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Pre-op, and feeling prepared. CW: 338.5 HW: 386.2 GW: 155.0



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"You're a cool kid, and we really want you around for awhile. I am going to approve you for the surgery."

Hey Team VSG/WLS,

I am Kayla, 29-years-old; live in San Diego, and work at the Symphony full-time. I freelance as a professional makeup artist for fun on the side, and am also a full-time college student. The hustle is real!

Yesterday I was approved by the SoCal division of Kaiser Permanente for the VSG surgery after my 24-week lifestyle Healthy Options program completion. I've already taken off a bit of weight, but I don't want to go into my thirties struggling with plateaued weight loss. I've lost almost fifty pounds in the last year, but am ready to kick it up a notch. Admitting you need help is a big step.

My weight loss focus began when I literally broke a bike while cruising the lakefront in Chicago and had to drag the bike on the walk of shame seven miles back to the starting point since cabbies wouldn't load it. Am a very active fatty (run marathons, yoga, swim, surf, et al.), so watching the junk food alone took of the first chunk of weight... but after years of battling medically diagnosed Binge Eating Disorder, I am used to having a mixing bowl-sized salad, and only began taking off weight again this month by replacing two meals per day with Soylent and intaking Water at 100 ounces. It's miserable; am hungry all the time.

Decided to take the next step to pursue WLS when in Istanbul, Turkey. After leaving the 8th Wonder of the World, locals extending typical Turkish hospitality asked me to sit with them for tea, and I nearly broke one of the small public stools. They had to search for a sturdier chair, and I hat to hold back tears... even though they weren't being judgmental (most of Europe has the "a body is a body" mindset, but I was still mortified). My weight hasn't stood in the way of living a full and dynamic life, but for the first time having to inconvenience a group due to my body mass was just too much.

So far, things seem to be okay with Kaiser and the surgery albeit dealing with psychological issues as they are under maintenance, and after discussing this angle with the bariatric team yesterday, they said most of us deal with exceptionally high rates of depression/anxiety/Binge Eating Disorder. Tackling it two years ago to this point... is 1) why I think I lost the first chunk of weight, and 2) that they approved the surgery.

Really looking forward to interacting with you all here. Thankful to the community I've seen already. I'm on Instagram at @fatgirlsvelte if anyone wants to follow along and support each other's journeys there.

All love,

Kayla

P.S. Here's a face with a name... in my fave plaid shirt that I bought last year, and could button up this morning all the way!

post-294988-0-51887500-1466795132_thumb.jpg

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Yes ma'am, took it this morning here at work!

The activity has a lot to do with my body composition; actually may not reach my goal weight according to the doc because of my muscle tone—running 5ks daily hauling around 300+ pounds really builds up the legs

That's a pic of 338? You go girl!

Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes ma'am, took it this morning here at work!

The activity has a lot to do with my body composition; actually may not reach my goal weight according to the doc because of my muscle tone—running 5ks daily hauling around 300+ pounds really builds up the legs

That's a pic of 338? You go girl!

Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes ma'am, took it this morning here at work!

The activity has a lot to do with my body composition; actually may not reach my goal weight according to the doc because of my muscle tone—running 5ks daily hauling around 300+ pounds really builds up the legs

That's a pic of 338? You go girl!

Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes ma'am, took it this morning here at work!

The activity has a lot to do with my body composition; actually may not reach my goal weight according to the doc because of my muscle tone—running 5ks daily hauling around 300+ pounds really builds up the legs

That's a pic of 338? You go girl!

Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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You have a very similar build to me.... i am quite muscular underneath all my fat.... if i go below 154 i look anorexic.... even when i was 176 i was still tiny... compared to others at the same weight... when i was 176 my friends and family were telling me i was getting too thin... so i think it depends on build, muscle and height..... how tall are you?

So it seems goals are very similar.... and congratulations on how far you have come so far... i can only imagine how awesome you will be once you have your surgery.

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That's incredible, congrats on the surgery! I wear anywhere from a 24-30 now. Torrid stuff basically a size 26 (4) but I've not purchased clothes there for quite sometime. This top is a Talbots 3x, the jeans are Torrid size 4 (26-28). I find my best luck on ASOS curve and plus section, they always are generously cut and ludicrously stylish (as well as inexpensive!).

How are you feeling six weeks out?

You're going to look like a goddess when you take the weight off. Can I ask what size clothing you wear now.

My hw was 430ish surgery: 389. 6 weeks out about 355

Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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Bless, this was wonderful to read... The fam has been pushing hard saying that 170-180 will be small enough, and if that's the case I certainly won't push it. This is for a lifetime of health, definitely not for the numbers on the scale. In the beginning it is important...but all bodies are unique.

I'm 5'9" (almost 5'10", the nurses fussed about the 3/4 of an inch). My mum was 6'3"; dad was quite short, but I've definitely inherited her muscle building biology and broad shoulders.

How tall are you? How long have you been post-op? Thank you for the inspiration!

You have a very similar build to me.... i am quite muscular underneath all my fat.... if i go below 154 i look anorexic.... even when i was 176 i was still tiny... compared to others at the same weight... when i was 176 my friends and family were telling me i was getting too thin... so i think it depends on build, muscle and height..... how tall are you?

So it seems goals are very similar.... and congratulations on how far you have come so far... i can only imagine how awesome you will be once you have your surgery.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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I am a weirdo.. every time they measure my height i am either 5'7 or 5'8 ... i am currently 8 weeks post op from the sleeve, but i had the band for years prior... so i have gotten to goal in the past ...

I haven't weighed myself in a while, but i was last 209, but buildwise.... a size 14 (Australian) is loose fitting on me... i think in around 11lbs i should be able to squeeze into a 12. Yay me!

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Wonderful!

I am a weirdo.. every time they measure my height i am either 5'7 or 5'8 ... i am currently 8 weeks post op from the sleeve, but i had the band for years prior... so i have gotten to goal in the past ...

I haven't weighed myself in a while, but i was last 209, but buildwise.... a size 14 (Australian) is loose fitting on me... i think in around 11lbs i should be able to squeeze into a 12. Yay me!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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I'm simularly built I'm 5'11 and had surgery on April 12. My weight then was 286. About 10 weeks post op, I had gastric bypass n currently weigh 240. You'll look and feel great as the lbs start to go. Best feeling ever. Good luck on your journey

Sent from my SM-G900FD using the BariatricPal App

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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