KatieOkieDokie

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!

Congrats on starting the softy part of your diet.. and you actually answered a question I had been wondering "can I eat tuna during the soft stage" lol. Actually when they removed part of your stomach, they also removed the part that controls the hormones that tell you when your hungry, so you may never feel hungry again! Some people complain about having that hungry feeling, but usually that is acid, they are put on meds and that feeling goes away! I have also heard that some people have problems sleeping. I hope that changes, because your body needs more than 4 hours of sleep a day! Eventually you would think it would crash! I'm hoping that the surgery isn't the reason, and if it is it's not permanent! I wonder if the reason your urine was so concentrated would be because your body was trying to rid it's self from the drugs, and meds given to you for the surgery?

I love reading updates like this! (Being someone who has yet to be sleeved)! Congrats! Heck I love reading all updates, the good, pretty, bad and ugly! Gives me a perspective of what to expect..which expect the unexpected because no two surgeries (people or outcomes) are the same! lol.. MKF520: I think this is a common feeling people feel as the surgery date gets closer! It's scary lol.. and even some people feel like they made a mistake after the surgery because of how they feel for the first few hours to weeks. However, from all my reading, and watching, and talking to those whose had this surgery, only a few has ever regretted it. Those who started out thinking "what have I done to myself" always seem end up thinking.. "this was the best decision I've ever made! I have my life back".

Happy to hear you found away that works for you! When did you have surgery?

Thank you everyone who reads my blog! I know I don't really "blog" on here! So if you read my blog thanks!! I appreciate the fact that you take time out of your day to read my boring blog http://chasingmydream2012.blogspot.com/2012/03/dr-visit.html

Congrats on breaking 300lbs! That is too awesome and wonderful! I know right now it may seem like your looking across the Mt. of Doom..but think 100lbs from now you're going to look back and think.. wow that went by quick, or you're going to think.. I remember writing that blog about losing 100lbs.. that feels just like yesterday! What was I worried about!

http://chasingmydream2012.blogspot.com/2012/03/walking-partner.html

No one said you wouldn't fall off the wagon, you are human after all! We are all going to have days when we struggle, and want to give in to temptations! I like to think that those who are sleeved has two tools they have to work with, their sleeve, and their brain, and they are not connected (well at least it seems they are not lol). A big part of our journey is psychological, it's not just physical! We are going to have days when we are down, or bored and just want to go back to the old ways. That's when staying focused and remembering why we did this is the first is so important! Keep track of our goals, and if we fall off the wagon, we have to pull ourselves up and get back on the wagon, but not beat ourselves up in the process, because that usually makes things worse! If we go too far and feel we can't get back on, that's when we turn to each other, rely on each other, and loved ones to help us!

I don't know if the band is becoming a thing of the past or not. I only know one person whose been banded, which is my cousin and she has done wonderful with hers. It's been about a year since her surgery and she says that it's the best choice she's ever made. She's lost over 75lbs (over 100 if you count her pre-op diet). But she works at it, she has made the progress she has because she knows how to use her tool, and she works at it. I also know several people whose had the bypass (I don't personally know anyone whose had the sleeve..I may be the first in my group). Those who have had the bypass has also done amazing! You know the one thing I've learned since starting to research WLS and the different kinds of WLS is how it's a tool, it's not a fix. You have to work with it! Change your life style, make healthier choices, workout, get out there and move! You just can't sit back and do nothing, and expect long term, ever lasting results. Yes you may have results at first, but eventually things balance out and you can and WILL gain back weight if you don't WORK at it! I am so happy to know this, because probably like many people, and lord knows our society, I thought at one time that WLS was a cure, a fix, the easy way out. I know I know, but I've learned that..that is not the case and I'm thankful for that!

I'm praying for you too!! Hopefully you'll get it done sooner than later!

Thanks for sharing your story! I'm happy you finally got the sleeve!

http://chasingmydream2012.blogspot.com/2012/03/pathological-picture-taker.html

http://chasingmydream2012.blogspot.com/2012/03/yourself.html

I always have breast/nipple tenderness around my period! It's actually very normal and nothing to worry about, it's your hormones! Joy huh?

Congrats! I too notice the negative point of view toward WLS, and I will admit to thinking like that at one time, until I started doing my own research, and I learned that the pov that wls was the "easy way" out was is a HUGE misconception!

http://chasingmydream2012.blogspot.com/2012/03/taken-for-granted-kinda-long.html

Do you have to have your GP's approval if your self pay? I have always been confused about this. I'm sure you have to with insurance, but I'm not even sure about that?

One of the biggest reasons I LOVE this website is because I have learned so much from everyone on here! I will admit when I first started researching the sleeve, I pretty much settled on it because I thought to myself that I could get the sleeved, eventually eat what I want, and lose weight. However, from others on here I've learned that you still have to WORK at it! The importance of making the right choices when it comes to eating, and work out if I want results, and think that's one of the best things I've learned! How to eat! Fill my stomach with what's good for me! I've also learned NOT to compare my loss with others loss! That everyone will lose differently, and at different paces. Just because someone on here lost 32 lbs in the first two months, doesn't mean I will. I will lose at my own pace, and in my own time. I also know that I'll go through stalls! Everyone seems to at some time!

Congrats on your new surgery date! Like others have mentioned it's important that you are mentally, and emotionally ready for the surgery and it seems you are! I'm sorry to hear that you do not have a very strong support system. I've learned that the biggest reasons people do not support WLS is usually because they are uniformed, and uneducated about obesity, and the procedure itself. You just have to remember WHO you are doing this surgery for, it's not for them, it's for you! They can either get on board or jump ship because we're talking about your life here! Hopefully through your surgery, and experience they will learn, and see what a good choice you are/have made!

I am sorry to hear this! I was actually given advice from a guy that works at my local Social Security Office (in there to discuss matters NOT related to well even me). He told me to never give up the fight, and if I get denied to keep appealing appealing appealing! He said each time you appeal it goes to new fresh eyes, and eventually someone will see something others didn't, and OK it! He said the more they deny, the hard and stronger I fight. It was really encouraging! I advise it! lol

Who would have ever imagined you'd be happy to go see a doctor! lol.. Congrats!! This is awesome!