Amber

That was really rude.

You'll be getting your surgery date soon! [:

Congrats! I hope I get an early morning appointment like that. Waiting all day would drive me insane! Good luck. [:

Let me know what people say! me and you are in the same boat, except im 19 and will be turning 20 about the time i get sleeved so not too much of a difference. I get sleeved June 3rd by Dr.Ramos Kelly. Who is your surgeon and when do you get sleeved?

I don't have a date yet. I should get one next week. Hopefully this month due to paying COBRA on insurance. If not, early May. Right before I turn 19. My surgeon is Dr, Hoehn in Kansas City.

And congratulations on your date. [:

Thanks guys! I really don't want to have a Tummy Tuck or anything, especially with wanting kids later on. I'll just make sure to do strength training and hope for the best.

My surgeon said that is the most popular age. [:

I've read a lot about extra skin but I have not seen any people my age talk about it. I'm 18 and weigh 220. My height is 5'5. How should my skin be after weight loss?

My question too Coops... I've never heard of HCG. What exactly is it????

HCG is Human Chorionic Gonadtrophin. Like said above it is a hormone produced while pregnant. There are 3 types of fat in your body. Structual Fat, which is like a packing material for your organs. Natural Reserve Fat, which is where our body draws out nutrients as needed. Lastly there is Abnormal Fat. Which we all know what that is. When losing weight we lose the first two, which are the fats we need. Abnormal is always the last resort. With the HCG, the body will attack the Abnormal Fat.

You're also not living just on 500 calories. I forgot the amount but I believe its anywhere from 1000 to 4000 calories being released in your body. Which is why the diet is low calorie. Also, the the food that is allowed on the diet is there for a reason. The HCG will react with the food to attack the fat. Even if you stay under 500 calories eating the wrong food, you won't lose weight.

I also have done it and lost about 25 pounds, with random cheating. Cheating is a HUGE no-no with those injections. I think after losing most of your wait and stalling, it's a great idea. It helps with problem areas and with skin elasticity. If you do, be careful with what and where you order. The injections are the original way of doing it and probably the safest. Also, some sites will scam you and not give you real HCG or even give you HCG that was taken from someone with AIDS or another disease. There are doctors around who prescibe it so look for them first. If that is not an option order it from a doctor online.

If you have any questions on how it works, the diet, or anything feel free to ask. I have done extreme research over it and have given speeches on the topic. If I can help, I'd be happy to. [:

I'm not saying I'm a drinker, since I'm underage, but this was really interesting. AWOL or Alcohol WithOut liquids.

They came out with a machine where you inhale the alcohol, like oxygen, so you can get the buzz without the extra calories. It goes to the lungs instead of the stomach. I thought for WLS patients who enjoy the buzz but have trouble drinking, this is a like a 'loophole.' I have a couple links. Skip to 3:23 in the video if you don't want to watch the whole thing.

I'm having trouble deciding my thoughts on this. It's the same thing as drinking but it reminds of me drugs too much, I think. What are your thoughts?

http://www.ebasedprevention.org/oewn/awol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sqGgMXIllA

This site was posted on here by LilMissDiva and it is great. Put in your height, weight, and body frame and will show what women look like at that weight. It helped me decide my goal.

It is for women, sorry men.

http://www.mybodygallery.com/index.html

Color makes the hair thicker. Unless you're bleaching it, which would probably make Hair loss even greater. So that's not recommended. If you cut it, I would do layers. This makes your seem fuller and thicker. So, go for it. [:

I'm pre-op and should be having the surgery at the end of next month. When I was planning on getting the Lap-Band they had this topic with over 30 pages worth of people talking about their surgery day. This is so helpful to us who are pre-op. So, tell us about your day. [:

This is just a guess.

Every surgery is different so they are going to do the safest and most comfortable way they are used to. Also, I think the smaller you are in the stomach the easier it is too move around and operate with less incisions.

I completely agree that your Surgeon really did/does have your best interest in mind. He wants to make sure you have as safe a surgery as he can help you with. He sounds like a real class act, and sticks to what he believes in. Some surgeons can just be "whichever way the wind blows" and do the surgery regardless. I don't think that is someone I would want operating on me...

With that, I do believe 100% that you are going to do excellent. I am also extremely proud that you were honest. Everything does happen for a reason, so now you can nurse your cold and prepare even more for your surgery.

Hang in there, April 4th is right around the corner. With sticking to your dietary guidelines, and adding doing some painting on top (that's tough work!!!) of that you will definitely get your surgery wish.

Hugs to you...

Thank you so much for bringing your story to light, it really is going to help so many!! That's what this forum is so wonderful for.

I wish this site had a "like" as Facebook does. I agree to this entirely.

I have Anthem BCBS of Wisconsin and they just started approving VSG this year. So it's just a matter of time. [:

Thank you all soo much for all the feedback!

I appreciate it. I had my consultation today with the surgeon, insurance, and a couple other people. When coming in the surgeon asked how old I was and made a few comments on my age. Like making such a big decision at 18, he did think it was a great choice though. And having the psych consultation will be very important.

I have to go through a psych consult, dietitian consult, go through a 3 hour class for nursing and physical therapy (how to take care of myself post-op), and then pass an EGD test. Which, I guess, means there sticking something down my throat to look at my stomach? Insurance gives very little trouble, so I should be good. I am very excited. Thanks again for your responses! [:

I have Anthem BCBS and I had to gain a litte weight also. So I haven't been at a BMI 40 in my doctor checkups. I have my appointment for the tests next Wednesday so they can submit it to insurance. I've been wondering about the same thing. How far are you into the process of getting surgery?

That's great! I'm excited for you. [: Lol extra skin is better than the extra weight though I'm sure. I have no idea what mine will do with the whole "pale, redhead skin" thing.

I will definitely keep you posted, as long as you tell me how your surgery goes. [:

I hope to have it next month. [: I'm 18.

Thank you guys for all the feedback. I do have a lower BMI for WLS patients, around 40 I think, but my family has so much obesity and health problems. I would rather solve them while I was younger which is why I'm really wanting it now.

I agree about the Lap Band. I would be scared to lose like 30 pounds and have it slip. Which would put me under the weight limits to have VSG replace it. Plus all the money, stress, and waiting it would take to have any of these surgeries. My mom did have the bypass, she looks GREAT. She lost over 100 pounds in around 9 months or so. She has only been able to do cardio because she doesn't have the energy to do strenghth. She will need plastic surgery to get rid of extra skin.

Ashely, I feel just like that basically. I don't like staying home, but I don't like going out and feel like everyone thinks badly of me. I hate that my weight holds me back so I really need to change that.

I'm only 18 and I'm very interested in getting the VSG. I was interested in the Lap Band for the longest time but after reading about both and hearing about them at the seminar, I have no interest in getting the band over the sleeve. I know this is a life changing decision, so how do you feel over someone so young getting the sleeve? I have an appointment next week with Dr. Hoehn in Kansas City. They will then submit my information to insurance. Thanks for any feedback. [: