was never mentioned again. I guess it's better if we all three die together, than get healthy with each other? Because if that's the case, and they could pay off the loan in three years with what they save from not smoking this surgery could save three peoples lives! Not just my own! It could prevent me from having diabetes, high blood pressure, and being stuck in THEIR house under their support for the rest of my life. And it could keep them from getting lung cancer, or having to live with a hole in their throat due to throat cancer! Why wouldn't you pick that road? I don't get it? If I started to lose weight, I could get a job, because I cannot work right now due to my weight. I could eventually take over the loan payments. IDK..I just need change! I feel like I'm hoping for nothing, and wishing for something that's never going to happen. I wish I could just win the loto or come into some money. Well this blog had very little to do with Easter huh? But I do feel better getting this out and in the open.

http://chasingmydream2012.blogspot.com/2012/04/easter.html

Congrats and happy losing!! I hate how people judge! I just started to tell others, I haven't had surgery yet but wanted to let people know it's something that's going to happen, and since then I've been very open and honest. I was just told by someone who struggles with her own weight and losing that I do not need to go through WLS, all I have to do believe in myself. It took everything inside me to ask her "so tell me how is that working for you?" I didn't. But I wanted to!

Your stomach expanded or stretched because you made the decision to drink pop (cola, soda). Like others have said it will expand your stomach, and it will indeed cause you to have cravings. This takes place in your brain, not your stomach! You still have to make healthy, and wise choices with the Sleeve! Meaning picking the right food to eat, and drink. Working out, and becoming healthy! It's a tool!

Sounds like they are dealing with their own insecurities, which makes me feel really sad for them. Usually those who act this way are hurting on the inside, and it comes out as jealousy, and anger. I know I've been there before!

That is something I am hoping to lose! While I love having large breasts, I hate the strain and pain they cause my upper back! I wouldn't mind being a D or C at this time!