Mystie

I've never taken as good care of my skin as I am now that I've having this surgery! I exfoliate 3 times a week with either scrubs, dry brushing, or a loofah. I use brand name super moisturizing Dove and slather myself up with cocoa/shea butter. I'm thinking of using Philosophy emulsion cream -- I've always had good luck with their products. Still saving money to have my arms done, though. Not holding out too much hope there. They look like bloated sacks of rice. If nothing else, I want to at least be able to wear a sleeveless shirt. If my boobs deflate, I can always pad my bra, but I can't hide flying squirrel arms!

I have some nice dresses I totally love, and will fit into again after I lose another 50lbs or so, and I'll probably miss them when I get to skinny for them. I think I'll get over it, though.

I've always been plus sized, but I've never really let it get me down. I've always thought I was pretty hot, anyway! But it seems like the closer I get to surgery, the more disgusted I feel with the way I look. And I've already lost nearly 50lbs! Maybe it's because I've had a kid now, maybe it cuz I'm turning 30 next month, maybe it's because I'm finally facing that I've gotten so big I need to have surgery to get to a healthy weight. I'm just not sure. Then today I was in the bathroom and noticed a weird wrinkle on my inner thigh and realized it's a freaking vericose vein. I wanted to crawl under a rock. Has anyone else suddenly started developing body image issues as surgery draws closer?? I feel crazy!!

I'm a Philosophy addict, too. All their scents are very smooth. Great if you don't like heavy scents.

A new year and a new body! My goal for 2013 is to drop 100lbs! But I'm also really looking forward to some of those non-scale victories, even if they take a little longer. Here's some items from my wishlist: - No more squeezing into tiny bathroom stalls! Though I swear some of them have the TP dispenser at the worst place possible to really CRAM your legs in there! - Going to a clothing store and not having to search for the "plus" side. - Not having my knees grinding under my weight when I go up and down stairs. - Wearing a swimsuit that doesn't have a freaking skirt attached - Wearing dresses and not having my thighs rub together til they're raw - Boots! I want a pair of freaking BOOTS! - I want guys to try and pick me up. Not that they'll get me (I'm married), but it'll make me feel sexy. What are some goals everyone else has -- crazy or non??

My countdown ticker is a little funny, too. 5 weeks 11 days?

I'm still pre-op but I have confessions to make. I confess... 1. I compare myself to other people I know that had weight loss surgery. ("Oh so-and-so only lost 5lb pre-op and eats junk but still lost 70lbs in her first 6 months, so I know I'll lose at LEAST that!") 2. I'm nervous -- almost SCARED about potentially being non-plus size. The smallest I've ever been is a size 16 and I have no idea what a skinny me would even be like! 3. I've been taking better care of my skin now than I ever have in my entire life, but whenever I dry brush and see myself in the mirror I automatically think of an elephant getting cleaned with those big long brushes. 4. I worry my plus size friends will harbor a lot of jealousy towards me, but I worry even more that I'll start getting uppity about weighing less than them. 5. I have secret boards of Pinterest of all the whorish things I want to wear when I can shop at normal stores.

I was also told no straws on account of getting air in your stomach and you may wind up drinking too fast with them. I think I'm going to play the straw thing by ear.

Me too! I do fine when I'm at work and all I have are the healthy things I packed but then I get home and I feel so hungry and since I'm all done with my 6-month pre-op program I've been overeating. Usually not horrible stuff, but big portions of it.

I thought so, but when I asked other WLS peeps I know, apparently it isn't. I'm not sure if I got scheduled for one because I have a past chole or because my doctor was confused when I asked about post-op GERD and thought I was saying I already have GERD.

I'm not holding out a lot of hope for my arms, they've always been huge and saggy. Think my insurance would consider an arm reconstruction medically necessary if the sound of the flab flapping around hurts my ears?

I was told no soda, too. Unless of course it's gone completely flat, but why bother. One girl I know had bypass 10+ years ago and started drinking soda heavily again, then gained back the weight and could eat bigger portions. We all assumed she stretched her pouch (even her surgeon) and just needed a revision, but when they did a scan it turns out she actually dilated her esophagus. It can be surgically corrected, but it's risky and not hopeful that insurance will cover it.

January 16th! Only 5 days before my 30th birthday!

My arms have always been huge, so I'm not holding out any hopes in that area, so I'll be saving my pennies for a skin removal there. I told my hubby that if my boobs deflate I'm getting implants... he said I can't because I still won't let him touch them, anyway. TS to him.

I went to my honeymoon at Universal Studios because I super super wanted to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. First time on the Harry Potter ride was amazing! Second time on it was just as good! My third time going on the ride.... they kicked me off for being too fat. I was so embarrassed. Then shortly after I got pregnant and was bigger than I'd ever been. When I went back to work after maternity leave in May I was wearing a size 32!!! I'm down to a 26 now, and scheduled for my sleeve January 16, right before my 30th birthday.

I love the Nature Valley Protein Bars!

I don't get sleeved til January and I am soooooo looking forward to next year. I want to be able to go to the costume store and just buy something right off the rack!! But this was me this year....

5 more weeks for me. Getting anxious!! Next week I finally get my surgery date, then the countdown really begins.

Best of luck to you!

I remember during my teens and 20s going shopping with my mother in stores that were divided between "ladies" sizes and "plus sizes" and during my many diets her commenting that soon I would be shopping over on the non-plus side of the store. Well, January of last year my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. They found it earlier than they do with most patients, but the survival rates for pancreatic cancer are not the best. Less than 5% make it 5 years. The cancer was gone for a while after treatment, but it's peaking back again now, so she's on bi-weekly chemo. She feels great and has a wonderful attitude, but I would love for my mom to finally see me in non-plus clothes.

I was told originally it would be an overnight stay for WLS because they want to check for leaks the next morning, but I'm not sure if that really applies to Lap-Band or not, since it's just a few sutures they put in.

I dled the app but once I started saving stuff it told me I used up all my phone space. BUT, I still use it, I just go on the website to track. It's been helping me sooooo much with losing weight before getting the band. I only have 2 friends, and the one is a royal slacker. She'll go on about how she's pinning all this stuff on Pinterest for work-outs and stuff, but it never says she tracked any exercise and I'm always seeing the "has not logged in for 3 days" notices for her. My username is MystieMei if anyone wants to add me.