I have my appointment with Dr. Alvarez on Friday and I am excited and nervous. I decided to get the sleeve despite being one of the 'lightweights' (I really don't like that word!). I have several motivations- I have struggled with my weight for too long. Have tried every diet in the book. The last straw had to be when I finally lost 12 pounds in 2 years (after working out 6 days a week, writing everything I ate down, keeping under 1400 calories every day and even completing a triathlon), and then put all the weight back on plus 6 more pounds for good measure in less than 7 weeks.

In addition, both sides of my family have women who are extremely obese and have a myriad of health problems. None of the women in my dad's side of the family have lived to be over 46 years old.

So I am being proactive. I am obviously deathly afraid, and I am a chicken when it comes to pain. The next few weeks/months should be interesting.........

Hi there and welcome to VST. Congrats on getting your date, and I'll keep you in my thoughts for your upcoming surgery. Keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks Tiffykins. And p.s. I was checking out your pics today and was so encouraged by your progress. You look awesome.

Thanks Tiffykins. And p.s. I was checking out your pics today and was so encouraged by your progress. You look awesome.

Thank you bunches. . .:confused1:

Coopersmama- What a brave step you are taking! I am so glad you are taking charge of your life and breaking the cycle of the females in your family. Good luck and remember - we are all here to support you and cheer you on!

Hi Coopersmama!

Good for you! I weighed 188 on surgery day. They told me I was a lightweight too. But, I knew it was only a matter of time before I put myself in a weight category that would make surgery too risky. I do not think it is a vanity thing, at all. It is a life decision that I regret not making twenty years ago. I have struggled with my weight every day of my life. The day I graduated law school, I weighed 250! I am too ashamed to show my graduation pictures to anyone. Very sad.

There is no doctor in the US, who would even consider me a candidate for surgery. Thank God for Mexico!

Today is my one-week anniversary! Wow. I am celebrating with an Isopure. Ohhhh, I am soooooo over the Isopure.

Anyway, I believe you are doing the right thing. I totally support you.

As for me, I will never tell anyone except my husband. I know people will think I am crazy so I am just going to lie and say I am on Atkins or make something up like the DNS Diet (do not swallow - he he he). I am sure I will find a confidant here and there but for now, my lips are sealed.

By the way, I feel fine. Just fine. I have felt fine since the day of surgery. I had one rough "gasy" day when I got home, but that was it. I am so happy. I never again have to go to bed with that horrible, disgusting, you-know-the-feeling.

@ Jilly.... you made me feel so much better about not telling. I am just not ready to out myself yet. I may eventually. Only my fiance knows and my workout partner/friend who is unbelievably supportive (especially since she knows how much I have tried with the psycho working out, and logging everything). Both of them (fiance and workout friend) are such cuties, and have both committed to do the liquid diet with me. (They are better than I am- I would pick mcdonalds over Isopure anytime!!!)

My excuse for not eating for the first few months is going to be that I have some SERIOUS gas issues/acid reflux- and I think that is awkward enough for people not to ask any more questions- haha!

Thank you guys for being welcoming and supportive

Hey, I like the gas/reflux excuse. I am totally going to use that one!! Very brilliant.

I absolutely love the "gas....ummmm..."issue"...that's a great way to put it out there that would make it be something no one asks you about! Good luck!

BTW...I so appreciate this forum and the openness about issues...what a great support!

:001_smile:

Joann

Coopersmama - congratulations on your upcoming surgery and welcome to the VST Family. I think you are doing the right thing even if "they" consider you a lightweight -- it's a personal matter and based on your family's history, I think you are doing the right thing.

I have told VERY few people about my surgery - it is no one's business in my opinion - when I was on the liquid phase of the post-op, I just told people I had had a hiatal hernia repaired (which was the truth) and left it at that. After hearing my mom's comments about WLS, I am very glad I opted not to share with my family.

Coopersmama

Good luck on your upcoming surgery, you will do great and before you know it you will be at goal!!

I understand what you mean about the women in your family not living long lifes, mine is not quite that bad but all of them are obese by the time they hit 40. When I was younger I never had to watch my weight, I also played team sports and played almost every day. I played my last game when I was 43 and that is when the weight started creaping up. I'm a very competitive person and I miss playing. But since being without a team I have piled on the weight!! Now I'm thinking I might find a team again when I'm at goal. I just turned 50 and luckily in this area they have "over the hill" teams.

With the sleeve you will be able to do what you did in the past and the weight WILL come off, just the amount yo9u were eating and excersizing will do it. With the sleeve you won't be able to get 1400 calories in, you would be way to full.

Love, love, love my sleeve...you will too!

I have my appointment with Dr. Alvarez on Friday and I am excited and nervous. I decided to get the sleeve despite being one of the 'lightweights' (I really don't like that word!). I have several motivations- I have struggled with my weight for too long. Have tried every diet in the book. The last straw had to be when I finally lost 12 pounds in 2 years (after working out 6 days a week, writing everything I ate down, keeping under 1400 calories every day and even completing a triathlon), and then put all the weight back on plus 6 more pounds for good measure in less than 7 weeks.

In addition, both sides of my family have women who are extremely obese and have a myriad of health problems. None of the women in my dad's side of the family have lived to be over 46 years old.

So I am being proactive. I am obviously deathly afraid, and I am a chicken when it comes to pain. The next few weeks/months should be interesting.........

How wonderful for you!!! I am also seriously considering this surgeon as well so I can't wait to hear how everything goes for you. I wish it was me on Friday I can't wait to be a loser!!! Let us know your progress and good luck!!

Coopersmoma, I met Dr. Alvarez on Jan 4th and feel very comfortable with him doing my surgery. I took my partner with me, she was so against going to Mexico to have it done and wanted to pay the extra for me to have it done here in the US. But, after she met him and we left Mexico, I asked her what does she think,, and now she is all for me going to Mexico and have Dr. Alvarez do the surgery. I had concerns because it can be very hard to get her to change her mind.

Finishing up my 3rd day preop diet,, days are going by really slow. Sleeve date is 2-1-10.

Keep us posted and tell Dr. Alvarez I said hello.. Thoughts and prayers are with you Coopersmoma

Coopersmoma - Thank you for this post. (And as a MINI Cooper owner, I love the name!)

I am also a lightweight with a BMI of "only" 33. Makes me laugh. They say 30 and above is obese, so I'm only slightly obese?

I also have a terrible family history of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, I lost my dad last year due to obesity complications. I'm relatively healthy now, but do not want to wait for the family history to catch up wth me.

Congratulations on your decision. We'll all be newbie sleeves soon! :thumbup: