blueyz80

Wow! I just went through every single picture on here and let me tell you each and every one of you are such an inspiration! I have my first appointment next Friday and I couldn't be more excited. Thank you all for giving me something to look forward to.

Just wish more people were interested in raising other people up, instead of tearing them down. Focus more on what we have in common, rather than spotlight and hate the differences.

dreamscometrue
if i were you, I also would be going a little/lot crazy with this "situation"
sounds like all your frustration/anger?? is coming to a boil
please DON'T blow up on her
you are "bigger" then that
best friends of over 20 years - come far and few apart
I hope you two can work out this situation and get back to a good relationship
as OP suggested - have a sit down for coffee
don't be offensive saying something like "why haven't you said anything about my weight loss??"
maybe say something like
"over these past 6 months that I've lost 60 lbs...........
I've had a bunch of of cool/funny happen to me"
example......
comment that it is amazing that after wearing a size 22 - the first time you tried on a size 12 - your jaw dropped!!!
clothes shopping is so much fun now - maybe we can go out together????
tell her how much healthier and happier you feel
being so much more active, exercising - loving life
one of my favorites was when i realized i had no problem going into a "regular" toilet!!!!
instead of the handi-capped!!!!
or "having" to pull the front seat up in your car - cuz your tummy is no longer in the way!!!
totally cool
once you start the conversation - see what happens
she might jump in right away with her "dumb" explanation
being apologetic (even though theres no good reason)
when she's all done - everything is on the table - gotta let it go
gotta "forgive" and try and move on
I don't "think" you want to throw this friendship out the window (no matter how inconsiderate, stupid she is/was)
60 lbs weight loss!!!!!
you are going to stand out beautifully in your size "8"? bridesmaid dress!!!!
OP will only have eyes for/on you!!!!
wellllll......maybe sometimes looking at the bride too
keep up the good work
great pic
good luck "with all "
kathy
congrats

Other than my weight I was very healthy as well. I didn't have anything, not even asthma. I knew a lot of successful people that had the bypass and I knew no one that did the sleeve that's the only reason I chose bypass. I don't think one surgery is better than another I think they all work for different people for different reasons. Before my surgery which was only about 3 weeks ago I had about 150 to lose and I got to get the bypass but all doctors are different and have different reasons for doing things so like I said before talk about all this with your surgeon. :-)

i say get the one your doctor and yourself feel is best for you.
with any WLS, results will vary.....all the best to you.

Welcome to BariatricPal!
Choosing a surgery type is a highly personal choice. You will find many folks here with impassioned opinions on why their own personal choice is the best. My recomendation is to research each option thoroughly noting the complication rates, success rates and personal tolerance for what is being done for each option.
If you cannot handle the thought of having a foreign object in your body, then the band is not for you. If you cannot handle the thought of having your intestines re-routed, then the bypass is not for you If you cannot handle having 85% of your stomach removed, then the vertical sleeve is not for you There are other procedures out there, too, so be sure to do your homework. This is a major decision and for some of the procedures, will change your relationship with food forever.
I also was self-pay and opted to have the sleeve done in Las Vegas by Dr Thomas Umbach. It was $10,400. I would definately recommend him.

Why does she "need to be acquainted"? She can't undo what she did and it's your OPINION that LB is less risky than another option, definitely not fact.
Why should the OP lower herself to her "friend's" level of asinine behavior? I agree that she should distance herself from someone who is obviously self absorbed and rude, but to lash out in such a hateful way would make her no better.
As for taking a "stronger person" to succeed with the band? I am going to chuckle to myself and back away from responding to such a ridiculous statement.

Work smarter not harder

I would double check with your Doctor before you do that.

How much will YOU have lost in a year??? How can you say he should have already lost more than he has?? What makes you think he has his surgery "just because of politics"??

I probably would've laughed in her face and said "oh your medical practice is doing so well that you need to come in and sell books" then I would've really shot back at her and said "you know what I would like to buy a copy of this book for you as well. You look as though you could benefit from weight loss surgery"
those kind of things I usually tend to turn around and have fun with them rather than get pissed off. Getting pissed off just means they got under your skin.

So today I cried in the dressing room. Happy tears! I was a size 18/20 jeans the day of surgery. Today I fit into a size 6! I won't share this with my family or friends so I will share it here. I love my sleeve. Best decision I ever made.

I had my surgery at 8am today and I'm not feeling as bad as I thought. I'm sore but I thought the pain would be worse. I've already gotten up and walked and I even sat in my chair for a while. So I just wanted to key everyone know that surgery went great!

Good luck to you, I know how you feel my surgery is tomorrow. I'm pretty sure sleep is out for me tonight! Lol. Good luck on your journey! :-)

Family is just another "F" word.

I haven't even had my surgery yet and when I first decided to get the surgery I wasn't brave enough to tell anyone except for my family and friends that I'm very close with. Time went on and I'm getting closer and closer to getting the surgery and I decided that people will start asking so I just announced it on my Facebook page. People were surprisingly more supportive than I assumed and I really don't care what anyone thinks about my life because it is just that, MY life.

Hiatal hernia surgery. So will a middle finger and telling them to mind their business:)

My surgery is the day after yours so I know how you feel. I can't wait for my new life to begin!

Congrats! I'm sure you'll do great. I'll be praying for you. Mine isn't until the 25th so please let us know how you feel when you feel up to it.

Hi,
I am just over 2 weeks ahead of you. I did a 3 week pre op but not liquid diet. There are pros and cons i think, I wasn't hungry on mine but it did go on forever! I honestly didn't find the surgery recovery bad at all and it was only last Tues and I am fine, just a bit tired and lightheaded. The pain was fine after the first couple of hours. Everyone is different and so are their surgeons but I had no catheter or drains and I think that helped. Now trying to build up my fluids and can only really cope with Soups and drinks, but more of a choice every day.
Just keep going and your surgery date will soon be here. Everyone feels anxious as well as excited. Carry on posting on here and on the Feb post op thread and you will get a lot of support, I know I have.
Take care
Claire

I haven't even had my surgery yet and when I first decided to get the surgery I wasn't brave enough to tell anyone except for my family and friends that I'm very close with. Time went on and I'm getting closer and closer to getting the surgery and I decided that people will start asking so I just announced it on my Facebook page. People were surprisingly more supportive than I assumed and I really don't care what anyone thinks about my life because it is just that, MY life.

Thank you both for the great questions, they really helped and I am more than ready! T minus 2 weeks and counting!

Here's a list of questions (with recent updates) that I posted quite some time ago. Since you're coming up on your last appointment you'll likely have answers to some of these already but hopefully you'll find others that will prove useful.
What are the risks? How often do patients have complications following surgery? What side effects are the most common? What are the benefits? What should I expect after surgery? Realistically, what weight loss should I expect following surgery and over what period of time? What are "stalls" or "plateaus"? How long do they last and if I do experience them, what can I do to shorten their duration? Will any new technology be used e.g. robotics? Is the hospital and surgeons office accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP)? This is a combination of the programs formerly offered by two highly respected surgical societies - The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Beginning in 2012, this accreditation replaced the former Bariatric Centers of Excellence. Are you board certified in bariatric surgery? How many roux-en-y gastric bypass surgeries have you performed? Have you experienced any surgery related mortalities? Do you have patients that are willing to share their weight loss surgery experiences, positive and negative? What types of support groups and counseling will be available post-op? What information can you give me to help family and friends better understand the surgery? How often do you see your patients following surgery? What is the significance of Protein following surgery? Does your practice offer support services for psychological needs? What assistance is available for helping me secure insurance approval? Who should I speak with regarding insurance related questions? What pre-op testing will be done? What post-op testing will be done? Will I need Vitamins after my surgery and if so, what types? When can I start exercising after my surgery? How likely is it that I will regain weight after surgery? Think of the meeting with your surgeon as an interview. You're looking for an answer to "Why are you and your team the most qualified for the job?"
You're gonna love the new you!!

Kinda cliche' to say this... But my babies are my motivation and man do they do it well!

So it has been a crazy ride for the past 9 months (I started my journey in June of 2013). When I started all of this I knew that my primary insurance did not cover surgery but my secondary did (and I advised the doctors office when starting of this fact). Well, here it is 9 months later and I am STILL getting the run around from my doctors office. The woman who submits the paperwork submitted it to my primary and not my secondary. When I asked her about it she played the dumb card and said she didn't know (she did since everytime I spoke with her I advised her of such and before she submitted to insurance).
Fastforward to today and I am ready to just give up and not have surgery. I am tired of the runaround I am getting and am just about to forget about it.
UGH!!!