Blondiee

I will not miss walking by stores that I like (Loft, banana Republic...) and not being able to buy their stylish garments. I'm already a clothes wh*re...I might need a bigger closet post op.

I will not miss being in the elevator at work and standing next to some size 00 actress.

I will not miss only wearing heels that are under 3 inches because of my weight.

That's amazing and congratulations!

Way to go!

My guess is between 33-38.

I'm excited for you!

That is awesome Crystal...you'll be at goal before you know it.

Congratulations on your weight loss...you've done an amazing job so far!!!

Way to go! Your smile sums it all up!

I have always been a very private person. My surgery plans will on be disclosed to two people... my boss and HR rep. My boss had RNY last year and has been very successful.

I'm still pre-op but my total out of pocket expense will be $250.00 with Kaiser (California).

I'm gettin surgery through kaiser ca as well. Where are you located? I still have to do the 12 weeks of options classes first though.

Hi KB88,

I'm in Los Angeles and will be having my surgery at Kaiser West L.A. hopefully before the end of the year. Today is week 11 out of 12 in the Options classes...almost there! Which location will you be taking your Options classes at?

Your brows are nice also...WERK!!!

You look fantastic and I love that deep wine/burgundy lip color!! Keep up the good work!!

You are more than welcome Kel! You'll be receiving your blue binder full information tonight at your first class! Enjoy and let me know what your initial thoughts are of the program...good luck tonight!!!

I hope that your class is NOT full of people asking if they can eat a candy bar instead of a Protein Shake after surgery?!? That was a REAL question at my first class! hahahaha

Your class may be full tonight but it really does thin out after a few classes. We started out with around 15 people in our class and now at week 11 we're down to 6.

I am excited for you too!!

Kaiser (CA) recommends that you take off of work for 4 weeks. We have short term disability here at my job that will pay me 100% for up to 6 weeks. So, I'm taking off for 4 weeks and will allow my body to heal and to get used to my new way of eating.

Oh and one more thing... A social work or therapist teaches 2 of the classes and she has you fill out a questionnaire about your eating habits.They use your answers to gauge if you need a psych. evaluation and/or additional therapy before surgery.

IMO these were the BEST most interactive classes out of the bunch.

The process with Kaiser is VERY streamlined. Week two they put all you lab orders in and you can do them at your own pace. My classes were on Thursday nights and on Tuesday I had my blood work, urine and stool sample, EKG and chest x-rays done.

Hi Kel

Where do I start with what goes on in the Options classes??? Surgery choices, exercise, Vitamins and minerals, food choices, why we eat, food logs, weigh in before every class...basically the coordinator reads from that particular weeks workbook. I didn't learn anything new because I did my research and learned so much here but YMMV. During the course the nutritionist will give you a "diet outline" as to how many calories you should consume based on your weight...no liquid diets during the class.

I have not met my 10% goal as of yet...down 11 pounds so far. They use your BMI from the orientation and/or first class as your starting point so, there are no worries about loosing too much weight during the program.

I am TOTALLY hoping to have surgery late October or early November!

Please feel free to ask me anything!

Sending hugs and love your way.

Beautiful pictures and you look so happy.

Good luck and wishing you a speedy recovery!

Are you conflicted? If everyone round you had said yes, would you be firing ahead and donating your eggs? If so, then there is no conflict, you want to do this. However, you also want the approval of those who are around you. That's where the conflict lies.

I understand that, it's comforting when people agree with our decisions. But this is your decision. The money raised is for you to finish a process you started. As you said, you worked hard to get healthy - so why hesitate now? How will you feel if you let others views stop you?

I think you already know the answer and just want someone to tell you to go for it. But you have to be brave and make this decision for yourself. We can only live our life - no one else can do it for us, not even our friends who, no matter how close, have never walked a mile in our shoes...

Good luck!

Well said and if I were under 30 ( I think that's the age limit) I would totally go for it.

Me too SuperBonBon!!

Nope. I just worry about how I am going to pay for the plastics. I am definitely pro plastics. I figure if I start saving now, I should be able to afford the plastic when I am ready.

I'm somewhat worried about it being 5'2 and 285lbs but, I'd rather be healthy with some loose skin. I've also started saving some extra cash because I know I'll eventually get a breast lift + implants.

Wait...what?!? Crystal Light has caffeine in it??? I'll have to look at my box when I get home because I too thought I had been caffeine free for the last month.

I feel ya....I've been caffeine free but got crystal lite and didn't realize it had caffeine (it says 98% caffeine free) and I was wondering why it gave me energy... LOL

But soon your body will adapt!

Good for you!