DesWill

So far I have only talked to him twice so I'm not sure what my thoughts are with him yet but he seems funny lol he head a good sense of humor

Oh awesome thanks @"@jenn1" I'm going to check out out

I'm so happy for you and can't wait until my day gets here too

You hardly look like the same girl! It's obvious that you are so much more confident... It really looks like you found your true self. Way to get it done girl!!!!! ????????????

Welcome aboard. This is a great community and there are a lot of people that are happy to answer your questions.
It's been 2 years, but I can still remember how nervous/excited I was when I committed to surgery.
The time from pre-op to finish is really going to depend on your insurance requirements and your doctor. From start to finish, I was done in less than 30 days. But, my insurance was Bariatric Friendly and I was already diagnosed with a co-morbidity (sleep apnea) that qualified me for VSG surgery.
Some insurance companies require lengthy doctor supervised diets, multiple sessions with a nutritionist, in addition to the normal pre-op tests done to prepare for surgery.
The best advice I can give you is to call your insurance company and ask them for a list of pre-surgery requirements and a list of WLS co-morbidities that they will accept before approving surgery.
Then call your surgeon and find out his expected timetable for your surgery.
Stay strong and keep on pushing on...and never give up on what is important to you, even if yesterday it got further away from you. Pull it back towards you today. Stake your claim. Change your ways. Do what is right for YOU!

it's really great to read all your experiences. I am 4 weeks post surgery today and at first struggled with complete food obsession. It's getting easier now but I am still challenged by old behaviours (e.g. eating too quickly, taking big mouthfuls and even taking a mouthful of solid food when I'm still at puree stage which really hurt going down!)
However I am learning from all of this that the discomfort of doing the wrong thing will modify my behaviours and also to give it time for my head to catch up with my new physical state. After all, I became obese by being a comfort eater and that is an emotional-psychological disease. I am hopeful the surgery plus some good counselling/group support will give me the control I need to live a much healthier life.
Best of luck to all xxx

Someone who was about to get their surgery just messaged me, asking how I was doing since they were very nervous. I wrote out my response and then thought others might also want to read about how thrilled I am that I did this. So the rest of this post is my response message.
This is so awesome! Already the best decision I've ever made. Calm your nerves and start dreaming, because they are going to come true.
Ok, I'll give a fuller, totally honest answer so you can assess the situation yourself.
The surgery itself went extremely well. The surgeon said there was almost no blood and the whole thing took only about 30 minutes. But I was terrified ahead of time, being wheeled into that operating room. Right afterwards, I thought I made a huge mistake cause the pain was pretty great. But that level of pain only lasted a few hours. By 11 that night I was face timing my parents so they could witness that I was no longer in a lot of pain.
I was amazed how fast the pain went from a wrecking ball to very easy to handle. During the tough time just try and remember it gets better very very soon. I had been told that I would be in the hospital for one or two nights, but when I woke up after that first night, I knew I would be getting out that day. The pain was minor and I had the energy and will to make sure I met every goal to be allowed to leave. I would go on walks every two hours, dragging my IV behind me.
The one really tough hurdle in the hospital was they wanted me to drink specific amounts of Water every hour. I was so over hydrated by the IV's that the thought of more Water was repulsive. Then it hurts a little to take each sip. But I made every hours goal, and was released at about 6pm.
The next day I was chipper and with my pain meds, totally comfortable. I walked up and down stairs and all about the house. Sitting or standing up was difficult, but once erect I could do anything. One really shocking thing was when I first got back from the hospital, I got on my scale just to see and had actually gained 9 pounds from all the water. So I spent the next couple days peeing more than any human should.
By the second day I was skipping pain meds and on the morning of the third day I stopped taking them completely. There just is no reason for me to take them cause I have very little pain. Mostly just soreness in the belly. On the third day I also started going for long walks each day.
Oh, the first full day home I made a promise to myself that no matter how uncomfortable it was, I was going to make my water goals and Protein goals that day. It was tough, but by the end of that day swallowing was easier and by day three it was very easy.
So far I'm 7 days post surgery and down 14lbs, plus the all that water weight. It's already noticeable in my face and how some clothes fit.
This process is awesome! I was driving and had to pull over because I was having tears of joy, which it's been 15 years since the last I had a happy cry. I just made a realization that I was deserving and ready for the happy parts of life and for a truly new beginning.
Good luck, I really hope your surgery goes as well as mine. I know that regardless of the ease or pain over the beginning, eventually you will be past the hard parts, time always marches on. And when it does, you will will be standing there with a beautiful smile, looking at the new life you worked so hard to accomplish.
Please keep me up to date.

Just think of how great you will feel once you reach the finish line!

Two non consecutive days a week, eat only 500-550 cals. Many choose mon and ths, but whatever works for you. Eat clean. Get in at least 50 gms of Protein those days. The longer between your last regular meal and your eating on fast day the better. The longer between your last fast meal and your first non fast meal the better. 12-16 hours is good. Read the links here, watch the documentary posted. Thats where they are here for. The explain everything pretty well.

My thoughts exactly! U rock little lady, thank you for sharing that

Boise Idaho here

I was sleeved in January 2013 and lost a total of 80 pounds in the first 12 months. Even lost through the holidays last year. But since I hit my 1 year mark over 6 months ago, NOTHING. I've even gained a few pounds and have to get tough to drop them back off. I don't even feel like I had surgery. And lately I'm SO hungry. Ugh!

Wow....

I told my mother to and that was such a mistake. She nearly had me talked out of it. Said all I need to do was eat salad and walk. If that worked for me I wood have done it. Luckily my husband is awesome and said he wouldn't let me quit on myself.

I'm in Nampa

I am currently in my month three of six supervised diet for insurance approval. Hopefully I will have my surgery in May or June.... June 30 is my birthday so a June surgery date would be EPIC!!!

I told my mother to and that was such a mistake. She nearly had me talked out of it. Said all I need to do was eat salad and walk. If that worked for me I wood have done it. Luckily my husband is awesome and said he wouldn't let me quit on myself.

Just chiming in. My nut said dont drink for 2 years. The intake doctor said never again. The nut was warning of addiction and it affecting the weight loss phase. The doctor said that just a little CAN affect SOME people so intensely it has stroke-like affects. He said many of his patients have fallen and one recently broke her neck. I myself like to have drinks(socially) on occasion but haven't yet and won't until i have made huge progress. Just for the maximum weight loss not because i would get drunk and fall down. I can say, however, i have thought a few times since surgery "man, i could go for a drink".

@ beachgurl84
I do think it varies for individuals and it has nothing to do with brain damage. My co-workers who by the way drink like fish, husband was sleeved Nov 2013 she was dec 2013. They began driking 6/8 weeks out and she has lost 105 lbs. and he has lost 185 lbs. So while I would not encourage anyone to drink and bar hop often as much as they do, well again to each his own but it's not going to kill you and I suppose it varies as far as stopping weight loss progression. It sure has NOT stopped theirs.. they r still losing...