isajck

There are some that never quit smoking and do just fine. You should perform some forum searches and read the threads. I suggest you make a serious effort to stop. Yes I know it is difficult but it can be done if you sincerely want to. I smoked since age 17 but had no choice but to quit as my doctor requires it and also tests prior. I made a decision to have this surgery and change my life and decided to go all the way.
Your body (and mind!) is about to go through some major changes, why not give it help instead of hindrances?

Great name BTW.

It's a wrap of either cloth or seran wrap type material that has usually herbs or minerals on it that's supposed to help 'breakdown' the fat cells under the skin by detoxifying you. Essentially though, it just rids you of excess Water, so you will see results (tighter skin and a loss of inches) but it's certainly only temporary. It should last a few days, maybe even a week or so but it's not going to permanently get rid of those inches. It's more like a spray tan, looks good for awhile but fades away unless you continually have it done.

You could always just reply with a link to the screaming goat.

Okay my fellow singletons, not sure if it has been mentioned here before but there are a couple of groups on Facebook that might be of interest. The first link requires approval for access but I think the second does not. The groups do not appear to be sleeve specific, just WLS.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/514586185246349
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WLS.Dating.Love.Relationships
If for some reason posting this is not allowed here and the links are removed, just message me and I will pass them on again.
Oh and I am beyond single, 45, childless and in Texas.

Everything does look very good! Continued success on the healing process and hope those drains come out soon!

I am writing to report that I am no longer single. Not sure if its because of the weight loss or the Multiple changes that have happened over the last 2 years. The weight loss journey has taught me so much about myself that it makes me a better man and a better partner. I must say that i am truly happy with my girl, we have a deep understanding of each other and she had no problem with my surgery or me having multiple sclerosis . Its nice to find a person who respects and loves me entirely. To all the single sleevers i just want to say that there is hope and you all will find the right person. Somebody should make a group for people in new relationships for advice giving, just a thought.

Honestly, it's a mixture of both. The new health care rules are increasing costs for the greedy CEO's and nothing will stop them from having their mad money which means cutting employees.

I know! I work at FedEx office! Ill wear a speedo but make it a large one so I don't pop out

Congrats on your new life BigFrank. I appreciate your post but feel a bit differently. I think it is easy to discount the negative experiences when your journey has been 100% positive but those stories are real and just as important. For every 10 perfect surgeries there is at least one that is not and those people need support too.
During my first three weeks post-op in July I had a few issues, nothing serious on a medical level but they were to me. This forum and its posters kept me sane and more important, informed. I will never forget that.
Before surgery I wanted to hear about both sides. I wanted to know the truth, not just the white washed version which usually ends with "but I'm still losing weight". I would hope all VSG pre-ops join the forum, read, become educated and make the best decision knowing the good, bad and sometimes ugly side of weight loss surgery.
This journey is about so much more than just weight loss, it is about quality of life as well.

This is very interesting Lynda. Hope did you work on your posture? Mine is currently horrible and I've been thinking about purchasing a corset to help force the issue.

Hi Delta,
It does get better. I still am surprised sometimes at nearly 2 years out, but I don't feel like an alien in my body anymore.
First thing I noticed was I had to re-evaluate where I would fit, like a small aisle in a store. I would wait at the end for the other person to exit, till I finally realized now I fit down the aisle even if someone is standing there. Had to consciously remind myself of that for a few months.
Then I had to learn to walk differently. I realized I was walking with my legs too far apart after I got skinnier because I was used to having fat on my inside thighs. That took a little work! Also had to work on my posture because I walked a little hunched over from carrying the extra weight. And my necklaces got too long. I wasn't expecting that. I had to buy shorter chains for my pendants.
Lynda

Not having my butt knock things off shelves when I turn around in a store.

I would call... the RN case manager was surprised that I had already done so much without calling Optum first. Not that anything wasn't already authorized, but my employer suggested contacting insurance asap to get in the system and have my RN assigned to me. I just like to be ahead of the game because i'm so excited! And I could always call my nurse with questions without bothering the surgeons staff because that's what she was there for

I have UHC. To date they have covered everything you listed leaving me responsible only my co-insurance & co-pays until I hit my out of pocket. They have been beyond wonderful to deal with from my initial inquiries with the Optimum Health program onto to surgical approval.

hi paul i do understand what you are saying
you worked so hard during your weight loss period - people were complimenting you left and right
how great does that feel!!!!???
enjoying a little attention/?? thats totally understandable and great to hear these nice things, being a motivator to you
you weighed 302 lbs/???
oh, wait, wait
you LOST 302 lbs
that number is staggering
you should get an 'old' picture of yourself - tape it up to your mirror - and then just look at the new you!!!!
you've done............i can't think of a proper word that says how wonderful you did
Be so proud, happy, excited - not to mention enjoy all the good health you now have
302 times over - congrats
btw
no one really knew the "before" me - "stuff" sometimes "comes up" and i kindof "accidently" mention - oh by the way i just lost 103 lbs!!!!!
i get the great comments that i love to hear - maybe that would be a great moral booster for you too
health and happiness - knowing that you have both - plus so much more - i know that means so much to you
congrats guy
raising a glass of Water to your continued success in your new and wonderful life

I started my journey on Nov 23, 2010 at 492lbs. On the day of surgery Jan 10, 2011 I weighed 456lbs. One year post op (Jan. 10, 2012) I was 200. Today 2 years post op. I set here at 190. I had gotten to a low weight of 177 around September 2012. I was still 4lbs away from "ïdeal" weight putting me under a BMI of 25, but my body fat was under 9% and I felt like crap. For once in my life I made a conscientious decision to be heavier. That concept is still surreal to me even as I type this. I found that I felt the best and looked the best in a range between 185 and 195. I am using a target of 190 as my new life goal. It took a long time for me to get comfortable with the reality that I was still over 25 BMI and would likely always be. Now is where I get to make myself feel better and preface that this is all weight before any removal of loose skin so in all reality my "real" body does weight less. My best guess based on others I have seen that have had removal is that I have at least 25lbs of skin that could go. Will I ever be able to get the skin removed so that I can actually see what my "real"body looks like? Who knows, I doubt it. And yes there is a bunch of extra skin. I like to make jokes about it, after-all who doesn't want a butt that looks like a Shar-Pei? The reality though is that it sucks. I have bags and folds that are a constant reminder of the size this container used to be. I can dress it well but in my birthday suit it is not a pleasant sight. Uhhhhggggg! Is the extra skin burdensome enough to regret the decision to have surgery, nope, never. The surgery is still the best decision I have ever made.

I am so happy to be wearing size 30 jeans! I shortened my bra straps today, too! I am so glad to have turned around and be losing weight! I was 407 and afraid I wouldn't be able to buy clothing anywhere if I gained any more weight. I weighed 390 when I was sleeved Jan 14 and have lost another 31 lbs in 3 weeks. Today I put on an old pair of size 30 jeans from deep in my closet and was so thrilled!
People often talk about how happy they are to no longer be dependent on stores like Lane Bryant but it has been a few years since I could shop there and I am actually excited to be able to again. Hopefully I'll be in a 28 before too long and able to wear their clothes soon. I was pretty much relegated to the Ulla Popken website before this because I love beautiful clothes and they were the only outlet I'd found with sizes up to 36/38 and decent quality. I hate the crappy clothes at WomanWithin, besides the name sounds like you have to shop there because you ate someone. Catherines clothing has weird fit issues and is geared towards women in their 60's. When they started closing Fashion Bug stores, I was really bummed, but soon I will be able to shop many places. Once you are in a 24 or less you can shop at LL Bean, Lands End, Eddie Bauer, Macys, even Nordstrom. I CANNOT WAIT!!

CSI: VST lol

Meh' date=' he's not that hot.
Check this guy out.

Now that's a hottie

All jokes aside - I think this is the only thread on the forum that isn't infighting!

OMG the bougie size thing again! don't let it worry you, there seems to be this new thing about "my bougie is smaller than your bougie" the difference is so small!! Make sure you go to a surgeon that you feel good with not the size of bougie!!

Girl I just cancelled my cable !!

I'm waiting for the VST reality show.... VST Undercover.... CSI:VST .... Sleeve World VST... DivaSleevers of VST.....

120 grams of Protein a day plus food intake is exactly what body builders do to bulk up.
That is where the weight gain came from... That has been corrected
The problem here lies in the fact she feels no restriction since day one and not only no restriction but she has not become ill from eating a normal size meal.
She has been posting from the beginning that something was different with her intake levels and recovery.
It's one thing to have head hunger and eat and you regret it because you're vomiting or have the slimes with pain in your stomach. She has not had adverse reactions to consumption.
I'm positive the reduction in protein intake will help her weight gain but when you have a surgery for restriction then by god you deserve to have that restriction.
Restriction is exactly what saves all of us from ourselves.