New Here

[darlenetc]

My name is Darlene and I'm in the process of getting the gastric sleeve. I'm 40 years old with a lot of health issues. My highest weight was 403 and I now weigh 375. I've been overweight most of my life and I'm tired of not being able to do all of the stuff that I want to do. I'm here looking for support and encouragement.

[elllie]

Welcome. i am also new. I am having my second appointment with the surgeon tonight and will make my final decision whether I am having surgery or not. Good luck.

[DesertGal]

Welcome ladies. It was me who was new one year ago. I had been heavy on and off through my adult life and it finally got unbearable. All obesity related things that happen, happened. I was so sick of sitting on the sidelines of life and at my annual exam last December 2016 on a Friday late afternoon, my doctor suggested the surgery. It took me that weekend to decide I was going to look into it seriously and by MOnday morning I knew I was going to do it.

I read everything I could over the next several months but I knew I had to go through with this surgery. I was 59 and was always so full of life in the earlier years of my married life but being obese was not only depressing... it physically hurt. I am 5'8" and ballooned up to 270 pounds. I saw a surgeon within a few weeks of making my appointment but had already been to his nutritionist a week after I saw the light bulb go off in my decision to do this. I had a three month waiting period per my insurance to attend the weight management classes and see the nutritionist monthly and lost 43 pounds pre op.

I did everything I was told to do and before my surgery in March 2017, I was OFF my cholesterol lowering meds; high blood pressure meds and no longer diabetic. That doctor's office had me jumping through hoops and I did it. I was approved in early March and had surgery March 24th.

I am down 102 pounds and now wear size medium in tops (compared to 2x and 3x) and size 14 jeans (compared to 22/24). I do have to say though, it helps to move around as in exercise! I was walking for 4 months daily (still do) and then joined a zumba class where I go 4 days a week. I am about to begin a power aquatics class to work on my flabby arms (another story) and I have a treadmill that I run on a few times a week.

It's been hard because my appetite has come back and I DO have cravings but I remind myself HOW I got to be the water buffalo that I was and will not go back. I can't eat much at one time anyway anymore but I make sure I eat better things if I need to snack (string cheese; celery and PBfit -peanut butter powder); pure protein bars; and I make fat bombs when I need some chocolate).

I struggle with water still to this day (before the surgery I could suck down 130 ounces in a day.... I did that during the 3 months pre op) with no problems and I am lucky to get in 60 ounces a day now. I'm working on it.

Good luck on your surgery and your decision to do this. It is life changing.

[simplyseahorse]

Welcome to you both! I am so glad you found this website full of helpful and encouraging people!

[Christie13]

Welcome Darlene! This is the most amazing thing I have ever done for myself. We are all here to help you along the way and to cheer you on!