Melixxa

I'm so glad that you're feeling well. Thanks for sharing with us, and I'm sending best wishes for a fantastic recovery! I don't like the sound of all the confusion you dealt with--or in the case of your card, still dealing with! Keep us posted!

Hooray!!!! I'm glad you're feeling so good, and really jealous that you had no pre-op diet!

My heart goes out to you guys. I'm sending best wishes that the pain eases up soon!

Wow!!!! Thanks for the jolt of inspiration!

You're so right! And according to the Centre for Disease Control, almost 70 per cent of my friends and family with more "healthy" attitudes toward food are either overweight or obese, too!

You're glowing! And that blue is fantastic on you, too!

Yes, this. Exactly! Divorce is the word that's been rattling around in my head! I'm so happy that you're doing OK, and excited about what's ahead. You sound like you're in a really similar head-space to where I am, but my surgery is just over a week away. I was talking with a friend the other day...she is one of the few people who know my plans. She thinks my wanting a divorce from food is a bit dysfunctional, and is recommending I get counselling. I think I will do that, but I stand firm in wanting a drastic change in the way I live my life. I'm so tired of everything--from family gatherings, to work functions, religious celebrations, and even my book club for goodness sakes--being about food!

Many of the commenters on news sites are people who hang out and say inflammatory things and try to sound ironic and clever. If you read NBC regularly, you'll start to recognize the names and they have freaky, hard-core opinions on most any topic. Don't take it to heart. Everyone in North America has a loved one who is obese--most have several! I know there are haters out there, but the posters below that article aren't a good representation of the general population. But on the idea of obesity as a disease: I think it's great if insurance companies start to step up. You don't even have to acknowledge obesity as an illness to understand that it makes good financial sense to try and help people who want to be well.

Good to know. Thanks!

I have a question for those of you who did the Dr. Garcia/Florence surgery: After your first night at the hotel, when you go to the hospital, do you take all your luggage with you? I was wondering if I should be checking my luggage at the hotel, or do I need to bring a small enough bag to take to the hospital, or can I bring my big suitcase with me? Thanks in advance!

OK, now you're making me a little misty! I'm so sorry if others made you feel that way. But you were never "the fat girl," not anywhere, anytime! I don't even know you outside the forum, but I know for sure that all that is gorgeous and compelling about you has been there all along. Only assholes and fools didn't realize it. :wub:

Your dad sounds like a neat guy.

I've tried doing Google news searches with Tijuana for a key word, but I'm not coming up with anything out of the ordinary...

I had a friend who was going through something really stressful that caused her to lose a lot of weight. Her husband had left her, but it took several months for him to decide whether or not he would come back (he didn't, in the end). She lost a pile of weight, but it was torment for her every time someone mentioned it.

You're looking gorgeous, Ms. Reaina! Thanks for the inspiration!

I'm thinking of you too, hoping everything went smoothly.

You're just beautiful.

Hooray!!!! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

And you sound a little better already.

I have been thinking about this...I hate cooking. I live alone, and after a life of diets, food planning really stresses me out. On top of this, I really want to maximize my weight loss and get the full benefit of the sleeve while I can... I will definitely talk to my doctor about it, but I'm considering doing Protein shakes and broth and possibly green smoothies until I get all my weight off. It just sounds so much simpler--especially if I'm less hungry than usual. My surgery isn't until July 2nd, so I have lots of time to change my mind! LOL But I would love to hear about others' experience with this.

Aw, don't be lonesome...we're all here! I bet you're hungry. That post-op diet is a b$%#@! I'm kind of looking forward to a few nights in a fancy hotel. What's the view like outside your window? Do you have a balcony? Do you have a nice bath tub? If I were you, I would have a good, long soak because it will be a while before you can have another. A nice bath, or even an evening swim in that gorgeous looking pool and then a movie on your computer might help you relax, and before you know it, it will be time to sleep and then your big day will be here!

Ooooh....Good question! I've never had a facial before! But then again, I've never had surgery before, so I guess I should just go for it while I'm there!

There are lots of us teacher-types here! I'm glad to see you have been so successful.

Well done ozlifter!!! Did I read somewhere that you are also a teacher?

Cool! Thanks for the heads-up!