Beanzilla

Good luck!

I've been on my pre-op diet for 2 weeks now. My surgery is 8/23. The first few days were really difficult for me, because I'm at work most of the time and my co-workers get take-out every day, but now it's not so bad. I've lost 17 pounds so far, so that has motivated me to keep going.

Somehow I missed this forum before. I saw the Christian one, and was like

"what the hell!" So yay! I'm glad not the only non-believer here. I used to have a bumper sticker on my mini-van that I used to own that said "We're all going to hell and I'm driving the bus."

I'm going to be sleeved in August, I'm married, no spawn (and never will be), bisexual.

It's mostly vanity for me. I want to be tiny! I want to feel good about how I look, like what I'm wearing, and not worry that I'm taking up too much space. Yes, my health is important, but wearing clothes sized in the single digits would be so exciting!

When I was going to go through insurance (long story, not going into it), I would have gone to Henry Ford's Bariatric Center with Jeffrey Genaw or Arthur Carlin. Both are highly respected. I ended up deciding to go to Mexico for my surgery because of insurance issues. Here's the link for Henry Ford:

http://www.henryford.com/body_academic.cfm?id=39922

Good luck to you!

Yes, yes, yes, SweetTee! I love shoes too! I have so many gorgeous shoes that I haven't been able to wear in a few years. I almost sold them last year. I'm really glad I didn't! And I can't wait to buy new heels!

I liked the chocolate from Unjury, but I hated the strawberry, vanilla, and unflavored. I thought they were gross. I haven't tried the broth because the idea of drinking something warm when it's a million degrees outside is not appealing to me. I really liked the cocoa-mochaccino from Champion Nutrition and the chocolate truffle from nectar Sweets. I have other samples coming that I'll be trying soon.

I want to run! I want to wear cute clothes, shop at "normal" clothing stores, wear a dress or skirt, wear shorts, go to the beach, go anywhere I want and not worry about whether or not I will fit in the seating, ride a bike, and wear high heels again. I miss wearing high heels! Ooh ooh and knee high boots! I want to wear knee high boots. I also want to plant a huge, beautiful flower garden and a little vegetable garden, and do all the work myself, because I can.

Thank you for starting this topic. I've been wondering the same things!

In the building I work in, it's all tiny women that use the handicap stall. I've never been a fan of them, unless the regular stalls are super small. They kind of freak me out, though I'm not sure why. They don't feel as private (which is dumb, I know). Oh, and I'm short, whith short little legs, so the height of the toilet is uncomfortable.

Oh my god I don't know whether to laugh or cry because it's so true. If someone is in the handicap stall at work I get so mad. In the little stall I have to be a contortionist. This really isn't funny is it?

Well, it's kinda funny...then again, I use humor quite a bit, so I find it funny. The first time it happened, I was like "really? I'm so freakin' fat I can't wipe my butt? Really?" It's one of those things people take for granted. Who knew that could be a problem? And then there's the creativity involved in figuring out how to reach, and, um, yeah.

It was a combination of things that all just added up. I hate looking in the mirror, and have been isolating myself because I feel too embarrased to go out in public. I got over 400 pounds. Several people commented to me how great I looked in my wedding pictures and "what happened?" (I was still overweight in those pictures, but not by that much). I can't go grocery shopping without my back hurting. I can't walk far without being out of breath. I sweat a lot, without much effort. I have a hard time fitting in movie theater seats and always worry about seating anywhere I go in public. I HATE clothes for fat people. I hate the way my face looks. I hate the way my body looks. I'm sick of losing, gaining, losing, gaining. I feel like the "real me" is hidden because of my weight.

I am not living life. I'm 32 years old, and I have so much to do, so much to see, and I'm hiding in my house. That's no way to live!

I saw you've already gotten your surgery date, Beanzilla, but I thought I'd share my experience as well. At my largest, my BMI was 61. I was referred to a specific doctor by my aunt. One of his patient reps told me I'd have to lose 70-80 pounds before he would do the surgery. I was crushed. My doctor "doesn't like" to operate on a BMI>50 due to added risks and complications. I decided to see another surgeon, who I ended up loving. She told me she had no limits on BMI and had operated on patients with BMIs in the 70's. However, I was self-pay and she was $6k more.

I decided to start the process with the first doctor and get some more information before giving up. He told me I would have to lose 40 lbs before they'd even schedule my surgery and 70 by the time I had surgery. It seemed daunting considering my track record of never having lost more than 20. However, being self-pay and the fact that my insurance would not even cover any complications due to surgery, I decided it was best to continue with this doctor. They put me on adipex (diet pill) and I worked with a dietician on a low carb/high Protein diet. It was the best thing for me!!! I know timing is an issue but I was lucky because I'm a teacher and started this in January with the intent of surgery in the summer. I'm 7 days post-op now and lost 65 pounds prior to surgery and dropped my BMI by 10! (The dr only held me to the 40 pounds. There were no consequences for not hitting 70.) I think I'm more proud of that weight loss than I will be anything post-op. lol I can't imagine going straight from my old habits into a surgery 1-2 months later and not having to change much prior. I was freaked out that I couldn't do it because I've been severely obese my entire life. I was pissed at the doctor for making me lose the weight but it allowed me to gain a ton of confidence going into this process.

I'm sure you know more weight means more risks but the doctors are the experts. Just try to stick with the pre-op diet as best as possible. I had to do 4 weeks as well, even though I had already lost 45 at that point.

I'm glad everything worked out in the end... good luck!

Thank you!

I started easing in my pre-op diet a couple weeks ago. At first I replaced Breakfast with a Protein shake, and now 2 meals are replaced by a Protein Shake. Some days I follow the diet fully, but not all. Once I actually have to follow the diet, I know I will. I have to. I haven't weighed myself, but I feel better already, and my skin has cleared up some. Luckily the Protein shakes are filling, and maybe this is psychological, but I haven't been wanting to eat as much, and I haven't been wanting to eat the bad stuff I used to.

So we went grocery shopping today. I don't start my liquid diet until august 1st but I'm going to start low carb and gluten free now. I have had a bad skin allergy all of my life. Along with diarrhea and ibs. After ruling out several things over the years, not much left to cause it, so I'm gonna give gluten free a try! Another positive about getting the surgery! Times a ticken' August sleevers!!!

I have problems with diarrhea and IBS too, and like you, a cause wasn't found. I went almost gluten free, and it seems to have helped. Hopefully it will help you too!

I'm so sorry your husband and his family are treating you this way. They sound like very unpleasant people, but I'm glad you are taking steps to distance yourself from unhealthy people. It takes a lot of strength to do that, and that strength will help you through this process.

I'm getting sleeved on August 23rd as well. My thoughts will be with you. I wish you the best and continued strength through this.

Pre-op diet: 2 Protein Shakes per day, and a healthy salad for dinner with a Protein, and a little bit of lite dressing, one month before surgery. 1 week before, all liquid diet, no pop.

People are afraid of change, and I think lack of knowledge sometimes makes people say/do some really dumb things. To echo what others have written already, you have a support system here (which I know is not the same as having one in person), and you are doing this for you. Hopefully people will start coming around and being supportive after your surgery. Good luck.

I'm lucky that so far everyone has been really excited for me, which also bugs me a little because it kind of makes me feel like they all secretly met and were like "yeah, she's huge, she needs to do something about it." But I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth and I'll just be happy people are supportive. My husband has been supportive too, except he still isn't understanding that my diet has to change, and I have to keep explaining it, which is frustrating. But I think he is scared, and when he is that way, he gets goofy about things. See, his ex lost a lot of weight, and her personality changed (and she started having afairs left and right), so he is afraid the same will happen with me. I've had to reassure him that I will still be me, but I'll just be smaller. Me 2.0, if you will.

The only problem I've had is people giving me grief about going to Tj. I just tell them that it's safer than Detroit, and I go to Detroit all the time. That usually shuts them up!

I have to do mine for a month because my BMI is so high, but I'm starting now, since it can't hurt to lose as much weight as possible before hand.

All of those things are so true!

I will add that it will be nice to be stared at because I'm a hot chick with a bunch of tattoos, instead of because I'm a huge chick with a bunch of tattoos. It would also feel nice not feeling trapped in my body.

I'm afraid my boobs won't shrink though. Several years ago I went through a divorce and lost 150 pounds from the stress (I gained it back, and more), and my boobs did not shrink. Band size went down, but cup size remained the same

This evening I tried the unjury chocolate Splendor. I didn't think it was going to fill me, but it totally did, and it was pretty tasty with no weird aftertaste or grit. I love chocolate though, so I might be a little biased. I had purchased the starter kit, so I could sample the different flavors. I'm hoping I like the others ones as well, so I can have some variety.

I guess just try different things and hopefully you'll find something you like. Nothing is more annoying than having to completely change you diet and hate what you are changing it to. Good luck!

You are so inspiring, Brandymarie! I have about 280 pounds to lose and I'm terrified I'll be in that percent that don't see results. But reading your posts and other's posts is giving me hope! My surgery isn't until 8/23. Congrats and I wish you continued success!

August 23 with Dr. Garcia in Tj. I have about 280 pounds to lose. That's a huge number to think about, so I'm trying to break it down into smaller goals. I have to do the pre-op diet for a month before, but I've started easing into it now, cutting down on caffiene, and cutting back on other things, so it's not such a huge change.

This makes me so sad for you. At least it's nice to know that there are still some copassionate people out there.

I'm scheduled for surgery in August, and I'm stressing about the flight. I borrowed money from people to pay for an extra seat because I know I won't fit, and I didn't want to risk being forced to buy a ticket they day of, or not be allowed on the plane. I'm not looking forward to the stares or having to deal with asking for an extender. *sigh* But, we must remember the outcome....this nightmare will be over soon.

Best wishes to you *hugs*

Hang in there Beanzilla, I tottaly feel your pain about not being able to get around and having to worry about fitting in chairs. Whne My family looks at me they think im happy but a photo will show the pain I hold in. I already get looks because of all my tattoos but it's a different look when it has to do with your weight. I was always around 350 for about 14 years and then I got injured and in two years I managed to get to 550.

This is the first time I really have seen guys with High BMI's like myself. I started at 539 and im down to 515. My surgeon here in the Bay area said I need to get under 500 because of hospital policy or he would not be able to do surgery on me.

I'm covered in tattoos too, and I always know the difference in stares. Recently, I went to my husband's synogague with him (he's Jewish, I'm not), and I was getting rude stares from some of the younger people, so I was self-concious all night. Then, at the end of services, I was sitting outside waiting for my husband to finish some business he had to take care of, and a bunch of little old ladies kept coming up to me telling me how much they love my tattoos. They looked at me like I was a person, instead of some monster, like the other people did.

So many people are afraid of fat, it's a large (cough) part of the reason why everyone is so big. Some people more than others, and especially true the shorter you are.

I had done a ton of research prior to my decision to get the sleeve, and I was already on a low carb diet, but when I heard about the liver shrinking plan, I moved my efforts up a notch.

Try this out sometime, and see how you feel:

Drop carb sources completely. No bread. No starches. No wheat. No Corn, Nothing plant based.

Eat protein/fat sources and measure your weight on a weekly basis.

I dropped 20 pounds pre-op following this plan. I was never hungry either. Protein and fat fill you up better than carbs do, and there's nothing wrong with natural fats (animal based, and things like coconut oil and butter) - there's a reason so many people follow the paleo diet. It works. Atkins was close, but that diet included things like vegetable oils (other than coconut oil, a big no no) and a few other minor points of contention.

The more you do now prior to surgery, the better.

Fat doesn't kill people. Carbohydrates & sugar kills people.

I am definitely going to try this! Thank you. And thank you to everyone else for the ideas and support.

I am approved to have surgery with Dr. Garcia, but there will be extra fees because there will be extra proceedures, which I completely understand. It also made me feel better that he is taking extra precautions for my safety and well-being. I am going to work to lose as much weight as I can before my surgery date. Weee! Now I'm getting excited!

Good Luck to you! I was asked to lose 50 pounds before surgery and did it with essentially a liquid diet for 4 weeks. You would be amazed at the weight you can lose doing that. Don't be discouraged. Not to get off topic and if this has been covered elsewhere please just post a link, but I notice a lot of people going to Mexico for this surgery is this simply a cost issue? I fought with insurance companies and the Vocational Rehab witht he state of Florida for almost 10 years to get this done. Finally new employment better insurance payed for the procedure, but only at a baratric center of excellence (Shands Hospital at UF). I am interested why people go international for this. Would it be easier to go to europe for this procedure? I understand that VSG is the standard for WLS there.

My insurance is notorious for denying approval for WLS, and I personally do not have the patience to fight with them. I wish I did, but I don't. It is much cheaper to go to Mexico than to self pay in the US. I've personally known a few people that have done it and were very happy with the whole experience.