erinkath

Hi, I'm Erin! I'm 33 from New Jersey, and I have decided to get Gastric Sleeve surgery. I am scheduled for my surgery on May 4, 2016. I was never overweight growing up, the lowest weight I can recall as a teenager was 116 lbs when I was 14. I only really began gaining weight once I was out of High School. I was never "active", but I guess my metabolism really began to slow down around age 18. In the past 15-16 years, I have yo-yo'ed with my weight- my highest was 273 in February of 2015. The lowest I can recall was about 145-150 back in 2002-03. I tried various diets, Weight Watchers, medications (Phentermine and Qsymia). I had some success with dieting, but would gain it back plus some. I started Phentermine in February 2015 after finding a doctor that would prescribe it. I lost about 20 lbs, then to Qsymia, where I've lost another 15-20 lbs (depending on the day). However, since Phentermine is only allowed for about a year (and Phentermine only about 3 months), I was concerned that after I get off Qsymia I would gain back what I lost. I looked into Bariatric Surgery, and found out that alone I didn't qualify based on BMI, but I have very high blood pressure, in addition to other health issues. So, I was approved for the Gastric Sleeve. I get my surgery in less than 2 weeks, and I'm nervous, but hopeful. I am looking forward to a fresh start, and a new me. I hope to gain an insight from others that have been there, and are going through the same thing, here on Bariatric Pal. I don't know anyone personally that's gone through this life-changing process.
 
Some other random things about me: I'm attending school full-time to finish my second AA Degree, and hope to get back to work in the next few months (I was laid-off awhile ago). I have 3 cats that are my children: Chandler Bing, Nermal, and Lilly. I love all things pop-culture- movies, TV, books, music. I like to have a book going at all times. And I'm hoping to learn to LOVE exercise after my surgery! Haha.