Jerzygurl

being turned down for life insurance.... and not being able to tie my shoes

My last straw was a couple of years ago. I kept getting tired of buying new clothes (bigger sizes), taking HBP meds, being uncomforable and being disguted at my image in the mirror. I started to do something about it too, even went to a surgeon for the lapband, but shortly thereafter, I had a reoccurrence of cancer. So that was postponed, from there it was two long rounds of chemotherapy. Meanwhile, I kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger... I ate mostly from depression and self-isolation... I had lost four people very close to me to cancer within a year's time, plus I had to deal with my own cancer issues.. truth is, I had completely given up and just ate and ate and ate..like I wanted to die too.. I thought what the heck, we are all going to die anyway--then my doctor put me on an anti-depressant last Christmas and I started to feel much better..even while currently in chemotherapy. I finished chemo this past may and knew it was time to do something; to get serious and to take control of my life and my actions. I must say, I am also completely tired and fed up with wearing out the thighs of all my pants too.. I am embarrassed to be this size..this is the largest I've ever been and I'm uncomfortable, my knees hurt, my feet and back ache and I now have urinary stress incontinence attributed to my weight gain! My blood pressure stays high even w/meds (PCP added another pill today to bring it down or I won't be able to have surgery), my feet and ankles swell..ugh.. I'm just ready to get this party started... I want this weight off.. and I'm ready to tackle it...seriously. In a way glad the lapband didn't happen back then, going for the sleeve now and the process with my insurance company is much quicker than it was before, now its immediate approval with my health issues as opposed to a 6 month wait...
Gotta look at the bright side...
Thanks for reading...

Excellent! Looks like more...

Thank You & Yes But 3 Months After Surgery It Didn't Start Right Away

Hey I'm Just Posting To Update Everyone & At Least Try To Motivate Or Inspire Anyone Who's Still Indecisive About What To Do Is Been A Long Journey For Me & I've Learned So Much Through Out The Months This Surgery Changed My Life In So Ways I Would Never Think In A Million Years I'll Be The Size I Am Or The Numbers I See Every Time I Get On A scale Who Would Of Thought I Would Be Excited To Get On One To Know My Weight & My Progress Is A Mind Bottling Thing But All Worth It At The End As Previously Stated In My Last Post I Started At 330lbs Now I'm Currently At 174lbs Losing A Total Of 156 Pounds I Guess Dreams Do Come True!!

The doubt itself would be the first reg flag. Is it fear of the surgery and the pain or discomfort ? Or is it fear of possible long term complications? You'll get over the pain and discomfort, but the risk of irreversible complications is real and should not be taken lightly. Getting ready is not getting surgery and that's why your questioning it as it gets close. And you should. If the weight is not life threatening at this point and you feel you haven't tried hard enough to lose without the surgery......then try. Be sure. Try to follow the same diet and lifestyle changes to lose that you would if you had the surgery with the mindset that the surgery is your only other option. Maybe take in a couple more sessions with the therapist. By all means, be sure and if you choose the surgery, "own it". You will be the one living with it the rest of your life, so don't let anyone else make that decision for you.

You know, afterwards I thought the same thing. I was so sure, not a hesitation in mind when I had the surgery on 8-14-3, it was going through the first phase that made me doubt myself. But if there are health issues, this is best. True it's irreversible but I've been told you can still stretch your sleeve out if you don't eat according. I've even read about people that have stretched their stomachs some 5 to 7 yrs later. Not gaining a tremendous amount of weight but still gaining weight back. I agree with Gamergirl, its your body and your choice. Choose wisely....

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Yeah, don't do anything you're not sure of... that is my only advice.
As for me, I've tried pretty much everything, I've lost a great deal of weight on my own and over the years, only to regain it plus some. This is not just about the weight for me, it's about my health and my history and medical issues. I've done my research, discussed it with several doctors, my oncologist, gynecologist, the WL surgeon and my PCP..and I've arrived at the same conclusion they have... it's a postive step in the right direction.. For Me.
You have to decide if you're truly ready to do it. I know, I am.
Best wishes.

I had a 1hr meeting with him. And then I did my NUT, Psych eval with others and I go back on the 10th for a preop with him.
I know he does not do a pre op diet. One thing from what you said is call about smoking. I know my office will do a nicotine test prior and if you fail, you do not get surgery. Other offices have other practices so it would be good to know if you need to completely quit or cut back.

Had my two weeks post op doctors visit. Down 21.5 pds. I was shocked. Now onto phase 2. Thought it would be easy to do but not as easy as we think and get down the Water content too. But I will push on and do the best I can...

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Im down 22 pounds and 11.5 total inches!! Im so excited, it finally feels real!

Wow i have so many mixed emotions right now i wanna scream, cry, laugh all of the above ....lol...my isurance coordinator emailed me yesterday telling me she was gonna submit my info to insurance and that we should know by tuesday next week but she just emailed me saying that i got Approved and am all set and ready for the 10th yiiiiikes it's feeling sooo real NOW .. =)....soooo Nervioooous!

My only advice to you is be very sure before you proceed. It's an irreversible procedure with a lot of adjustment and head-work that needs to happen. You have to approach life and food very differently for the rest of your life. If you're not sure, then try it on your own and see how well it works before you have the surgery. There's no rush to do this in a sense, and best to go into it with conviction when/if you do.

Everyone has to decide for themself, but here is my input. I am 64. In my 30's I lost 76 pounds and reached goal with WW. In my 40's I lost 115 pounds and neared goal with a hospital-supervised liquid diet. Dozens of other times I would lose 30 - 50 pounds on various progras. I was even a WW leader for a number of years. But I am a food addict and every time I gained it all back plus more. When I turned 60 I reached 300 pounds for the first time. I decided I want to live an be healthy and the only way to do this is to get this weight off for good. I was sleeved June 6 and for the first time I am hopeful and encouraged for the future y sleeve is only a tool I know, but it won't allow me to binge, and it makes me only want to eat Protein and other healthy food. My only regret: I waited 30 years to do this (of course it wasn't an option when I was young) But you have the opportunity to change your life forever! Whatever you decide, get the weight off, keep it off, nd start living! Best wishes to you!

Hello everyone, I'm a newbie..and here's my story:
I've tried every diet and eating planning known to man, since the time I was 15 years old... some mainstream, some not so mainstream...from popping pills to the vinegar diet to the soda diet and from Atkins to the Zone... all over the course of 33 years. I've lost upward of 65 lbs, only to gain it back, plus some. I've had a personal trainer, a nutritionist, a dietician, a prayer circle and a shopping list...to enhance my weight loss chances. The only weapon (outside of WLS) I've never employed was a witch doctor, but if one could have promised weight loss, I would have probably signed up and tried it too.
Suffice it to say, at this point in my life, I'm ready, I mean absolutely ready for a permnanent alteration to my phsyiology, not as a short cut but as a life long tool to help me, not only mount the monster but to conquer it and bury it deep without any chance of recovery.
I have reached the point, after much careful study and research, after many discussions and conversations, where I am completely and utterly ready for WLS & the Gastric Sleeve. I am committed to completely changing my life, my eating habits and my exercise habits. I've been working out again with a trainer, light stuff, . I finished my final round of chemotherapy for OV cancer in May, and now I've gotten the approval to move forward with this new journey.
I'm ready. I've started the process. Yes, I am ready.
I look forward to reading everyone's story and being inspired by other's journey.
Bountiful Blessings to All

Yay! Happy Happy Birthday to you!! Keep us posted.

Final consult with my surgeon today and I'm being SLEEVED on Sept 4th!! WHOO HOOO.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! This is the BEST birthday present I could ever give myself!!

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The first is the sad state of my boobs after. A push up vs real life bra. Don't know if this worked

Here are mine...

Helloooooo Sleevers it has been a long while but im here to congratulate all on there surgery and send best wishes to the upcoming sleevers. Follow your Surgeons orders and the duet and you will be great. I was sleeved December 4, 2012 my starting weight was 264 at 4 feet 11 inches and today I am 178 and all smiles! I continue to follow my diet and I exercise regularly

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Before - May 2013 @ around 300 lbs.
Current - today @ 265 lbs
I'm 5'3
I'm a work in progress!!!

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dos-april 10, 2013
sw-189
cw-138
the before pic was taken in dec 12

101 lbs down. 6 months post op

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This is after (nearly 6 months) down 110 pds