Shortchicks2's Cali-Bama Journey to get Sleeved!!!

**Shortchicks2** · 05-13-2017 01:05 AM

I never had a weight problem... until about a year after my last child was born. I wasn't doing anything different, wasn't eating differently; I just kept slowly gaining weight. I was born and raised in California. However, I ended up going back to school to become a RN back in 2006 and found myself moving with my children across the country to the southern state of Alabama. Talk about a game changer!!! Alabama definitely is the furthest thing from Cali. But...unbelievably, my kids all fell in love with the south. My two oldest children ended up marrying while I was in nursing school. I felt comfortable with my weight in the south. There are lots of overweight people here, so I didn't stand out like I did in Malibu, Santa Barbara and the Bay Area. I started noticing that the seats on the airlines flying home to Cali to visit starting getting smaller and smaller each time. When I finally got the courage up to stand on a scale... I thought I would die! You have to understand... that for at least ten adult years I stayed within ten pounds of 125. Now, at my highest, I'm tipping the scale at 290. I now have two beautiful grandkids, ages 2 & 3, with another on the way. I want to enjoy life with them, I want to run around and chase them at the park instead of just sitting down somewhere or having to ride one of the handicap scooters at the store because my feet and ankles are killing me.
One of my cousins had the sleeve surgery done in Mexico a few years ago. I can't believe it's taken me this long to do this! I am so excited but so anxious, nervous and terrified at the same time too! I am going to have the sleeve surgery done in Mexico by Dr. Almanza. One of my daughters is going with me and having the surgery done as well. I am really relieved to have someone going with me. Although I am anxious... I am still over the moon happy that I have finally decided enough is enough! I am sick and tired of being sick and tired of being fat! I am finally actually doing something and investing in myself and my health and I really hope to come out on the winning end of all of this!

**RehabNurse** · 05-13-2017 09:39 AM

I totally get you regarding regional acceptance of different body types.

I am originally from southern California (Oxnard) and was considered 'chunky' at 150 pounds and 'a little thick' at 130 pounds. Females are expected to be thin in coastal southern CA.

I have been living in Texas for the past 12 years. Morbid and super obesity are socially acceptable here, so I found it strange when people referred to me as 'petite' or 'small' at 200 pounds. To many of the locals, you're not that big until the scale approaches 300+.

Anyhow, good luck with your journey to a healthier life.

**JF1015** · 05-13-2017 06:33 PM

As a fellow nurse, I didn't think much about my weight until I hit 275. Many people didn't believe it being I am a man and tall. It was my doctors saying stuff to me. Then I became hypertensive and had problems with moving around because of severe chronic pain. Then in under a year, I hit 340 pounds. I totally blame my love of tequila for that, but no one forced me to drink it. I still have people saying they don't believe that I weigh 310. I wish you the very best for your surgery and your weight loss.
Since we are supposed to teach people about health, I felt like a hypocrite for being 145 pounds overweight. I am almost done qualifying for the sleeve and hope to have my surgery in July. My doctors are hoping it will make my severe chronic back pain reduce enough so I can go back to work. How long do you think you will need to be off work before you return?

**RehabNurse** · 05-13-2017 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by JF1015

How long do you think you will need to be off work before you return?

I am also a nurse...I only needed one week off because I had an uneventful recovery with minimal pain and no nausea or vomiting. However, I took two weeks off to use up all of the PTO that I had accrued over the past year.

**Shortchicks2** · 05-13-2017 07:46 PM

Yes, I definitely know what you mean. However, of all the places that I worked as a travel nurse, the staff seemed to be pretty mixed in weight sizes. But it is true, it is really awkward to be a professional in the health field and yet be so overweight. I am always subconscious of it. So I am really looking forward to not having that added stress. I had suffered a really bad ankle injury and so I was actually off work for two years. During that time I packed on even more weight. My doctor told me the greatest relief and hope to get back to work full time is to lose 100 lbs. I know he's right. I feel it every day... my poor little feet and ankles screaming for relief! So... 10 days and counting! I've counted on taking two weeks off just to be safe. I'll be posting updates! Good luck to you! Let me know how you progress!

**Christie13** · 05-14-2017 02:34 PM

Congrats on making this decision for yourself. I can tell you I know exactly what you mean when you say why did you wait so long? My sister was sleeved 5 years before me and I want to kick myself for wasting those 5 years of my life being obese. But you are doing it now and that is all that matters. I think it is awesome you will be going through this with your daughter. Kind of wish I had a WLS surgery buddy that was local but I am very thankful for my online friends on this forum!

**JF1015** · 05-14-2017 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by RehabNurse

I am also a nurse...I only needed one week off because I had an uneventful recovery with minimal pain and no nausea or vomiting. However, I took two weeks off to use up all of the PTO that I had accrued over the past year.

RehabNurse,
You took 2 weeks off because you are a very smart nurse who took the time to care for yourself!