My surgeon

[M2G 1,836]

Okay, I'm going to steal (gosh I can't help myself...as I said "if I had a British Accent I would never shut up!") Amazeballs (ok sure with tinsel on them there balls) and Chuffed to Beans for ya!

You did awesome and I'm impressed with the layering and the heavy necklace...ha ha! You look amazing and those 3 little lbs do NOT make or break you.

And all the nurses drs. *know* we weigh less on our scale at home. Clothing DOES add weight, and if I could hop up there nekkid I sure would just to prove it. Well, with the flashing skin...maybe notsomuch.

You are awesome lady. Job well done. One year under that big ole belt of yours around a skinny waist!

[CassieWNY 100]

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[marfar7 1,528]

Called me a success today!!

I'm not at my goal but I guess I made some kind of goal for him because he said I'm good, that I look great to him!

my blood work is awesome (Well except that damn iron) I'm a success in his eyes

I know it's kindly corny, but it felt good.

I wanted a certain number going in there today and I didn't hit it and I have been down a bit about it..

It's a stupid number as was pointed out to me (thanks m2g) this morning and I'm going to take the victory lap for now and just keep trying to Work on myself.

Shameless selfie

:

Just out of curiosiy, Laura, what's ur bmi? U look perfect. Like u don't need to lose 1 more lb! Wow.You've done fantastic! U deserve the kudos from ur dr!

How much more do u want to lose? U need to put up a ticker girl!

[No game 14,437]

Just out of curiosiy, Laura, what's ur bmi? U look perfect. Like u don't need to lose 1 more lb! Wow.You've done fantastic! U deserve the kudos from ur dr! How much more do u want to lose? U need to put up a ticker girl!

Ugh my ticker must of vanished again I just put it back up so hopefully it shows up..

But here's a screen shot..

[mistysj 1,939]

13 pounds to go! Remember all the times you have lost 13 pounds? It must hardly seem like anything. but I know it seems huge too. Our brains are silly like that.

[lovely momma 28]

Hi Laura. Ven awesome job. Can I ask you where you had your surgery? What size bougie your doctor used? Did he over sew? Is there anything else you wished you had done different? I am due to have surgery in January. What was the hardest part for you? What would you do different?

[No game 14,437]

Hi Laura. Ven awesome job. Can I ask you where you had your surgery? What size bougie your doctor used? Did he over sew? Is there anything else you wished you had done different? I am due to have surgery in January. What was the hardest part for you? What would you do different?

Hi I had my surgery in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Lol! most people here learn really quick not to talk to me about bougies

I have very strong opinions on making them a factor in a "successful" surgery outcome.

They do not do the work at losing the weight, you do

A too small a bougie (32f) MAY increase complications (leaks, strictures) . The most common used is 32-40 F

The bougie sizes are used as a guide for the doctor when removing your stomach. As far as getting a "bigger" or "smaller" sleeve the difference between the ALL bougies sizes are really very small..

Your doctor will know what is right for you!

Everyone's stomachs are different some are small, some are long so even two people using the same size bougie can have different capacities after..

And as far as "getting one as small as you can"

If your stomach is made to small there is a greater chance of long term problems.

Wow as far as wishing I had done anything different? Not really.. I wish I would learn to love exercise and did it more...

The hardest part of this journey will be you head.

It takes a lot of work to get your head straight.

Most of us didn't eat and get fat because we had extreme out of control REAL hunger. So head hunger is a major factor and should be dealt with in the early stages (first six months) because if not dealt with and relying solely on the sleeve can = weight gain down the line. We have to think long term not just the first year.

Edited December 13, 2013 by laura-ven

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Hey Miss skinniness! Love your collar bones and skinny body ! Can u see the dancin bananas? LOL. YOU DID IT!

[M2G 1,836]

Hey Miss skinniness! Love your collar bones and skinny body ! Can u see the dancin bananas? LOL. YOU DID IT!

OMG I totally miss those dancing bananas! They were a lot of fun to throw into a post!

[scarlet333 386]

Wow you look so great! We have similar starting weights and current weights and goal weight but alas I am 2 inches shorter than you and what a difference that makes. To be able to tuck in a tshirt like that and look like you with that flat stomach! Its funny I worked as a Jenny craig consultant for years and the things people will take off before getting on the scale. Lets just say I have seen people get down to there undies right there in the lobby.

Seriously, I have my 9 month check-up next week and am totally nervous about my surgeons reaction. I think I will be lucky if I am 4 pounds down since my last weigh in 3 months ago. It has gotten much harder to loose and he is such a stickler.

[No game 14,437]

Wow you look so great! We have similar starting weights and current weights and goal weight but alas I am 2 inches shorter than you and what a difference that makes. To be able to tuck in a tshirt like that and look like you with that flat stomach! Its funny I worked as a Jenny craig consultant for years and the things people will take off before getting on the scale. Lets just say I have seen people get down to there undies right there in the lobby. Seriously, I have my 9 month check-up next week and am totally nervous about my surgeons reaction. I think I will be lucky if I am 4 pounds down since my last weigh in 3 months ago. It has gotten much harder to loose and he is such a stickler.

You know the thing about my "goal" weight... It's an arbitrary number picked by me not my surgeon...

I have OCD and 100 pounds was a nice round number my surgeon considers where I'm at now goal and thought the 135 might be a little low..

He did this surgery for me so I could get healthy, his goal for me wasn't "skinny" just normal and healthy for a 47 year old woman.

I know the nerves! I hadn't lost that much since my last visit but whatever it was? I lost..that's what counts

Lol yep the weigh in, usually I'll wear the lightest clothes I can and take my shoes off...

But you know, as someone said above are you really going to let 2 or 3 pounds make or break you..

Edited December 13, 2013 by laura-ven

[JerseyGirl68 1,172]

I am so happy for you Laura. And when I go in for my 1 year follow up on Wednesday, I will for damn sure weigh my clothes first. LOL Of course I will tell no one I've done that but you guys who can understand.

My two seconds to give Laura-ven my heartfelt thanks for always being honest, and forthcoming. These issues that plague us are not always easy to talk about, but you do. You, and many others here have made this year a bit easier for me. I never felt alone or that no one understood what i was feeling. You Rock!!

[No game 14,437]

I am so happy for you Laura. And when I go in for my 1 year follow up on Wednesday, I will for damn sure weigh my clothes first. LOL Of course I will tell no one I've done that but you guys who can understand. My two seconds to give Laura-ven my heartfelt thanks for always being honest, and forthcoming. These issues that plague us are not always easy to talk about, but you do. You, and many others here have made this year a bit easier for me. I never felt alone or that no one understood what i was feeling. You Rock!!

Jersey,

thank you, I feel so close to you all and so liberated to be able to talk open and freely to people who get it.

And wow the year flies by huh??

And when you go for your weigh in be a rebel like me and wear a belt and a necklace

[RJ'S/beginning 5,357]

congrats Laura.....Being there is a bomb...All the struggles and pain and work has been paying off...Keeping it real and being real and knowing you have gotten there has to be a rich reward for anybody....

[No game 14,437]

Ok I didn't want to start a new thread but my husband found this picture today..

This was me in July of 2012 a couple of months before surgery..

All the way to the kayak place I worried that I wouldn't even fit into a kayak anymore

I fit (barely) but after a couple of hours of kayaking when I pulled up to the dock I couldn't physically get myself out! I had to rest for awhile then when I finally was able to hoist myself out and roll onto the dock I had to sit there for about five minutes because I could not stand up on my own...