deedee

I am not malnourished by any means and I still have a LONG way to go to be underweight (I set my goal pretty high as well), I just prefer a "thicker" and curvier look. And this is all such a subjective thing, just like who we are attracted to is subjective, I might see "gaunt" where someone else does not. I have been overweight or obese my entire life, except for once in high school, so since birth I'm used to a much rounder/softer look on me. Like I mentioned in my post I'm hoping that my face fills out again, I've felt this way before during my wls journey and it has, but I'm not sure it will this time. What I'm whining about is strictly vanity and nothing to do with health. Keep exploring the procedure, but remember that it's not all roses and sunshine. This is something I did for health reasons, not vanity (I thought I was pretty cute before), and I think sometimes we all have days where our vanity gets the best of us and we just need to vent. Not intended to scare anyone. I'm going to post a couple of pictures later today, my husband thinks I'm crazy in my thoughts, but they are my feelings about how I look right now. I would do the vsg again in a heartbeat because of how much more I am able to do and how much my overall health has improved (I have none of the health issues I did before surgery that were due to weight). Good luck in your research!

Coopersmama, you are NOT going to fail! We are here to cheer you on along the way. Tiff, I'm so glad to hear that others have gotten more used to it now...it gives me hope;-) Lynda, you CAN definitely do this!!!!!!!!!

That is excellent news! Good job!!!

I'm so sorry you went through this, but SOOOOOO happy it's been resolved. Good lesson to all of us to not be scale whores. Congratulations on the awesome loss, you've totally rocked your sleeve!!!!!!!!

Great job! I've heard running is a great way to tone up, so maybe it would help with the butt. Mine's also flat and it jiggles terribly...if the jogging does it for you, let me know because I think I would get past being terrified of running and try it if it would help with this jello butt.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Thanks for updating us, I miss reading your posts. I'm so glad you are out living your life...you have done such a tremendous job. You look AMAZING.

Welcome Tracy! I think you're making a great decision. Like you, I started looking into the band and then discovered this procedure and realized it fit me so much better. Good luck with your journey and I'll wave too next time I'm in the northwest (was just in WA last week).

I am not quite in the same boat as you, but I understand the not liking what you see in the mirror and wanting to stop the weight loss. My face is looking really gaunt and angular, where it didn't look as bad even 5 pounds ago (I didn't post pictures taken on a trip last week because I just don't look right...a little scary). I'm hoping it will fill out a little more, but I'm not holding my breath. Like you, I don't plan to stop the exercise or healthier eating. Good luck finding your happy place:-)

I'm so happy that it all went so well and was uneventful! Congratulations on the 27 lb. loss, you're already doing so well.

That's great that you are meeting with two surgeons. I also went to a consult with two who I thought were both wonderful, but ended up with the second one because he was covered by complication's insurance. It is a lot of money when you self-pay, but you're right, the food costs help off-set it some. Unfortunately the clothes expense, for me, ate all that right back up and then some:-) Good luck and keep us posted!

I'm glad things went well. Definitely keep us posted.

During the first month I averaged around 300-400 calories per day, but I also seemed to be a lot more fatigued than others who were at the same stage as me. When I started exercising (other than walking) pretty hard core at a month out, I started eating snacks, which is against my program's guidelines, to get the calories up because I knew I needed more fuel. Good luck, if your labs are good, I wouldn't be too worried.

I'm glad everything went well and they'll soon be home:-)

Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you:-)

Thank you for your reflection and CONGRATULATIONS on making your goal!

Glad everything is going well!

Congratulations! This sleeve thing is really awesome:-)

I do wish you luck on Monday and throughout your whole pre-op experience. Good job on making the decision to get healthy and be around a long time for your son.

I think your feelings are pretty normal. I have friends who feel this way about ex boyfriends and husbands and high school/college acquaintances, not just regarding weight, but jobs, houses, kids, etc. I don't really have anyone in particular that I want to see the "new" me because I don't think anyone ever really treated me horribly (I'm probably just too oblivious), BUT I have thought about getting professional pictures taken with my husband and send them out as Christmas cards or something just to kind of "show off." I know it's silly because I'm a grown person, but I just kind of want everyone to know that I actually was able to lose weight and get healthy after a whole life of trying to struggling to do it.

I'd call your doctor and ask. I think I waited 3 months before swallowing pills based on my doctor's recommendation about a specific pill I asked it I could take. He may have okayed another pill earlier though.

I agree with MlkPas. I remember mentioning wls to a boyfriend about 6 years ago and surprisingly he was very supportive of the idea and wanted me to look into it. I wasn't really thinking of it for me at the time, I don't remember how it came up. But over this past year, I've thought a bit about that conversation and realize that if he would have pushed me to look into it more, it probably would have turned me off because I just wasn't ready. Now, if you ever have the opportunity to socialize with these people, maybe you could share your experience with the vsg, but not in a "preachy/pushy" way for them to look into, just in a "sharing about yourself/getting to know each other" way. If they hear about it and are ready, then you've been able to plant a seed. Just my opinion and probably what I would do.

Yay Sury! That is one of my favorite victories AND knowing I'm out of them forever:biggrin0:

I continuously bought clothes before they fit as a "goal" dress or outfit. I only did this when they were on serious clearance, but I will say that I'm now kicking myself because I never thought I'd get this size (I've never been below a size 12/14 so didn't know what size my goal weight would correlate to). I am still happy I bought the "goal" dresses because it made me so happy when I finally fit into them. I will now have to have them altered and sort of wish I would have bought a couple sizes smaller when it was like 60% off because now I need to buy a couple of new dresses for my upcoming vacation and will need to pay full price. I'd say go for it!

Tiff gave you awesome questions to ask, but you'll also want to find out from the office who you need to contact at the hospital to discuss the fees and coverage from their side. From my experience, the hospital thing is where it got ridiculously confusing. I wanted/needed things spelled out in writing and you'd have thought no one have ever asked that before. Good luck!

My post-op program didn't say much about carbs except to keep them low. It did state things I should not eat initially and later on during the losing phase, but because the pre-op diet they had me on limited my carbs to 30 per day or less, that's what I continued in my initial post-op diet. I was only on clear liquids for 2 days and then full liquids for like 2 weeks. I then progressed to soft/mushy food that I stayed on for another month I believe. I'd second/third people's suggestion to talk with your surgeon/nutritionist. Ask your questions and get clarification until you're content with your plan (even if it deviates from their recommendations). I just feel that it's nice to have input from the professionals to help us make the best decisions as possible. As for the weight loss rate, it's so hard to guess these things before hand. I tended to be very conservative with my estimates so that I wouldn't be disappointed with the loss. This kept me from getting too disappointed and set myself up for failure. BUT, you know yourself best, and maybe this kind of thing wouldn't bother you too much. Good luck!