I'm so so nervous about getting the surgery that I've been trying to focus on all the positive things that the sleeve (and weight loss) will give me back, like climbing stairs without pain in my knees, being able to enjoy clothes shopping again, feeling pretty again and more energy, Also to be able to do things I've never been able to do before...like Water ski.

Love to hear all the positive things that the weight loss has given others too. How has the weight loss and the sleeve changed your life?

Ellie, May I chime in on the dying issue? I was CONVINCED I wouldn't make it through surgery, but I also knew that the co-morbidities I had were going to kill me. My doctors told me so. Basically, I was healthy until May when I contracted pneumonia. I was hospitalized three times in less than two months and, in spite of losing 50 pounds last year on Atkins, I came () that close to dying. The pneumonia was followed my a mega blood clot, and that clot shot out two pulmonary embolisms. Those are scary because there is NO treatment when one bursts and the odds are that it will kill immediately. I was lucky that neither of mine burst. Other health problems quickly followed.

When I decided to have the surgery, I went through a few days of "what if", then I made a list of what I was scared of, and made myself do what I could to handle them. I made a new Will, Living Will, Health Care Surrogate, etc. I talked to my family, including my adult kids, and let them know that I loved them, but this was a risk I had to take for my own life. I had to try to save my life, even if I died trying.

My first words when I woke up from surgery were "Really?" I couldn't believe it. I gambled and won the lottery. This surgery will literally save my life and I have already been taken off of one med. I'm hoping to drop the others as I'm able to exercise. Oh, and having this surgery meant I had to actually have THREE surgeries. I had a removable filter installed to prevent a clot from moving around and that filter will be removed next week. I still think it's worth the risks.

Good luck with your decision. But, know that eventually you will have some co-morbidities from being obese. It's much easier to have the surgery before you get to that point. Before the first two surgeries, I had to give myself twice daily injections of lovenox. It's extremely expensive and it leaves big bruises whereever you inject it. That alone makes me wish I'd had the surgery years ago. Now, I have tons more energy and I feel like getting up and moving around. My house has never been this clean!

I'm 5 weeks out and have energy coming out my ears!! It is such an incredible feeling to have so much energy and to enjoy exercising. This was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life, for sure.

I am in normal sized clothing.

I am not the fattest person in the room.

I am off my blood pressure and cholesterol meds.

I am not hungry all the time.

I can bend over more easily.

I can sit comfortably in all chairs and booths.

People react to me differently now that I'm thinner.

I am not scared every day that my fat is going to kill me.

I feel like I can control my weight, not that my weight is controlling me.

Lynda

^^This, totally.

The sleeve has given me SO much back. I'm finally getting to a happy place again. A few things (that will likely turn into a lot of things) the sleeve has given me:

I can shop at Old Navy (in the non-plus size!) section.. I don't have to order everything online. I haven't stepped foot inside LB except to buy Spanx for my BIL's wedding last week.

At the wedding, everyone I hadn't seen in a VERY long time was telling me how amazing I looked.

I've got the "annoying level" energy I had back in my early 20s.

Great sex!

My best friend since 8th grade calls me "skinny b---". LOVE that lol

It showed me who my true friends were since several dropped me like a hot potato when I was no longer the fattest in the room.

I can paint my own toenails now.

I can cross my legs.

I'm no longer imprisoned in my house because of my fear of being seen

I sleep way better now

I can walk the zoo without feeling worn down or grumpy by middle of the day

Being a loud & outgoing person, that's coming back because I don't feel the need to shrink into the wallpaper to hide.

My class ring from high school and other rings I wore in high school FIT ME NOW! (I wasn't heavy when I graduated) Oh but my wedding rings are falling right off me. I can't wear them anymore.

I'm living again.

At over 2 years out, there's so many thing, events, joyous occasions that have transpired. . . The most important is right here ! ! !

Miss Tatum Adysen

AND, a big ole' baby bump along with a healthy, uncomplicated, thriving pregnancy ! ! !