GypsyQueen

I've deleted all "fat" photos for so long, I'll be lucky to find much in before photos.

Dr.'s fee is like $18,000, plus hospital.

I was told to lose 3-5lbs during my 3 mo. required diet. But I followed all the NUT rules and I'm down 38 lbs. still waiting on surgery date.

Wow!

I have told everyone I see on a daily/weekly basis. It's no secret and they will watch it in action. Now high school chums, Facebook pals, people I see years apart at a time? They don't need to know, I'm a different weight every time they see me.

My "handle" is Gypsyqueen because a palm reader once told me that I had the longest travel line she had ever seen. My husband got a gov't job shortly thereafter, and we have lived all over the U.S. (including Alaska, now in Florida), and so the nickname was coined long ago. Mom of 2 boys, just turning 13 and 16. Full time volunteer. Busy. Too busy to exercise, but not to watch my fave TV shows and eat out lunch with girlfriends everyday. Yoyo dieted over the years, stayed at 170 for 4 years, but it always comes back. My biggest problem is I have always disliked fruits and vegetables! OJ may have been the only "fruit" consumed in the last I can't count how many years. Veggies, not much better. Lettuce, corn, green beans, mushrooms, onions. More of a fast food junkie, French fry is the vegetable of choice, probably every day! I did try to limit it to ONCE a day though!! For years, I kept telling myself tomorrow, next week, after "insert occasion here", I would diet anew, but something else comes up. The line in the sand keeps moving. I hit the wall mid-October when at 5'3", I hit 235lbs. I was also dealing with sleep apnea, elevated heart rate and borderline BP, severe osteoarthritis, borderline high cholesterol and take meds for hypothyroidism. After a recommendation from a friend in the insurance biz, I decided to go find out options in WLS. The whole way through the seminar at Dr. Kim's in Celebration, I kept thinking the Sleeve sounds way better than the others. So here I am . BCNS required a 3 mo. diet... My NUT eased me in. Mo. 1 eat/drink what I usually do, just not at the same time, cut portion sizes in 1/2, walk 20 min/3x week. Mo. 2 give up soda and drink milk with fiber for snack, at least one fruit a day, same smaller portions, go whole grain, add stretching. Mo. 3 no straws, dime size bites, focus on lean protein, at least 1 fruit and 1 veggie/day (I did not have much fruit/veggie pre-diet), add some muscle building exercises. So far, I have lost 33 lbs as I move toward surgery (hoping for a date in April) and have come off all meds except the Synthroid. Bonus, I just fit into pants without a W!! My husband has been super supportive, and as such has lost 10 lbs too (he is 6'4 and not overweight). My husband says I am sexy whatever size I am, but my health is what matters. I love him so much. :-) My kids are a bit traumatized by all of the healthier foods, but it's the right time to improve their eating habits too. Us all being around together later in life is the motivation! Even though surgery was supposed to be my unmoving line in the sand, I feel like I crossed it 3 months ago. Thank you all for being there.

Ditto on Mirena IUD. Love it!

He won't make that mistake again! God love our men. Congrats on the 16's!

It really helps not to have a drink around. I'be been practicing the last three months and it's more habit than anything.

I love the band Journey! Lol!!

Those of you post surgery, please say if you can still drink milk or if you became intolerant. Just curious. Thanks!

So happy for you!

Inspiring!

Yes, I think when I saw a doctor write in his notes that I was a morbidly obese female is when I snapped. Nobody is gonna call me names like that! Lol! I'm looking forward to moving down the fat ladder as well. Congrats!!

Just put the user name in where it asks for the e-mail. It then sends that user the e-mail request. It took me a bit to figure out too!

920Amy you made me laugh!

Think I got everybody! Mine is agypsyqueen on MFP.

Fantastic! Congrats!!

Mine is agypsyqueen. Friends are good!

I am wired up, as I write, for a sleep apnea study. Facing all these fun tests I spent years avoiding... It's all good to know.

I have severe arthritis in my fingers. Like big, swollen joints where the bones have fused. Just sucky osteoarthritis, not RA, but I nearly walked away thinking I would never be able to live without NSAIDs. Weight coming off will help most arthritis issues, but not mine... I've spent the last two months seeing if I can cope and it's not as terrible as I thought. Tylenol is allowed and I am using voltaran (sp) gel (prescription). Take your time until summer to see if your pain can be controlled. Best of luck!

That was really interesting.

Dr. Kim in Celebration. I've just finished my pre op diet and checklist, waiting on insurance approval. Many on his staff have had bariatric surgery, so they know from experience, so that is reassuring.

Wear boots that go above my ankles!