magoosmom

I am just putting it out there. I am not judging anyone if you don't want to tell. I've known people who kept it a major secret, and some who are only telling if someone asks and then in private. I figure everyone has their reasons. I told family and friends first. My mom was probably the most concerned because of a) how drastic it is and mostly b ) that she's worried I will gain the weight back. I posted this on FB about a week ago: So if all goes well, on June 21st I will be having a laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy...aka gastric sleeve bariatric surgery. I am both nervous and excited about this big step, but also more than ready to make this life change. Short story is that I have been this weight since shortly after Mason was born, have tried many diets, and my health has taken hits because of it. I did not make this decision lightly (who does?? LOL) but with the thought that if I don't do something drastic, I might not be around in ten years. Morbid? Probably...but not that unrealistic. I would love any positive thoughts you want to send and/or tips This is a complete lifestyle change...the surgery is just a tool. Looking forward to a healthier me! Y'all the response has been amazing! I am sure some don't really get it...I have a skinny cousin in California who has never been overweight and she always has something to say about my dieting choices LOL, but she kept it to herself this time. I had several people who reached out to me to share their advice and their positive feelings about having had it or a similar surgery, some I wasn't even aware of. It was wonderful. So yeah, my journey is going to be public, but, again, I understand that everyone has their reasons for doing it the way they chose to. I know that there are some really unsupportive/judgmental people out there and putting this out there for everyone may do a lot more damage than keeping it to yourself. So do what makes YOU feel comfortable and focus on your transformation!

Hi everyone! I'm Victoria and I'm 40, living in Mississippi, and three days until surgery! Excited and nervous! I discovered BariatricPal about a week ago and I'm thankful to have this resource. My struggle with obesity didn't really begin until I went to college. Growing up, i was fairly average sized, and when puberty hit I did struggle with more weight, but not to an obesity level. When I went to college, had to fend for myself (i.e. shop and cook and make good choices in the dining room LOL) and then got homesick, the weight started piling on. After a marriage and then divorce, I was trying to juggle being a single parent, going back to school, and working. Long story really condensed, I made it to about 300 pounds and my weight kind of stayed around that mark. For about 17 years, I've been around that weight. I've done so many diets and failed at them that I literally felt defeated and kind of "what's the point" these past two years. Of course you can't be 150 pounds overweight for that long and not feel the effects. First came the high blood pressure. Went on one medicine. Worked for a while, then it got worse. Now I'm on three different medications to control it. In the meantime, I went from pre-diabetic to diabetic. I had always had issues with blood sugar, even at a healthy weight. I would have hypoglycemic episdoes (diabetes runs in my mother's family). I went on different medicines to control it...I guarantee I have been on pretty much every non-insulin diabetic drug out there, since I couldn't tolerate metformin. About a year or two ago, my A1C went to 9.8 and my internist basically said he didn't know how to treat it and I needed to see an endocrinologist. The endo wasted no time in telling me I needed to be on insulin. I cried. Definitely a breaking point for me. When it came to the surgery, my first thoughts about it were "Wow, that is so dang drastic." Seriously drastic. How could you choose to do that? Then as time went on and my diets failed and my health declined, "Hmmm. I wonder if I could do it." Then after the insulin, I realized that if I didn't do the surgery, I might not be around in ten years. Huge wake up call. All of a sudden, the drastic measure was looking like the best chance I had. I began the process back in October and now my surgery is in 3 days. I am blessed with a supportive family and I have several coworkers who have had it. Two had it this past spring. I'm nervous--lots of whatifs in my head--but mostly just so ready for a healthier me!

I saw this in the FAQ: "Make sure you’re using a moisturizing lotion withVitamin E and Keratin several times daily." I immediately added it to my list of things to find (LOL). I went first to Walmart and couldn't find anything with both. I ended up buying Palmer's Firming Lotion. I then researched online but also had trouble finding a lotion with both items. Has anyone found one that fits this that they liked? Does anyone have experience with the Palmer's? My skin is already in rough shape--lots of stretch marks, bumpy, etc.--so I am trying to minimize how bad the weight loss is going to affect it. Thanks!

Going on insulin before I even turned 40. Being on 3 different blood pressure medicines and not being able to miss a single dose without feeling the effects. Realizing that I felt hopeless and so discouraged that I didn't want to even try another diet because I had failed so many times in the past.