traceyinflorida

OMG we do have similar faces! Good luck with your first appointment. You are lucky that you only have to do three months instead of six. My insurance company switched to three months in May, but by then I had already completed my 6. Don't kick yourself for not doing this sooner...it's not worth thinking about the past, just living in the present and moving forward to a healthier you! (although, I do still wish I had done this two years ago when I first had thought about it...LOL)

Thanks so much for sharing your story! I have my first appt. on Wednesday, then I start the 3 months of pre-surgery diet. I need to stop kicking myself for not doing this sooner but I am so excited I could scream! Your pics blew me away!

My mom sent me a cute new top from Chicos, just as a really nice thing to do for me. I was thrilled that if fit because I could NEVER shop there. The clothes have always been too small for me. So I had my daughter take a picture so I could send it to her with my thank you. It was the first time in years that I actually wanted my picture taken and the first time, in as long as I can remember, that I actually liked what I saw. Below is a picture taken of me a few weeks before surgery and the picture of me today. I guess its time to start documenting my progress in photos. It has been exactly two months since my surgery. I have lost 52 pounds since that photo was taken. I still have a long way to go, but now I feel like it is possible and that I will never be going back to the old me!

1. Wrote down my list of whys. Things I hated about being fat, reasons I needed to lose weight and things I looked forward to when I lost the extra weight. This list helped me get through pre-op diet and came in handy post-op when I was not feeling great and questioning why I did this to myself.
2. Follow the pre-op diet closely. This shrinks your liver which makes your surgery easier and safer. Also, I was glad I got my sugar/carb withdrawal symptoms out of the way before surgey instead of after.
3. Shop ahead for the things I would need post surgery. broth, Protein powder, chewable Vitamins etc. Your NUT or surgeon will give you a list. You don't want to have to go shopping after you get home.
4. Arranged for help at home for the first week. My mom and dad drove the kids to their activities. My mom cooked a few meals. A friend cooked a meal for my family one night. It was nice not to have to worry about that stuff. If someone offers help, take them up on it! (this is a tough one for me, but I am glad I did not turn down offers for help)
5. Join this forum. I wish I had known about the forum pre-op. It would have helped me with my nerves before surgery. I discovered it when I googled a problem I was having post-op. I found this forum and also found out that what I was experiencing was completely normal. The people on here have been a wonderful source of information, inspiration and support!

I was never so scared in my life about doing something as I was about having surgery. I was very pleasantly surprised when one minute I was being moved onto the table and the next I was waking up from surgery. My couple days in the hospital were fine. I was uncomfortable and nauseous as the anesthesia wore off, but I was able to get up and walk and that made me feel much better. By the second day, I felt more like myself again and was discharged to go home. I went home a little sore, but pain free. I did not feel like I could go out dancing, but I felt much better than I expected to feel. By the fifth day, I was driving my son to Miami (two hours away) and spending the afternoon and evening sitting outside for a football camp, then driving home. Repeated this three days in a row. I was tired, but otherwise fine. I had been off pain meds by the second morning in hospital.
That is not to say that I have not struggled with adjusting to new eating/drinking life. I had my moments when that part was a little rough and still can be sometimes. I did have to take naps sometimes. I had days when I felt like I overdid it a bit. But, overall the experience has been really good. I hope that helps.

Thanks everyone!
Raven21, thank you so much. I am 5'9" so only a little taller than you. I set my goal at 150, but would be happy at 160. In that picture I was about 260. I had lost about 10-12 pounds prior to that during my 6 month diet required by my insurance. (yes I realize I did not lose much during that phase. I was just happy I lost instead of gained.) My highest weight was 272. Once I got to my two week pre-op diet, I followed it religiously. I did have one cheat ( a piece of pizza) on the first day of my second week when I was on liquids only. I am not proud of it, but I was really craving taste and texture and my son ordered a pizza and was eating it right next to me. I was weak! After that, I was so scared that I had ruined my chances for a successful surgery, but all was fine. Everyone's pre-op seems to vary. Mine was one week of two Protein shakes & one sensible meal of lowfat Protein and veggies. The second week was three Protein Shakes a day. During both weeks, I could have one of each of the following per day: 6 oz of lowfat, sugar free yogurt, 6 oz of sugar free Jello, one small piece of fruit or 1/3 cup of fruit. On the last day was Clear Liquids only. The only thing I did not give up until the final day was one morning cup of coffee with a little half and half. I lost 15 lbs during the pre-op diet.
Once I had the surgery, I do not think I have done anything special. I try to make sure I get all my Water in. I drink a Protein shake in the morning to start off my day with protein since I am not a big fan of eggs. I eat protein before carbs (most of the time) which means I am usually too full to get any carbs in. The main thing is to be patient with yourself. Looking back, I can't believe it's only been two months. But in the day to day, it seems like I have been doing this forever, and shouldn't I be thinner by now!? I didn't post it, but like many people on here, I hit a stall at three weeks. I was stressed and unhappy about it. I had finally started losing again when I went to see my surgeon for my second follow up. I mentioned the "stall" and he looked at me dumbfounded. He pointed out that my average weekly weight loss was 3 lbs a week which was great as far as he was concerned. I guess when he put it that way, I realized how impatient I was being with myself. If I had been on any other diet, I would have been thrilled!
Have you scheduled your surgery yet? Keep me posted! It's not everyday you find a twin!
Tracey

I was never so scared in my life about doing something as I was about having surgery. I was very pleasantly surprised when one minute I was being moved onto the table and the next I was waking up from surgery. My couple days in the hospital were fine. I was uncomfortable and nauseous as the anesthesia wore off, but I was able to get up and walk and that made me feel much better. By the second day, I felt more like myself again and was discharged to go home. I went home a little sore, but pain free. I did not feel like I could go out dancing, but I felt much better than I expected to feel. By the fifth day, I was driving my son to Miami (two hours away) and spending the afternoon and evening sitting outside for a football camp, then driving home. Repeated this three days in a row. I was tired, but otherwise fine. I had been off pain meds by the second morning in hospital.
That is not to say that I have not struggled with adjusting to new eating/drinking life. I had my moments when that part was a little rough and still can be sometimes. I did have to take naps sometimes. I had days when I felt like I overdid it a bit. But, overall the experience has been really good. I hope that helps.

You will be successful! You will lose the weight! You are losing weight. The amount of exercise you are doing is great. You are probably gaining muscle. This is good and I think you know this. Muscle weighs more than fat, so you may not be seeing a huge drop in the scale, but you will. All that new muscle will also increase your metabolism. It's all good!
Also, at week four, as you have read on the forum, things slow WAY down for a while and may even stop. I experienced this. Your body is readjusting to the initial weight loss. You are probably losing inches. It will pick back up again. My doctor was really happy with an average weight loss of 2-3 lbs a week. Prior to surgery, we would have been thrilled with this rate also! Try to look at your average over a month rather than looking at each week. I will see a sudden drop in the scale, then it's back up the next day, then it is down one more, then same....But when I look back over time, I am losing an average of 3 lbs a week.
You are not the first one to think this will not work for them and you will not be the last. I have had the same thoughts. Just keep up the fantastic work you are doing. It is obvious you are sticking with the plan! You will do great. My prediction is you will have some rockin' 6 month post op photos posted five months from now!!

My mom sent me a cute new top from Chicos, just as a really nice thing to do for me. I was thrilled that if fit because I could NEVER shop there. The clothes have always been too small for me. So I had my daughter take a picture so I could send it to her with my thank you. It was the first time in years that I actually wanted my picture taken and the first time, in as long as I can remember, that I actually liked what I saw. Below is a picture taken of me a few weeks before surgery and the picture of me today. I guess its time to start documenting my progress in photos. It has been exactly two months since my surgery. I have lost 52 pounds since that photo was taken. I still have a long way to go, but now I feel like it is possible and that I will never be going back to the old me!

My mom sent me a cute new top from Chicos, just as a really nice thing to do for me. I was thrilled that if fit because I could NEVER shop there. The clothes have always been too small for me. So I had my daughter take a picture so I could send it to her with my thank you. It was the first time in years that I actually wanted my picture taken and the first time, in as long as I can remember, that I actually liked what I saw. Below is a picture taken of me a few weeks before surgery and the picture of me today. I guess its time to start documenting my progress in photos. It has been exactly two months since my surgery. I have lost 52 pounds since that photo was taken. I still have a long way to go, but now I feel like it is possible and that I will never be going back to the old me!

My mom sent me a cute new top from Chicos, just as a really nice thing to do for me. I was thrilled that if fit because I could NEVER shop there. The clothes have always been too small for me. So I had my daughter take a picture so I could send it to her with my thank you. It was the first time in years that I actually wanted my picture taken and the first time, in as long as I can remember, that I actually liked what I saw. Below is a picture taken of me a few weeks before surgery and the picture of me today. I guess its time to start documenting my progress in photos. It has been exactly two months since my surgery. I have lost 52 pounds since that photo was taken. I still have a long way to go, but now I feel like it is possible and that I will never be going back to the old me!

My mom sent me a cute new top from Chicos, just as a really nice thing to do for me. I was thrilled that if fit because I could NEVER shop there. The clothes have always been too small for me. So I had my daughter take a picture so I could send it to her with my thank you. It was the first time in years that I actually wanted my picture taken and the first time, in as long as I can remember, that I actually liked what I saw. Below is a picture taken of me a few weeks before surgery and the picture of me today. I guess its time to start documenting my progress in photos. It has been exactly two months since my surgery. I have lost 52 pounds since that photo was taken. I still have a long way to go, but now I feel like it is possible and that I will never be going back to the old me!

My mom sent me a cute new top from Chicos, just as a really nice thing to do for me. I was thrilled that if fit because I could NEVER shop there. The clothes have always been too small for me. So I had my daughter take a picture so I could send it to her with my thank you. It was the first time in years that I actually wanted my picture taken and the first time, in as long as I can remember, that I actually liked what I saw. Below is a picture taken of me a few weeks before surgery and the picture of me today. I guess its time to start documenting my progress in photos. It has been exactly two months since my surgery. I have lost 52 pounds since that photo was taken. I still have a long way to go, but now I feel like it is possible and that I will never be going back to the old me!

My mom sent me a cute new top from Chicos, just as a really nice thing to do for me. I was thrilled that if fit because I could NEVER shop there. The clothes have always been too small for me. So I had my daughter take a picture so I could send it to her with my thank you. It was the first time in years that I actually wanted my picture taken and the first time, in as long as I can remember, that I actually liked what I saw. Below is a picture taken of me a few weeks before surgery and the picture of me today. I guess its time to start documenting my progress in photos. It has been exactly two months since my surgery. I have lost 52 pounds since that photo was taken. I still have a long way to go, but now I feel like it is possible and that I will never be going back to the old me!

I wish I hadn't gotten cold feed two years ago and done it then! But I did and cannot look back with regrets now. Just glad to have finally gone through with the surgery and love this new tool!

1. Wrote down my list of whys. Things I hated about being fat, reasons I needed to lose weight and things I looked forward to when I lost the extra weight. This list helped me get through pre-op diet and came in handy post-op when I was not feeling great and questioning why I did this to myself.
2. Follow the pre-op diet closely. This shrinks your liver which makes your surgery easier and safer. Also, I was glad I got my sugar/carb withdrawal symptoms out of the way before surgey instead of after.
3. Shop ahead for the things I would need post surgery. broth, Protein powder, chewable Vitamins etc. Your NUT or surgeon will give you a list. You don't want to have to go shopping after you get home.
4. Arranged for help at home for the first week. My mom and dad drove the kids to their activities. My mom cooked a few meals. A friend cooked a meal for my family one night. It was nice not to have to worry about that stuff. If someone offers help, take them up on it! (this is a tough one for me, but I am glad I did not turn down offers for help)
5. Join this forum. I wish I had known about the forum pre-op. It would have helped me with my nerves before surgery. I discovered it when I googled a problem I was having post-op. I found this forum and also found out that what I was experiencing was completely normal. The people on here have been a wonderful source of information, inspiration and support!

You will be successful! You will lose the weight! You are losing weight. The amount of exercise you are doing is great. You are probably gaining muscle. This is good and I think you know this. Muscle weighs more than fat, so you may not be seeing a huge drop in the scale, but you will. All that new muscle will also increase your metabolism. It's all good!
Also, at week four, as you have read on the forum, things slow WAY down for a while and may even stop. I experienced this. Your body is readjusting to the initial weight loss. You are probably losing inches. It will pick back up again. My doctor was really happy with an average weight loss of 2-3 lbs a week. Prior to surgery, we would have been thrilled with this rate also! Try to look at your average over a month rather than looking at each week. I will see a sudden drop in the scale, then it's back up the next day, then it is down one more, then same....But when I look back over time, I am losing an average of 3 lbs a week.
You are not the first one to think this will not work for them and you will not be the last. I have had the same thoughts. Just keep up the fantastic work you are doing. It is obvious you are sticking with the plan! You will do great. My prediction is you will have some rockin' 6 month post op photos posted five months from now!!

I was never so scared in my life about doing something as I was about having surgery. I was very pleasantly surprised when one minute I was being moved onto the table and the next I was waking up from surgery. My couple days in the hospital were fine. I was uncomfortable and nauseous as the anesthesia wore off, but I was able to get up and walk and that made me feel much better. By the second day, I felt more like myself again and was discharged to go home. I went home a little sore, but pain free. I did not feel like I could go out dancing, but I felt much better than I expected to feel. By the fifth day, I was driving my son to Miami (two hours away) and spending the afternoon and evening sitting outside for a football camp, then driving home. Repeated this three days in a row. I was tired, but otherwise fine. I had been off pain meds by the second morning in hospital.
That is not to say that I have not struggled with adjusting to new eating/drinking life. I had my moments when that part was a little rough and still can be sometimes. I did have to take naps sometimes. I had days when I felt like I overdid it a bit. But, overall the experience has been really good. I hope that helps.

You will be successful! You will lose the weight! You are losing weight. The amount of exercise you are doing is great. You are probably gaining muscle. This is good and I think you know this. Muscle weighs more than fat, so you may not be seeing a huge drop in the scale, but you will. All that new muscle will also increase your metabolism. It's all good!
Also, at week four, as you have read on the forum, things slow WAY down for a while and may even stop. I experienced this. Your body is readjusting to the initial weight loss. You are probably losing inches. It will pick back up again. My doctor was really happy with an average weight loss of 2-3 lbs a week. Prior to surgery, we would have been thrilled with this rate also! Try to look at your average over a month rather than looking at each week. I will see a sudden drop in the scale, then it's back up the next day, then it is down one more, then same....But when I look back over time, I am losing an average of 3 lbs a week.
You are not the first one to think this will not work for them and you will not be the last. I have had the same thoughts. Just keep up the fantastic work you are doing. It is obvious you are sticking with the plan! You will do great. My prediction is you will have some rockin' 6 month post op photos posted five months from now!!

I was never so scared in my life about doing something as I was about having surgery. I was very pleasantly surprised when one minute I was being moved onto the table and the next I was waking up from surgery. My couple days in the hospital were fine. I was uncomfortable and nauseous as the anesthesia wore off, but I was able to get up and walk and that made me feel much better. By the second day, I felt more like myself again and was discharged to go home. I went home a little sore, but pain free. I did not feel like I could go out dancing, but I felt much better than I expected to feel. By the fifth day, I was driving my son to Miami (two hours away) and spending the afternoon and evening sitting outside for a football camp, then driving home. Repeated this three days in a row. I was tired, but otherwise fine. I had been off pain meds by the second morning in hospital.
That is not to say that I have not struggled with adjusting to new eating/drinking life. I had my moments when that part was a little rough and still can be sometimes. I did have to take naps sometimes. I had days when I felt like I overdid it a bit. But, overall the experience has been really good. I hope that helps.

I know the feeling. I hated going to the mall. I hated shopping in the plus size sections of the department stores. I hate how at TJ Max and Marshalls, there is a huge section of women's clothing and a tiny, picked over plus sized section. I am almost out of those departments! I can now shop for tops in the regular stores, but still need to get a 16 W in pants. A few more months and no more plus stores! I am starting to have fun just going into stores and trying things on to see how they fit, even if I am not planning on buying. I no longer feel like I don't belong in the regular departments. You will be there soon too! Something to look forward to....
When is your surgery?

With Cigna, that schedule would have counted for me. I know it is disappointing and seems like forever, but I can honestly say that the time flew by. Use that time to learn about post-sleeve eating. Try to start cutting out soda if you currently drink it. Try to start incorporating some of the habits you will need, like drinking 64 oz of Water a day, stop drinking 30 minutes before meals, take small bites and chew well. Take the time to start working on the mental/emotional issues with eating and how to overcome them. All of these things will help you post-op. Get all your appointments that you need for insurance and surgeon clearance set up and ready to go for the last month of your diet so that as soon as you have had your last NUT appointment, they can send everything to your insurance company for approval.
Good luck! You can do it!

I wish I hadn't gotten cold feed two years ago and done it then! But I did and cannot look back with regrets now. Just glad to have finally gone through with the surgery and love this new tool!

Non scale victory...like being able to tie your shoes, fitting into a size you haven't seen in years, discovering that you just walked a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing, etc.

That is awesome! I love that you and your husband get to share the same NSV too! Congratulations!