phutch824

I'm in pa too. Allentown area. Strange there are tons of replies for other states and very few for pa. Wonder what gives! Hoping for a mid September surgery date. Was told to call tomorrow to find out. Cross your fingers for me.

I'm from West Chester! Hoping to hear about my approval this week! I'm going to Dr. Ing at Bryn Mawr.

Ha PaNailGirl I'm from the KOP area any news? Im also seeing Dr Ing. I have my last "weight check" on Friday with Michelle and then it will get submitted to insurance. Crossing my fingers I will get approved. Deciding between beginning of July or August!

This is the first time Ive posted pics here. Ive just been to embarrassed I guess. But here we go...the before me and the current me. Still have about 30 pounds to go.

I'm in Ephrata, PA (Lancaster County) and having my sleeve on May 13, 2013 (three more days, finally!) with Dr. Brader of BMI of Lancaster. I went back and forth between Sleeve and RNY and am very pleased with my decision. I love Dr. B and his group (dieticians, exercise physiologist, insurance coordinator, support group, Facebook group, etc). I have Highmark Blue Shield and only had a slight hiccup with the insurance. All of the clearances were scheduled through the BMI office and mostly painless. I can't wait to be permanently on the losers bench!

I am near Pittsburgh! Nice to see some locals on this site. I am doing my insurance required 6 month supervised diet with Dr. Bello.

I too was sleeved at Lehigh Valley Hospital. Feb 18th I currently live in Bethlehem Township.

Hi Everyone- I'm celebrating today! I started at 407, lost 19 lbs before surgery on 1/14, and have lost 81 pounds since. Started at a 62 BMI- my first big victory came when I became "merely" morbidly obese. Seeing my BMI leave the SMO category was a good one, but losing 100 lbs is even better.
Next stop- under 300 lbs right around the corner!

I understand these feelings, too. In the first month or two, it was like, "OMG, what the heck have I done to myself?!" I used (abused) food as a comfort, and it no longer fit the bill. I had to confront some things in my life and confront my relationship with food. I knew it would happen, I just wasn't fully prepared for the depth and scope of the reality of how I used food. I would sit and watch people with huge plates of food and be jealous. Buuuut ... after some time, that, too, changes. I got over this period and now when I see people with huge plates of food, I am thankful that I don't have to do that anymore. My blood work is perfect and I feel great. I've been told that I look pretty good now, too, but that is merely icing on the cake. I know that I most likely will not be damaging my body with obesity related issues. It is important to note that the first couple months are the hardest and I think it would be tough to find anyone who, at some point during this phase, didn't at least once say, "OMG, what did I do?" Just know that after some time, everything does return to normal, except being limited to smaller portions. The feelings of not being able to go out anymore or function in social settings has nothing to do with the sleeve. These are issues going on between your ears. I just got back from a lunch at an Italian restaurant with 6 other men. Myself and another got to-go boxes and everyone else cleaned their plates. I ate about 1/3 of a grilled chicken Caesar salad. Nobody said a word about what I ate. Other people's actions and behaviors have no bearing on my actions and behaviors.
As the old saying goes ... This too, shall pass. I believe for a gross majority of us, it does and I pray it will for you, too, Lucky. (And everyone else struggling early on)
BTW, I'm 21 months out, been at goal for a year and maintaining fine. I follow the guidelines of Protein first, then good carbs after. I don't drink with my meals unless I need to increase my calories. I just returned to a little exercise since having 2 back surgeries in the past 7 months. I enjoy bowls of ice cream and love chocolate chip Peanut Butter Cookies. I struggled early on, but now I would do it again in a heartbeat. I think hearing from sleevers early in the process is important, but I would ask that you return to this thread in 8 months and tell us if you feel the same way. I'm guessing you might sing a different tune.

I would choose this again in a heart beat! I've had no complications and have my diabetes in remission. I have lost 95% of my excess weight and I eat so much healthier. How great is that? I love my sleeve and my body size

No doubt in my mind... YES! So happy. I am healthier and my life doesn't revolve around food. I eat like all my family and friends.. Just less. I party with everyone, I travel, skiing again, and I move like I was to live life for a good long time. My weight and food is no longer controlling me. I am in control

At only 5 weeks out I have to admit I've had my doubts about my decision. However, as everyone says, it gets better everyday so I have hope I will be just in love with my sleeve as most. Being in a current stall doesn't help but I'm not letting it depress me. I'm staying on track and believe the people who say it WILL break

We had surgery the same day. I started at 275, the day of surgery I was 252 and my current weight is 222. I feel good most of the time. It is a great new life. I haven't shopped yet - just moving back down into clothes that have been in my closet. Thankful I usually buy classic clothes for work.

For those who don't kno me I had surgery 1/21/13 I started at 299 the day of surgery I was 290 my current weight is 232 I've lost 58 pounds post op I feel so good and for the newbies I don't regret any thing this is the best thing in the beginning it's hard u can't eat really but once you start feeling full you will be satisfied w what u can it shopping is so fun now I brought me a new skirt and jacket to Celebrate

I got sleeved on the 5th and it wasnt that painful the first few days. after i came home i started to feel the pain, specially the gas pains. Swallowing is a totally new experience. If i take a sip thats to big the pain i get in my chest from pain is so bad.
I cant wait for it to get better. Its not that i regret it, oh no, it just that its like learning to eat all over again. I have started to write down none scale victories. I want to exercise again, i want to play sports again, and most of all play with my kids without feeling tired
.

Love me some kegels
Well, I think my coochiewa appears smaller and I don't have any camel toe's going on. My husband and I "front spoon" much easier and we fit during the sha bang bang better. OMG,,did I type all that out loud?lol
Seriously, I think if you do crunches, it helps lift the muscles that support that area.

Um, the outside has shrunk, but the inside seems the same at 9 months out and 100 pounds lighter. As a matter of fact, things seem to fit better/deeper these days. TMI?

Did you like him? I have an appointment with him on May 30th to have my office visit and get my surgery date.

I am new to this site, but not to weight loss surgery, this is my second time around after dissapointing results with th lapband that I had placed in January 2009. My highest weight was 302 lbs. at surgery date i was 285 lbs. my absolute lowest achieved was 234 and my band was so tight I have to blend and add Water to Soup. I was able to maintain 247 for about 3 years. In the last year I've gained weight back, I'm up to 268. After much research and sites like this one i was able to make the decision to go with the sleeve as my revision surgery.
I've already gone through the whole process of getting insurance approval. I WAS APPROVED!!
I haven't spoke to my Dr. yet about a date but I hope to have it in the next month or so.

I did not feel real hunger till about 4 months out. Now at nearly 11 months out I get truly hungry between each meal. The really great news is that it takes very little to satisfy that hunger. I was resisting Snacks for quite a while as I didn't want to be eating all the time. To be honest I used to be almost afraid of hunger. I have become much better at ignoring hunger. I no longer fear it. Even though it isn't always easy, it is all so worth it, even thru the bad days.
I was sleeved 5/17/12. Highest weight 374; Surgery date 320; current weight 206; dropped 8 sizes, lost 22 inches from my waist, 6 inches from my neck, regained my ability to walk and stand longer than 3 minutes, and gone off most of my medications. I am happier than I ever dreamed, and feel so good.

I am a believer once again! I will be able to conquer hunger! Thanks for everyone's testimonials!

Make sure you hit all of your marks in terms of nutrition, Water intake, and exercise. Also, when you stall or gain a few pounds pay close attention to your measurements. You will probably find yourself losing inches and not pounds. When your body resizes the weight loss is put on hold. As long as you remain focused on your goals, you will lose either inches or weight. Not always both at the same time.

We're the bottoms of your feet that fat LOL?

Friend. I'd rather spend 120 calories on a half cup of edamame, than 200 calories on a Protein Bar full of sugar and additives.