Earwood

I feel ya...eating has become a chore now vs a pleasure as it once was. If eating wasn't a requirement of existence I would probably just stop all together. My previously fav foods now have no taste or taste nasty to me. I still get head hunger, go to eat what I crave and then want to puke cuz it doesn't taste good anymore. I'm only 9 weeks out though so we'll see if I ever get back to some semblance of normal somewhere down the road.

Well, I have to say that was not a very Christian statement. To redeem our sister in the faith let me offer some scriptures for guidance:
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 John 2:9
Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
James 2:9
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Also, I have to say going to Mexico to get my sleeve was my first trip to that country and although I was nervous crossing the border, I had a great experience and found the Mexican people to be some of the nicest and friendliest I've ever met. I don't regret my decision and hope one day I can go back on leisure to enjoy the beauty of the land and the people.
God Bless all God's people

Well, I have to say that was not a very Christian statement. To redeem our sister in the faith let me offer some scriptures for guidance:
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 John 2:9
Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
James 2:9
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Also, I have to say going to Mexico to get my sleeve was my first trip to that country and although I was nervous crossing the border, I had a great experience and found the Mexican people to be some of the nicest and friendliest I've ever met. I don't regret my decision and hope one day I can go back on leisure to enjoy the beauty of the land and the people.
God Bless all God's people

Well, I have to say that was not a very Christian statement. To redeem our sister in the faith let me offer some scriptures for guidance:
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 John 2:9
Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
James 2:9
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Also, I have to say going to Mexico to get my sleeve was my first trip to that country and although I was nervous crossing the border, I had a great experience and found the Mexican people to be some of the nicest and friendliest I've ever met. I don't regret my decision and hope one day I can go back on leisure to enjoy the beauty of the land and the people.
God Bless all God's people

I feel ya...eating has become a chore now vs a pleasure as it once was. If eating wasn't a requirement of existence I would probably just stop all together. My previously fav foods now have no taste or taste nasty to me. I still get head hunger, go to eat what I crave and then want to puke cuz it doesn't taste good anymore. I'm only 9 weeks out though so we'll see if I ever get back to some semblance of normal somewhere down the road.

Im going to be sleeved in TJ MX in feb/mar, but I has started taking my Vitamins already, Biotin, D3 and 2 multi gummies. I also have started walking a lot, just to get used to the routine.
I am excited too, not so much worried about the hair loss, that comes back. More excited to lose the fat that won't.

Thank you Jesus

I believe in The Lord Jesus Christ. It's all about having a personal relationship with him; not about religion. Religion is what keeps you in bondage.

I believe in God, 100%!
I believe in God, His son Jesus and His active force Holy Spirit. I appreciate His ransom sacrifice for our sins that we may have everlasting life.
My faith, in years past was tarnished like many of you; by priests, pastors, etc. that were only (hindsight) interested in a showy display. However it's by God's loving kindness that I have learned different through His word the Bible.
Man may help me to reason but Gods word, the Bible, is what teaches me. I'm no where near perfect, I'm learning something new with each page turned in my Bible but I know, for myself, God is real!

Amen Dooter love and believe everything you wrote.

The past year has FLOWN by very quickly, and here I am, ready to post some surgiversary pics and stats. It seems amazing how quickly the time (and pounds) have flown by.
I won't say it hasn't had some moments of difficulty, frustration and struggle. They have been FAR outweighed (HA!) by fun, excitement, joy, a sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that THIS is my new, healthy life.
Getting the VSG was the best decision of my life. I would do it again 1000x.
I've attached some pictures of me pre-op (with my surgeon, Dr. Ramos Kelly!) and a few days post-op (in Mexico).
And some more pictures of me now (loving life, sports and still a work in progress).
And finally, a shot of my measurement changes to date (-86.25 inches!) in a year.
Just another 47 lbs to goal.........
And........I'm completely off my asthma meds (used to be 3 puffers and 2 oral meds), even when I'm exercising HARD. A miracle.....since I've been using asthma meds continuously since age 12 (now 43). I can't tell you what a difference it is to be able to breath, all the time!

My BMI was 38 and I did go to Mexico $4500.00 plus airfare and hotel. When attending WL seminars here in the US while still considering surgery, they talked about self pay which is also around $13K where I live and described it as you would easily pay that for a car that you might keep 5-7 years. The surgery is a life altering surgery that will last forever and you can't put a price on your health and happiness. Believe me, I've never spent even $4,500.00 on myself but it does feel good to have treated myself to this surgery. Never in a million years would I have ever thought people would be telling me I need to gain some weight LOL or I wouldn't have to feel ashamed eating a candy bar in public. Feels GREAT! I'm still not used to it all but so happy
Either way, good luck with your decision. I have no regrets.

My BMI was 39, I was self pay and went to Mexico, paid over 12,000. I felt very guilty for spending that kind of money on my self. In fact I postponed the surgery by a year because of the guilt. Nw I don't regret it for one minute. We have saved money on groceries, since I eat cleaner it was huge savings on the junk food that we no longer purchase. Smaller sized closes are also way cheaper!! Now I don't feel guilty at all! I needed this for my health and my family. In 4 months I have lost 76.5 pounds and now my BMI is 30. It is by no means easy, and lots of days I use the cost of the surgery to help drive me to eat better and excessive more.

Yeah I've wondered about this too; at almost 3 yrs out I don't have that awesome dont-give-a-$h!t lack of interest in eating, except for first thing in the morning. If I put nothing at all in my mouth, food or drink, from waking up at 6am, I wouldn't be interested in eating until maybe 11. If I drink a very cold thick Protein Shake first thing, I will remain full until around noon. Unfortunately, just because we have tiny tummies and no interest, doesn't mean this is healthy, many clinical studies have proven that for many many reasons having a meal early in the day is very important.

My BMI was 38 and I did go to Mexico $4500.00 plus airfare and hotel. When attending WL seminars here in the US while still considering surgery, they talked about self pay which is also around $13K where I live and described it as you would easily pay that for a car that you might keep 5-7 years. The surgery is a life altering surgery that will last forever and you can't put a price on your health and happiness. Believe me, I've never spent even $4,500.00 on myself but it does feel good to have treated myself to this surgery. Never in a million years would I have ever thought people would be telling me I need to gain some weight LOL or I wouldn't have to feel ashamed eating a candy bar in public. Feels GREAT! I'm still not used to it all but so happy
Either way, good luck with your decision. I have no regrets.

My BMI was 38 and I did go to Mexico $4500.00 plus airfare and hotel. When attending WL seminars here in the US while still considering surgery, they talked about self pay which is also around $13K where I live and described it as you would easily pay that for a car that you might keep 5-7 years. The surgery is a life altering surgery that will last forever and you can't put a price on your health and happiness. Believe me, I've never spent even $4,500.00 on myself but it does feel good to have treated myself to this surgery. Never in a million years would I have ever thought people would be telling me I need to gain some weight LOL or I wouldn't have to feel ashamed eating a candy bar in public. Feels GREAT! I'm still not used to it all but so happy
Either way, good luck with your decision. I have no regrets.

My BMI was 38 and I did go to Mexico $4500.00 plus airfare and hotel. When attending WL seminars here in the US while still considering surgery, they talked about self pay which is also around $13K where I live and described it as you would easily pay that for a car that you might keep 5-7 years. The surgery is a life altering surgery that will last forever and you can't put a price on your health and happiness. Believe me, I've never spent even $4,500.00 on myself but it does feel good to have treated myself to this surgery. Never in a million years would I have ever thought people would be telling me I need to gain some weight LOL or I wouldn't have to feel ashamed eating a candy bar in public. Feels GREAT! I'm still not used to it all but so happy
Either way, good luck with your decision. I have no regrets.

My BMI was 38 and I did go to Mexico $4500.00 plus airfare and hotel. When attending WL seminars here in the US while still considering surgery, they talked about self pay which is also around $13K where I live and described it as you would easily pay that for a car that you might keep 5-7 years. The surgery is a life altering surgery that will last forever and you can't put a price on your health and happiness. Believe me, I've never spent even $4,500.00 on myself but it does feel good to have treated myself to this surgery. Never in a million years would I have ever thought people would be telling me I need to gain some weight LOL or I wouldn't have to feel ashamed eating a candy bar in public. Feels GREAT! I'm still not used to it all but so happy
Either way, good luck with your decision. I have no regrets.

My BMI was 38 and I did go to Mexico $4500.00 plus airfare and hotel. When attending WL seminars here in the US while still considering surgery, they talked about self pay which is also around $13K where I live and described it as you would easily pay that for a car that you might keep 5-7 years. The surgery is a life altering surgery that will last forever and you can't put a price on your health and happiness. Believe me, I've never spent even $4,500.00 on myself but it does feel good to have treated myself to this surgery. Never in a million years would I have ever thought people would be telling me I need to gain some weight LOL or I wouldn't have to feel ashamed eating a candy bar in public. Feels GREAT! I'm still not used to it all but so happy
Either way, good luck with your decision. I have no regrets.

I'm almost 7mo post-op and I still eat a 1/3 of what my 3 yr old eats so I don't think this thing is going to stretch and it's not for a lack of trying lol. Even if it gives a little, you'll never be able to eat the way you used to before surgery.

The first shot is me in August 2012, somewhere at or above my highest recorded weight of 383. I'm wearing a size 5x (32/34 or thereabouts) pant and 4x top. The second is about two weeks after my October 22, 2012 procedure in early November. The last is me today at about 280. I'm wearing a size 22 pant and a 2x top.
I don't even recognize the person in the mirror some days and I no longer dread it when people say I look like my pictures. I've still got a way to go, but I'm very pleased with the results a little more than four months out.
  

12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous & Biblical References



1.


We admitted we were powerless over alcohol ... that our lives had become unmanageable.
"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." (Romans 7:18)

2.


Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
"... my grace is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
..for it God Who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose.. (Phil. 2:13)

3.


Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of GOD as we understood Him.
"... If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23**)

4.


Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
"Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord." (Lamentations 3:40)

5.


Admitted to GOD, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." (James 5:16)

6.


Were entirely ready to have GOD remove all these defects of character.
"If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land." (Isaiah 1:19)

7.


Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:10)

8.


Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23, 24**)

9.


Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Give and it shall be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38**)

10.


Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith GOD has given you." (Romans 12:3)

11.


Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with GOD as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will, and the power to carry that out.
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..." (Col. 3:16)

12.


Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and practice these principles in all our affairs.
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:1-2)
**The words of Christ

In my own strength, I could have never embarked on this journey. It was my absolute trust in God that moved me past any fear, doubt, anxiety, etc. that would have most def held me back prior to my 're-birth'. To non-believers this may sound crazy and take it how you want it but I've been pursing WLS for over 10 years and the financing and/or insurance approval was a mountain way too high to climb. It def seemed impossible to me. Finally, one day in prayer I asked the Lord to 'show me the way' after have given up on this idea for several years and literally within 10 min I had my answer! I found a lady on the internet who went to Mexico (cheap and no insurance hoops) and used her Med Flex 125 card to pay for her surgery...wow I could do that except one problem...I only put $1700.00 in my flex for the year which could not be changed without a qualifying reason. Within 2 months my husband changed jobs unexpectedly and BAM my qualifying reason so I upped my flex to $4500.00 (good thing too the IRS is lowering the max amount to $2500 next year), scheduled my surgery and now am 4 weeks on the other side. After 10 years I can hardly believe this actually happened for me. All I can do is give Glory to God for the amazing life he has in front of me...the strength of the Lord is my complete faith that I serve a God of the IMPOSSIBLE.
Born again Christians are not religious and cringe at the word. Our personal relationship with Jesus is a very spiritual journey that is different and unique for every believer. I def don't have the answers but I can tell you that my life was completely transformed for the better the day I accepted the Lord as my personal savior. To each their own but I have to share the JOY I've found in the Lord...there is NOTHING he can not do for you if you call on his name and ask.

Today is the day of my amazing good fortune. Speaking of fortune... My fortune cookie a couple weeks ago said I have memorable and pleasure events ahead of me and my Chinese word on the back was "banana". Sweet fortune, huh? We will be at the hospital in about a half hour.????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

You look amazing , congratulations!