KellyL

I agree that insurance companies would not pay if it was elective. Also, I was dieting and exercising(a little) before surgery, and even though my diabetes improved a lot, it wasn't until my surgery that my diabetes was "cured" or in remission. And people will try to tell me, yes, because you're losing weight. But this happened immediately after release from the hospital, not after I lost more weight. So I feel I needed the sleeve to help with my diabetes as well as my weight. I had been told by drs due to a back/hip problem I had, that I would end up in a wheelchair within 10 yrs. It made activity and exercise and even everyday chores almost impossible. The weight made the pain and immobility worse. Just the weight that I've lost has changed all this so much, I am able to do chores as well as more intense exercise now too. Others can call it elective if they want, but I call it my lifesaver! We can't control what comes out of our friends, loved ones, and even strangers mouths, but we can control how it affects us. She can consider it whatever she wants, it is her opinion. But she should respect your decision and support you if she's a true friend. You could say, "I am not asking for your approval, just your support". Friends can be weird when it comes to wls, I've seen friendships end over it. A lot of emotions come to play, especially jealousy. I hope you can at least get her to respect and support you, even if she doesn't agree.

No judgement here because i have the same exact thoughts!!! I am not trying to be critical, it's just like even with Aretha Franklin and Drew Carey. 80-100 lbs, and they just suddenly after yrs and yrs of being big are successful at losing that kind of weight? I am sure by now, Aretha has lost even more, it's been a few months since I first saw her. I watched a talk show with Drew and he said he's going to just say "80" lost, because he lost more but has had a slight regain since his original loss. He talked about changing his eating, watching his carbs, eating things like greek yogurt.. I don't judge them either, and I guess after reading how many people on these forums keep their surgeries a secret, then a celebrity has just as much right to their privacy and they are stalked by the paparazzi so much and judged and critiqued publicly so much, so they probably want to keep their privacy even more than the average joe. And we've all seen how they do people like Carnie Wilson in the media. So it's no wonder!! But I am still very curious about the truth, because of my own journey. I know it's possible with their $ to hire personal trainers and nutritionists and chefs, but it does seem odd that it seems to be happening only in the last yr or so that we are seeing all these celebrity transformations. Regardless of the method, I am very very happy for them despite my suspicion lol. I always love seeing weight loss success. I love watching shows like Extreme Makeover, Weight loss edition, but I have mixed emotions with it. I am excited for the loss they have but I worry on their ability to keep up the exercise routines they have to keep. I do think some kind of exercise is helpful, beneficial, and sometimes vital to our health, regardless our weight. But 4-5 hrs a day?? When they get back to their own lives, no one is making them do this stuff, no one is buying and providing them with their groceries, etc. I worry about their well-being and emotional health and what failing after the show will do to their self esteem if they are unable to maintain. Sometimes I like the show cuz the guy seems to really care, but then sometimes I feel it's no more than a circus/freak show when he makes a big deal on the scales he has to use to weigh them at their starting weight. I know they get trips, exercise machines, cars, groceries bought for them, but can he at least not humiliate them on tv? Can't they do the weighing and just tell what the starting weight is without making them disrobe with all the rolls hanging out and stress they can't use a reg scale. I guess I know how i would feel in the same situation. But I guess they feel it makes good tv and that's why they do it. Anything for good ratings, right? I need to submit this post before i really get to ranting hahahaha

No judgement here because i have the same exact thoughts!!! I am not trying to be critical, it's just like even with Aretha Franklin and Drew Carey. 80-100 lbs, and they just suddenly after yrs and yrs of being big are successful at losing that kind of weight? I am sure by now, Aretha has lost even more, it's been a few months since I first saw her. I watched a talk show with Drew and he said he's going to just say "80" lost, because he lost more but has had a slight regain since his original loss. He talked about changing his eating, watching his carbs, eating things like greek yogurt.. I don't judge them either, and I guess after reading how many people on these forums keep their surgeries a secret, then a celebrity has just as much right to their privacy and they are stalked by the paparazzi so much and judged and critiqued publicly so much, so they probably want to keep their privacy even more than the average joe. And we've all seen how they do people like Carnie Wilson in the media. So it's no wonder!! But I am still very curious about the truth, because of my own journey. I know it's possible with their $ to hire personal trainers and nutritionists and chefs, but it does seem odd that it seems to be happening only in the last yr or so that we are seeing all these celebrity transformations. Regardless of the method, I am very very happy for them despite my suspicion lol. I always love seeing weight loss success. I love watching shows like Extreme Makeover, Weight loss edition, but I have mixed emotions with it. I am excited for the loss they have but I worry on their ability to keep up the exercise routines they have to keep. I do think some kind of exercise is helpful, beneficial, and sometimes vital to our health, regardless our weight. But 4-5 hrs a day?? When they get back to their own lives, no one is making them do this stuff, no one is buying and providing them with their groceries, etc. I worry about their well-being and emotional health and what failing after the show will do to their self esteem if they are unable to maintain. Sometimes I like the show cuz the guy seems to really care, but then sometimes I feel it's no more than a circus/freak show when he makes a big deal on the scales he has to use to weigh them at their starting weight. I know they get trips, exercise machines, cars, groceries bought for them, but can he at least not humiliate them on tv? Can't they do the weighing and just tell what the starting weight is without making them disrobe with all the rolls hanging out and stress they can't use a reg scale. I guess I know how i would feel in the same situation. But I guess they feel it makes good tv and that's why they do it. Anything for good ratings, right? I need to submit this post before i really get to ranting hahahaha

Let me throw Jonah Hill into the ring here. Just read this article about his amazing weight loss. He says when he eat unhealthy stuff he doesn't feel good. Sounds like WLS to me :-) Check it out for yourself...
http://uk.omg.yahoo.com/gossip/the-juice/woah-jonah-hill-lost-shed-load-weight-163317829.html
I'm not judging because I keep my WLS a secret too. But I am torn because I think the stigma would go away if we all opened up about it. Double edged sword, eh?

No kidding! I always think maybe WLS is involved anytime anyone mentions the Greek Yogurt... hahaa!!

This is so true! I just recently seen the most updated episode. I really hate how they make them originally weigh in on a freight scale. These people are not 1,000+ Lbs!! They DO make scales that can accomodate these folks. They have them at the Obesity Clinics, so that weight in is total BS. Of course WE all know this stuff... the average american Joe Schmoe does not. Regardless though I do still like watching this show.

Also on the very last show the man who they showcase failed miserably and had to be admitted into an addiction rehab clinic. This would be true for me too if I didn't get the sleeve. I love to eat! Anything!! Good healthy food, and some not so much. My sleeve literally makes me physically ill if I eat bad foods, and I can only eat no more than one cups worth of the good stuff. So... I think I'm doing fine. All I know is that through the whole show I kept thinking this guy would benefit so much with the sleeve!!

I saw a headline on the Yahoo! opening page about a paegant queen who lost over a hundred pounds before winning her crown recently. Before I even read the story, I already came to the conclusion that she had some sort of WLS. I skimmed through the article, looking for proof of my theory, but only saw something about "changing her diet" and "learning how to cook healthy foods" and "working out 30 - 60 mins a day". I dont believe the hype, but I've noticed now that since I've discovered WLS, I think everyone who's lost lots of weight has had some sort of procedure done. Recent celebs that come to mind are Jennifer Hudson, Raven Symone, and Jordin Sparks. Raven and Jordan didnt lose as much as Jennifer so I can believe that hiring a trainer and/or personal chef could be involved in their case, but I think JHud had a VSG. *dont judge me*

No judgement here because i have the same exact thoughts!!! I am not trying to be critical, it's just like even with Aretha Franklin and Drew Carey. 80-100 lbs, and they just suddenly after yrs and yrs of being big are successful at losing that kind of weight? I am sure by now, Aretha has lost even more, it's been a few months since I first saw her. I watched a talk show with Drew and he said he's going to just say "80" lost, because he lost more but has had a slight regain since his original loss. He talked about changing his eating, watching his carbs, eating things like greek yogurt.. I don't judge them either, and I guess after reading how many people on these forums keep their surgeries a secret, then a celebrity has just as much right to their privacy and they are stalked by the paparazzi so much and judged and critiqued publicly so much, so they probably want to keep their privacy even more than the average joe. And we've all seen how they do people like Carnie Wilson in the media. So it's no wonder!! But I am still very curious about the truth, because of my own journey. I know it's possible with their $ to hire personal trainers and nutritionists and chefs, but it does seem odd that it seems to be happening only in the last yr or so that we are seeing all these celebrity transformations. Regardless of the method, I am very very happy for them despite my suspicion lol. I always love seeing weight loss success. I love watching shows like Extreme Makeover, Weight loss edition, but I have mixed emotions with it. I am excited for the loss they have but I worry on their ability to keep up the exercise routines they have to keep. I do think some kind of exercise is helpful, beneficial, and sometimes vital to our health, regardless our weight. But 4-5 hrs a day?? When they get back to their own lives, no one is making them do this stuff, no one is buying and providing them with their groceries, etc. I worry about their well-being and emotional health and what failing after the show will do to their self esteem if they are unable to maintain. Sometimes I like the show cuz the guy seems to really care, but then sometimes I feel it's no more than a circus/freak show when he makes a big deal on the scales he has to use to weigh them at their starting weight. I know they get trips, exercise machines, cars, groceries bought for them, but can he at least not humiliate them on tv? Can't they do the weighing and just tell what the starting weight is without making them disrobe with all the rolls hanging out and stress they can't use a reg scale. I guess I know how i would feel in the same situation. But I guess they feel it makes good tv and that's why they do it. Anything for good ratings, right? I need to submit this post before i really get to ranting hahahaha

I've only ate the one time at Chick fila and then Outback for my anniversary. All the things I listed earlier are just "options" if anyone were to get stuck out and have to get something. Choosing alternatives to my previous unhealthy choices are a vital part of my journey. I honestly think it is unrealistic for me personally to say I will never have McD's or BK again. I have a teenager. lol. And I know fast food isn't healthy for her either, unless we make the better choices. And we certainly don't/won't go as often as we used to. Fast food definitely contributed to the problems with my health and weight that I have now, and I actually enjoy and prefer staying at home to prepare things so I have more control over what I am putting in my mouth. I love having control over food rather than the other way around, it's so liberating!!

:cheer2:

Wow girl. You are rocking that sleeve AND that bikini, great job!!!! You look fabulous!
:cheer2:

You can add stuff like benefiber to your shakes. Theres several brands, and they don't change the taste at all. A lot of ppl use Miralax i think.

Awww sorry you are having such a rough start!! Sounds like you have some good meds, i hope that relieves your discomfort. Yes sip, sip, sip!! I have never heard of bruising "down there". Take care of yourself and update us when you feel up to it!!!

Barb, congrats on the 2 lbs, you're doing great. I think it's wise to do the measuring tape and/or trying smaller sizes of clothes to measure our success and not get caught up in the scale and pounds as much. That is my plan also. I have seen so many people get so upset and even depressed over the scale not moving at all or fast enough. While I can totally relate and understand, I just have too much weight to lose and a long journey and I don't want the scale to control my emotions, yanno? That is exactly what would sabotage me pre-surgery when I dieted, and would cause me to just say, well forget it, I'm just gonna eat that ______ if depriving myself isn't gonna make me lose weight. So I am trying to go into this with a different plan. It will be a lot harder to just give up on eating healthy now, thanks to the sleeve
Will you let me know which of the unflavored Protein powders you like the best between the Unjury and the Bariatric Advantage? I want to get one but would like to hear a comparison review between the two.
Thanks!!!

It's normal since you're so early out. It'll get easier when the swelling goes down some. I have about decided to not even bother getting that unflavored stuff, it just sounds disgusting.

What was your price for Dr Kelly if you don't mind my asking? These coordinator wars are really getting brutal. And one min you are saying you were happy with your care but at the end you are recommending your coordinator but a different surgeon? This is all confusing and it really isn't fair to turn these reviews of these drs who we are putting our lives into their hands, and making it about the other ppl. I guess Dr Kelly has his reasons for having more than 1 coordinator but wow. I hope it don't end up causing ppl to question his skills as a surgeon. It certainly is causing me concern and questioning the integrity and sincerity of the coordinators and to be honest some posts that I've read recently. I understand we get the price we do because of the hospital he uses because it's not brand new or fancy. But I've heard it is very clean, and I prefer the price over a newer facility. I want excellent care and cleanliness. This is the first I've heard of him "losing priviledges". Why and how could that happen with so many positive experiences posted all the time??
And to be honest, I find your "typical mexican" comment very offensive!! You didn't mind going to Mexico for your surgery or using a MX dr, when it benefits you, but when you're offered a nicer luxury hotel for an incredibly fair price you insult them. I am just not understanding this at all. There are a lot of accusations and insinuations in this post and it's your first post. Very suspicious....

What was your price for Dr Kelly if you don't mind my asking? These coordinator wars are really getting brutal. And one min you are saying you were happy with your care but at the end you are recommending your coordinator but a different surgeon? This is all confusing and it really isn't fair to turn these reviews of these drs who we are putting our lives into their hands, and making it about the other ppl. I guess Dr Kelly has his reasons for having more than 1 coordinator but wow. I hope it don't end up causing ppl to question his skills as a surgeon. It certainly is causing me concern and questioning the integrity and sincerity of the coordinators and to be honest some posts that I've read recently. I understand we get the price we do because of the hospital he uses because it's not brand new or fancy. But I've heard it is very clean, and I prefer the price over a newer facility. I want excellent care and cleanliness. This is the first I've heard of him "losing priviledges". Why and how could that happen with so many positive experiences posted all the time??
And to be honest, I find your "typical mexican" comment very offensive!! You didn't mind going to Mexico for your surgery or using a MX dr, when it benefits you, but when you're offered a nicer luxury hotel for an incredibly fair price you insult them. I am just not understanding this at all. There are a lot of accusations and insinuations in this post and it's your first post. Very suspicious....