janie

I just read your profile! You have lost a HUGE amount of weight! I would love to talk with you and support you as I can. You are really my idol at this point! LOL I added you as a friend!

HI Tracy, I would love to chat. I am 15 months out and really looking for some new support as well. Lets add each other as friends and we can go from there. Jane

I am brand new to this site. My name is Tracy and I am VERY happy and excited to say that I will be having my VSG on July 23rd, 2012!! I am 48 and the mother of 8 living children. Our insurance doesn't cover the surgery at all (morons!) so I am paying out of pocket and going to Mexico. I was a thin teen and weighed about 150 lbs when I was 9 months pregnant with my first son at 22, but time and having NINE more children really destroyed my metabolism. Add to that Rheumatoid Arthritis that was diagnosed in 1994 and I have really gotten large. Not being able to excersise most of the time and having such a tiny metabolism, plus my huge appetite has really lead me to morbid obesity and other comorbidity issues like high blood pressure, edema, and painful knees and ankles. I currently weigh 333 and no one in the world knows that but me, my docs and now all of you! My husband doesn't have any idea even. I carry the weight better than some, and he thinks I am around 280. I wish! I hope to lose 180 pounds, taking me down to 150 after my surgery. I think that is a reasonable weight for me.
I am really nervous about the surgery. My oldest son is going to Mexico with me as my husband has to work and take care of our kids and dogs. It's going to be really hard being away from him for this, and I am worried about how I will feel for the flight home! The surgeon has recommended 2 weeks of a liquid diet before surgery due to my high BMI of 49. That alone is pretty daunting! I plan to read a lot on this forum to learn things to eat and not eat before AND after surgery, but I would love to have someone to talk to, text or just email that knows all about this and how it will go!
Thanks in advance! I look forward to getting to know many of you!

Janie you and I are close (Mokena) not going till August can use your advice

Hello to all,
i live in Tinley Park. I had my surgery in the north suburbs. I went to Dr. Peter Ranits at Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village. He is great. I love my sleeve....I would do it all over again. It has saved my life. I'm 13 months post op. I have lost 95 lbs. I just went for my plastics consult. I will be having my first surgery in Oct. I have never been happier. However I really need to find some VSG friends. I'd love to meet and share tips and help each other to be successful.

in Mokena going to Dr Joyce also would love a support group

I'm going to Dr Cahill as well but at St Margaret Mercy in Dyer In. I'm getting sleeved on Tuesday June 5 and would love some more support.

Hello my fellow Chicagoans. I had my surgery at university of Chicago, I know that a few posters have had it done at northwestern hospital. I live In the city, like literally 1 mile from downtown. I would love some workout buddies that have been sleeved even if it's only once every week or every other week. Since the weather is nice maybe we can do a walk on the Chicago lake front path, or if anyone is feeling upto it maybe we can even do a bike ride.

Hello to all,
i live in Tinley Park. I had my surgery in the north suburbs. I went to Dr. Peter Ranits at Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village. He is great. I love my sleeve....I would do it all over again. It has saved my life. I'm 13 months post op. I have lost 95 lbs. I just went for my plastics consult. I will be having my first surgery in Oct. I have never been happier. However I really need to find some VSG friends. I'd love to meet and share tips and help each other to be successful.

Hello.... I'm Erika and I will be sleeved July 12,2012 in Chicago . I will be having my surgery with Dr Cahill at Little Company of Mary. I'm nervous but excited and I'm here to gain advice and recipes.< /p>