SouthernSleever

I haven't had my surgery yet but if anyone has any size 20-22 clothing I'd love to have it. I don't want to buy another piece of clothing knowing I'm going to get my sleeve in the next 6 months.

LOL! That's too funny!

Good luck Von!!

To be honest, I don't see a guy and think, "I want to date him!". I think females don't make the first move because we aren't attracted primarily by looks. Now, I am not saying that looks don't matter they certainly do. But when I find myself attracted to men it is because their personality, intelligence, humor, self esteem, and ability to provide. It takes time for me to figure these things out. I am the type of person where if I see someone I might like I will flirt and then leave it to him to make the next move. Touching someone's arm while talking to them or just smiling can give the guy confidence enough to show interest if it is there.

Mmm that bus looks yummy!

I have not dealt with depression since my 20s but I have found what when I get the blue/doom feeling like I had after my first baby/c-section that reconnecting with nature really helped. I think not only the sunshine for my B12 but also the enviroment helped a lot. My husband works at a rehab for teens with drug/behavior problems and they often deal with depression. The company which owns them recently required the kids be outside for a certain amount of time and bringing live plants inside. He said they gave a list of a number of studies that show an increase in mood directly relating to an increase in the time spent around nature.

I'm preop so I really don't know but my Mother was having trouble with energy levels and her DO suggested fish oil and more time in the sun so she could process her Vit D.

As I'm searching for a surgeon I day dream about I will do once I have my sleeve and have lost a good amount of weight. I am 270 now so I have about 120ish to loose. What are you looking forward to or if you are already there what did the sleeve make possible for you? Mine are: Shopping at any store and buying cheap and cute clothes. Taking a bath in a regular sized bathtub with room Flirting, even though I've always been fat I haven't had any confidence recently People saying, "Is that all you are eating?" Getting any hairstyle I want without worring about making my face fatter Wearing shorts and dresses again My husband picking me up

Thanks so much for you guys taking pictures of your before and afters. I has really help keep me motivated!

Welcome! <wave>

I just don't know. My 2 year old and I were in the bathroom waiting on my 5 year old. A woman with a big butt came in and my son started running circles around her saying "Big Butt Big Butt!" I was mortified. He wasn't saying it to be mean, just an observation and was really just singsonging to helpself. Lord knows I have a big rear. I think I'd just ask your kids how it makes them feel when they say things like that? Or "What would it feel like if someone did say something about my legs?" How would it make you feel?" Let them work through their own emotions about it, validate them, and then go about your day. It will show your children that no matter what people say about you, it is okay to be hurt and it's okay to go on with your life.

Sounds like you didn't recieve the info from you surgeon you should have. We all know what it's like to eat for reasons other than hunger. Like others said, getting some counseling will help you out a lot. I'd hate to see your addiction to food go on to something else. <hugs> What a terrible thing to go through, I hope you are feeling lots better.

Congrats! Sounds like everything went great!

If it hurts when you breathe in I'd call your dr and just ask about a blood clot to be on the safe side .

You will probably have to take them out. You can use large gauge fishing line for most piercings like eyebrow/nose or plastic ones if you want to spend the money.

Absolutly!

Hey there, I read somewhere that there was a surgeon doing an inverted stitch instead of stapling and he's not even charging for the surgery just for hossy cost and it comes to like 7k. Here's the info from Betterbytheday "Fewer and fewer companies are offering Major Medical insurance and even then there's no guarantee that you'll qualify. Getting any job right now is difficult and one with great medical is even harder. If you really want the surgery that bad, you may want get ANY job that pays decently (preferably one with tipping) and put aside the money and self pay. Dr. Cottam in Salt Lake is doing the Vertical Sleeve Plication (see it on youtube) for an out the door price of $6900, I know this as I called his office this last week, as my best friend's in your position. The plication has no staples, the stomach is folded in on itself and stitched, really safe and short recovery time. That's not unreasonable, and includes everything. He's one of the only surgeons doing Plication in the US and is a top surgeon to boot, he's trying to get a base of people to help get the plication covered by insurance. He's not charging for his actual surgery services to do this. It's a great opportunity. The actual cost is $6375 but there's a $500 blood work up and Admin costs. so I just rounded up to $6900 with the hotel cost on the front end. But that doesn't include Airfare but you can shop that and get it cheap. Everyone's finances are different but just thought I'd put that out there." Hope that helps! My bestfriend has been partnerless for a long time due to his weight. I'm thinking of suggesting the surgery to him after I have mine done.

When I first read this I thought GF was girlfriend and I though, "How sexist!"

Bahahahaha:lol0:

This thread makes me not want to tell anyone. I used to get these snide comments about extended nursing of my sons and I think they would apply. In response to, "you are going to spoil him" or it could be used "Isn't it unhealthy for you to eat that little? or Should you be eating that?" "I'm doing the best I can as I'm sure you are doing your best." If they really were doing their best they wouldn't be all up in your business. In response to, "You still giving that kid the titt?" or could be "You don't look healthy, you are too thin, your head is too big, etc." "Wow, you sure are interested in my boobs" (insert creeped out look) could be "Wow, you sure are interested in my body." (insert same look) "You took the easy way out." response "I guess you wouldn't know much about easy vs hard seeing as you have never dealt with obesity." "You could have done it on your own, just takes willpower." "Actually all my willpower was used up not punching people like you in the face." (smile) "I'm just worried about you being too thin." "Thank you for all this newfounded concern. How much would you like me to weigh?"

I've changed my mind, I agree wth this

I want no no, I NEED this surgery and I would like to get it done this summer. My hubby has a full schedule with school and work in the fall. He is going back for his masters in geology and we are having to pay out of pocket for that. Add in that he makes 25k/year as a troubled youth counselor I am finding NO way to pay for this surgery. We have UHC but they don't cover obesity servies. I am thinking of getting a part time job just for the insurance to cover the surgery. Is there any insurance who is excellent about covering VSG? Who has the least amout of hoops to jump through? Thanks for sharing your knowledge