jensjoy28

Congrats on the great progress...know we are both May sleevers...I just passed the 60 lb milestone (but started 50 lbs higher than you), and am just starting to have people who didn't know about surgery notice...I am losing it "all over" so I haven't had the immense satisfaction of having pre-surgery clothes "falling off" yet...although I am in smaller sizes, which I had ample supply of in my closet.

It will happen...quite common for people to have the fear that the sleeve won't work for them as it does other people...know it is hard to trust, but you will drive yourself nuts questioning things 24/7...follow your plan and you will be golden

Me too! Would be such a nice change at tax time :-)

My surgeon's "all-inclusive" package was $18,500 and included everything related to surgery except pre-op blood work and upper GI...think those cost me $200 total. I also had a hiatal hernia repaired during surgery that wasn't covered in sleeve package, and that cost $500

I'm happy to answer, but not sure I understand what you are asking...ate you asking how much my surgery was as a cash pay?

It appears that you can, although your tax professional would be able to confirm. You also would be able to include expenses associated with travel for the surgery. You can look at the IRS website, publication 502 outlines all if this. I do know that 2013 brought a change that raises the threshold before you can claim...used to be for out-of-pocket expenses in excess of 7.5% of your AGI, now it is 10%. I was a cash pay (though stateside) and am excitedly collecting receipts for all of my expenses this year to maximize my deduction.

I have a Breville juicer that I love...but if you aren't sure if you would be in to it enough to make the investment I would suggest looking for local places near you that have a juice bar. I live in So. Cal. so we have lots of places, but Whole Foods has juicing counters where you can try one of their veggie/fruit combos or create your own. Some other chains that may be where you are is Nekter or Juice It Up...also try any health food markets...a local one to me is called Mother's

I think they "shrink" in length because the arches revert back to their normal height ...which pulls the foot up in the middle...think of a piece of kleenex that you pick up from middle...sides pull in leaving less distance from front to rear.

Out of curiosity, are your feet now smaller than they've ever been as an adult, or had you been this size at some point previously?

This is such an interesting topic to me as it is one of those things that so many people experience but there don't seem to be documented studies that back it up...most of what I've seen attributes the "phenomenon" to less pressure on the arches that excess weight brings, which caused the feet to "spread" more than otherwise would have happened. I am bummed because I was thinking my feet would actually shrink, but since I have had flat feet my entire life, I guess I'm not a likely candidate

Search "3-week stall" on this forum and you will quickly see that what you are experiencing is incredibly (almost universal in fact) common. Know it is frustrating, but trust us, you will lose more weight. Stick with your plan and it will be fine.

I have nothing new to add...but wanted to join the chorus....congratulations, and you are a stunner!!

I was going to respond and tell you not to be so hasty in your decision

Lol...look at how your topic title got shortened on my phone...good thing for the ellipsis :-)

That looks like a page from the book Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine

Yes, yes, yes! I have had these same exact thoughts...sorry I don't yet have any insight, have talked about it w my therapist, but it warrants more focus.

Oh, and really work on eating slowly...put fork down between bites, take smaller bites, set a timer, if necessary, for 15 or 20 minutes and work to not be done until timer goes off.

When I was 6 weeks out I could eat 3-4 oz of most things...that really hasn't changed much (3 mos po), I'm probably 4-5 oz now You didn't share why you think you are taking in too much, so I'm not sure if maybe it is because you are still on soft foods and not feeling the restriction, but I would suggest that you measure your portion and only give yourself 4oz of food....don't serve up a larger portion and figure that you will just eat until full

Ugh, I would definitely do some more research and talk to other doctors. Know you said you aren't in an area with lots of bariatric surgeons, but IMO, I'd travel in order to go with a highly experienced doctor who it doesn't feel like is "in Allergan's pocket." I am sure there are good doctors who still legitimately feel the Lap-Band is in patients' best interest, but I think there are a lot of them that just haven't stayed current and/or are letting personal or financial bias shade their counsel to patients. My surgeon actually is a trainer for Allergan's Lap-Band (although probably not for much longer)...but I didn't know that until he had finished his overview and pros/cons of each of three options, and he never tried to steer me in a specific direction. Later in our conversation he even said "I can really only recommend the Lap-Band with serious reservations" Sorry I can't speak to the insurance side of things, I opted to be a cash pay to avoid that exact rigmarole.

I'm sorry that you are uncomfortable...walk, walk, walk...that is the "magic pill" in this case. While it might be hard to believe, this will be in your rear view mirror before you know it

Yes...both pre-op and post-op plans vary greatly by surgeon

Look at that hourglass shape!! Way to go, you are doing great.

ME TOO!!! I didn't realize how strong that element was of my personality until I started in therapy a year or so ago! For the OP, definitely great that you decided to share this struggle amongst a group of people who have "been there, done that". While the healthy snack option works well for many people, I have found that snacking of any kind is a slippery slope for me, and so I work to follow my plan (which is eating 3x a day). And then, when the urge to snack hits me (stressed, bored, lonely can all be triggers for me), it is easier for me to "know" that I am not actually hungry, but am instead battling a case of head hunger. Part of the journey for many people, and acknowledging the issue is a huge positive...definitely puts you squarely on the path to success. Good luck!