southernsoul

Yesterday was my 49th birthday. As I look back over the past almost-decade, I’m amazed at how much has changed, and how far I’ve come. Since I turned 40, I have gone through a number of big life changes, including divorce and remarriage, job/career changes, and achieving a college education. All of those changes have been enriching and empowering for me. It feels like my 40’s have just been one change after another. I have really come into my own over the past few years, in so many ways that I never anticipated. I am excited about becoming a professional counselor, and inspired by the opportunity to have a positive impact in my small corner of the world. I have been so blessed by supportive friends and family, and I am very grateful for the love that lifts me up each day. Over the past few years, the one major negative change has been my mobility. I can no longer do so many things that I used to do and still want to do. The degree of limitation in my life has become unacceptable to me, and the time to take action is now. So, as I celebrate turning 49, I am already looking ahead to my 50th birthday next year. At that time, I will be 11 months post-op. I have no idea how much weight I will have lost, but I trust that my physical condition will have changed for the better. My plan is to celebrate the beginning of my new decade by doing something physical that would not have been possible at the end of this decade. I don’t know exactly what it will be, but I’ll think of something. It seems very appropriate to celebrate turning 50 by doing something that was not possible for me at 49. I don’t expect to start running or take up mountain climbing; I just want to walk without pain. I want to be able to stand for more than a few minutes, and maybe even to dance again. I want to be able to walk around downtown, or go shopping at the mall. I want to be able to do projects around my house and work in the yard. When we go to the beach, I want to be able to take Tony’s hand and go for a walk in the sand. But until that day comes, I will be thankful to hold his hand as I take this next step, and give myself a gift for next year and beyond.

Preach it, girl!! There is a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt that I have always loved: "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent." You are absolutely correct that the sleeve is just a tool. I don't feel ashamed for one second that I'm doing this, and I could not care less about somebody else judging me for it. Nobody can make me feel ashamed without me agreeing that there is something to feel ashamed about. There are things in my life that I'm not proud of, but this ain't one of them. Good for you for being proud!

Congrats!! You go on with your overweight self!

Thanks for sharing the start of your journey & I wish you all the luck in the world!

This is great information...thanks so much for sharing!

Maybe your doc won't be as negative as you think. My surgeon required a letter from my PCP stating that I had informed them of my sleeve plan & providing a 3 yr documented weight history. When I went in for my appt, the PA was really encouraging! She said that more and more research is showing how many health risks can be minimized by WLS, and that the sleeve in particular is showing some very good results. If your doc is keeping up with current research, she's probably seen the same stuff.

I hate most mayo, so I've made a sandwich spread out of cottage cheese that I've processed smooth in my little 3 cup food processor (a blender works, too). Add a little lemon juice, or garlic, or some herbs & you're good to go. Also, you can drain plain yogurt overnight with some cheesecloth in a strainer. The result is thicker, more like mayo or sour cream.

You are absolutely right...the only person you can change is yourself. Bravo to you for finding the strength to undertake this journey! I hope you can find a good support group to lean on through the process, since we all need and benefit from a supportive environment. Good luck to you!

I quit 2 1/2 weeks ago with Chantix and a nicotine vaporizer (basically an ecig, but rechargeable & refillable). I saw my surgeon last week & asked if the vaporizer would be a problem since it is A) inhaled and still nicotine. He said he didn't think so, that his main concern was lung capacity, not nicotine itself. He hasn't mentioned a pre-surgery blood test, either. To be on the safe side, I will probably transition to nic gum if needed a month or two before surgery. I'm hoping it won't be necessary, though...I didn't even touch the inhaler yesterday til almost 6:00 pm, so I can really tell I'm needing it less & less each day. Don't try & cheat the requirements...they are there for a reason. Good luck to you!