christin

Boca burgers are fantastic and have 14 grams of protein per patty. They are very moist as well.

I am self pay, but I am also a St. Augustine Dr. Marema patient. I have been very impressed with his expertise and most of his staff is very good as well. My surgery is scheduled for Jan 9th and my process has been very smooth so far. I am an out of town patient. Longer-life has given great info on the insurance portion. Best of luck in your decision! I did a ton of research on Florida doctors and Dr. Marema just kept coming up. He has done over 7000 bariatric procedures and of course is a patient himself, so I feel very comfortable with him.

I don't know why. I was asking him how I should be eating for the months before surgery and if I should lose weight prior and he said that I didn't need to lose weight prior. He also doesn't require a pre-op liquid diet. I am stumped on all of that, but he has performed over 7000 bariatric surgeries, so I assume he knows what he is doing! I just don't see how it could hurt to lose some prior. I am going to anyway. It will make me feel stronger and more prepared going in to be in the mindset.

I had pancreatitis 3 years ago in conjunction with having to have my gall bladder removed. It obviously had nothing to do with WLS, but wow do I remember that pain. It was worse than childbirth. I really hope you get to feeling better soon!

Your stats are very similar to mine. Same height and currently 224. Now you have motivated me to lose as much as I can by Jan 9th!!!! It is odd because my surgeon told me not to lose weight and I was confused by that!! Maybe because my BMI was 35?

Let's see.... constantly sweating vs. chilly and in need of a sweater? Thinking.... Thinking.... Thinking... Oh yeah... you can always put more clothes on, but you can't always take more off! That settles it.

I can't help but think it might be related to hormones being released during your rapid weight loss phase. I would definitely meet with a dermatologist to see if you can get some assistance with it, but I hope it will pass with time for you.

Glad to hear things went well! Hope that pain subsides quickly for you!

I started down this same road, but stopped at 5 lbs gained. I hate that I have had to wait so many months until surgery day (3 months since original consultation) because it leaves such an opportunity for bad behavior on my part. However, January was the best timing for me and it had to be that way. It dawned on me that I have had "one last bowl of ice cream" or "one last bag of chips" before I get serious about my diet for 20 years and that is what got me in this mess in the first place! There will never be a good starting point, so I finally realized that the time is now. I am back on track eating healthy as of last Friday. I may not lose weight in the next month, but I sure as heck am done gaining it! Be firm with yourself! We deserve to start loving our body right now and begin immediately treating it right. This time it is really going to work, so why put off success until our surgery date?

Prayers for a smooth surgery experience and quick recovery!! :high5:

I can't imagine any surgeon being disappointed with 110 lbs in the first year! Great job! The most important thing is for YOU to be content and comfortable with where you are and size 4's sound awesome!

Admittedly I am struggling to not gain weight before my surgery in January. I have gained 5 lbs since my initial consultation in October. I felt a bit out of control for a few weeks after I finalized my decision and got my surgery date. I guess it was the food funeral stage. Something happened to me this week though and it clicked in my brain that I am having this surgery to change my life forever. This is actually going to work! Any weight I can lose before January 9th will not come back!! It will be gone forever! So I think I owe it to myself to prepare my body for surgery to have the most positive outcome. I have started walking daily, have cut out carbonated beverages, and I am drinking 100 ounces of Fluid daily. I have also promised myself that I will eliminate my 2 trigger foods from this point forward: Ice cream and chips. I know they have to go forever because they will slide right down that sleeve and I refuse to spend all this money only to sabotage my efforts. Anyway... just know that you are not alone. But all it takes is a decision to honor your body and refuse to treat it disrespectfully anymore. You are worth it! (And so am I... talking to myself here too!)

That is so awesome!! Yay!!

Wow... I haven't had a haircut or a pedicure in 6 months either! I was wondering what in the world was happening to me! All I think about is starting my new life these days. I guess I need to snap out of it! Glad to read so many others are having the same thoughts!

Maybe she just really loves you and the surgery worries her. (just being devil's advocate! )

I feel this same way! In fact, my family has decided to take their first ever group photo in December and I am livid! I am the heaviest I have ever been and now I have to buy something to wear. *grumble* I guess it is a good opportunity for a true before photo. January cannot get here soon enough!!

Welcome! I am scheduled for January 9th! I imagine this will be the first year that our weight loss resolution actually comes true!

So glad you posted! Have been waiting to hear how it went! Sorry you had some nausea, but glad you got over it pretty quick. Yay!

Can't wait to see how our doctor did with your surgery! I have been thinking about you all day! :juggle:

Ha ha... I like this! I finally told two of my closest friends and surprisingly they were really excited for me. One of them was jealous and said she wished it was her getting the surgery! She actually volunteered to go to the hospital and stay with me at the hotel (my surgery is out of town), so I don't have to do it alone! As for the rest of the world.. not sure who I will tell. I plan to document my journey on youtube because the WLS community there is so awesome. I have a hard time not being truthful and even though it is nobody's business I tend to think I will probably be open about it afterward. I just want to be private about it before the surgery because I don't want any negativity. As for being ashamed.... I am not ashamed of the surgery, but I do feel sad that it has come to this. I don't look at it as a cop out though. I definitely feel it is a strong decision to take the weight problem head on once and for all.

I was not planning on telling anyone, but recently told 2 close friends. They were very supportive of me and it was a very pleasant surprise! I won't tell anyone else until afterward. I am not ashamed of the procedure, but I don't want to feel like people are watching me afterward. I don't want the added pressure.

I turn 40 in 45 minutes! I will be sleeved on January 9th. I was going to take an awesome trip for my 40th, but decided to give myself WLS instead!

My surgery isn't until January and I am trying so hard to avoid doing this! I wish I was getting it done sooner for that reason. I just don't want to be stuck with more weight to lose. It will be difficult over the holidays.

I am also having the Spider surgery in January. Awesome to have no scars...

Driver- I had my initial consultation with Dr. Marema last week and I asked him about his experience with leaks. He only mentioned one leak story and I think he was talking about you! He mentioned it was a little over a month out. Glad to hear it all worked out.