JaneJaneDoe

Thanks! This really helps. I am scheduled for surgery on 12/31 and plan to go but things this weekend. Cutting out sugars and starting pre-op diet of 2 Protein shakes per day plus one healthy meal (lean Protein with veggies). And lots of Water.
All advice is much appreciated!!!!

Today is actually 8 weeks and one day post op but when I got on the scale today I was down 50.5 lbs!!!!!!!!
I was so excited, I had to double and triple check!!
I got back to the my doc on Dec 30th for my next check up. I feel so good, and am not struggling with my eating. I am doing two shakes a day and one small meal (what my doc wanted me to do) and because the weight is coming off it makes it much easier to stay on track. I am trying to work the hell out of this sleeve as much as I can in the early months.
Just wanted to share, this site has been so helpful I hope that I can be helpful to all you out there just starting your journey!!

Oh my goodness, I so needed to see this positivity today!! THANK YOU for posting! My surgery is 12/31 and today I went to the hospital for pre-op blood work, EKG, signing consents, etc. and I kind of am freaking out! Thinking how scared I am and the risk involved. I logged on to see some positive and be encouraged and ... well, it really helped to see your post. THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS! It sounds like you are on a path to better living. You should be so proud of yourself!

http://www.amazon.com/Musclegen-Research-Genepro-Genetic-Tri-Protein/dp/B00K6OSDYA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Thanks! This really helps. I am scheduled for surgery on 12/31 and plan to go but things this weekend. Cutting out sugars and starting pre-op diet of 2 Protein shakes per day plus one healthy meal (lean Protein with veggies). And lots of Water.
All advice is much appreciated!!!!

Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement. I will have to admit I have had some very low points this last week. Its a very difficult but truly rewarding transition. From two weeks pre-op to today. I have lost 41 pounds and already feel so much better. Proud of you too for making this life changing decision as well.

You look fantastic! You even look taller in the "after" pic. Keep up the great work! And, thanks for sharing; I know how difficult that is.

I'm Dec 31st! 16 more days... I guess I'll be the last of the December group and 2014. I am so very ready. Since I'm the last of the group, I'll benefit from all you other December folks and your stories / advice.
I have to say, I am so proud of each one of you for making this hard, life-changing decision. This is a commitment to a new life. And, unlike some people say, this is NOT the easy way out. It will have ups and downs... and we will endure and make it to the other side where we will be happy and healthy. We will love life! Congratulations to us all. We deserve this. It's a Christmas gift to ourselves. Blessings to each of you!

I'm 12/31 and it does feel like a long wait. Not excited about liquid diet during the holidays, but ready to get this done!

@@PALOMA, looks like you are doing really well. I'm mentally preparing for a slow loss.
In 2012 I lost 32lbs in five months (on Rx phentermine), but it came right back. I'm thinking I'll lose at a similar pace after surgery. But with that said, I was thrilled to get 32 lbs gone! I am very excited about cleaning out my closet and eliminating some fat clothes... maybe eliminate the first round of fat clothes by March?!
I'm self pay too. All together $14,500. At first I was thinking, "no way I am paying that much." But after conversing with hubby and knowing we have paid $10k+ for vacations and furniture, why not for myself and my health? Thankfully, we have the ca$h and he is completely onboard and supportive. I can't believe I will be doing this in 23 days. I am excited and nervous.

Thanks everyone for you feedback/stories. Being a low BMI, I have just been wondering if there are others out there like me. There are; and it's good to know.
I am a 33 BMIer. I have struggled for ten years with yoyo dieting. Most recently I lost down to 155 and maintained it for about six months. Then ballooned back to 195. I had been prescribed phentermine by my endocrinologist, plus I was going to a boot camp at 5:30am M-F. After boot camp, I would come home and run 3+ miles. Then sometimes at night walk with my hubby. Some days I was exercising three hours a day! It's crazy to think about. I enjoy exercising, but should it really take three hours a day to maintain a normal BMI? And the phentermine gave me horrible headaches and kept me from sleeping at night. I know it was hard on my body. After gaining back the weight, I tried to do another round of phentermine, but I just hated taking the pill every day that gave me massive headaches and gave me horrible insomnia. I cried recently at the doctor because they now want me to do a sleep study... I snore horribly. I asked, "if the results are bad, where do we go from there?" The doctor said, "CPAP machine." I cried. I don't want to treat the symptoms of my problem. I want to treat the real underlying issue... the weight. So even though I am a low BMI, I feel it is worth the surgery to have a permanent solution for a real problem. I know if I am not proactive to get my weight under control, I will continue to balloon and become diabetic, on a CPAP machine, on blood pressure medicine, etc.
I have read some ridicule from those higher BMI folks aimed at low-BMIers for ever considering surgery. It seems odd that they are ridiculing because they have probably felt similar ridicule in their lifetimes from being an obese and/or morbidly obese person. I don't quite understand the judgment. That judgment has kept me from posting at times, but I am a lover, not a fighter. I certainly can look past it and find a "safe" place to continue my journey. Thanks for all the positive that I have found on these forums. I will say, the positive does outweigh (no pun intended) the negative; and that's what matters.
So low BMI people, continue to post and share! Thanks in advance!

My self-pay surgery was done 2 weeks after my initial visit. Did labs, psyche and everything as soon as I could then reserved space at hospital.

Thanks everyone for you feedback/stories. Being a low BMI, I have just been wondering if there are others out there like me. There are; and it's good to know.
I am a 33 BMIer. I have struggled for ten years with yoyo dieting. Most recently I lost down to 155 and maintained it for about six months. Then ballooned back to 195. I had been prescribed phentermine by my endocrinologist, plus I was going to a boot camp at 5:30am M-F. After boot camp, I would come home and run 3+ miles. Then sometimes at night walk with my hubby. Some days I was exercising three hours a day! It's crazy to think about. I enjoy exercising, but should it really take three hours a day to maintain a normal BMI? And the phentermine gave me horrible headaches and kept me from sleeping at night. I know it was hard on my body. After gaining back the weight, I tried to do another round of phentermine, but I just hated taking the pill every day that gave me massive headaches and gave me horrible insomnia. I cried recently at the doctor because they now want me to do a sleep study... I snore horribly. I asked, "if the results are bad, where do we go from there?" The doctor said, "CPAP machine." I cried. I don't want to treat the symptoms of my problem. I want to treat the real underlying issue... the weight. So even though I am a low BMI, I feel it is worth the surgery to have a permanent solution for a real problem. I know if I am not proactive to get my weight under control, I will continue to balloon and become diabetic, on a CPAP machine, on blood pressure medicine, etc.
I have read some ridicule from those higher BMI folks aimed at low-BMIers for ever considering surgery. It seems odd that they are ridiculing because they have probably felt similar ridicule in their lifetimes from being an obese and/or morbidly obese person. I don't quite understand the judgment. That judgment has kept me from posting at times, but I am a lover, not a fighter. I certainly can look past it and find a "safe" place to continue my journey. Thanks for all the positive that I have found on these forums. I will say, the positive does outweigh (no pun intended) the negative; and that's what matters.
So low BMI people, continue to post and share! Thanks in advance!

CFGirl, I feel like you; I could've written your post (with some minor changes). I am 45 yrs old, 5'4", 192... which equals a 33 BMI, which is OBESE. I have a myriad of issues: hypothyroid, yoyo dieting, high cholesterol, back/knee/foot pain, pre-diabetic. I'm just so DONE with feeling horrible. I really enjoy exercise and in the past have run multiple half marathons. But now I wake with a headache every morning, zero energy, joints hurt, back hurts. And have been told NOT to run because of further joint damage. I miss running. And I don't want to wait any longer to just get MORE UNHEALTHY. I have been researching for some time and my husband is supportive. I have an appointment scheduled for a consult with a reputable surgeon. I am determined. I assume I will be a self-pay patient, unless during the pre-op findings we find that insurance may step up to the plate. Nonetheless, I am determined to get off this yoyo / rollercoaster and get on with healthy living. I just want to say "thank you" to those other low BMI people out there. I have been reading this board for about six months and sometimes I am fearful of posting bc I may not be received well since "I'm not fat enough" and shouldn't even be considering this option. Sad.

Congratulations! You look amazing. Still pre-op so I love hearing and "seeing" other's success stories. Thanks for sharing and best wishes to you.

Thanks everyone for you feedback/stories. Being a low BMI, I have just been wondering if there are others out there like me. There are; and it's good to know.
I am a 33 BMIer. I have struggled for ten years with yoyo dieting. Most recently I lost down to 155 and maintained it for about six months. Then ballooned back to 195. I had been prescribed phentermine by my endocrinologist, plus I was going to a boot camp at 5:30am M-F. After boot camp, I would come home and run 3+ miles. Then sometimes at night walk with my hubby. Some days I was exercising three hours a day! It's crazy to think about. I enjoy exercising, but should it really take three hours a day to maintain a normal BMI? And the phentermine gave me horrible headaches and kept me from sleeping at night. I know it was hard on my body. After gaining back the weight, I tried to do another round of phentermine, but I just hated taking the pill every day that gave me massive headaches and gave me horrible insomnia. I cried recently at the doctor because they now want me to do a sleep study... I snore horribly. I asked, "if the results are bad, where do we go from there?" The doctor said, "CPAP machine." I cried. I don't want to treat the symptoms of my problem. I want to treat the real underlying issue... the weight. So even though I am a low BMI, I feel it is worth the surgery to have a permanent solution for a real problem. I know if I am not proactive to get my weight under control, I will continue to balloon and become diabetic, on a CPAP machine, on blood pressure medicine, etc.
I have read some ridicule from those higher BMI folks aimed at low-BMIers for ever considering surgery. It seems odd that they are ridiculing because they have probably felt similar ridicule in their lifetimes from being an obese and/or morbidly obese person. I don't quite understand the judgment. That judgment has kept me from posting at times, but I am a lover, not a fighter. I certainly can look past it and find a "safe" place to continue my journey. Thanks for all the positive that I have found on these forums. I will say, the positive does outweigh (no pun intended) the negative; and that's what matters.
So low BMI people, continue to post and share! Thanks in advance!

My insurance paid, I was below 35 bmi day of surgery but was at 35 when I was approved. I don't feel that I am losing particularly slowly. My date was 9/8.

Thanks everyone for you feedback/stories. Being a low BMI, I have just been wondering if there are others out there like me. There are; and it's good to know.
I am a 33 BMIer. I have struggled for ten years with yoyo dieting. Most recently I lost down to 155 and maintained it for about six months. Then ballooned back to 195. I had been prescribed phentermine by my endocrinologist, plus I was going to a boot camp at 5:30am M-F. After boot camp, I would come home and run 3+ miles. Then sometimes at night walk with my hubby. Some days I was exercising three hours a day! It's crazy to think about. I enjoy exercising, but should it really take three hours a day to maintain a normal BMI? And the phentermine gave me horrible headaches and kept me from sleeping at night. I know it was hard on my body. After gaining back the weight, I tried to do another round of phentermine, but I just hated taking the pill every day that gave me massive headaches and gave me horrible insomnia. I cried recently at the doctor because they now want me to do a sleep study... I snore horribly. I asked, "if the results are bad, where do we go from there?" The doctor said, "CPAP machine." I cried. I don't want to treat the symptoms of my problem. I want to treat the real underlying issue... the weight. So even though I am a low BMI, I feel it is worth the surgery to have a permanent solution for a real problem. I know if I am not proactive to get my weight under control, I will continue to balloon and become diabetic, on a CPAP machine, on blood pressure medicine, etc.
I have read some ridicule from those higher BMI folks aimed at low-BMIers for ever considering surgery. It seems odd that they are ridiculing because they have probably felt similar ridicule in their lifetimes from being an obese and/or morbidly obese person. I don't quite understand the judgment. That judgment has kept me from posting at times, but I am a lover, not a fighter. I certainly can look past it and find a "safe" place to continue my journey. Thanks for all the positive that I have found on these forums. I will say, the positive does outweigh (no pun intended) the negative; and that's what matters.
So low BMI people, continue to post and share! Thanks in advance!

CONGRATS! Definitely treat yourself in a non-food way!

I know I've been told I will take synthroid for the rest of my life. But I came across a blog (cannot remember the blog URL) that said their thyroid levels became normal and they were able to stop taking their hypothyroid Rx. It got me wondering if others have had this experience.

I plan on doing the surgery. Thankfully, my husband supports me. I will NOT be telling anyone else. I have submitted my registration/paperwork via online site to my local Center of Excellence. Have researched this surgeon and he is very competent. I am waiting for them to call me and schedule my first pre-op appointment. I'm ready to move forward and get this done as soon as possible! In the meantime, I'll continue preparing and researching to educate myself on "what's to come" and my new future. I am so ready to clean out my fat clothes, feel better about myself and BE HEALTHY!

Thanks everyone for you feedback/stories. Being a low BMI, I have just been wondering if there are others out there like me. There are; and it's good to know.
I am a 33 BMIer. I have struggled for ten years with yoyo dieting. Most recently I lost down to 155 and maintained it for about six months. Then ballooned back to 195. I had been prescribed phentermine by my endocrinologist, plus I was going to a boot camp at 5:30am M-F. After boot camp, I would come home and run 3+ miles. Then sometimes at night walk with my hubby. Some days I was exercising three hours a day! It's crazy to think about. I enjoy exercising, but should it really take three hours a day to maintain a normal BMI? And the phentermine gave me horrible headaches and kept me from sleeping at night. I know it was hard on my body. After gaining back the weight, I tried to do another round of phentermine, but I just hated taking the pill every day that gave me massive headaches and gave me horrible insomnia. I cried recently at the doctor because they now want me to do a sleep study... I snore horribly. I asked, "if the results are bad, where do we go from there?" The doctor said, "CPAP machine." I cried. I don't want to treat the symptoms of my problem. I want to treat the real underlying issue... the weight. So even though I am a low BMI, I feel it is worth the surgery to have a permanent solution for a real problem. I know if I am not proactive to get my weight under control, I will continue to balloon and become diabetic, on a CPAP machine, on blood pressure medicine, etc.
I have read some ridicule from those higher BMI folks aimed at low-BMIers for ever considering surgery. It seems odd that they are ridiculing because they have probably felt similar ridicule in their lifetimes from being an obese and/or morbidly obese person. I don't quite understand the judgment. That judgment has kept me from posting at times, but I am a lover, not a fighter. I certainly can look past it and find a "safe" place to continue my journey. Thanks for all the positive that I have found on these forums. I will say, the positive does outweigh (no pun intended) the negative; and that's what matters.
So low BMI people, continue to post and share! Thanks in advance!

You are inspirational! Thank you for sharing the photos. Reading through some of the postings can be daunting and tend to scare me. Hearing post-op success stories is important. Thank you for sharing! I will be following your blog.

I am 35 years old and I currently have a BMI of 34. I have been every BMI number from my highest BMI of 40 to my lowest BMI of 25 (with the help of prescription meds,diet, and lots of EXERCISE). I have been on this diet roller coster for 20 + years and I am done with it! I am done with the feelings of guilt for eating a peice of MY birthday cake, I am tired of working my butt off to lose just a little bit of weight and low and behold gain it back and then some! i am totally done with my cholesterol being 280!!!!!!!!!!! I am tired of being on dangerous diets, starving myself, running till my knees are completely sore and the plantar faciatis flares up, taking amphetamine prescription meds that are surly not doing my body good, all to gain it all back! Why wait till my BMI is back up to 40 or more and all the comorbidities that go with it? Why wait till you have stretched all your skin out and have to have MORE surgery to remove it? Why abuse your body until that magical day when you are totally unhealthy and can NOW have the surgery because NOW everyone is ok with it? Why not take care of business now and get on with living life? So as of Jan 13,2015, GAME OVER! This girl is getting off the roller coaster and getting on with life! I cannot wait for this new way of eating and living! See this is a change for the rest of our lives not till this diet ends or till I get to goal! It's FOREVER and I can't wait!! ???????? I pray and hope that you all have the best success and I applaude you all for being advocates of YOUR own health!