I've been lurking, then posting a bit, for a few weeks now, so I figured it was time for an official introduction. I'm MLK, female, 51 years old, 5'2", scheduled to be sleeved on March 17.

My mom put me on my first diet when I was not quite 9 years old, and I've been fighting my weight ever since. Thought I was fat all through high school and college (although the photos certainly prove me wrong), then after my son was born 23 years ago I gained a ton of weight and spent most of my 30s hovering around 190, which on me was HUGE. Dieted down to 125 after I got divorced in my mid-30s, kept it off pretty well for almost 10 years doing 10-15 hours of martial arts per week. Remarried, quit smoking, gained back up to 150 or so, have been yo-yo-ing between 145-175 for the past five years. Oh -- had abdominal liposuction in 1998 which took away my "apple" shape, but I gained back the 10 pounds they sucked out, mostly in my chest and back.

Didn't know WLS was even an option for me until I saw somebody talking about having the lap band at a low BMI on the 3 Fat Chicks message board. Did a little research, talked to my PCP, found out about the sleeve and decided that was definitely the surgery for me. Came very close to going to Dr. Aceves since I'm a self-pay, but decided on a surgeon very close to home. Went for my pre-op blood tests, EKG, and chest x-ray last week, so if all goes well I'll be sleeving it up in just over three weeks!

This is like a dream come true for me -- I don't think there's been a day in the past 40 years when I haven't obsessed about food and weight. I'm very accomplished in my career, but have always felt "less than" everyone else because of my weight struggles. Really really looking forward to having them in the rearview mirror!

Thanks to all for the great info and support on this forum!

Hi MLK, and welcome, we're glad to have ya ! ! ! Congrats on getting the sleeve soon, it's a wonderful surgery.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Welcome MLK - glad you found out about the sleeve and that you're going to be getting your surgery soon. Visit us often - lots of helpful people here. Happy to have you in the "family"

Hey MLK,

Welcome, congrats on getting a surgery date. You will be happy

with the sleeve.