New and 22

 That's the dumbest title I could come up with....so--there.

Hi! I'm Lindsey. I'm 22 and I live in SF. I'm a graduate student studying film editing and I am hoping for an awesome VSG surgery over spring break. 

My mom had RNY about 7 years ago and looks so gorgeous I could die. 

I feel like sometimes, people in my life are kind of put off by my ideas of WLS. The friends I have made here in SF are like me...most of them are heavy. Not knowing them for very long, they have not been with me through my trials and tribulations with the scale. They kind of scoff at my ideas for WLS in saying that I should just exercise more and eat better. I try not to let it get to me, but also, I feel like now that those people know about my plans, they are scrutinizing what I'm eating all the time. I guess that's good...because then I'm more aware of what's going in my mouth, but, I just hate feeling chastisied. 

I decided that I'm rambling about things that probably don't matter currently. 
I hope everyone is doing well.
I look forward to hopefully chatting with a few of you :)

Have a super night!

Sometimes I want to scream at people. At least with me, I have been big since I was 4. Most of my weight is due to my genes. I don't eat any more than a normal person, and I have been on every friggin diet and exercise plan you could possibly imagine. It's OUR decision, nobody else's. And really, who in their right mind would let someone cut them open and change their **** around if they could lose the weight on their own?

 I completely agree. Its not my fault that Weigh****chers, Atkins, JC, and slimfast stopped working for me. I'm just tired of looking this way. if a permenant change is in order, then let me have it and let me be successful. I'm sorry some of my friends don't WANT to be thin. I'm actually happy that they are comfortable in their bodies, but I'm not comfortable in mine.....so...what's to do? CHANGE. 

ha.

So, grace, how long have you been looking into/curious/excited&nervous about surgery?

haha! like, 8 months! next friday is my last weigh in for my six month diet i need to send to the insurance. i am so excited but scared at the same time! how about you?

so you mean your friends don't want you to have the surgery? that's bull**** your friends should be supportive of you! they do say that misery loves company...and someone (i forget who it was, sorry!) on the board said that her counselor told her that when one person of a group of larger people starts to lose weight the other people start getting mad because they want that person to remain large with them. because if you get thin then they don't have anyone to compare to anymore...you're taking away their ego boost!

i have found that my thinner friends are actually ecstatic for me. my one friend who i have had since childhood who has seen my struggle with my weight and stuck up for me multiple times to multiple people is so happy. she told me she can't wait to go sun dress and bathing suit shopping with me...and she told me that if i need someone to go walking/jogging/running with she will go with me...i don't get so much support from my larger friends...

 

this will change our lives forever. we will gain friends through it and we will lose friends through it. just remember that there are always people coming in and out of our lives and we learn something from each of them...whether it be a good lesson or a bad lesson...but they were there for a reason. and remember that it is your turn to go first.

 

i added you to my friends, so if you wanna chat just message me=]

good luck girl

 So, I've been looking into the surgery for about 4 months, but, I'm pretty sure my insurance doesn't require pre-op dieting for 6 months...I've heard about some companies doing that, but from what I've been told, mine doesn't.....who knows?! 

I have my first consult with my surgeon on wednesday. I'm so excited..I wi**** was tomorrow! I just really want to get started and get things going! 

My mom had RNY 7 years ago and she is amazing. She went from a size 22 to a size 4/6 and she is healthy and loving life. I was still in high school when she had her surgery, so, I was there with her the whole time. I saw what she went through, how she changed...I kind of factor that in as a leg up. It was just her and I, you know? so, I helped her with most everything during her recovery. We've had some awesome discussions, and we've been talking more in "after the surgery you'll......." instead of, "if you have the surgery it will be....." which makes me more excited.

My dad is one of the people who isn't really in favor of my surgery choice. Basically, he tells me that I have to exhaust all my options before surgery. I kind of come back with the fact that I have exhausted my options....I just didn't live with him, so, it's hard for him to see...

And yes, I agree, the heavy group of friends syndrome is happening to me. It's frustrating, but, it is what it is...you know? But I haven't told many people yet, just the people in my family and people who will see me every day after.


QUESTIONS:
What kind of pre-op testing did/do you have to do? My mom had a laundry list of things, but that was 7 years ago and she was like...twice my age...I'm just curious if I'll have to go through everything...and how long it will take...

Anyone know how soon after finishing pre-op you get a date? eeeep?

okay. it's my bedtime. I neglected to mention that I'm an RA as well.....we sleep when we can...sigh.
night!

Congratulations on getting ready for surgery and welcome to the board!!! That's awesome you're only 22 and already in graduate school!!!!

I've experienced a lot of the jealousy/bad attitudes/whatever you wanna call it from friends and family about the surgery, but you just have to stay strong! I had RNY 3 months ago and am down 70 pounds and I'm feeling awesome!

This is a great place to come get support and make friends who WILL be supportive of your choices, no matter what they may be. We're all in the same boat, just trying to live healthier happier lives.

 Thank you so much for your support! and congrats on the weight loss! that's so wonderful! My mother also had RNY but it was about 7 years ago. I was thinking about that particular procedure, but, I'm not  sure yet. I want to talk to my surgeon (which I will FINALLY do on Wednesday!!)

Its my body and it's my choices. I'm just glad there are likeminded people out and about like everyone here. :)

Have a super night!

ps: its also wonderful to find another CA chickie :)

Did you know that the VSG is only half of the DS surgery. You live near Dr. Rabkin one of the greatest DS surgeons. Invest in the full works.

WWw.dsfacts.com

 Hey! thanks for the input :) 

I don't really want DS because I'm not really a fan of the malabsorption, and I'd rather leave the rest of my organs alone. 

John Rabkin is a nice guy, I've bet with him, but he's not covered my by insurance and he is currently between hospitals. (this may have changed, he was in december when I last spoke to him)

Have a super Friday.

 Hey Lindsey! 

I am 23 and 3 months post op from VSG. Congrats on your decision to change your life! I know it's the best one I could have ever made for myself. I personally never considered RNY or DS. I just was not comfortable with having my organs re-routed. I've also seen many people I know gain a lot of their weight back after the first year from RNY. More than likely that was all due to bad food choices, but still. I also was not a fan of the malabsorption aspect of them and the vitamin regimen I'd have to be on for life! Not saying DS or RNY are bad.. Just not for me. There are a lot of people on here who have been success with any of the 3. VSG, DS, or RNY. The choice is ultimately yours. Do your research and make the choice for you, not because someone "THINKS" you should have a different type of surgery. 


It sucks to have friends not be supportive of our choices. Remember that this your choice and they can either choose to support you or not. I know from my person experiences, even though I was very happy, it was very hard to support friends if lost a lot of weight because I couldn't do it in the past. Jealousy is an evil little thing. All of us on OH are here to support you!!

My insurance required me to do 3 months supervised weight loss which was a blessing. I was able to work with my nutritionist I'd be working with post op and it also only cost me $30 for the 3 appointments!! This 3 months allowed me to become more vigilant of what I was eating and start phasing things like bread, pasta, and rice out of my diet. 

I lost 26 lbs during this 3 months. 16lbs were from my 2 week pre op diet. Since surgery I am down an additional 47lbs for total of 73!  In my wildest dreams I couldn't have imagined I'd be down that much since the end of August!! 

Best of luck to you on your journey! Feel free to ask me any questions you may have!!!!