HatheryOnHerWay

I think that truthfully, many of us have "body issues" well beyond obesity. In my case, I wasn't happy with my body when I was thin and managed to diet myself into major food problems. I don't think that really ever goes away.

Garlic is also good for killing yeast and fungus. You could take garlic capsules as a natural supplement to the meds you were prescribed.

I only began to struggle with weight when I reached adulthood. I was never an overweight child. Clearly it was the transition from having meals made for me by a diligent mother, to having to choose meals for myself that did me in. My husband is a thin guy with a high metabolism, and since I generally cook for both of us I began to eat the same things he wanted to eat. To put it simply: carbs, carbs and more carbs!

Aww, what a sweet fiance you have to remind you of your success!

Love the new hairstyle, too!

Yeah, the digging around is the worst! I can't watch when they do that

My insurance company says it has to be a medical issue, and depression is not a sufficient medical issue (according to their policy). So I guess it really depends on each individual policy.

My veins are so deep, sometimes nurses can't even find a pulse on me.

I have never understood the W either!!

I've read promising research about alpha-hydroxy acids (like Am-Lactin lotion) for stretch marks/scars.

Some people just have genetically deep veins. Mine are deep and tiny. Whenever I have to see the phlebotomist, I tell him/her that she gets a prize if she draws blood on the first try! haha. I think my worst draw was the time it took 7 tries between 2 different phlebs. They had to try both arms and both hands.

I'm sure it wouldn't be the first time your surgeon saw it

I had that with my gallbladder surgery. I think it was the incision healing and the new tissue pulling the wound back together. But might be worth a call to your doc to double-check!

Dr. Pleatman comes highly recommended by many people. His self-pay is $11,200. You can find his info on my self-pay blog in my signature, if you're interested.

There's a good reason many people call it "Isopuke"...haha

Probably the same reason I'm scared...we're volunteering to have 85% of a vital organ removed.

Ok, I got my surgery countdown ticker made!! Can't wait to turn it into a weight loss ticker I've also been working on a blog compiling a list of self-pay surgeon prices. I see so many people asking around for prices and I thought it might be worthwhile to compile my research into a list. I linked it in my signature in case anyone is interested.

What a positive first post!

The pathetic thing is, I remember lying on my driver's license when I was 16. I said I weighed 130, when I'm sure I weighed around 145 at the time. Proof that the weight issues have always been there.

Holy moly, you truly look like an entirely different person! Your "before" pic looks a lot like me now, so I'm definitely inspired

I'm to the point now where a week from today, I'll be flying to meet my surgeon for the first time. I'm excited, but definitely nervous. Eating makes me a little nauseous thanks to the butterflies in my tummy (guess I better get used to uncomfortable eating for a while, eh? hehe) I'm just so excited to get started on my new normal.

Hey, May 22 is my day, too!

I'm hoping for 120!

Band erosion seems SO COMMON on this forum! Do you know the statistics of how often it happens, by chance?

I personally feel that there is a lot of misinformation being spread by well-meaning counselors, nurses, and even doctors. The gastric sleeve is a fairly new procedure in the grand scheme of things, and I think a lot of the "cautionary tales" people like to spread are actually referring to gastric banding or gastric bypass.