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Diva Baby! Congratulations on the victory! Proof positive that when you work the tool it works! Happy Dance!:Dancing_biggrin:

Renee, you REALLY need to read Crosswind's post "I left my stomach in Mexicali". It's normal to be wondering if you've lost your mind making this decision. Drastic times call for drastic measures. You've tried everything else, right? And you're tired of being a failure at something so many other humans seem to do effortlessly (lose or maintain their weight), right? Welcome to the club! Life isn't fair!! Some chicks get fantabulous bods and are "bootylicious". Other chicks (like me) get fat reading a grocery list and are relegated to nicknames like "eartha-quake". So, after determining that I've thrown a boat load of money at fighting this "problem" over the years that I could have paid for the surgery 10 times over, I've FINALLY said "stick a fork in me, I'm DONE!" So, while I don't know how things will ultimately turn out (my surgery is April 26th) I do know how it's gone for me in the past -- unrelenting struggles resulting in unrelenting weight gain and self loathing. I'm way too old and way too tired to keep fighting the insanity scenario. I'm going for it and I'm NOT looking back. Empress

Pasquini: Once you're sleeved you'll be "livin' the dream"!! Loved the dream sequence picture in my mind. I think theme songs are a way to keep us motivated. Mine is "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen! So if you're from OK does BOLO'd mean anything to ya? (Have a friend from OK who says BOLO'd a bit....) Empress

Linda: My thoughts and prayers are with you for a successful surgery, miraculous recovery and a complete restoration to perfect health. Godspeed girl!

Pasquini: Now I've got little GTO stuck in my head! Come on sing it with me! Gonna save all my money (turnin' it on, blowin' it out) and buy a GTO (turnin' it on, blowin' it out) Get a helmet and a roll bar (turnin' it on, blowin' it out) and I'll be ready to go (turnin' it on, blowin' it out) Take it out to Pomona (turnin' it on, blowin' it out) and let 'em know (turnin' it on, blowin' it out), yeah, yeah That I'm the coolest thing around Little buddy, gonna shut you down When I turn it on, wind it up, blow it out GTO. The Empress (showing her age)

CW: For a moment there I thought you had snuck into my crazy mixed up neurotrap (brain) and read my to do list! I absolutely love your wit and your writing (which makes me laugh all the way down to the last lucid lane in my goofy thought synapsis turnpike -- sort of like a mental macarena for me). I'm so looking forward to being on the flip side of the stomach obliteration dance. For me, however, I doubt will ever approach "human" as I consider myself more abbie something --- oh yeah -- abbie normal! So glad to hear you're doing well. I so look forward to regular installments of The World According to Crosswind! They always make my day. E

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. A fantastic job, congratulations!:clap2:

Becca So great to see the progress you've made. Hopefully in a very short time, all the junk with the band will be a distant memory. You rock girl!

So, im 39, 5'8" was 310 at my heavyest 18 months ago, I have lost 40lbs since my heaviest, but have been stuck here for 10 months. I am looking forward to this journey, toward, health, comfortable airplane rides, amusment parks, sitting on the floor without a wall to lean on, a sexy self, well ok really who knows, i have never been little and i could get then and then be ugly, i mean hey, there are alot of skinny people that are not so umm, well, not ugly. Anyway, Thought i'd say hi and introduce myself. Pasquini Pasquini Welcome! I too was a lurker before taking the plunge. I have to say that this is THE most supportive, caring and awesome group I have ever encountered. I feel like I was drowning and this group threw me a life raft! I'm a self pay too, decided to ditch the insurance shite and believe it's not even close to how worth it I am. In car terms (since you're a guy and can relate, right?) Surgery $$= used Ford fusion and I'm worth at least a new Mercedes SL 550 Night Edition! Empress

Meggie: I'm right there with you! And to think that a short time ago I thought Facebook was addictive -- VST beats FB by a universe... More enlightening, encouraging and entertaining for me too. (My VST addiction is my take on Einstein's e=mc2)

While I'm not yet sleeved (April 26th yay!) I can comment on the hysterectomy. Had to have one before my 35th BD and was completely bummed. My mom knew I was upset because I really hadn't decided that I was finished having children but with the hysterectomy looming it was decided for me. She took me aside and said something that made me laugh and helped me immensely -- she said "Honey, look at it this way, the doctor is going to take out the crib and leave the playpen." I'm 56 now so it's been a while and I joke that I was happy to have the hysterectomy because it took the hysterical out of me . To be completely honest, I haven't missed the TOM crap ever. Had I known how great this was, I would have had it done right after my second child was born. Walking is ok, but you can't overdo it at all. Follow your OB/GYN's instructions to a T. Good luck to you!

Woot Woot -- you go girl! Looking AB FAB!!!

Dr. Guske in Hoffman Estates, IL.

My date is also the 26th. Where are you having surgery? Who is your doctor?

So far, so good. Not bad ---- yet.... day 1 is almost over Just can't wait for the 26th!!! I'm so ready to be sleeved

I haven't been sleeved yet, but have had 9 major surgeries over the last 30 years so I understand the pre-surgery jitters. Take a deep breath and relax. (I know, easier said than done.) You have done your research, followed the program outlined by your surgeon, right? So now you need to let go of the feeling you have to keep control over this since all you can control are your actions and responses. You have selected a professional and you must trust your decision. The surgeon wants the best possible outcome for you as much as you do. Not sure what, if any, religious beliefs you hold, but for me, I knew I was in God's hands, and I prayed for the surgeon, anesthesiologists and every person involved in my care. The last surgery I had was 11 hours long and I came through with flying colors. So, trust your decision, and your surgeon -- it's the only way to get through this. Best wishes for a successful surgery, miraculous recovery and complete restoration to perfect health.

Maybe it's just me and I'm quite a bit older than you -- not "OLD" just "older", but it seems to me that the best revenge is to go there looking hotter than a 4th of July bottle rocket and if he is there and does approach you to make small talk, make eye contact with him and smile so sweetly while looking him straight in the eye. Then softly in the same language he used to insult you, I'd lean in toward him and say "I thought you looked familiar, you are the slimy assmonkey who thought he saw a fat cow sitting with a good friend of mine and made it a point to disparage and insult a complete stranger. Excuse me, please, but I always do my best to avoid interacting with drunken louts or ignorant, judgmental dirtbags and you don't appear to be very drunk yet." Then I would smile sweetly again and turn and walk away and forget he exists. But, that's just me

April 26th for me. I start the preop liquid diet Monday. Can hardly wait.....

Good luck and best wishes for a successful surgery, miraculous recovery and complete restoration to perfect health for all of us April sleevers -- mine's April 26th.

I'm 56 and don't consider it old at all. My reasoning for going this route is that if I live as long as my grandmother did (93), then I have 37 more years of living (more or less). I don't know if I could do it if I don't have this surgery, and I don't want to live for the next 20-40 years if they're like the ones I've already lived through -- fat, sick and tired. So, for me, I'm going for it on April 26th and can hardly wait.

Barb, While I don't know how old your daughter is, I think she may be scared and threw the fit as a smoke screen to obscure her real reason -- her fear that you will die. Since we all will die, there's ultimately nothing we can do to prevent that. What we can do, though, is admit that drastic circumstances require drastic measures. That is scary. I understand that. What I'm not sure I understand is why you (the adult) would allow yourself to be controlled by her (the child). I mean no disrespect, but you can't let anyone control your life but you. If it were me I would have told her that I appreciate that she is afraid, but that I'm also sure that she would be just as afraid and upset if I did nothing and died of a heart attack or any of the other potentially fatal side effects of obesity because I did nothing. My own children are grown and have families of their own. I've chosen not to tell them because I don't want them to worry needlessly. If they ask my why I didn't tell them, I'll let them know that I made this decision to save my life so that I could hang around longer. I'd also let them know that I'm sure they would prefer that over the alternative. But, this is just me, and my kids have always known that I'm the boss of me and until they grew up and got out on their own, I was also the boss of them. We are agreed that at this point in time, we're all our own bosses and will do what we deem best for our own personal lives. Just my opinion, but I think you need to do what you need to do for you. Kids grow up and move away, parents retire and move away. You have to live in your body no matter where your kids and parents are. Ultimately you need to take care of yourself before you can try to take care of anyone else. Again, just my opinion for what it's worth....

Thanks!

April 26th for me!

I have my surgery date!!!:woot: April 26, 2011 is the day I begin my trek to the new and improved ME. I'm so elated and amazed and can hardly wait. I start the 15 day preop liquid diet phase on Monday. I'm not looking forward to that, but I can do anything for 2 weeks, right? But for RIGHT NOW I'm doing my very best HAPPY DANCE! :Dancing_wub:

CW That is fabulous news! It reminded me of the line from The Princess Bride when Miracle Max said that Wesley was only "mostly dead" -- so I rejoiced to hear that you were not even close to mostly dead! Yay You! The first place I look when I log on are for your posts/blog, 'cuz Girlfriend you are a stitch! Love your writings and musings. Please don't ever stop!!! I love the LOL till my face hurts sensation after reading your stuff..... And, not dead is an AWESOME NSV!:high5: E