Chris R

I'd recommend waiting just in case for a few reasons. I wouldn't do anything that would make anyone second guess changing your surgery date.
If you've decided on what you want & where to put it, well.. hopefully it will be there a long time so putting it off a little longer shouldn't hurt. Also, your skin is going to be changing. I've heard about how images get stretched out after people gain weight, but not so much about how it changes with losing it. It might not matter so much in a location like the ankle I guess. I'd still want it to look it's best though & wait a little bit.

My son has Cigna. I'm not sure if the insurance requires a specific number of nutritionist visits, etc., but when he started the program last May, they required 6 consecutive months in a program, (now reduced to 3,) and if you missed having a check-in appointment in any month, you had to start over again. The program we are in required 8% of total body weight lost, monthly weight checks with a physician's assistant, 2 visits with a nutritionist, 2 visits with an exercise physiologist, 2 times attending a support group meeting, and a lifestyle changes class that was either 6 Monday evening meetings or 2 Saturday morning meetings, a meeting with an MD, and 2 meetings with the surgeon prior to surgery. After surgery, there are several check-ins with the surgeon (2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months post), 3-4 check-ins with the nutritionist (2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months post), and 1 more visit with the exercise physiologist post-surgery. The exercise physiologist and the lifestyle changes class had to be paid out of pocket, a total of about $200. Other than that, it was just the copays ($10 per visit.) They also made us go to a sleep clinic to be tested for sleep apnea, and we had to get CPAP machines due to that, but it was also covered. The rest has been covered.
Edit: Oops, forgot the psych screening - covered, too.

I'm only 3 weeks out myself, and I, too, can eat fast, and seem to be eating more than most on here. I eat 1 c of cottage cheese for lunch, and finish it in about 10 minutes without feeling overfull. The more solid the food, the less I am able to eat and the longer it takes me. I have been eating around 800 - 1000 calories a day, and getting way over my minimum Protein. I am able to drink pretty normally, I just don't chug like I did before surgery. Reading the experiences of most on here, it sometimes concerns me, but I have been losing about 5 lbs a week since surgery, not including the 10 lbs of Water weight I gained from the IVs in the hospital. (Including that would make it 8 lbs a week!) I'm happy with that.
I also have not had any problems as far as throwing up, sliming, or anything like that.

It really doesn't sound like it's a problem, especially as your overall intake is only 500-600 calories a day. How long does it take you to eat a 'meal'?
I worry about eating too fast. I only get a 22 minute lunch break at work (I'm a teacher), and my mornings are very hectic with getting myself ready and getting my daughter up and moving so I can drop her off at school, so I don't have a lot of time to eat before I leave for school.

Use smaller plates and bowls and silverware. I confess though.. I lick my bowl and plate
*hangs head in shame*

It really doesn't sound like it's a problem, especially as your overall intake is only 500-600 calories a day. How long does it take you to eat a 'meal'?
I worry about eating too fast. I only get a 22 minute lunch break at work (I'm a teacher), and my mornings are very hectic with getting myself ready and getting my daughter up and moving so I can drop her off at school, so I don't have a lot of time to eat before I leave for school.

Well, I have shrunk since my previous update! I am at goal since February 2013. current:
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 158
Pant size: 8 (fitted, not stretchy)
Dress size: 10
Tops: Medium
I started out at 308 day of pre-op diet start; 300 day of surgery. My all time highest weight (in 2004) was 332.
At the time of my surgery I was stuffed into 26W wearing either 2x/3x depending on the top
So, the scale weighs me heavy but I am a big framed person so everyone around me tells me to stop right here since I am bony looking even weighing in the 150s. The attached photos are when I was about 5# over goal.

How much are you eating in a day? It might not be enough. I've seen many posts on here about people hitting stalls or losing slowly, and increasing their calories and Water intake helped it. Don't get discouraged. It's possible a lot of the faster losers you've noticed were people who were larger to begin with, like me.

I had 300 lbs to lose when I started my surgical 'program'. At that time, they told me that the surgeon probably would want me to get the bypass due to my diabetes, but I really didn't want to re-do all of my internal plumbing! 9 months and 60 lbs lost later, I met with the surgeon who told me it was my choice! I chose the sleeve and am very happy with that decision. I had also read about problems with absorption of not only Vitamins, but pain medication, and people who had bypasses being accused of drug seeking behavior because their bypass prevented them from absorbing their pain meds!

Awesome!!!
25 more lbs before I hit 100 lost since I started the program May 5, 2013, got sleeved February 12, 2013. Can't wait until I get there and further!

I worked twice today - once Zumba for an hour! And right now, I am at Famous Dave's BBQ and I ate totally healthy and Just the right amount! And I don't feel cheated...I feel strong and powerful!

2 weeks out I was still on full liquids - no cottage cheese or eggs then. I was doing my Protein shakes, 2 a day made with 8 oz milk each, maybe some cream of wheat for Breakfast, and creamed Soups for lunch and dinner, mostly. I was able to eat a full cup of creamed Soup if it was a thinner consistency, but only 1/4 - 1/2 cup of the cream of wheat.
Water is really important! I've been getting at least 6 cups a day, but I really try to shoot for 8 or more.

I am proud of the fact that you did so well on your first day!!
I am proud of the fact that I've been craving something sweet all day and I've not given in:)

Well, it's the first day of my pre op liquid diet. So far today I've resisted...
1) a fluffy, chocolate cupcake my coworkers just left in front of me during a meeting
2) getting starbucks at lunch
3) a chocolate covered doughnut my son only ate half of and then left next to me
I have done SO GOOD today! It's only the first day so I know it'll get worse before it gets better. But, one of my mantras is 'one day at a time.'
So, what are you proud of today?

In your case, I'd do ART now, unless your weight is a very serious consideration. I'm not sure of your specifics or stats.
At the very least, do the stim cycle/harvest and have him give his donation to the cause as well. I'm assuming IVF, of course.
DH and I did IVF w/ICSI in 2007 - I was obese but otherwise the doc had no serious concerns about my conceiving. We did have success (b/g twins!) and we froze five embryos as well.
I had my sleeve in 2010. In July of 2012 we did a frozen transfer of the embryos that made the thaw and I'm due in three weeks. In all absolute honesty I am going to state that in my case, at least, this pregnancy post VSG was HARDER than the twin pregnancy prior. I'm healthy, yes - and I didn't develop gestational diabetes this go round which was nice. But watching my diet and general physical discomfort were actually worse. I'm not saying that having babies while obese is the ideal - I'm just saying that for me, losing the weight didn't make pregnancy as easy or better like my docs told me it would!
I say do a cycle now. Do your sleeve post baby, once you're done weaning (assuming you plan to BF) and then focus on your body and you. I didn't conceive until two years post sleeve and it was still a challenge to build up to eating enough and eating properly. I cannot even imagine doing it sooner, though many women do.
Some types of ART are more likely to make you pack on pounds than others. I can say that I gained quite a bit with my full IVF cycle because the stims. No doubt, it was absolutely worth it to me. This go round I was really worried about weight gain and I admit that the hormones did have me gain ten pounds almost right out of the gate, but then I slowly put on the rest of my gain over the next seven months. I've had a perfectly normal weight gain this time and it's apparent that it's all baby. I have no doubt I'll be back at goal within months of delivery.
Best of luck to you!
~Cheri
Edited to add: Do yourself a favor and find an aggressive reproductive endocrinologist that's experienced with advanced maternal age. Don't waste your time on someone that hasn't dealt with your situation before - get onto some fertility message boards and put feelers out, because as iggy mentioned, your rates of success are lower (sorry to say) so you don't want to waste precious time. All the best!

I've seen a lot of posts on here that say if you stall, to INCREASE your calories and your liquid, and it usually will break it. Your body may be in starvation mode from so few calories.

My NUT and surgeon only want me eating 3 meals a day, plus a snack. I am usually between 800 and 1000 calories total, and way over on my Protein. I do think I need to try to get in more liquid though - only been getting about 6 cups a day, and really want to shoot for 8.

How much are you eating in a day? It might not be enough. I've seen many posts on here about people hitting stalls or losing slowly, and increasing their calories and Water intake helped it. Don't get discouraged. It's possible a lot of the faster losers you've noticed were people who were larger to begin with, like me.

14. Maintain a sense of humor. You are still alive after all and laughter burns calories (not sure if my FitBit will count it, but hey...)

Thanks I must have been having a 'senior' moment as I didn't think to do that.

I know they say that you shouldn't get pregnant for something like 2 years after weight loss surgery, because it's harder to get the nutrition that both you and the baby need. At age 46 and overweight, your pregnancy would be high-risk to begin with, I would think the nutrition issues might make it even more difficult.
At 5'8", I had my first child at age 30, and weighed 295 when I got pregnant. I developed gestational diabetes, but didn't have any other complications and carried 1 week past due date. I gained about 36 lbs with the pregnancy. My son was healthy and 8 lbs 12 oz. I had my second child at 37, after I had been diagnosed with type II diabetes. I weighed over 350 lbs when I got pregnant with her. They immediately put me on insulin, which I had to take 4 times a day, to keep my blood sugar under control during the pregnancy. I actually lost weight during the pregnancy. I had no difficulties until 3 1/2 weeks before the due date, when my amniotic Fluid suddenly dropped, so they decided to go ahead and deliver. Two attempts at induction failed, so I had a C-section, but my daughter was perfectly healthy and 6 lbs 9 oz.
I would have a serious talk with both your OB-GYN and your Gastroenterologist about this. I don't think I'd want to take both things on at once, and waiting to try for children at this point could mean too late.

I'm 5'8". I started the program at my top weight of 450 on May 5, 2012. I wore 5x - 6x pants and tops. They required an 8% of total weight loss (36 lbs) prior to scheduling surgery. I hit that by November, but decided to wait to have surgery to align with my winter break in February, since we had travel plans for Christmas. Prior to surgery on Feb 12 I was 389 and wearing 38W jeans and my 5x tops were comfortable to loose. Now, 15 days post op, I am 376 and wearing 36W jeans. (Smaller clothes are things I'd grown out of on my way up- need to go digging through the bins in my closet soon! No point spending $ on in-between sizes if I have things I can wear without them falling off!)

Awesome!!!
25 more lbs before I hit 100 lost since I started the program May 5, 2013, got sleeved February 12, 2013. Can't wait until I get there and further!