txfirefly979

Enjoying reading all these. Mine is a week from today so I'm definitely feeling nervous and anxious (and really hoping that I don't have more than 1 night in hospital since I'm self pay!...maybe since I'm early 30s it will be okay - at least that's what I tell myself). Excited to be on the losers bench soon!!!!!

@@Destiny61 awesome! my surgeon only requires liquids for 5 days prior so I will start this Sunday. kinda nervous --- hopefully its worse in my head than it will be in real life.

I just had my final pre-op appt and my surgeon said it was okay to drink (he didnt even specify waiting although I think with the acid I will want to!)... which of course completely contradicted what the psych said just 3 days earlier. I'm not worried about the diuretic effect (since I'm already drinking 2 cups a day... doesnt really seem to have an effect on me)... its more the acid that I'm concerned will disagree with my new sleeve

My husband was the first one I told. my surgery is a couple weeks out and I just told my parents. No siblings or extended family. With a low BMI (and no one believing me when I tell them what I weigh), I didnt want any "you're not that fat!" or "you should try xxx diet!" comments --- only supportive people. Honestly, I dont know that I will ever tell them... we only see them 2-3 times a year. I told my boss that I would be having a medical procedure and would need 5-7 days off work (and I have vacation/sick time to cover). My PCP and husband are VERY supportive and know what all I've tried in the years prior. excited and nervous!

Havent heard anything about those surgeons or facilities. I'm using Dr. Howard and really like him! He & Dr. Balette together run Houston Bariatric Surgery (http://www.houstonbariatricsurgery.com)

yes, yes, and YES!!!! every single one of these!!!! not to mention (4) no more raw thighs that rub together when wearing dresses/skirts in the heat that Texas enjoys for 10months out of the year. (5) not wondering how WIDE my butt looks when I'm doing squats or incline leg curls. (6) knowing I will be able to keep up with my (future) kiddos. heck, knowing I'll be more fertile to HAVE those future babies

I think you'll find many of us on here who have been faced with that same shocking realization. I too look in the mirror and know I'm heavy but look "okay" only to see pictures later and am MISERABLE at how awful I look --- from the middle-age-man gut to thunder thighs and everything else. you're at a supportive helpful place --- best wishes in your WL journey!

30yr (pre-op, hoping for March 2015). wish I would have started 2-3 years earlier.

yup... the "Santa Claus" gut (midsection weight) is my problem too. Not just because of cortisol (which yes makes harder to lose) but several studies I've read say that midsection weight is most dangerous (heart attack/stroke risks). I too do less gluten but felt a bit burned out and more frustrated than ever after a 3 mo gluten/sugar/yeast free diet resulted in a 2 lb GAIN rather than any loss. I too am hoping WLS can be the tool that can actually help me lose any weight (I've never been able to lose, much less maintain). best wishes to you on this journey!

5'6 (30yr). Surgeon set goal weight at 160-165. personally I'd like to see 150 again but I too usually weigh more than people expect (people now don't believe I'm in the 220s now). anything below 170 would make me happy!

congrats on the weight loss! and thanks for sharing... its encouraging to hear that it does work for those of us who have to work a little harder due to underactive thyroids

Texas lady here (N.Houston/Woodlands).... hoping to have a March surgery date (self-pay). Nervous but ready to not have my gut in the weight or my thighs rubbing till they're raw (like at outdoor wedding this past weekend ) Anyone here planning to have kids (esp first) after WLS?

beautiful! and what an inspiration for those of us pre-op stories!

sounds SOOOOOOOOOOO familiar. I've added more and more time at the gym plus cut out more and more foods (of course during all the "trying to figure out why the hell I cant lose weight where I've been told everything from PCOS to hypothyroidism). still not seeing any results after multiple extended attempts is why I'm here... I need a tool (WLS) to help me MOVE The scale in the right direction (even if its slow!) (and those YouTube videos by Clusee are hilarious!)

congrats! hoping to be there soon myself!!!!

just curious for those who have done the self-pay route in the US ( esp Texas people ) - how long did it take from the time you decided to 1st consult to your actual surgery date? Just trying to prepare myself if this is going to take as long as it would with insurance (i.e. 3-6mo) thx

sorry for duplicate post. board is a little buggy this morning. Monday blues huh?

@@lexiemustang.... it's like you read my mind! I had my 1st consult last week and while I did love the surgeon (laid back but reassuring)... I too cried b/c I felt like its a personal failure that I cannot lose weight to save my life (literally). I havent even worried about maintaining yet b/c to maintain you actually have to have a LOSS! and my MOM is the same way.... I am more worried about telling her than the surgery itself. (we're super close) SO ready for SOMETHING to make the change!