deedee

Congratulations!!! I brought a slip on dress (mine was in summer) to wear home. For the hospital, I brought my slippers (you should walk as much as possible), chap stick, toothbrush, and lotion. This was my second surgery in life, the first one Jan. 09, and I learned that I did not like having a lot things at the hospital. If you haven't already done so, you might want to post on the pre-op forum for more ideas. Good luck!

Well, I just wrote a thread about a couple of successes and then went to change my ticker. Guess what? I am no longer obese. My BMI is now 29.8!!! I cannot believe it...this sleeve is amazing. I am still a work in progress when it comes to this new lifestyle, but every week I get better. Food is no longer an addiction, but I am falling back into some addictive shopping behavior patterns that I worked hard throughout my 20's to overcome. I did much better this weekend with my shopping and didn't spend nearly as much money as I had a few weeks ago in part because the clothes I bought a few weeks ago are already starting to look frumpy. I'm convincing myself that I do not need cute clothes at every size and also think I'll buy more dresses that I can wear through multiple sizes. Unfortunately they do not have very good thrift stores around here and the consignment shops (that I have found) only take really high-end clothing and I'd spend much more at them than at discount or regular department store sales. Did I mention that I LOVE MY SLEEVE!

I've been busy with out of town guests over the last few days and actually didn't have a chance to jump on my scale and weigh. Well, this morning I stepped on the scale and it read 179, I finally broke out of the 180's! Also, yesterday we all went shopping and I was actually able to button up some size 12's (a little tight) and actually bought a size 10 dress. Now I know that these things all run very big because I still have 14's in my closet that I can barely get into, but it just makes me so happy to see these awesome results when just a few months ago I was wearing 22's-24's. Lastly, at jazzercise I had to use my 5 lb weights because I couldn't find 8 or 10 lb ones, and they were so light and easy for me to use. Six weeks ago when I started back, I couldn't even use weights and then I started with 3 lbs. and moved up to 5, which were so hard for me to use at the time. I LOVE my sleeve!

Congratulations on all of your great test results! I hope the dizziness stays away.

Great job! It's a wonderful feeling to meet our goals.

Thank you ladies, it was a terrific day!

Good luck! I was self pay also and decided not to go through my primary care physician...not sure if that's an option for you? I did inform him about three weeks before surgery, he already thinks I'm sort of flakey and knows that I manage my own care through many specialists. I'm very excited for you and your journey.

I hope your appointment goes (went) well. I've found these forums to be very helpful and educational. I look forward to getting to know you through your journey.

Welcome Dancer! Congratulations on your decision to have the VSG. Like others have mentioned, the first couple of weeks I found myself very tired. I didn't quite get all of my energy back at the two week mark, but think I would have been fine going back to work. Good luck with your pre-op stuff! This is a great place to be to get your questions answered.

It was a great weekend and today was terrific. I spent yesterday having some girl fun--got my hair trimmed, a little shopping (got a couple girdle style undergarments), and got my colors redone for make up (a mini-makeover). Today I spent a great morning/afternoon with my husband-we tried going to the zoo, but with school/people out it was kind of crowded and we ended up walking around Woodley and Cleveland Park areas and eating at a good Mexican restaurant. Tonight we were supposed to go to one of my favorite places to get steak, but during lunch (that was not planned) I ate a little much, so we are going to put off dinner until later in the week. On the food front, I was just thinking that with each diet I tried I always knew that one of my big problems was that I treated most meals out like it was my birthday...I always got whatever I wanted and ate as much as I could (I mean I was paying for it). It's kind of funny that today is actually my birthday, but I'm not worried about eating my "favorites" and as much as I want (although I decided not to count my carbs today and had some tortilla chips, but then couldn't eat even a quarter of my chicken quesadilla). I'm not doing cake or dessert AND it doesn't matter! That's one way the sleeve has helped change my outlook on life. This morning I swung by my mom's house where she had to take my picture and called me skinny! I know I'm still considered obese, but this just kind of made my morning. She was not such a great supporter of the surgery (she wanted me to try Jenny Craig or the Serotonin plus diet "just one more time"), but she was there through all parts of pre-op and post-op and it's nice to see how she's very proud of the weight loss and my following the plan. Well, I've spent the last 9 months not looking forward to this day, but I have to say, it's been wonderful. I told my husband that next year's birthday I'll either be skinny or pregnant (with surgeon's approval). :cursing:

I've had this problem too. Someone once told me it was due to cellulite, but I never could find anything to back it up. I do know for me it tends to happen if I haven't been exercising in a while and when I start back up it's pretty bad. Once I start to scratch I have to keep it up because it does not alleviate the itch. Also it seems to be worse in the fall and winter (colder times). I hope someone can chime in with a reason/solution.

Congratulations on your loss! And good luck on the next 20...I'm sure you will make it based on your success so far.

I love the comment about the boob popping out:-) I just bought a new sports bra from Walmart a couple of weeks ago (on clearance-it wasn't the best) and yesterday I noticed both boobs trying to escape from the top while I was jumping around in class--it was one of those deep cut ones. Good luck on your walking routine! I'm thinking of trying to add lunges and squats at home because my lower body is like jello. Yay on the almost size 14! What an accomplishment.

Yeah, you know yourself best. And if you trust your surgeon, I'm sure he'll/she'll be able to help guide you. You may want to check out the DS group on obesityhelp.com if you haven't already done so. The choice of wls is such a personal one and many factors have to be considered. I think all of them work for certain individuals and feel so blessed that we live in a time where there are so many options. Again, good luck! Let me know how you're feeling after your consult.

I've been feeling a little sad this week and one way I know to lift my spirits is to set goals. I came up with a professional/career goal (well reaffirmed). I had already sort of set a weight loss goal (lose 100 lbs), but that will depend how I feel once I get further out. A clothing goal to get into a size 8 (the smallest I remember being was a 12 my sophomore year in high school, then pretty much a 14-16-18). Now I've been trying to come up with a fitness goal. I think this morning I came up with a perfect one for me. I'm going to try to become a Jazzercise instructor. I spoke to my instructor after class this morning and I really think it's a good fit for me. I've always liked dance and aerobics and after I get a little more weight off, I know I'll be able to do all routines full out without having difficulty speaking. I also like this idea because it will help me stay active in something for life. I don't know if I'll teach that often, but even just subbing would help me keep fit and together. So now that I've written it down, I'm committed to work towards it. Hopefully I'll be ready to try out this winter or spring. So does anyone else have a fitness goal? Any hopeful marathon runners out there?

Welcome Jade! I felt the same way when I was researching the sleeve, I wanted to read everything I could from as many different perspectives as possible, so happy I found this board. Good luck on the pre-op diet, the 21st will be here before you know it and the pre-op diet will be a memory.

I just wanted to say good luck! I can't really help with insurance because I was self pay. You may want to post on the finance and insurance forum if you haven't already done so. As for the surgery type, I've read of people who have lost what you need to lose and from my understanding the sleeve is the first part of the DS procedure so maybe you could revise to the DS later if you aren't completely successful with the sleeve? Again good luck!

I feel the same way, I get tired of people mistaking my surgery with a band or bypass AFTER I've taken the time to discuss the VSG procedure I did have with them. Not that there is anything wrong with the other procedures, but it isn't the one I had, it's not true and I like to be true as much as possible...I'm pretty much an open book. If I knew people were just confusing the name of the surgery, but still knew what I had done, it probably wouldn't bug me so much. The other week when I had to leave work early because I was feeling sick, my assistant principal wanted to talk to me about Vitamins because her good friend "had the bypass also" and she knows how important it is to take all the vitamins because "we" do not absorb everything. I kindly explained once again that I did not have the bypass and although vitamins are super important, I do absorb what goes into my body and I was taking mine. It's just a pet peeve, and while it may not bother some, it seems a lot of us get annoyed with it.

I've been feeling somewhat sad for the last couple of days. For some reason I'm feeling fatter right now than the day of surgery (I know it's not rational and not true, but it's how I feel). I'm very happy with the weight loss number I've had so far (it has exceeded my expectations by so much, I was hoping to be here by Christmas initially), but when I look in the mirror I just see an unattractive, overweight woman. This morning my husband came in and informed me that our scale was not working because it said he was 6 pounds lighter than last week and we needed a new one. I explained that it matched my surgeon's scale exactly last week, but he just wouldn't let it go. I lost it and started crying and told him if it was broken then I must weigh 6 pounds more than I thought. I know he felt bad and it wasn't a big deal at all and nothing worth crying about, I just couldn't help myself. He sent me 3 emails throughout the day saying how proud he is of my progress, I thought that was nice. Tonight at Jazzercise, a woman came up to me as we were transitioning between routines and commented on my weight loss. She asked if I was doing Weight Watchers or something else (I guess she wasn't there the many times I mentioned my surgery) and I told her that I had surgery. She just sort of gave me a baffled look, her whole excitement level changed, and she went back to her spot. It was the first sort of negative reaction, but at least I didn't cry. I'm not sure what is wrong, but I just don't feel right. I'm thinking it might be a hormonal change like I've read about with major weight loss. I think I'm going to have to drop one day of my exercise classes to start going back to my therapist again (haven't seen her since mid-September) at least for right now.

You will do great! Sending lots of positive vibes your way.

Congratulations! Are you getting it done in the Maryland area? I had my done at Fair Oaks Hospital in VA. I like your outlook of looking forward to a year from now. I wish you luck on the pre-op stuff. I've only been sleeved for a couple of months, but I feel this is one of the best things I've done for myself! Sorry, forgot to add information about the ticker. If you click on mine below, you can click on the link stating "create a new ticker" and find the weight loss ticker link. Hope that helps.

People have noticed and commented more on the clothes I am wearing now more than the actual weight loss. I have gotten some really nice comments from people that don't see me everyday, but not much until I lost around 35-40 lbs.

I'm sorry you're feeling down. Your boyfriend is correct in saying give it time. You are also right in that you are taking in so much less, you will have to lose weight. It WILL happen. My surgeon told me not to even step on the scale until I came in for my first follow-up visit and I actually listened to directions for once (well almost). Good luck through this stage and CONGRATULATIONS on the weight you have already lost! (You did mention that you haven't lost much, but that does mean you've lost some, right?)

Welcome Charity! I definitely do not regret getting the sleeve. Like you, I began researching the band and then decided it was not the best surgery for me. I am so happy that I made this decision and wish you luck in yours.

If you keep the end result in mind, getting your sleeve, it will hopefully be more bearable. In hindsight, this surgery has been one of the best decisions in my life and seeing and feeling these results make everything I had to do as a pre-op worth it (but truthfully, I didn't have as strict of a pre-op diet as you, but I still think it's worth it:thumbup1:).