Hello Everyone!!!!

Hey Everyone,

I'm actually very new to this site but I have read some of you guys post and they are so inspiring. I am still at the very beginning of my journey. I decided to have weight loss surgery after seeing some pictures after this past Christmas. I had gained 43 pounds (after loosing 25 pounds) since my grandmother's funeral in June 2009. I just love food! Lol. I would not say I was an emotional eater but in between work, school, and the stress that comes with that and life in general has gotten me this way.

Finding a surgeon has been somewhat of an up and down roller coaster ride. I meeting with my third surgeon on Wednesday. Hoping that third time will be the charm. Ready to get this show on the road. I am on the fence with deciding to have the realize band or the sleeve. So if you have any feedback or advice on positive or negatives on either please feel free to let me know. Also where is a good place to get samples of protein shakes? How do you guys deal with the negative friends and did you tell them prior to surgery about you getting WLS? I told a few friends(most have been supportive) but one of my sorority sisters and PCP was ssssssssssssssssssoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo (I hope you get the picture by now. Lol)against the thought of WLS so sense then I won't mention it to them. I know it comes with the territory but they are the reason I scheduled my first appointment so fast. When people go against my opinion on something very positive it normally motivates me that much more. But anyways I am looking forward to meeting each of you and following your journeys as well. Take care and talk to you soon.

i would definitely check to see if you need your pcp's approval to have the surgery for your insurance! if you do, you may want to consider switching pcps! as far protein samples, i went to mybariatricpantry.com and bought a bunch of samples there! syntrax nectar is my absolute favorite, though. i have two shakes a day, one of their crystal sky flavor and another of their fuzzy navel!

Thanks for the insight. Most surgeons out here work with a doctor that will help me get approved as my pcp because my doctor is so against any form of WLS. He feels that all WLS can and will be defeated over time. But I've made my mind up to still get the surgery.

Welcome!

I looked at all three the band, sleeve, and gastric bypass. My insurance BCBS of IL covered only the band (but not the filling of the band), and the gastric bypass. I know working a full time job and already sick  i would not be able to pay for the band fillings as many times as would be needed to get to my goal weight so i went with the gastric bypass.

For samples of the protein shakes. I got some from Fitness Mania store i have around here. Even gave me pancakes mix that has 12g of protein. I enjoy the Nectar Ice Tea and Strawberry mouse. Also start finding chewable vitiams, calcium, and b12 that you can tolerate the taste. You will need them later on.

As for friends being for or against it. The friends i told where happy for me. Some family members really didn't understand, but once i explained all the pros and cons they jumped on board. I got some negative people from my fiancee friends telling me 'i took the easy way out' ' your not THAT big' but when i point out i wear a 22 in jeans and you try drinking liquids only for about a month. They change there tune to silence.

Thanks and I will try to find all those health supplements. But I love how you handle your friends. Did you have a lot of left over hanging skin?

So far i am not having much i am 4 weeks out (5 weeks on Monday). I am going to the gym 3-4 times a week. and doing a lot of low weight and high reps so that I can tone. I also do the cardio too (30 mins and i feel like laying on the floor afterwards LOL).

Girl I know that feeling. Keep me posted on your progress.

I debated between band and sleeve for awhile...and since my ins didn't cover sleeve I was going to do the band-but I am sooooo happy that changed and they started covering the sleeve! I haven't looked back. It's been 4 months and down 80lbs, it's a personal decision but the sleeve was best for me. Do your research and pick what you feel is best for YOU! Good luck!

Thanks. With the surgery how did your body react as far as hanging skin and stretch marks? I'm kind of leaning more towards the sleeve but I'm just curious how most people body responds afterward. How was it for you?

Well, I don't think anyone's body will react any different no matter what surgery they choose in terms of stretch marks and hanging skin. I personally feel alot of that has to do with how big you are to start with and genetics.

I am down 82lbs as of today! YAY And my stretch marks look the same at this point, hopefully as I loose more they will be less pronounced and my skin is basically the same. My arms are a little floppy - but other than that I don't really notice anything really saggy. I am SURE that will change as I loose more because I carry ALOT of weight in my middle. I know I will eventually want/need a tummy tuck at the least. But I work out quite a bit. I had a few weeks were I slacked off but since about 3 weeks out I have been going to the gym 3-4 times a week. I do 30-40 minutes on an elliptical and then about 30 minutes of weight training. I am trying to tone up to minimize all the saggy skin I can! LOL