ATLGirl

I got my scale from Wal-Mart. It measures BMI, Weight, Hydration, and keeps the last 5 weigh in on record. So when I weigh in it will show my current weight and the flash + or - X pounds. It was about 26 bucks.

So sweet. And she is learning now, things that will last her a lifetime

Hi All, Happy Saturday! The hubby and I are going shopping tomorrow for all my post op goodies. I am trying to stock up for the first 2 weeks after surgery. I will be on liquids. I have searched the board and think I have it all BUT I still wanted to ask all my lovely sleevers. Supplies Kiddy spoon Kiddy fork Kiddy bowl Kiddy Plate Sippy cup Popsicle modes Heating Pad Meds Gas X (strips) chewable Calcium citrate I have a multi-Vitamin and B12 liquid Tylenol food Chix broth Beef Broth Vegetable SF Jello SF pudding Skim Milk Crystal Light Special K Protein powder I have whey Protin shkaes with 52 grams of Protein and 6 Carbs Gatorade (not the light version) Peppermint Tea Regular Tea Is that all I will need to get me through liquids?

Thought I shared with you all what I wrote on Facebook in early December 2010. So I knew that I would have to write about this topic. I mean it was one of the topics that I put on a piece of paper and placed in the envelope. I just didn’t expect to pull it out first. While I could ramble on and on to avoid writing the first line. But I know my story is not the only one. I know it’s a secret that many people struggle with…alone… in the dark. Okay, I’m doing it. I am avoiding writing the first line. A line that will help me and so many others begin to heal… I was molested when I was a child. There I said it. I was molested for almost three years of my life by my mother best friend Kathy’s son Larry. I remember everything like it was yesterday. His smell. His voice. His touch. The shame and pain of it all. Now, as a mother of a daughter I can’t even imagine… The Beginning I was almost 7. Almost Seven years old when I was robbed of my innocence. We would spend quite a bit of time at Kathy’s house. My mama was a hard worker. It didn’t start out as one would think. Larry WAS nice. He helped us with our homework. He always let us hold his Game Boy. I mean he looked normal. When it first started, I pretended to be sleep. Even as I type, I want to crawl into a hole and cry. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t try anything too far. He came into the room and fondled me for what seemed like an eternity. Then he gave me a sour apple grape Blow Pop. Till this day I hate grape anything. I was confused. I didn’t know what was wrong or right. My mother had talk to me about strangers and all the terrible things strangers could do. But Larry wasn’t a stranger. He was my mom’s best friend son. He ate dinner with us. He knew my family. He was Larry. The Middle I will never forget the first night he actually penetrated me. I was 8. It was so quite in the house that night. Across the room slept Cierra (his sister and my then best friend). I thought if Ii pretended to sleep, he would stop and go away. The room was dark, but the streetlight outside gave it some glow. I squeezed my eyes closed and murmured “please.” He whispered to me, "if you move I will kill you." So I stayed very still. I didn’t cry. I didn’t move. I just laid there looking at the light coming through the window. I can’t remember how long it lasted, but I still remember the door creaking open when he left and then sounds in the kitchen. I cried so quietly that night. I don’t remember falling asleep, but when I woke up he was asking me did I want some King Vitamin. Till this day I hate King Vitamin. When my mom came to get us, I wanted to tell her everything. “Hey Aunt Toni” he said when she came through the door. She hugged him. Laughed with Kathy and we left. I didn’t want to say anything. I didn’t want to die. Then the next weekend… almost every weekend…for more than a year it happened. I always wanted to say something. But I was confused. It’s not like he was mean to me. I mean he would buy me candy. He would tell me I’m pretty. And I just assumed that it was normal. He was normal. It progressively got worst over the years. And not only would he threaten to kill me. He would threaten to kill my mommy and my brother. So I stayed quite. The End Over the course of the molestation, I gained A LOT of weight. In Larry and Chris (his brother [Chris NEVER touched me]) room was what seemed like hundreds of poster of skinny women wearing bikinis. I figured if I was fat, then he would not want me. Would not bother me. Would leave me alone. I ate and ate. I always laughed though. I learned at an early age that being funny was my talent. It was all I could do to make friends (at my size) and I learned no one asked questions when you smiled. I use to think why couldn’t anyone see through façade to my pain. I don’t blame my mother at all. She was doing all she could do to support us. She trusted Kathy’s kids like her own. I never did tell her… she told me. When I was in the 4th grade, Kathy died. And while I missed Kathy, I was so happy that we never had to go over there again. I just still didn’t have enough courage to tell her because he was not dead. One night my mom, C-lo, my brother, and myself was watching a movie called “I Know My First Name is Steven.” It’s about a boy who was kidnapped and molested all most of his life. I cried and cried and cried almost the whole movie. I told my mom I was afraid that it would happen to my brother. I lied. A couple of days later when I came home from school, my mom was sitting in the living room crying. C-lo (my “step” dad) was there. She told me she had a dream that afternoon and Kathy came to her in her dream and asked her to ask me “if Larry ever touched me.” I didn’t know what to say. The tears in her eyes showed so much pain. I shook my head yes and my mom grabbed me so tight that day. She sobbed and apologized for what seemed like hours. I told her it wasn’t her fault, but I don’t think she ever forgave herself. She called my uncles and they came over. I told them the whole story. We all cried. Then called the police. When Kathy died, Rico and Cierra moved in with Larry. When the police went to arrest Larry, he wasn’t home. He never came home. We learned that he molested his sister Cierra too. She knew I was being molested. She would see him come into the room. She apologized to me. But she said she was just happy when I came over because then he wouldn’t bother her. I wasn’t mad with her. I felt very said for her. Even though my situation was bad on the weekend, she lived with him every day. I never saw Cierra after that day. Never heard the name Larry again. The Beginning Learning to love myself has not been an easy battle. My weight is something I still haven’t gotten under control. There are other periods in my life where I was sexually assaulted. So I think a piece of me wants to believe that the bigger I get the more I’ll fade into the background. I feel like staying 270 pounds will make me less of a target and safer. I know it sounds xrazy but you never see any FAT people as victims in SVU. I am trying to tell myself to stop thinking like that but its hard. While this surgery will change my outter shell, but I have to learn to love the inner me. Slowly I am. What have I learned? With my own daughter I will let her know no matter what she can come to me. Even though it was the lesson my told me, the fear was greater. And while I DO NOT blame her, I wish there was multiple points before Kathy’s death where she would have asked. I will teach Ja’Nya about ALL people and trust ALMOST no one and don;t use food as a coping mechanism. Some Facts I know I am not the only one out there who is dealing with a secret like this. Parents take the time to educate yourself and your children about uncomfortable topics like this. Here are some facts to help you understand this silent epidemic: One of the myths regarding child molesters is that they “look different” or behave differently from others in some way. Here are some statistics describing child molesters: 97% are male 91% are heterosexual 91% consider themselves to be religious 48% are college educated The molester is not a stranger. Over 91% of children are molested by someone they know. Almost 8% of African American men admit to molesting a child

Hi All, So I wanted to make an "ALL CALL" for us 20 somthing sleevers. I don't have any scientific proof BUT I think the recovery, weightloss, and other issues may have something to do with age. I am 25 and getting sleeved on Jan. 22. I am the mother of a goregous 7 month old and a wife for the past 2 years. I just wanted to make this forum active again. With that said? What's your story? How was recovery? How's Life?!

Does Hospital INT have WiFi in the rooms? I am scheduled to be there with Dr. Rod on Jan 22. I plan to Skype or Oovoo with my husband. Also, do the phone work well?

Congrats. Your list really helped me. I am 7 days away!

I am so happy to read this. I LOVE cereal

I think everyone was trying to give you support and tell you the TRUTH. I guess since no one offered you the answer you were looking for, you took it as a personal attack. How to make bread more tolerable? Turn it into a veggie

Congrats and welcome home! Postitive energy your way!

Congrats on doing so well with the Plication. You are one of the few people, well heck the only person that I know that have achieved weightloss numbers like these with the plication. I considered the plication seriously, but after talking to a few people from the boards AND Belites patient list I moved toward the traditional sleeve. I am with Dr. Rod in TJ January 22! I thnk it may have alot to do with our ages. I just turned 25 on Monday. Most young 20s have achieved dramatic weightloss compared to counterparts sleeved the same day in their 40s or 50s IMO

You sound just like me. I was thinking why not take this $6000 and put it inot a trainer and a Weight Watchers program. To be honest, ecery day my mind wonders there. But then I think about my experience with Quick Weight Loss. Over $2500 on a program, where yes I was loosing weight, but I was always hungry, hated buying their terrinle powder Soups and Protein bars, and not being able to drink aything besides Water Like Tiff said on an another post, I don't want to have to diet forever! I too started this journey looking at the Lap Band. It was all I really knew. I knew nothing of the sleeve 5 months ago. But after reading the horrible stories, looking at the complications thread on Lapband Talk, and talking to people from OH, I knew I couldn't spend $5000 on something that could would cost me more ($100 self pay fills) and could cause me so much pain. So here I am, gettng sleeved in less than a week. Whenever I hear those nagging thought creeping up, I look over at my beautiful daughter (almost 7 months) and realize I am doing this for her. Good Luck on whatever you choose.

While watching Dr. Oz today, I heard about a condition that really scared me. The risks dramatically increase in obese woman and will happen to more than half of the women in the US. Pelvic Prolapse A prolapse is a weakening in the web of muscles at the base of the pelvis. These muscles, called the pelvic floor muscles, hold the organs of the pelvis in place. If these muscles are weakened in one area, the organ they support will shift position and begin to press against the vagina. This is called a prolapse. The organs that can be affected include the bladder, urethra, uterus, vagina, small bowel and rectum. Basically, the organs fall and come out the virgina. I mean really come out of the vajayjay. A woman was saying she was in the shower when she noticed something (later determined as an organ) hanging out of lady parts. Although it is possible for a younger woman to have a prolapse, a woman is most likely to experience a prolapse after menopause. Lower levels of the hormone estrogen can make the ligaments and muscles of the pelvis weaker and less elastic, which makes prolapse more common in post-menopausal women. The muscles of the pelvic floor may also be damaged by: obesity chronic coughing chronic constipation A prolapse can cause pain during intercourse and can also affect the functioning of the organ involved. For example, if the bladder is prolapsed, it can be difficulty emptying your bladder and/or bowel. It may also increase your risk of urinary tract infections. Women with any kind of prolapse often report a feeling of heaviness in the pelvis or a sensation that they are sitting on something. In severe cases, the prolapse may push tissue out through the vaginal opening. Most women suffer in silence. But the condition is common and treatable.

So I am a week away now and I think I am feeling okay. I have prepared myself for the worst. I have come up with almost all the worst conclusions possible and asked myself would it still be worth it. Since becoming addicted to this site, I have come to learn that the emotions and adjustments are somewhat standard. A very hard pre-op Day 1-3. I bounced back so well after my C-section in July. I mean the doctor had to tell me take it easy, because even my if my body was feeling great I just had a major surgery. So I am preparing myself to have a not so great recovery. Not trying to jinx myself, but preparing as a "just in case." The "What Did I Do To Myself" breakdown. It seems like almost everyone goes through this at some point. Whether its when you are sitting in the mirror during week 1 OR when you are really tested by not being able to eat your fav food. I am going to write a letter to post op self from my pre-op self that hopes to encourage me and answer that dreaded question. The liquid-oh-how-I-hate-liquids rant. Liquid diets suck. Yeah, I said it. No one want to them. It seems that almost everyone goes through this also. My post op diet requires liquids for 10-14 days post-op. I am hoping the first 5-7 days are a breeze because I won't need much to get full. But then I have to force myself to know that this liquid phrase is needed to help my body heal. The dreaded 3 week stall. It's funny. No matter how many times people on here talk about stalling at this point, so many are disheartened. Well I am preparing myself for it now. I am preparing for it to last anywhere from a week to a month. I know my body is going through a lot of changes (or will be). I know that this too will past. Learning to eat again and not drinking while eating. I am a fast eater. I have been trying to get this under control. I mean I don't intentionally eat fast, but I make no effort to slow down. My husband always says to slow down. So this past couple of weeks, I have been chewing and eating like sleever. I have been chewing and chewing and chewing. Not fun. I think its because I am still eating a normal plate size and it takes forever. I am also a gulper. I will have to really remind myself of the changes that I need to make to make my sleeve work. Then looking back 5 months post-op and not regretting a thing.

My surgery is 7 days away! (Wow 7 days!) I wasn't put on an all liquid diet. It depends on the reason for them putting on an all liquid diet. My diet (high in protein and very low carbs) is meant to shrink the lover, not weightloss. As long as you aren't eating foosd high in fat or CARBS don't beat yourself up

BEWARE OF MyMedicalLoans.com I have had the most frustrating day dealing with this company and trying to get to the truth. I submitted for finance information from this company and in turn received an application from a company called CosemitiCredit. I was approved for $5000 and planned on using this money to put towards my sleeve. Remona (mymedicalloans.com) told me that my doctor had been paid and all was well. Well, I received a call from my patient coordinator Teri (love her) that payment had not been received for Dr. Rod. So we contact the bank WFNNB (the lender for cosmetic credit) and they let us know that $4978.59 was CHARGED to a Dr. Ramos-Kelly (NOT MY DOCTOR) and my payment was due Jan. 23. AND I ONLY APPLIED FOR $4200 (but $5000 was approved) the rest I was paying out of pocket (because I was comfortable with the monthly payment). My mind was BLOWN! I have a PAYMENT due the day after my scheduled surgery! Of course the bank put in a claim for a federal investigation. I contact Cosmetic Credit and all they have is my original application to them. That I signed with them and have no clue to how Remona and MyMedicalLoans is doing business BUT they are doing something really fishy. I am PRAYING :pray: that this all gets cleared up before Jan 22 because I have to pay Dr. Rod and I need that $4200. If you need financing go straight to Cosmetic Credit (like the operator recommended). There was a loan origination fee but it was included in my loan hence the $78.59 cents. So My Medical Loans not only OVER charged the amount I wanted to finance, PAID a doctor who I AM NOT affiliated to, they also put in a cushy $700 for themselves! I contacted Dr. Ramos-Kelly’s office and they swear they do not know what’s going on. They said someone filled out an authorization slip and signed my name (I bet it was someone from MyMedicalLoans [Remona]). Then they tried to get me to come there, since they had already been paid, to be sleeved. Long day! Sheesh!

I am using them. I think they work as a intermediate for other companies. I went to them, but my financing came from Cosmetic Credit. I only wanted to finance $5000. Which I am doing at about 7% for 24 months. My montly payments are about $200. I plan on paying the loan off much sooner since there isn't prepayment penalties. Remona is great. Hope this helps.

Congrats!

Dr. Rod's plication is $5700. I was going with that until I chose to get the sleeve

Please Please Please! Do more research on Dr. Huacuz. Jean tried to push him on me but after reading horror stories here, on the Lapband board, and Obesity Help I would never go to him, but you may feel okay with him. I just want you to be informed and not "sold." Price is a factor, I think with World Med Dr. Corvala was about $500 more.

Hi Gips, I'm also 24 (birthday was yesterday) 25. I made this decision even though I feel comfortable in my body, because of my health. I am a new mommy and wife and want to do all the things that help us enjoy life. Rollercoaster rides, trips by plane, and a host of all other things. Welcome and I hope to connect with other young sleevers. I am getting sleeved Jan. 22 in TJ with Dr. Rod

French Fries are #evil.... That is all... Lol Going on strong. Getting in more thann 50 grs of Protein, less than 30 carbs, and almost no sat fats. coming to love pressure cooked chicken breast, salad with pink crisp apples, and all green veggies.

After a day of depression, I have told myself this is the LAST time I fall victim to a number.... on a scale. 277.4......... No where to go but down from here.

Thanks All. Tiff I heart you! FAB! I may need you to become my mentor....

Hi All, I am on day 1 of my pre-op diet. It is NOT an all liquid diet. I can eat plain chicken breast (I pressure cooked mine), hard boiled eggs, and fruit. I am drinking 1 Protein shake a day that has 56mg of protein. I was told the goal of my pre-op diet was to shrink my liver and enter into ketosis(sp?) not losing weight. But since my message earlier, I have gotten a couple PMs about my pre-op diet not being all liquids. I have going to Dr. Rod in TJ. Anyone else not have an all liquid diet and had a successful surgery?