BloomingLotus

@@della street - it's so exciting/terrifying! It doesn't feel real! I start my liquid pre-op diet Thursday... I think it might start to sink in then. Do you have a pre-op diet?

Congrats!!!

Congratulations! !! So excited for you!

Approved!!!! I have been officially approved for surgery 1/29!! Ahhhhh!

Hello! My sleeve is scheduled for January 27th! And I just got a letter from my insurance company (fed bcbs) that they approved it! Giant sigh of relief! I hope everyone gets to experience this feeling. Tomorrow I start my pre op diet and I have never been more excited to start a diet! And I never thought I would be saying that! This has been such a long process and I can not believe it's finally coming to fruition! I just needed to share! Good luck to everyone, and hang in there!
Light and Love,
Samantha

I will not miss my pants leaving button-and -thread imprints on my body. Ouch.

This meeting coincides with the 14th annual no-pants subway ride... This could be be quite the interesting commute over! ????

This meeting coincides with the 14th annual no-pants subway ride... This could be be quite the interesting commute over! ????

I'm tentatively scheduled for the 29th, pending approval!

So excited today! Had surgery on 10/23 at 240. I was 207 at Thanksgiving and stayed there until Christmas. I was so frustrated and couldn't believe I had my stomach removed and STILL wasn't losing. In the meantime, I dropped about 1.5 sizes during that month and as I read about what it really means to lose and regain Water weight, I felt a bit better.
And now for the amazing part-- after the month long stall, I am now at 195 today! I am down 12 lbs in less than 2 weeks following that long stall! So hang in there and follow your program and you will break through it!

So I'm 3.5 months post op, down 50 since surgery, 60 from my highest weight ever. I'm still struggling to see any major changes, except a mighty empty closet. I know, mentally, I've lost the weight, but I think I'm still struggling with emotionally allowing myself to see any difference. Perhaps bc I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop and regain the weight?! I don't know, but today I had my "aha" moment. All because of a silly thermal shirt I've always wanted to wear but was too self conscious to do so. I still threw a wrap around it bc it's cold on the east coast but I kind of didn't want to lol
I debated about putting this pic up, afraid to seem narcissistic, but truthfully, the before and afters really helped make my decision when thinking about getting the surgery, so I hope I can pay it forward.
When was your "aha" moment?

^^^ oh! And for pete's sake whatever you do DO NOT lose your phone!!!!

I just received the call from the insurance specialist at my surgeon's office!! I've been approved!!! Feb 9th can't come fast enough! Next stop pre-admission testing!!

For my Aetna plan, I need to have a bmi over 40 and could not gain a single ounce from the beginning until the end of my supervised diet. Even gaining from one appointment to the next but ending lower could get you denied. If you have comorbidities a bmi of 35 is allowed.
So clearly, each insurance is really different and it's worth checking out

@@gowalking - I will be there! For some weird reason, I couldn't see the details in your prior post from my iPhone app
But when I clicked your post and chose "quote" the info showed up for me when I went to reply.
How bizarre! I'm excited to meet you all ????

@@lisacaron that's what I was hoping for! I start my pre-op liquids on the 15th so it's really starting to feel real! While I may not have much to contribute to the meeting this time, I hope that by the next meeting I have a lot to say!

80+ pounds gone in a year 1/2

I can only tell you about my experience. And I went through the same nervous/excited feelings and thoughts.
As far as food and drinks and alcohol go, I was able to eat anything and drink anything I wanted at 1 year. Up until then, I could eat and drink anything I wanted, but Frankensleeve was still adjusting and would grumble and complain sometimes.
My hunger feelings went away, starting the week after surgery. I only feel real hunger now - meaning I can feel my stomach complaining it's empty. But daily head hunger and food cravings are a thing of the past. I'm now in control of my food and for the most part, really don't care what I'm eating.
The hardest part was getting out of old habits, eating when I'm bored or eating because I think it will taste good. I've had a few moments where I'll pass the donut tray at work and just have to have 1, but it's only 1, I don't have to eat 4 or 6 to be satisfied.
Or during the holidays, I'll allow myself to over eat a bit on all the goodies. The difference is, now I know I'm in control and can easily go back to my regular eating and drop the weight.
I'm in control now. The hunger no longer controls me.

sleeved Dec 18th 2013! Could be happier. .down 83 pounds ..unreal..best decision I have ever made

@@lisacaron that's what I was hoping for! I start my pre-op liquids on the 15th so it's really starting to feel real! While I may not have much to contribute to the meeting this time, I hope that by the next meeting I have a lot to say!

I'd be interested in the details of the meet-up too! I live in Brooklyn & work in Manhattan and I'm scheduled for sleeve surgery at NYU on Jan 29th! Having some local support from people who have been through this process would be fantastic ????

I will not miss my pants leaving button-and -thread imprints on my body. Ouch.

5 months and 50lbs later!

I will not miss my pants leaving button-and -thread imprints on my body. Ouch.

I will not miss my pants leaving button-and -thread imprints on my body. Ouch.