ElaineB

Thanks for the encouragement Susie. I am nervous, but I am ready to get this thing started. You gave some good suggestions. It is helpful to know that I'm not the only one who has gone through this.

I will gladly follow you. I am just getting started and the link to my video blog is http://www.youtube.com/user/Lonischram/feed

I will gladly follow you. I am just getting started and the link to my most recent post is I don't even know how to put a general link to all videos like you did. I think I'm too old to be tech savvy.

I hope the July 1st people are well tonight. Good luck to everyone going tomorrow. Our month is here and I am so excited!!! Can't wait for July 23rd. I keep thinking how much more fun July 2014 will be for all of us:)

I saw a bumper sticker that I love. "Jesus loves you. Everyone else thinks you're an *******." Sorry if that's rude. Made me laugh.

Alright July Sleevers, here it comes!!! Good luck and God bless to all of the July 1st people. Let's get this thing started!!

Asdamato, I'm in the Orlando area. My family is in Brevard though. I'm getting excited, but I'm kind of afraid of the pre-op diet:). We will be going through it with lots of others on here. That's a blessing. Lets keep in touch. Elaine

I'm July 23rd and would love to be a buddy. I'm in Florida. When do you start pre-op diet and what does it entail? I start July 7, and get 2 shakes and 1lean protein and veggie meal a day.

Cmelose, I will be sending good thoughts and prayers your way. You are submitting earlier than you thought, aren't you? I think you will get a July date. I'm July 23rd. I'm starting my pre- op diet on the 7th too. We can commiserate!! I'm a little worried about it, but I know I just have to do it.

I'm pre-op, and at times when I've been running regularly, I've always had a toenail on each foot that comes off. It's bc of how my feet are shaped and my shoes fit. It's painless but always happens. Are you more active now?

Sounds like we are all going to be cheery and pleasant for a couple of weeks:)

I have 2 weeks of pre-op. I get a shake for breakfast and lunch and a lean protein and veggie for dinner. It sounds ugly. I hope I can do it.

Same to you lanuz

Tonid let's keep in touch for sure. What's your pre-op diet going to be?

I am pre-op and avoid the beach like the plague. Im really happy for you that you were able to go, and feel good in a bathing suit. I hope I follow in your footsteps:)

My surgery is July 23rd and I just spent what I hope are my last "real woman dollars" today:). Lol

Lisa, I think it's totally normal. Im scheduled for July 23, and have been working on this for almost a year. I stress about it at times. At least for me, this surgery means giving up my crutch of the last 20 years. I'm going to miss eating large quantities of crap. I'm not going to miss being fat and feeling like an old woman;). Love and prayers are coming your way. Go claim the life you are intended to have. Elaine

Gwenh, I am July 23 also. There are several of us. Yeah!!

Shell, pain is a warning. I just read a post recently where someone mentioned a death bc the person ate a large amount and ruptured the stomach. Be careful. That scares me. I'm pre-op so I'm not much practical help, but I know that I eat and have cravings that have nothing to do with physical hunger. That's one thing we have to work through and find replacements for. This is kind of dorky, but ive been journaling. Im writing down replacement behaviors, coping strategies, non food pleasures, things like that. I don't think any of this means you will fail. These must be struggles many go through. Your sleeve is obviously working bc it caused you pain. Just be careful bc there is a huge suture line and my understanding is that a leak or rupture is a worry not just immediately after. Hugs.

Dee, welcome to the end of July sleevers club. I can't wait until august/september when we start talking about how much we have lost;). We will be the up and coming hotties on the losers bench. I've never wanted to be a loser so badly:)

After almost a year of twists, turns, and frustrations, I was approved and given a date. I am having surgery on July 23rd and I can't wait!!! To all those slogging through this process and jumping through hoops, keep putting one foot in front of the other. Any other July 23rd sleevers?

I've heard that too. I think I've decided to schedule a massage for day 2 or 3 as a non food reward. It will give me something to look forward to.

I'm in Florida and it is blazing hot with 100 percent humidity. My whole body is swelling:(

That's great!! I can't wait to tie my shoes without having hypoxia. 24 pounds is amazing. It's only going to get better from here.

I know what you mean. I'm happier than I've been in a long time. I don't have any illusions about this being a cake walk, but I've suffered being fat and there are so many simple pleasures that I look forward to. Like buying underwear:). And buying sexy lingerie. Someday buying clothes in a regular store... The list goes on and on. We all have so much to look forward to. I was just telling my boyfriend how blessed I feel. My insurance covers this life changing surgery. I can't wait to see what this next phase of my life brings.