bturner0385

It's a strange thing, isn't it . . . sadness or a sense of loss over something we wanted to change. Because in fact we are a contradiction, aren't we? We all want to be different (or we wouldn't have had surgery), even if just physically, but we all also want to be who we are at our very core, that part of us that is, for the most part, unchanging. And we want people to know us, the deeper us. So, for me at least, I think some people haven't been able to see past the physical part of me. Or maybe I haven't been able to see past that.
Anyway, any change in our lives, whether positive or negative, requires adjustment and change, and these adjustments and changes bring with them a sense of grief. We have to mourn what was, even when it isn't something good or if it was something we want to change.
Pookey, I think I get what you're saying. I think that when we have major changes in our lives, we think it changes everything. But it doesn't always.
I would say give yourself the space and the time to mourn what was as you move into and embrace what is and what will be. This advice is for much more than weight loss. It is about being.

Hmm. My answer to this is in two parts:
A year ago I ran across an old friend of mine from high school/college. We had been really close and had lived together for awhile as roommates. After college, life moved us in different directions and we lost contact. Flash forward a few years and we meet up again rather unexpectedly. After the hugs, and the talk about the 'good old days' and where everybody was it got kinda quiet. I kept looking at her and thinking, "Isn't there more? We used to be best friends and now...what?" It was almost like a stranger wearing the face of a friend. After our meeting was over I felt an emotion that I had never felt before- bittersweet. We had been so much a part of each others lives, that it was strange now to realize that things had changed and that you cannot turn back the clock. That there is no magic button that you can hit and everything POOFS and is fixed. Thus, bittersweet; the yearning for things to be other than what they are, the 'what ifs', to have unfulfilled expectations, even though you are happy in your life.
I also think that during this journey our focus turns very inward. The striving to lose weight can become the gold at the end of the rainbow, we obsess over every pound and feel euphoria over every NSV. We experience such strong emotions all around the idea of our weight. Yet even when we reach our goals we still have to get up every morning and live the life that we are living. Becoming a size 6 doesn't mean that our lives are automatically exciting, or dashing, or filled with romance. We do not suddenly have amazing jobs that fill our souls with joy and bring a song to our hearts. The weight loss gives us the physical ability to be able to go find that exciting, romantic life but in the end that final step is up to us. I kind of equate it to the metaphor that we have all been prisoners for a very long time and are suddenly granted freedom. The cage doors are open, the wilderness beckons, yet we stand at the doorway looking out at the sun. We are not used to taking that step into a new life. To throw our self into the unknown with only faith to catch us. Changing the outside can be easier than changing the inside. The prison is gone, but the prisoner mentality is still there. Yet we can learn that all we need to do is take that first step.
I don't know if I got any of this right or if I totally misunderstood your post. I'm sorry that you are feeling down and I hope that maybe this helped a little bit. Even if it didn't, know that you do have people thinking of you and wishing you well.

Well, speaking from a guys point of view, my sex life has increased dramatically. Not to be too graphic here, but there are things we couldn't do before that we are able to do now, kind of like the honeymoon all over again. My wife was very supportive of my surgery, and now we are both working out together so even that has improved our relationship. We encourage each other more now as we support each other in our weight loss goals. It is actually very exciting. I can see how it can be a little nerving though. I am 6 foot tall and actually carry my current 263 pounds fairly well. (Ugh...I hate to say this next part for fear of everyone thinking I'm "all that", because I know I'm not and never will be...lol) I have had a few ladies in the office start with the flirting that I hadn't seen before. While flattering, I am focused on my beautiful wife. She really has been with me through "thick and thin", pun intended. She deserves the very best, and not that I am the very best husband, I just try to be.
Anyways, that is how the sleeve has effected my life with my wife. I wouldn't change it for the world. I have seen a positive change in all phases of my life and I thank God for that!

Depends on who you are flying on...however...if you can sit in a standard 17" seat without major overflow you will be fine...if there is overflow then either try and get a seat that has noone right next to you.

I truly and deeply believe with all my heart that GOD wants us to be healthy, and he wants us to treat our bodies like temples. We are the guardian of our physical selves, and that is why HE made gluttony a sin. There is a negative consequence to eating far more than we need to live and thrive. We store all the un needed calories as fat and our waistlines become severely out of shape. We have to carry our burden with us every single day, no where to hide!!
I'll tell you what, I had the same thoughts too pre op. I wondered why I couldn't do this on my own. I prayed and prayed for answers, and guess what... the sleeve was my answer. Well, finally it began to feel more like insanity, and I know GOD does not want me to live like that. HE wants his children to be happy AND healthy.
When I went into Dr. Aceves section of the hospital, he had hanging in his reception area a painting of a surgeon... but his hands were being guided by GOD. It was at that very second I knew this was the right thing to do. I took that moment and Praised HIM and Thanked HIM for making this possible for me!! Since then I knew I'd be spreading this little joy with everyone I possibly could. Not only that, once I realized that this was the road to take, so many doors opened for me to make it possible!! I can never doubt that this was HIS will.
Now, it's your turn. Take this moment and make it yours. Don't turn away from what is going to be a true miracle for you!!
All the best to you, and know that we all will be here anytime - we all need to vent sometimes. This isn't easy!! It's always nice to know we aren't the only one, ya know? :wink1:

Ok...since you have opened the door for this type of communication, I am going for it. Look at it this way: Adam and Eve were created as perfect humans in a perfect world. They would have lived forever, but for their disobedience. Once they disobeyed God and plunged the creation in to sin and death, we all became subject to decay. Our bodies start dying the minute we are born. God gave us medicine and doctors and he gave those doctors big brains so they would learn more and more about keeping us healthy and living as long as possible. I believe we are using this surgery to be good stewards of the bodies God gave us. I want to prevent an obesity-related death, so I am getting this done now.
As for God turning His favor away from you for changing something in your body? No sweetie. He turns His favor away from those who reject the One He sent to save us. Once you belong to Him, He will never leave you nor forsake you.
I hope that helps.

I booked thru Dr Kelly (jrkelly45@hotmail.com). $5500. Sleeved 12/28/11. No pain or nausea. I went by myself and had zero problems. HTH. I brought a cashiers check with me and had to remind Dr Kelly to get it!

I doubt many people will actually say anything negative to you at PF. Especially if you go in and do your own thing. I lived in an apartment complex with some pretty buff people when I first started using the treadmill. The only time anyone said anything to me is one night when I went in to do my treadmill time and the guy told me my treadmill wasn't working. No negativity.
Basically, put on your workout clothes, hit the gym, use your iPod or mp3 player, and do your thing. Most people won't say anything, and probably won't even look at you. Most of them are more worried about themselves than what you are doing. You will get such fast results between the sleeve and the exercise that most of the gym rats will be asking you for advice before long anyway!
Good luck!! This is one where Nike is right: Just Do It! Waiting until you've lost all your weight before going to the gym is like waiting until you get your degree before going to class. Use the tools.

My nurses removed my drains the day before I left Mexicali. I'm not sure about any other Doctors, hopefully someone can address that.
My PCP has been such a blessing through all this and she just loves to see me melt away and is on board with all of this. She orders all my labs and has acted as my Post Op physician, nothing out of pocket except my co pays.
Good luck!!

i've paid $4,000 through my coordinator, the remainder which is $1,600 is being financed through a creditor, I think they are called Financial Monterrey. My surgery is next week (yikes!!!) and my first installment payment will be in February. I will pay off the reminder in 12 months. My coordinator sent me the info on financing and I jusy applied for it and was approved.

When did you have your surgery with Dr.Kelly? You said you were financing through his office but are you paying after surgery or is it all payed before the operation?

This subject carcks me up too...
With a BMI of still 30 and in a UK14, at 5'2' I am still quite hefty... although a lot smaller than before... I am not foolish enough to know or think that I am anywhere near skinny! Yet, people in work, mostly women, call me 'skinny', 'tiny' and the such-like! I have been told everyday this week that I am not to lose anymore weight... I have been told that I have, and I quote, 'not tits', I have been told that I should stop now cos I am too old to get any smaller and I have been told that I will never lose the belly fat - again due to my age. People have also said that if I lose any more I will look old and I will look ill! I have also been asked how my I weigh now...
I just let them say it... I won't get into an arguement over MY body! Over the last part of the week I have just replied with 'oh I want to maintain now'... just to shut people up.
It is annoying but I can't get into a discussion with these women because I don't want to lose my temper in work!
I agree with others when they said that NO ONE told me I was too fat; No ONE commented when my weight kept piling on and NO ONE was concerned that I wouldn't be around to 'look' old if I didn't get my health back on track.
I suppose, what we have to do is take the high road... what ever is said to us in a negative, or what is perceived to be a negative manner, should be left on the shelf along with the excess cals that we no longer want or need.
This is MY life, MY body and I will be done losing when I am good and ready... 'nuff said!