Introducing Myself - Surgery in 2 weeks!

**Nicole76** · 02-20-2018 01:29 PM

Hi, I am Nicole and am so happy to have found this page. A short background about myself: I am 41 (almost 42) and have been overweight since having my second child at the age of 23. Between 2011 and 2012 I lost 70 pounds on Atkins. I quickly put it back on after straying from the way of eating. I decided on the sleeve when I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes last year. I currently weigh 240 and am 5'3 with a small bone structure. I would like to get down to 140.

My surgery date is March 7 in Oklahoma City. I am very nervous but also excited for a new chapter in my life. I am looking forward to hopefully being off of my medications eventually, having energy, putting my shoes on easily, wrapping a bath towel around me, and not holding my breath to make a plane seat belt fasten.

**Pheeel21** · 02-20-2018 02:10 PM

Nicole,
You are in the right place. So many of us were and are in your shoes. Read and learn everything you can about a sleeve surgery. This forum is a great resource of knowledge. So many success stories and a few struggles. I am 4 1/2 months out from surgery and feel great. I am off my cholesteral meds and soon to be off my BP meds. My doctor says I have a near zero chance of diabetes. March 7th will be a start of a new life for you. Not many times can you say that. Follow your doctor and nutritionist program exactly as they suggest. You can do this! Remember your worth it. Best of luck. I still check this forum everyday for encouragement, advice, and sometimes a good laugh. There are so so many positives from this surgery.

**elllie** · 02-20-2018 02:34 PM

HI Nicole, welcome and good luck with your surgery. I too am having the sleeve done, but my date is in April. I know exactly what you mean about getting your life back.

**Marsh17** · 02-20-2018 03:51 PM

Welcome to the group! The information on this site has been very helpful and the folks are kind and supportive.

**Luv49ers19** · 02-20-2018 04:20 PM

Hi Nicole!

Your story is a carbon copy of mine! I'm 5' small frame, 42, did Atkins 13 years ago and lost 70 pounds. Yep started eating carbs and gained it all back plus 20 pounds. I also have 2 girls and that is when the downward spiral spiralled out of control 24 years ago. I was always chunky as a kid though.

I changed the way I ate the day I meet with my nut (nutritionist). I use the my fitness pal app to track my food and water. It helped so much in the begining and still does. I use it EVERYDAY. It works for me. I lost 51 pounds the 7 months before surgery and have lost an additional 83 pounds since then. I have met the goal I set for myself of 130...actually I'm 4 pounds under goal! This surgery was the best decision I could have made for my health.

Wishing you a speedy recovery! You'll be on the loser's bench in no time (that is a good thing)!

**Christie13** · 02-20-2018 08:17 PM

Welcome Nicole!! All those things will happen and more! Your body will change in ways you didn't think it would. Take some before pics now and measurements. Then take them every 2 weeks post op. It will help you see that your body is still changing when there are stalls.

**Nicole76** · 02-21-2018 06:36 PM

Thank you all for the warm welcomes! Luv49ers19, I am so glad to see a short gal who has made amazing progress! I was never heavy until my 2nd kid and baby weight is no longer an excuse, he's 18. I wore a size 3 dress the day I got married. My goal is to be healthy but I would also love to be in a single digit size. My son graduates in May and my daughter is getting married in March of 2019, I am hoping to be a little slimmer for graduation and at or almost at goal for the wedding. My biggest hope is that my type 2 will go away. My pre-op diet starts on Sunday, I'm excited but getting really really nervous.