While I have great respect for people who decide to have weight loss surgery to lose 50 or so pounds, I have a hard time relating to them. My highest was 440 pounds and I began the VSG journey at 285 pounds. I'm looking at a 150 pound loss and would love to communicate with others in my category.

In my case, I know it can be done. I went from 440 pounds to 193 pounds before I started gaining weight back and that was 100% diet and exercise. Exercise is very hard now but I'm getting 2 new knees in Sept. The rehab will be a LOT of exercise but that's OK. I need my life back and new knees plus the sleeve will help me do just that.

You've done FANTASTIC and I know it can be done too ... and now with the sleeve, I know it WILL be done ... and as I have said before, I think I'm right behind you on the bilateral knee replacements ... I'll be anxious to follow your progress on that too .. is there a reason they won't do them at the same time? It seems to me to be put under 2x in 1 week isn't very healthy ... of course that could be my fear of being put under anesthesia at all.

Lbs sounds so much further away than Kgs *smiles* ohhh boy. so here goes right!!!! at the top of my pregnancy and highest weight ever,(i only gained 6Lbs and baby was 9Lbs14) I was 332Lbs and....8 mts on have lost 44Lbs (by myself) to now be at 288Lbs I think I should be aiming at around 143...but it seems so far away pffft 189 and counting. got to start somewhere.....and the 100 plus club (as at today) looks like a great place to start/continue

Another day closer to being better for me and my family!

you girls are the best. every post I read, the more comfortable I feel about the choice I have made for my future

Lbs sounds so much further away than Kgs *smiles* ohhh boy. so here goes right!!!! at the top of my pregnancy and highest weight ever,(i only gained 6Lbs and baby was 9Lbs14) I was 332Lbs and....8 mts on have lost 44Lbs (by myself) to now be at 288Lbs I think I should be aiming at around 143...but it seems so far away pffft 189 and counting. got to start somewhere.....and the 100 plus club (as at today) looks like a great place to start/continue

Another day closer to being better for me and my family!

you girls are the best. every post I read, the more comfortable I feel about the choice I have made for my future

We are GREAT aren't we? And MODEST too! So glad you're feeling more comfortable and I think you're doing awesome!! Keep it up

You've done FANTASTIC and I know it can be done too ... and now with the sleeve, I know it WILL be done ... and as I have said before, I think I'm right behind you on the bilateral knee replacements ... I'll be anxious to follow your progress on that too .. is there a reason they won't do them at the same time? It seems to me to be put under 2x in 1 week isn't very healthy ... of course that could be my fear of being put under anesthesia at all.

The surgeon told me that you lose 1 to 1.5 units of blood with one knee replacement and @ 3 units with two. He found patients were ending up in the ICU with 2 done at the same time. So, the standard of care has been changed. They now do the worst knee (and YOU decide which is worse) first and get you rehabing the next day. On day 5, you, the surgeon, your medical MD, and the anesthesiologist all meet and discuss the second surgery. If you all agree, they do the second one 7 days after the first. I will have to donate 2 units of my blood prior to surgery.

The surgeon told me that you lose 1 to 1.5 units of blood with one knee replacement and @ 3 units with two. He found patients were ending up in the ICU with 2 done at the same time. So, the standard of care has been changed. They now do the worst knee (and YOU decide which is worse) first and get you rehabing the next day. On day 5, you, the surgeon, your medical MD, and the anesthesiologist all meet and discuss the second surgery. If you all agree, they do the second one 7 days after the first. I will have to donate 2 units of my blood prior to surgery.

Well that makes total sense then. I'm afraid if I have one done, I'll never want to have the other ... I guess I'll wait and see how you come through it and how you feel about the entire thing. I know it's going to have to be done, it's just a matter of when.

Hey doghouse, we are neighbors, I live in Santa Clarita, glad to meet another sleeve sista

I used to live in Quartz Hill.

Hello, fellow 100+ pound members. I too am a member of your group. It has been many years since I weighed anything near "Onederland".

There are many reasons why I have found myself here. The love of southern cooking, TexMex, lack of exercising, genetics (grandma weighed 400lbs.), etc. You get the point. Whatever the reason, I am here now and fortunately, I have been granted a reprive and I shall not waste it.

Welcome. We will all get there. :lol0:

Welcome and remember, no matter what the reason, the good thing is that you are now on your way to a healthier YOU.

You go girl. You are off to a terrific start!! We'll keep each other company along the way and have a little fun at it.

WOW... How did I miss this post???

I too had knee replacement... My doc said it was one of the worst cases he had seen in his career..... and I was afraid my left knee was going to need it too... but he said if I got the weight off, I would be able to get more "milage" outta it....

I told him I was looking into weight loss surgery and he was soo supportive and told me he would do anything he could to help me, write any letter needed, but my insurance did not cover it, so I became a self pay patient.

I gotta tell you, the surgery (knee replacement) was one of the most painful things I have ever gone thru... but I would do it all again in a HEARTBEAT!

It was the final deciding factor on my decision for weight loss. My surgery went well... rehab excellent.. but my stamina was pitiful... I couldn't walk much because of my weight... out of breath and new I would never be able to do my current job....

Now... almost 6 months later and 136 pounds "lighter" I can walk with no trouble... my left knee does NOT hurt at all!!!

I go back to see my knee surgen in Oct... and I can't wait!! My PCP knows him, and said he is gonna be floored at my progress and weight loss!! I can't wait for that doctors appointment! :thumbup: LOL

I would love to lose the first 100lbs in 12 months. I personally don't think that is unrealistic considering that's 2lbs a week. I'm going to set some goals next week once I find out about the TPN. I can't wait until I can exercise again. I loved when I started working out after the band, and then my old surgeon made me stop when I started having so much port pain. My neighbor has a pool, and told me I can use it once I get released. I'm walking a little right now, but I run out of gas pretty quickly.

50lbs gone by end of September would be amazing, and maybe that will be my first goal.

Losing more than 100lbs is so daunting to me. I know it can be done, but does anyone else ever feel like it's not going to happen?

My husband said he can't imagine me weighing 150lbs. He says it's going to be awkward because he's never known me to be "small".

It IS Possible!! I lost 100 pounds in 3 1/2 months! I never dreamed I could.. 100 pounds... crazy stuff..

I am a member of the "century club"...

Anyone else want one>?? be glad to hook ya up with your own card!!

Just as soon as I get there, I will want one of those cards.

I want one of those cards -- just as soon as I reach that goal - how cool!

Hey all!

Let me in this club!

I am sleeved and happy and doing great (though full liquids can't come soon enough)!