JennsNewLife

WOW Michelle 36lbs!!! WTG! Sleeves: It really depends on your size, how much you are used to eating and of course your activity level. I am doing my pre-op diet and I started at 351 on the 6th and I am at 335 11days later so that's 16 pounds in 11 days. I am eating though...so it really doesn't answer your liquid diet question, just thought I'd share...lol.

I am ging through a lot of the same feelings! Hang in there, you're going to do great! I don't have my date yet and I alredy have the occassional panic moments thinking the same things you have....I just have to squahs those scared feelngs down and trust that everything will be as it was meant to be.Like Valentine said....I might need some reminding when my day comes!! Blessings, Jenn

way to go!!!!

Yanno, I have only been here a little over a week and it feels like HOME. What a wonderful group of people....people at all stages of their journey. I love that those who have been through it and are at or near goal don't just forget the rest of us, they come back to advise and encourage! It's really great!

PS. I am having my surgery in Gainesville at Shands....we are practically neighbors. LOL

My very good friend says Dr. Jawad is the best ....he did her surgery....so you're in good hands! I'll be praying for ya, I know everything will go great!! Blessings~ Jenny

Meggie, you touched upon a lot of things I think a lot of people are very hesitant to talk about. I'm glad you brought up the issue of life/death. I filled out the paperwork of what should happen to me and my children if things do not go well....I don't know if everyone prepares for this but after a near fatal pulmonary embolism it's definitely something that's on my mind! It's comforting to know others are concerned with the same things...I was beginning to think I was the only one. blessings, Jenny

They said there is a possibility of having a screen, at least temporarily but my hematologist said to never let anyone put one in my legs could they would swell to twice their size....so? I don't know what's going to happen.

WTG! coming from a child you know it's the truth too....not just flattery!

I just have to say at 400 pounds it's risky to take the pill...I had a massive bilateral pulmonary embolism due to birth control. You should talk to your doctor aboutthe risks involved with the birth control pill for obese patients. Also kno the signs. I told my doctor I was having leg cramps and was short of breath and she said it was probably unrelated to the birth control, a week later I nearly died on the floor of my bathroom from the blood clots that traveled to my lungs. Not meant to scare anyone, just I was never really informed about the risk...I don't know what I am going to use when I lose weight....maybe IUD? I have two children and would eventually like another one....but the doc. says you must wait 18 months before becoming pregnant!

WAY TO GO!!! Thatnks for sharing yor story! I agree, this site has been such a blessing to me already and I'm a pretty new member. Have fun at DISNEY! that's one of my goals when I lose weight....to fit on the rides again!

I am seeing Dr. Ben-David at Shands in Gainesville FL for my surgery. I am told he is very good, pretty strict but good! I have read a lot of feedback about him on obesity help and it was all positve....though I hear a friend of a friend is having problems with her surgery and she saw the same Dr. I am not really going to let that affect my decision b/c I know every case is different and who knows if she followed directions as they were given etc.. He has given me 30 pounds to lose before he will do surgery. I had first intended to have lap-band but he told me that it really wasn't an option for somene my size that I should have the sleeve. Anyone else seen this Dr.?

Congrats on getting your surgery! Thanks for sharing your story, glad it's going well!!

:DYeah I live in Florida....maybe it's an east coast thing lol. I see you are 5 days out....WOW!! How are you feeling?!!

A waste of life Another lovely FAT EXPERIENCE story for ya'll. My friend is a teacher and I was working with a consumer who happened to be volunteering in her classroom. Basically as a supported living specialist I was helping this person to volunteer. There was one older teacher in the classroom who was a teachers helper. Apparently after I left the classroom, this woman had some harsh things to say about me. The one that hurt m the most was that I am a "waste of life". She said a person my size isn't even fit to live and that I was just a waste of space. Can you imagine? I mean I was very nice to this woman, very polite and she is judging me by my body size and not my heart....it really hurt!! I can't wait to lose weight and show her that I can be beautiful on the outside and on the inside....and she will still be ugly on both accounts!!

Just when I thought all my testing was done I got a letter in the mail saying I was scheduled for a Gastric Emptying Test...it says I will eat a meal then images of my stomach wll be collected in 1,2 and 4 hours. It didn't tell me any more than that. Is this an xray of my stomach? Why do they do this test? Does everyone have this test? Thanks in advance

I have been fat all my life. I remember the first time my mother sent me to weight watchers I was in second grade. One of my worst fat days was in fifth grade. It was my 11th birthday and I was in school. I got a call from the office telling me to come down, when I arrived I saw a mug with flowers and a big balloon and was sooo excited. I practically skipped back to my classroom and took my seat...beaming with pride! A few minutes later the teacher had to excuse herself from the classroom. One of my classmates turned around laughing and asked "How did they get your picture on the balloon?" The whole class bust out laughing. I looked up at my yellow balloon to realize there was an elephant on the balloon. I tried my hardest to hold my composure as tears welled up inside. I walked home that day, crying, and feeling like a worthless elephant....not caring anymore that it was my birthday....Just remembering how my class had laughed at the FAT ELEPHANT sitting in their classroom It was the worst birthday of my life and a day that I will never forget. I really owe it to that 11 year old little girl to get fit....finally be happy in my own skin!!!

HA HA HA Tracy! Keeping my CHINS up! I don't have a date yet, I have almost all the pretests done but my blood gas then I must lose the 30 pounds....which I think I have lost some of buy my scale only goes to 440 so I am not at 440 yet We should definitely keep in touch especially since we are about the same size and will be sleeved around he same time (hopefully) !!

Thanks. That is true....I wonder how my body could look much worse than it does now!

CONGRATS! glad to hear you are doing so well!

Way to go!!!

I just talked to the first woman I have met to have lost te same amount as I need to lose and she tells me she HATES the way she looks. Now I am not having surgery for my looks...but I don't want to feel WORSE about my body than I did before! I want to hear from someone who has lost over 200 pounds and is happy with how they look....I know there must be some!....Hopefully?! here is a small list of things I want to lose weight for: My "New Life" List 1. Go to the fair and ride all the rides 2. Shop at Victoria Secret 3. Go to a major theme park 4. Be able to shop at any store 5. Have someone ask me for diet advice 6. Wear boots that go up the calf 7. Dance without feeling self conscious 8. Ride a horse 9. fit easily into a plan seat 10. Shop at a 2nd hand store 11. Swim in a bathing suit 12.Have professional Pictures taken 13. Be excited to go shopping 14. Ride a bike 15. go hiking 16. run 17. Go on a Cruise 18. Wear my 1st pair of high heels 19. Roller Skate 20. Own a Lawn Chair 21. PLAY WITH MY KIDS

Thanks to all of you! I appreciate the advice! Glad I found this supportive community ya'll are great

Sounds very controllling, those are the first signs of an abusive person! I would let him go!!

My thoughts and prayers are with you both! You must be so excited!!!! Can't wait to hear how well it goes!