Hello everyone, just wanted to say how grateful I am to have found this group! I have been struggling with my weight all of my adult life (just turned 45). I have been successful losing the weight several times, only to end up gaining everything back within a couple of years . I had just about given up, when a nursing coworker told me about the gastric sleeve procedure she was considering. My BMI is 36 (5ft 4in), so I didn't think I would qualify. Due to my high blood pressure though, BCBS of MI said that I would! I have to undergo 6 months of supervised nutritional counseling- which I started this week. My surgery date, if all goes as planned, should be late April 2014. I look forward to following everyone's progress & am thrilled to be able to join a group where I am understood- all I hear from family and friends is "no, you don't need surgery." They just don't understand how heartbreaking it is to lose and gain back the same 70 pounds .