ChrisJ

Wow! I didn't know this forum was here! I live in Eagle near Lansing. I am having surgery on December 11, 2012 - GHP - Dr. Foote - St. Mary's Hospital. I just got approved and surgery date set last week. I will have to check out the support meeting on Monday night. It's an hour drive but on non snowy days I could do it....I live in Michigan and hate driving in snow...doesn't make any sense at all. :-)

Maybe because it's 2:00am but this had me laughing so hard, tears rolled down my cheeks! Thanks, Doxieville, that made my night.

Lillymay, OMG! You look like a totally different person. I have let people take pictures of me this year (never in the past) so I have some to compare. Do you feel like your new picture or are you still shocked?

Your weightloss is really evident in your face! Good Job!

December sleever here wishing all you November sleevers the smoothest surgeries and gentlest recoveries. :-D

CurvyJ, I thought about doing the same clothing purge and I figured out a way not to end up naked. Bag up only the summer clothes! (this only works if you live in a cold state) All my crop and knee length pants, into the bag! Felt SO good!!!

I totally understand. I did the 6 month "weight management" routine. I actually started the journey last January but found out that surgeon had only done 5 sleeves. Had to start all over with a new surgeon, new testing and new insurance requirements. I hope you can have a December surgery too.

Iggy, I didn't know about the 10# rule, hmmm...I could out of a lotta stuff. Michigan winter coming - "I really would like to help but...".

Darn, you could be right. But maybe you could get out of helping put up the outside decorations - if you live in a cold climate. Hey, there has to be a bit of a perk here for 5 holes in your middle. lol.

Danni, 20 days might be pushing it but hey, try it!

ME TOO! I think it's normal. We are going to all new (and at my age that's really exciting )

Danni, I think you could try being "frail" too and see if you can get some pampering. Hey, it might just work

OK, I got my surgery date...December 11! Now it's real for me. How are you guys handling the anticipation? What's your pre-op routine? I start a Liquid diet on Nov. 26. I get a "normal" Turkey day but Christmas will be liquid. Thanksgiving seems to be more of an eating day in my family than Christmas so I think I will be just fine. Maybe I will let everyone else wait on me for a Christmas present. That would be a first for this big time mom and grandma :-)

TO EVERYONE....I DO KNOW HOW TO SPELL "FINALLY"....I WAS JUST EXCITED AND THE FINGERS GOT AHEAD OF MY BRAIN

Slimagainsoon, I am only 5'3" and I am not concerned what anyone else says my goal weight should be. I know that for my height I should weigh between 118-135. I chose the upper number because of my age. Sure I know that loosing too much could make me look even older (:-)) but I think that 135 is a reasonable goal. The last time I saw any of those numbers (50 years ago) I was 120. One of my goals is to have a "normal" BMI. I do NOT want to listed on anything as "overweight, obese or morbidly obese"...been there, done that. At this point I am also 48% fat. I want to be in the normal range for that number too. So...if I get all those numbers normal...then whatever that weight ends up being is the weight I will be happy with. I'm thinking it will be 135. Thank you so much for your kind wishes...I am looking forward to joining you on the losers bench. :-)

K33, Such a youngster at 61! You will reach your preop goal....and be on your way. As for the HS sweetheart....well, when you least expect it miracles happen. We were separated by years and distance but a fluke meeting with a long lost friend set up our reuniting. It can happen! Until then, do what you have to do to live life with gusto. We got 30 years! Let's do em up fine!

I have been on this journey since January of 2012 - through two surgery centers (found out 3 months in that the surgeon had only done 5 surgeries!), full testing for both and a 6 month "diet" with my PCP. Got approval today and now I wait for the surgeon's office to give me the date. It's all real now...not just theory and lots of reading of forums. I am 67 years old and at this tender age I have learned a few things...one is patience. I waited nearly 50 years to reunite with my hight school sweetheart and finally marry him (2 years now!). You are never too old to start a new life and do it right. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. Bless you all for anything you want to tell me. I am 226 lbs of all ears :-)