Failure

I am replying unofficially because I don't know, but I would guess you should take them all out just in case but remember the procedure only lasts a couple of hours at most. I can't imagine there being any reason you can't put them back in after you wake up. Unless they are brand new piercings, they shouldn't close up any by the time you're awake and able to put them in (or have someone help you..). Sometimes I take my lip ring out for a number of days and it won't close up, but I've had it for 12 years.

I recently watched this HBO documentary show thing called Weight Of The World and it wasn't in relation to a weight loss surgery but they actually had some good advice on this. It was a couple who was relearning how to appreciate food healthily rather than take advantage and scarf down food and be complete pigs (like we all are!) So basically they just said you turn it into a meditation. Prepare/receive your food, set it in front of you and just meditate. Take in the aroma and how much you enjoy the smell, close your eyes and think about the food you are about to eat. Think about the calories and Protein and whatever it is you need this food for. And then think about how you appreciate the food. You only need to do it for 2 or 3 minutes at most. It's not a long process. But just do it to sort of relax your mind and force yourself to tell yourself to eat it slowly, appreciate the food and not take advantage of it. I have honestly been trying this and it works. You eat so much slower but you have to WANT to do this. Otherwise your subconscious is just going to say hey this is stupid I'm not going to do this I'm just going to scarf it. If you want to do it, you will! Just turn it into a relaxing moment instead of a OH MY GOD IM GOING TO EAT THIS DELICIOUS FOODDDDDDD. I had to learn to do it too, it was NOT easy at first!

MrzSongbird it was the most selfish and hateful comment I ever heard out of my sisters mouth. I never knew she viewed me that way but it rolls off my back to be honest. If that's how she wants to act then that's ok, she can just sit back and watch me succeed with hazy eyes instead of us having a success "together" as a family and working together.

My sister had gastric bypass about 3 or 4 years ago now and it was probably about 1 or 2 years ago I had been seriously looking into some kind of weight loss surgery, I didn't have any particular one I wanted. I mean the bypass was the one that everyone heard about and not the sleeve, if it was even being done that commonly back then I have no idea. I only ever heard of the band and RNY. Anyway, the second I told her I was interested she told me this, word for word: "I kind of hope you don't get it, because you'll get skinny and be so much prettier than me and I won't be the pretty skinny one anymore". It doesn't even matter if the friend is big or small, weight loss surgery patient or not. People are just so terrible to each other when they hear about someone making a drastic change about themselves FOR THE BETTER because it means they will be left in the dust with THEIR OWN MISERY and feel that you won't be on that pity party bandwagon anymore. Which is true. Even with a WLS, not everyone suddenly becomes happy. I have seen that with my own 2 little eyeballs and it's sad. You'd think after bettering a large part of yourself (no pun intended) that contributes to your misery, that you'd at least find SOMETHING to be happy about and portray that onto other people. Nope. Not always.

Wow! I am definitely going to put this on my list of questions to ask at my consult! Thank you guys so much. What exactly is entailed in hernia repair?

Do you know if they had to charge her extra for it or anything?

Do you swim in a public pool? Maybe you can find one that you can swim in in open time at a gym or something where people are more understanding and not so ignorant and crude. I hate people who act like such dorks. A size 20 is amazing, you are doing great! I'm a size 30/32 now and I am waiting to be a size 20 again, but smaller still than that of course. It's just been such a long time. How does it feel??

Hmmm. Not sure what the difference would be doing it in U.S. though. They might not be so generous, lol

Angela that is so not true! You will be able to enjoy a meal, just not eat as much as them. Essentially you can eat whatever you want when your tummy is all healed up, but in a very tiny portion. You don't want to do that of course, but you CAN physically eat whatever. It's the beauty of the sleeve. Going out with people isn't always about eating as much as then, just remember that! Your presence is good enough And SOMETIMES, I only know this bc of my sister because I personally am pre-op also, but you can tell your waitress if you go to a buffet and say you had a surgery and that you eat only very little, and they will HALF the cost of your plate. I, too, am pre-op as I said. I know the fears too But just remember the 1 thing that I try to remind myself over and over. Doing a pre-op diet forever might sound all good and stuff, but you have to maintain that FOR LIFE to maintain a healthy weight after you achieve it. The surgery is a tool that will assist in that FOR EVER. A diet will not.

Everything will be A-OKAY, Angela! It's normal to have cold feet but don't give up now! Your body will love you for it after, and you will love the results. I think if you can stand a pre-op diet for a prolonged period of time then you would only benefit EVEN MORE from doing the surgery, too! No worries

Thanks so much you guys. I mean I sort of figured all of this, but I always like to double check! @vsginnj I already use myfitnesspal, I have a huge myfitnesspal ticker in my signature with the link to add me if you'd like to be friends on there

Originally my fiancee and I were going to wait until I moved up to TN with him to do the surgery but now it looks like I am going to be doing it here in SW FL. There is a bariatric surgeon that does the sleeve right in my area! His name is Dr. Bass and I will be calling tomorrow to ask a few questions and probably setting up my consultation appointment. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I'm so stoked! I thought it would be months from now to even start this but it's starting NOW. Eeeeeep!! I'm writing down a list of questions to ask over the phone BEFORE the consultation. I am going to be financing this through www.medicalfinancing.com hopefully they accept me, my credit isn't bad. Creditkarma rates me as a grade C?

I guess that is true, it just seemed particularly high for a salt content. I know that sodium can have a hand in assisting Water retention so I would be concerned about intaking that much just from one packet let alone however many you generally would have in 1 days worth. I also have a 2nd question. On these Bariatric Advantage brand packets that I have some samples of, it seems their nutrition facts is a little weird on serving size. It says Serving Size: 1 packet (43g), Serving per Container: 24, Amount per Serving: Calories: 150 Are they saying that 1 packet has 150 calories, or 24 x 150??? That's 3,600 calories! That would be insane! It's confusing because it says serving size and amount of servings per container. Maybe they are just saying that their containers have 24 servings that you purchase generally but this is only a sample of? So confused.

I'm soooo happy for you! Congratulations and please keep us updated on the events and how they go/what they say!

I'm so glad you wrote this because I am about to have my consult soon, too! I'm going to be taking notes from this thread haha

Oh okay, so you can buy them single-y? That's a relief. I was just seeing online if you could just get one but you can't seem to. Just in the 4 packs. I did get some packet samples of Unjury and Bariatric Advantage and Nectar but I was curious about the Muscle Milk. Thank you so much for the help, Lissa!

Is there anywhere to buy a sample of Muscle Milk? So far I only see where you can buy like 4 at a time. Does anyone know of a place to get a sample of the already made ones, or even the powder for Muscle Milk? I have been trying different places from Googling it but I have yet to find anything.

I am 345-350 lbs ish and I see a lot of people have gotten the sleeve that were 300 lbs or less. I do not invalidate them or think any less of them, but I just want someone from around the same standpoint as me that would know what I am going through. I am 5'6". I just want someone that won't mind texting with me and answering questions and chatting with me and gaining friendship. I do not mind female or male. Maybe even one of each to have different perspectives. I'm not picky other than to have someone who knows what it is like from my weight stand-point. I hope this doesn't sound selfish or rude! If it's something that makes a difference to you, my phone plan is through Verizon so it is free if you have a texting plan. I think if you don't then it still costs you unless you have a texting plan/unlimited plan.

Sure I will talk to anyone that wants to I am very social and love to have people to talk about things in common! I will give you a message in private

Today my fiancee received the tracking information for his rowing exercise machine and had offered to purchase something for me where I am currently located (not together) if I wanted. I was looking at the rowing machines because I like the way they work but they all have a weird weight limit of like 250 pounds. I started looking at other types of exercise machines and we ended up ordering a recumbent exercise bike that folds up. I like in a smaller town house so it's nice that it is compact. It does also have a weird 250 lb weight limit on it but he is pretty handy when it comes to materials and things and he thinks upon watching videos and such plus some people in reviews saying they are nearer the 350 limit and say it seems pretty stable. We are confident in this but if it feels too unstable when I get it put together and give it a go then I will take it back and will know for sure that I can't use something that says a capacity of 250. I mean I've done lots of things in my life with cheap furniture and whatever and I have yet to break anything at 350 lbs so I dunno. Maybe I will be able to use it. From here on out I definitely will only be losing and no more gaining. 100%. Reference: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Exerpeutic-Space-Saver-Semi-Recumbent-Bike-with-Pulse/15657479