16 months post-op, just moved to NC

It's funny, because everyone thought we were C.R.A.Z.Y. to be doing this.  I just didn't understand why at the time.  I was excited and anxious to have the surgery.  Looking back, I can see why our families were nervous for us, with (at the time) a 3 and 4 year old we were leaving behind.  I think everyone thought we'd die in Mexico and never be heard from again, lol.  And to be honest, I am terrified of flying and the flight to Monterrey was much more nerve wrecking then the surgery itself.  Not only my nerves, but here we were a combined weight of over 850 lbs getting on an airplane.  I was afraid we wouldn't fit in the seats, they would kick us off, etc.   That said, the experiance itself was a breeze.  My husband was there with me all the way, through the pre-op tests, to going into the pre-op room at the hospital.  He went first, and the surgeon gave me a pill to take to calm my nerves.  The procedure usually takes 1-1.5 hours and I remember the surgeon coming out after 2 hours saying everything was going great, but they were taking longer w/Steve because of his size.  They did everything the could to prevent having to convert to open surgery and they were successful.  For that I'm greatful.  We were able to recover in the same room, do the liquid diets together, start sampling our first soft foods together, and it was truely wonderful. As far as preparing for the surgery itself, I had to quit smoking 2 weeks prior, quit taking birth control, and try to do only liquids for 2 full weeks prior.  That was hard.  Usually my surgeon only requires 1 week but because of Steve's size, Steve had to do two weeks.  And I did it with him.  We were so busy tying up loose ends, we didn't really have time to dwell on the actual surgery.  And both of us knew that without this tool, we wouldn't live long enough to see the kids grow up.  So, yes, it was exciting for us. As far as loose skin, I feel very fortunate.  Believe me, I have tons of hanging skin, but I manage to look good in clothing and that's what's important.  No one will ever see me naked except my husband, and he's in the same boat as I am!  I did get an estimate for a breast aug in January and the plastic surgeon (bless him) refused to do the surgery until I lost 45 more pounds.  He said he could not take my money in good faith knowing I would lose more weight and the breasts would sag again.  I greatful for him being so honest.  Many surgeon would have done the aug on a 195 lb woman!  Since then we've decided to try for another baby before I hit 35 so the aug is on hold anyway.  My worst sagging is my inner thighs.  I literally have folds and folds of deflated skin.  I never wear anything except tight jeans.  I doubt I will ever wear shorts or a skirt again.  But I'm OK with that.  I rarely wore them at 370 lbs to begin with. I did have one issue with an allergic reaction about 1 week after returning from Mexico.  Since I finished all my pain meds before we flew home, the ER doctors didn't know what I had taken and if it was a delayed reaction to a med or something else.  But when they found out I had recently had surgery in MX, they did a whole slew of tests on me.  I was in the hospital for 3 days and felt like an alien being examined, lol.  Everything turned out fine witha little benedryl and that was that.  I have not had one single problem since.  In fact, I feel healthier then I did 10 years ago! Bridget