makemyownluck

I had a surgeon tell me she wouldn't even consider operating unless I lost 50 lbs first.
I immediately found a new surgeon. And this one sees no reason to make me do that (I told him about the previous surgeon).
It never hurts to get a 2nd opinion.

The chart notes are nothing more than your weights from any time you visited the dr in the last 2 years. No biggie. I actually didn't have them because we just moved from IN to WA and my old dr never did send them.

Journey girl and makemyownluck, thanks so much. I'm in Illinois and I'm working with Dr.Kane at Kane Center through Alexian Brothers Hospital, it's a blue cross distinction center for bariatric surgery. They said that as of Feb 1 bcbc il is waiving the 6 month management plan. I have had my initial surgeon appt, psych and nut last week. I had an ultrasound today, physical with pcp next week and pulmonary appt in April. They submitted my file to bcbs yesterday.

As a woman, I can say that I can't want to see penises growing bigger and longer after I start losing weight too!

I'm pre-op too, yoli and I get that feeling sometimes as well. I think it's natural, but it's our time to do the right thing for our health. I keep reminding myself that I've had 32 years of eating whatever the heck I wanted and it got me to here, so why should I continue to want (insert no-no food here)?
When I get in times like this, I try to think of all the times I've had that particular item in my life. For instance, if I try to think of how many gyros I've had before, it could easily be in the hundreds, if not more (I love me some gyros), and when you think "I've had maybe 400 gyros in my life, do I really need ONE MORE?" it puts it in perspective that you're not depriving yourself NOW, it's that you over indulged IN THE PAST.
Better just to let it go... when we're skinny, we'll have more energy and confidence to do fun things instead of sitting around obsessing over what's for dinner, anyway.

Hey! At least you have a date for surgery! I have my 1st surgeon visit on 12/6 so I'm really anxious to see what hoops I have to jump and when I can get scheduled!
I haven't discussed a goal weight, but I know I want to be at the 170 mark. Right now, I'm 459. That's 289lbs to lose! I have every confidence that I can do it, though. From where I'm starting, I'd be happy just to be in the 200 range - which is ironic when you see all the people on here who got surgery BECAUSE they were in the 200s.
Better to do something about it now before you have 400lbs to lose, is what I'm thinking. Wish I would have looked into surgery sooner!
Good luck to all of us! <3

As a woman, I can say that I can't want to see penises growing bigger and longer after I start losing weight too!

As a woman, I can say that I can't want to see penises growing bigger and longer after I start losing weight too!

Good luck! Mine was also smooth sailing. I was sure they'd lock me up and shrink my head, but I passed! I made a copy of the letter and told my PCP "Yeah, I kept a copy of this letter saying I have no psychiatric conditions, in case my family and friends ever question me on it."
We had a good laugh.
GOOD LUCK! :)

Thanks everyone for your encouraging words. I needed that! Love this place!

I just wanted to thank you all for replying to my SOS. I have taken all of your advice to heart and it has brought me a lot of comfort. The worry thoughts are still present but now they aren't in the forethought of my mind so much. I realize grieving about forever is black and white thinking and just another form of self sabatoge just like Juny wrote. I want to be successful with the sleeve and I know this sleeve community will be a big part of any success I may have. Thanks!

Thanks so much. I can't wait to have my sleeve but I am nervous at the same time. Never had surgery before

lol, SO TRUE!!! I'm just thinking of how much more effective (and entertaining!) the anti-obesity campaigns would be if they promoted this side effect!!

Good luck! Mine was also smooth sailing. I was sure they'd lock me up and shrink my head, but I passed! I made a copy of the letter and told my PCP "Yeah, I kept a copy of this letter saying I have no psychiatric conditions, in case my family and friends ever question me on it."
We had a good laugh.
GOOD LUCK! :)

Nope, I'm pretty sure this will take at least 2, maybe even 3.

Lol hey listen. I'm on liquid Percocet and am pretty sure I saw an evil face in my bathroom tile. Cut me some slack!

Oh, wow!! What a blast from the past. I got an e-mail saying there was a response to this thread, and I had completely forgotten that I even had an account here. Cool!!
OK, well, this gives me a chance to post an update. I ended up choosing the sleeve surgery, and went under the knife in December 2011. I have since lost 150 pounds, and I am very happy with my decision.
Now, I am still technically obese, but my health is vastly improved and I am very happy to be where I am. I started at just over 360 pounds and I now weigh about 210 pounds. I am actually going to have a Tummy Tuck in a few weeks to remove a lot of hanging skin on my stomach that is giving me rashes and all kinds of grief. The surgeon said I'll be losing a lot of pounds in skin with the tuck, but I am not doing it with the goal of weight loss.
I'm so glad that I choose the sleeve. Yes, if I had chosen the DS I may have gotten down into a normal BMI range - but ... you know what? I'll keep these extra 40 -50 pounds and enjoy a varied diet without any worry about malabsorption. I take daily Vitamins, but not mega doses. I know some may not see my story as a success because my BMI is still ... 32, I think? But I'm very happy and very healthy. Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugars... they are all perfect now.
Life is good.
Good luck to all of you who are contemplating your choices. There is no "perfect" weight loss surgery for everyone, but I think the sleeve is pretty close.

Thank you so much!! I think you just helped me stick to the original plan...the sleeve!!

you look incredible!! great idea using the same outfit before and after. love it!

I had my surgery on Friday 3/15 and for at least two weeks I read every this site every night. Your stories and tips were so helpful and kept me positive. When I would freak out at three am and think about backing out, your encouragement kept me going.
Thank you thank you thank you!
Best moment of my life (beyond my kiddos) was when I was discharged and the doctor said, " and no more blood pressure meds for home. Lets stop those". I'm teary eyed just typing it.
I'm looking forward to gas relief, have some under my shoulder that makes me a bit cranky by end of day and looking forward to getting in some Protein Shakes next week- hoping it helps my recovery. Getting in some consistent liquids but find much of the Powerade, broth, sugar free Popsicles taste weird now- but totally manageable. My sleeve is noisy and I get a little burp 1-2 times a day. I think I'm swallowing air when I swallow because I'm too cautious! Lol. This from the girl that would inhale a slice of pizza with barely a chew!
My question is Protein shake brand recommendations or recipes? I see quite a few in line that look delicious but have more carbs or calories than I want to do. Would love to hear what you do. I start purée next week but even for later- protein recommendations are welcome.

Fear of loss can really get to you. I felt the same way.
I'm heading into 6 months out and I eat anything I want any time I want it. There are just some things that I don't like as much any more. I actually bought some Thin Mints and put them in the freezer last week. I opened them the other day, took one bite of one of them and threw it in the trash. My body didn't want it at all. It wanted real food.
Today we had a appetizer potluck at work. I had M&Ms, some kind of chocolate square (about 1/2" of it), dip and crackers, dip and chips, little pimento cheese sandwiches, sausage balls, homemade salsa, mini chicken biscuits from Chick Fil A, mexican casserole, ...some things I don't even remember. I ate all of those things. Just not much. A bite here, a nibble there. I don't usually eat all of those things now and the consequences were that my tummy wasn't happy for about an hour.
You are worrying about the unknown. Look back at this in a few months and let us know how you feel then.

I'm pre-op too, yoli and I get that feeling sometimes as well. I think it's natural, but it's our time to do the right thing for our health. I keep reminding myself that I've had 32 years of eating whatever the heck I wanted and it got me to here, so why should I continue to want (insert no-no food here)?
When I get in times like this, I try to think of all the times I've had that particular item in my life. For instance, if I try to think of how many gyros I've had before, it could easily be in the hundreds, if not more (I love me some gyros), and when you think "I've had maybe 400 gyros in my life, do I really need ONE MORE?" it puts it in perspective that you're not depriving yourself NOW, it's that you over indulged IN THE PAST.
Better just to let it go... when we're skinny, we'll have more energy and confidence to do fun things instead of sitting around obsessing over what's for dinner, anyway.

Yoli, I'm 10 weeks out (in my 11th) and I don't feel like I'm on a diet at all. I eat whatever I want - it's just in tiny tiny portions. That said, when I say anything I want guess what? I WANT healthy things. It's so weird how you gravitate towards things you know are better for you and your stomach. I don't want bad things or huge quantities. I eat what I want and am satisfied with very small portions. And I LOVED carbs... A LOT!
I don't know how else to explain it other than my old relationship with food pales in comparison to my new relationship with ME!