erikaloftin

That's so amazing!! I'm 278 right now and have to be 260 by the time I have my surgery. Hopefully I will lose the weight as quickly as you did! I weighed 180 in high school and it feels amazing!

The reason lips get so chapped at the hospital is because of the filtered air. They pump out the old air and pump in new air, so its constantly moving. I get chapped lips even when I'm just at work at the hospital. I agree with all the things everyone is saying. I just suggest bringing as little as possible. I'll bring a blanket of my own, pillow, slippers, phone charger, panties, chap stick (if youre not picky, they have some they can give you), and probably my kindle so I can watch movies or read. Good luck!

I have 17 lbs to lose before I can schedule my surgery. I've been doing atkins diet, but have plateaued and even gained a few pounds even though I'm not cheating. I used to do really well on HCG to lose about 20 bounds really quick. I get really grumpy when I'm on it though! Have any of you done this diet? Its even more restrictive than my post op diet will be. Maybe thats a good thing! That way, when my post op diet starts, I will be excited for things like milk and splenda. lol. Any thoughts?

I totally agree. I get that all the time "Why don't you just do it the normal way??" Or "I know someone who did that and gained all her weight back. I'm sure you'll do fine though".

you go to the top of the blog and up in the left hand side there is a follow button.

Congratulations!! I will be about the same weight pre op. however, I'm about 3 inches shorter than you. You should post before and after pics!

Is love to support each other through this! There is a link to my blog in my signature. You should start one! It's a great way for me to sort through my feelings and struggles.

Me too! When is your surgery date?

catheter for sure. I'm not sure if you'' have to have a drain. is it open or laperoscopic?

Thats amazing girl! It's so encouraging to see someone 6 months out and doing so well.

Is it Laproscopic or open? My Dr told me 2 weeks off work. 2 weeks light duty for laproscopic. She told me 4 weeks off, then 2 weeks light duty for open.

I hope so! They said that if things go as planned, I will be their first patient to not have to go through the 3 month wait period!

We have so much in common! I'm a newlywed as well and want to wait until after my surgery to start having children. I just got my labs, sleep study, chest xray and EKG done. Now I have to lose 17 lbs and hopefully I will get my surgery date!! Do you blog? I'd love to keep in contact and support eachother.

When you start blogging, let me know! I'd love to follow you!

I had my inital appointment with the surgeon yesterday. The other day, the program coordinator gave me an estimate of the 1st of may for my surgery date. Today, she said that the insurance company is saying there's no longer a 3 month waiting period! She said sometimes they lie so we will have to see once we submit my packet. Have any of you come across this? My surgeon said I need to lose 17 lbs before surgery. That should take me 2 months and hopefully that will be as long as I have to wait. Yay!

My blog is public now! I'd love to follow the rest of you. What are your blogs?

I really like the Chobani cherry flavor, and I also like Oikos. It is a different flavor to get used to. Its closer to sour cream than yogurt I think.

Do any of your have blogs? I really love reading blogs of other people that are going through the same phases of this journy as me, or people who are far ahead of me to see the challenges they've overcome. It seems that blogging also helps me to keep myself accountable, but I've been too shy to tell anyone close to me about the blog. So I'm going to post it here, and hope that you all do the same, so we can follow eachother and keep eachother accountable! http://gainingmylifeback.wordpress.com/

hopefully they stay that way and don't get worse for you! Although, sometimes I think that it may be easier to have really severe eposides so it will keep you away from the sugars! haha.

I'm having a hard time deciding how to do this also. My family knows, but I told a few of my co-workers and I had really negative feedback. I can't decide if it's better to tell everyone upfront and deal with the chance of negativity, or if its best to keep it a secret and chance having people get mad and think I'm hiding something or lying. Ughh. So difficult.

So, was it as bad as we are told it will be? I've heard some people have it just like yours, and others will get cold sweats and feel like they're going to vomit and the whole 9 yards.

I work in a hospital (on the mother/baby unit) but I see people all the time bringing a huge well thought out bag of everything they think they'll need, and never use it. She's right about the hospital gown. And the hospital will have most everything you need. I'd bring your toiletries (they have some, but its the cheap hotel kind) and your phone and charger, and maybe a laptop or tablet.

Thanks for all of the support guys! I'm so glad I found such a large community of supportive people!

That is so exciting! Good luck!

it's so inspirational to see how well you're doing! did you ever regret it?