Izzysnanny

Christine, I am about 20 mins from Albany on the other side of the river!

Benisa, I cant that you enough for puting things right back in order for me!!! you are a blessing!!!

My blog from today:
So I had a few minutes to spare and found myself rehashing all the "what if's" of wls. It almost feels like my health and happiness are hinged on this. I guess in a way it is. In my immediate family there is a history of CAD, DM, CVA's, Colon CA, etc. So the reality of it is if I don't lose the weight, the aforementioned is what I have in my future. Not acceptable.
I've lost weight a hundred times over only to gain it right back. I don't eat unhealthy foods, I just eat too much. I exercise about 3x's per week, I drink Water, limit my intake of sodas and I've never smoked a cigarette. I'm 5'2 and about 206lbs today. My belly is about to burst out of my size 14 jeans that are too small, but I continue to wear them anyway (denial). I am sick of painful joints, back pain, being winded with activity, avoiding social events, sleeping all weekend, urinary incontinence and all the other stuff that goes with being fat.
So I was desperate... I am refinancing my first home (2yrs into mortgage) in order to pay for this. My employer has an obesity exclusion on our insurance at work... I expect they'll remove that exclusion as the company grows, but for now I'm on my own.
I could make a list a mile long of "what if's" as to why NOT to have surgery, but instead I choose to focus on the "what if's" as to why it's so crucial for me to have surgery. What if I have a heart attack? What if I am dx'd with Diabetes? What if I have a stroke? What if I get cancer? Who'll take care of my son, my mother, my niece, my employees, etc. Who will fight for what's right for the patients I take care of? Who will grow old with my BFF? The thought of all those haunting questions are much scarier to me than the "what if's" that go with surgery.
When my daddy went in to have an abdominal aneurysm removed he told a friend of his he'd die without the surgery. His buddy asked him "but what if you die from the surgery?" My daddy (always full of advice) simply told him he at least had to try.... and try he did.
I do have some concerns about undergoing major surgery in order to lose weight. It terrifies me. Change is terrifying, but oh so necessary. So why should I have surgery?
Physically - I want to be able to go for a walk or run, I want to not have huge "cankles" at the end of the day, I want to not be out of breath coming back from the mailbox, I want to be free of arthritic pain in my hips, I want to put on clothes without a struggle.
Emotionally - I want to be proud of who I see in the mirror, I want to get off the vicious cycle of weight gain & depression, I want the inner me to like the outter me.
Spiritually - I have no excuse for not going to church, except that I feel so ashamed of the weight I've put on. I know they aren't staring at me, but that is exactly how it feels. I want to be able to go to the altar and worship once again...
Financially - I love my job, but since I've put on the weight I've stopped scheduling speaking engagements (something I LOVE), calling on new accounts, visiting old accounts, speaking at meetings, etc. It's almost like I've given up on me. So the more of all that stuff I do, the more money I can make
Socially - I have no social life anymore. I hate going to anything where there is a crowd of people. I avoid it all costs. My clothes are too small, I feel horrible and I just wind up miserable. I have the most amazing boyfriend who LOVES to get out and socialize and yet he's stuck with me... at home... every weekend.
So there ya go... I don't feel like I really have a choice. It's either another yo-yo round of dieting with impending disappointment from the scales or a true lifestyle change... I'm 40yrs old and I have so much living and loving left to do. This is for a better me so I can be a better mom, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, girlfriend, boss and hopefully encourage others to do the same.
Here's to the living, loving and laughing that is yet to come!

MAY 29 here with Dr. Banetti from Albany Medical Center, any one have a May date or having the sleeve done at Albany Medical Center?

It's not so hard to avoid them, even in Protein shakes. There are a lot of products out there sweetened with stevia or other natural sweeteners so you shouldn't have any more trouble than usual finding food.
I'm far more sensitive to them post op, too. I do the real deal for all things (full fat, full sugar, full flavor) - and as long as we keep it in moderation we're okay.
~Cheri

We are almost sleeve sisters, mine is scheduled for May 30th. Did you get insurance approval? I am waiting for mine..... Good luck to you!

MAY 29 here with Dr. Banetti from Albany Medical Center, any one have a May date or having the sleeve done at Albany Medical Center?

Ironically for me after the surgery I cannot stand the taste of artificial sweeteners any more. My NUT basically said that I can have sugar but just in limited amounts.

Ok Im back!! Day 2 Post-Op. I couldn't post yesterday because I was so sleepy and the gas pain was HORRIFIC!! but its so much better today, i'm already feeling pretty good. just kinda sore sipping these liquids i think i might try warm liquids in a bit... but so far so good guys. WE'RE ALL GOIING TO MAKE IT!!

oh and I'm engaged!!! has nothing to do with my surgery or weight loss but exciting all the same

I was sleeved 2-15-2012, just over 2 months ago. I have had some ups and downs. Overall though I am doing great. Much better than I was expecting to be doing at this point. I started at 320lbs and now weigh 272..
As of today I have lost 48 lbs since before my pre op diet and 40 inches!!! My blood pressure is normal now when it was super high before. I move around so much easier and I find that I can stand and go for hours when before I had to stop and rest all the time.
I think the hardest thing for me is over coming the mental part. I still can't believe such a small amount of food can feel me up. It feels great that food does not control my life anymore. I would eat until I made myself sick before I had this surgery and I could eat monster amounts of food. Now i just have my few bites and move on. I have energy and I feel fantastic. A few people who know I have had the surgery have noticed I have lost weight but other people haven't noticed too much yet. The most important thing is I notice and I feel good. My clothes are falling off me and I have have dropped from a 30/32 tight to a 22/24 that is loose.
I still have a long way to go I just wanted to share my story so far. I love this site it has helped me so much.
I am looking forward to what the future has in store for me and for all of us.
here is an updated pic before and after..
the before is pretty horrible i just wanted it to be as real as possible

I'm still at hospital. First of all Kaiser permente is best, couldn't have made it easier.Op went well felt extreame pain about an 8, probably not naausia then anything first 45 minutes after. Once they hooked morphine pump veena smooth sailing. Already went for two times
, already took my first leak. Tomarrow start with liqueds and liquid pain meds. I Thu.k everyone is differnent because this lady that went after me, she sound like they best her with a bat. Once the give anesthesia you knock out a.d wake up in recovery. I expect it to be harder but over all I am super saftisfied.

2 Ounces? Are you serious? There is no way you can be complaining about gaining 2 ounces. If you have a scale that is that accurate that you can determine if you gain 2 ounces, send it back to NASA. They will need it to weigh fuel for the next space mission. Seriously hun, if you are gaining 2 pounds every week, then you should be concerned, but 2 ounces, Come on, lighten up. You really got to be more patient in the process.