I started this journey 3 years ago, I went to my first meeting to learn about WLS. I left feeling so confused. The diet they needed me to go on for 12 weeks just did not work for me, I had blood clots at the time and was not allowed to have too many greens or Protein shakes containing Vitamin k. It was very frustrating. At first I thought I wanted to go the lap band route, but then several people I know had it done and they all seemed to have many complications and several put the weight back on. I guess I was not really ready. I started yet another failed diet and forgot about WLS. Then a friend of mine decided she was fed up and she was getting "the Sleeve".

I had never heard of this procedure, as I looked into it, it seemed like the answer I was looking for. I have been obese my whole life. I remember the first time I actually heard the word used by a doctor to describe me, I was 14. The school doctor said it so nonchalantly as he dictated his notes to the nurse. I was devastated. I knew I was overweight, but obese, those words hurt.

My surgery date is July 25, 2011. I am nervous and excited. I am so grateful for this site. Over the past few months it has been the answer to all my questions and fears. My questions were many, as I am married to a Chef. A French Chef. He is extremely supportive, always has been, but I love food and I needed to know that there are others like me who have successfully had the surgery and gained control of their eating. I am not a junk food addict. I love really good food. I am 5'7", I weighed 276 lbs when I started this journey. I am one week in to my pre surgery diet, and BTW starving! I have lost about 10 lbs already. My head is saying "why can't you just keep doing this diet and lose all the weight that way" but my heart knows that it does not work that way. I have lost as much as 90 lbs at a time on various diets and gained it back plus some. We all know the story.

This is my last resort, I am 47 years old and it is time for me to start living my best life. I have been living with pain from bad knees so unbearable that I can't stand the thought of continuing this way. I live in a house that has stairs every where that I cannot go up and down. When I told my husband that I was thinking of doing the surgery, he looked at me, smiled and said, "Well, you are not getting any younger, it is time." My children are 16 and 21. When they were growing up I was still pretty active, even and 260-276 Lbs. I managed to ski, camp, bike and it did not hurt. Now the thought of getting out of a chair to answer the door is painful. I teach small children and I know that my weight has limited me as a professional. I am looking forward to having more energy and less pain in my life. I know my family is looking forward to having the old me back. I know I have made the right decision. I thank you all for the support this site has given me.

Hello Artmama, we are about the same age and weight, I am a couple of days after you. like your husband said we aren't getting any younger. We have similar stories, obese at 14 and losing the weight only to gain it all back plus some. I wish you the best and I will add you to my prayer list. Let me know your progress. Sandra aka Boots

Sweetie welcome. I am getting sleeved as well and one day after. Welcome to the site it is a jackpot of information and support. Good luck to you and keep us posted

Thanks Sandra, I am new to the web thing and not sure if I am doing any of this right, but i will try and stay in touch, it is so much less scary to go through this with others in the same boat.

t.

Hello Artmama, we are about the same age and weight, I am a couple of days after you. like your husband said we aren't getting any younger. We have similar stories, obese at 14 and losing the weight only to gain it all back plus some. I wish you the best and I will add you to my prayer list. Let me know your progress. Sandra aka Boots

Thanks, I will try. BTW I love all the graphics you all have, the ticker and other things, I am going to have to ask my daughter how to do all that, my posts look so boring, not me at all really! Thanks again and Good Luck. =)

Sweetie welcome. I am getting sleeved as well and one day after. Welcome to the site it is a jackpot of information and support. Good luck to you and keep us posted

There is a thread on here that explains how to do it successfully. It is pinned and shouldn't be too hard to find. I was able to do it by following the easy to understand instructions. Good luck.

Hi ArtMama,

I go 4 days after you! Good luck to you. Stick around and post a lot. We need to get our July Firecrackers popping! Good luck. I hope you are not too hungry!

Sugarmamma are you having your done by Dr. Almanza? If so you and I are on the same day and my wonderful friend Sandra will be the day after.

Wendy