MKG

The day is finally here! Whoop whoop! Where are my sleeve sisters (or brothers) !!!!!
I have to be at admitting tomorrow morning at 7:30. Surgery is scheduled for 9:30! Beyond excited at this point. Not an ounce of doubt or fear. Bring it on!

I'm Jessy. I'm 18 years old, a high school senior, and I'm about a month away from graduating.
Ever since about fourth grade, I've been obese. I've always been the "larger child". My parents have tried their hardest to help me lose weight, from diets to exercise, but nothing ever helped. I always heard people say "oh she's young, she'll lose the weight in no time", and yet I've never been able to, no matter how hard I tried. Temptation was too strong, resources were lacking, and an overall lack of motivation didn't help at all.
Around 6th grade, I stopped menstruating.Upon seeing a doctor, I was diagnosed with PCOS (Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome) and a Pre-Diabetic. As someone from a genetically diabetic (type 2) family on both sides, I was a likely candidate for the latter if I did not lose weight.
The idea to go under the VSG did not come to mind until about my junior year of high school, as my weight increased along with my deficiencies in immunity, energy, and general health. There were many difficulties insurance wise, but finally I was approved and my surgery took place on April 14, just three days after my 18th birthday. It's been six days, and I am currently down about 10lbs, more than I've ever lost during my failed dieting regimes.
I am determined to reach my goal weight of 125lbs, which is a healthy weight for my stature, not just for my health but for my self confidence. I want to lead a new life as I move on from high school to college. Honestly, I can't wait to buy some cute clothes~

My name is Melissa, and I'm 49 years old. I'be been married for 21 years to my husband Tim and we have two boys 13 and soon to be 17 years old. I joke and say the only time in my entire life that I was underweight was the day I was born and it's been an uphill battle ever since.
I am finishing nursing school in a month and receiving an associates degree in nursing science and criminal justice as well. I hope to start my bachelor's in the fall and take my NCLEX in July. I feel that this is the right decision for me because I have gained and lost so much weight in my life I could make six or seven regular size people. I'm ready for a permanent change and a tool that will assist me in being successful. I have numerous comorbidities (rheumatory arthritis, hyperlipidemia from the prednisone used to treat the RA, hypothyroidism, and recently diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea). I'm hopeful that the weight loss will greatly improve my health. I want to be around to enjoy my children and family and to make a difference in other people's lives as well.
I am currently scheduled for surgery April 29th and am learning to enjoy my Protein shakes. I lost almost 35 pounds prior to beginning my pre-op diet and am so excited. Looking forward to making some friends along my journey. Keep you posted.

this is a great post idea. I am writing this from my hospital room less tha 24 hours post VSG. I really don't know who I am right now. I am certainly on a journey. One that has taken me thousands of miles from my home and my children. I am running away from being the funny fat chick. I am not sure why.I started this journey six months after I lost my mother. I am not sure why I didn't know who I was anymore after she's was gone. I just knew that I didn't feel ok in this body any more. I put on 25 lbs since have died and everything on me hurt. My knees, my back, and my heart. It wasn't enough to just be me. I am sitting here now questioning who or what it is I want to be and I know the possibilities are endless. I want to be the mom who has the energy to play with my kids and the wife who my husband is proud to be with. I actually wouldn't mind being the funny chick in size10!!

Applesauce (unsweetened) is good to take the meds with. Also, beware of those fruit juices and the sugar in them. Loving Crystal Light.

Good luck all, I got my approval in 3 days!

Just got my approval letter in the mail!! I am so nervous now!!

Just called insurance and..... IM APPROVED!!!!!! Waiting for docs office to call and schedule me for surgery!!!!!

My surgeon appointment was March 14 th. Then the paperwork was submitted to the insurance co, BCBS MN. Now I wait. A little nervous , but hopeful to be approved.

Hi, all! Shirley here, in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota. I do medical records and coding for a long-term care facility, just turned 60 and have been on some diet or other for 48 years. Was very athletic most of my adult years; cross-country skiing, horseback riding, played league softball, swimming. If those things weren't available, I went to a gym. Worked as a sign painter for many years and had to work out to do the job!
Lately, I reckon, things are kinda wearing out. I have had two multi-level spinal fusions and a knee replacement. Between the surgeries I found out something was wrong with my immune system and kept getting sick all the time, mainly everything that went around but also odd stuff like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme's disease. Had mumps twice had two surgeries for gigantic kidney stones, and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Over a span of about 10 years, I was on a lot of pain medication. You take that kind of thing, you have to make sure there is something in your stomach so you don't get an ulcer. Being unable to continue working out, eating the wrong things (and way too much!), I have gained a whole lot of weight. Caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror and wondered, "Who in the world is that woman?"
Started this journey just before an injury and the consequent knee surgeries and now it's time to get going! Things are lots better in other aspects of my health, but the weight has added some other issues, like sleep apnea, hypertension, high cholesterol, and my blood sugars are getting alarming. I am also tired of not being able to find fun clothing at a reasonable price, and being so tired all the time from hauling all this weight around.
During recovery from all this, I have written a book of short stories and transcribed my grandmother's diaries (two volumes, 8 1/2" x 11" and each over 600 pages--then added photographs I have salvaged, inserted into the appropriate places). It was a good, productive thing to do while healing.
My family is long gone, except my brother who lives about 1800 miles from me. But I have two Karelian bear dogs; mother and son, who are great companions. (Except those times when the cat deliberately baits them and they have to chase her around the house! The dogs are 70# each and it makes a lot of racket!) I got the bear dogs to train for hunting and search and rescue and have been unable to do much with them but love them. However, they are my muse! I cannot abide by the thought of never hunting again, and is one of the main goals I have for this year, post-surgery! By summer, I will be able to go trap shooting without someone hauling a chair for me to sit on until my turn comes up!
The insurance company has approved the vertical sleeve, as well as my PCP. The next step is to see the surgeon and attend a seminar, then see a NUT and psychologist. Looking forward to a new year and new me! The surgery will be a great tool to help get back in shape before I get too old to enjoy it!

As a nurse I agree. If you tell us your very hard to get, it does psyche us out. Lol. But rest assured, everyone has veins. I work in the emergency room and get lots of dehydrated patients, but they always have a findable vein :-)

I started my 6 month required medically supervised diet the middle of September 2013. I met with the dietician, we talked about my past ways of trying to loose weight, tips for getting ready for life after WLS. I wasn't told I have to loose a specific amount of weight. But I'm to incorporate new habits of not having liquids with meals, smaller bites, and chewing well. So if all goes as planned I'm excited about the prospect of having vertical sleeve done in March or April 2014! I'll be following this site to stay connected with others that are on the same timeframe as I am!

I meet with my bariatrician on Wednesday to start my six month diet.
Anyone else beginning in October hoping to be sleeved in March/April 2014?

Is there a way to edit after posting? My man is a green BUILDER (not a building)
(I edited it thanks to the help of a couple of community members. Thanks! I didn't see the "edit" button as it looks grayed-out.)

How disappointing for you.but it was the right thing to do at the time. Good luck with your next step.