Surely you are someone outside of your surgery and struggles with our weight. You have interests and dislikes and families- jobs and hobbies. And honestly- yes it is exciting to have this stool and to be on the journey- but hasn't there been enough focus all our lives on just our weight?

I know VST is dedicated to our VSG stories, but I sort of think that who we are makes our VSG surgeries that much more meaningful.

So I'll go first...

I'm Danielle. I'm 27 and I have three sisters and one nephew. I am unmarried and have no children. I work full time running the office for a respiratory company. This semester I am also attending college full time via online classes. I'm now also trying to squeeze in going to the gym three times a week.

I suffer from PCOS and had this surgery to help increase my chances of having a family of my own one day.

I am a TOTAL girly girl! I love the color pink, I like Hello Kitty the way others like Betty Boop or Tinkerbell, and I HATE HATE HATE spiders! I'm not much of an outdoorsie person- my idea of roughing it is five girls and one bathroom. That being said I do love to garden and can't wait for spring.

I love anything to do with 16th century european history and am a total fanatical nut when it comes to Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I. My favorite movie and book of allllllllll time is Gone With the Wind. I love watching old movies with my mom- our favorites are Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, anything with Doris Day and the Tammy movies. We also make a point of watching A League of Their Own together whenever it is on tv. I'm close with my Dad but sometimes I feel like we don't have anything in common.

Prior to surgery I loved home cooked food! (Along with chinese and pizza hut haha) I still enjoy cooking for my family (One sister, my parents and I all live together for economic reasons) and resumed cooking them meals within a few days of coming home from the hospital. I have a dog, she is a chihuahua/yorkie mix. Her name is Gypsy and well... she is sort of a monster!! I <3 her tho!

Now it's your turn!! Tell us who you are!

anyone wants to know me go to my page and click on my story...glad to be here and hoping to be a support to those who need it and hoping to be supported when my time comes

Thanks all for your well wishes!!

Thanks all for your well wishes!!

@@Tiffleigh if you click my avatar and go to my profile and click "my story" you will see we have something in common i will pray your journey is textbook and you get relief from your pain

Kiki I don't understand where avatar is? I'm new to this site so I need some help!

I don't understand what clicking on avatar is Kiki,i,am new to this site... please help!!! Thanks!

Hello everyone!! This is my first post and I am excited to be part of a very courageous group of people. I originally started my plan back in June and have a surgery date of 30 October. I am looking forward to my lifestyle change, and ready to tackle any and all obstacles!!

Hello Michael so glad you are moving forward in your life and your health. Life sucks sometimes and unfortunately we (you and me) deal with loss and shame and grief in the same way. ROLLERCOASTER I was abused by every single guy I ever allowed near me except for my daddy, in one way or another sexually, mentally and my ex-husband physically too. I don't know why? Then ex abused kids mentally this also was so hard to deal with no matter how far I took them away he still found a way to hurt them and me until he drank himself to death last year which brought a whole other level of pain and sent me into a depression like never before for a year I ate and hid inside my house. 389 lbs at my most in August and surgeon said gotta lose 75 before he will touch me bmi is too high dangerous. Good news Michael I lost 17 so far amen. But at a cost other g on meds that make me feel sick all the time but I am gonna win this battle just like you are keep me posted and by the way I live near you other side bay area east near the delta

Thanks Becca for your kind words. I'm sorry for all the abuse you went thru. My husband? Was very very mentally abusive and both of us at times were physical. My son one of the twins has add HD and was very difficult at a young age ( don't get me wrong I love this son of mine with all my heart) His Dad did not handle his hyper activity very well... it was hard on the whole family,

I'm Michaela! I'm 23 (soon to be 24 on November 6th) and have a ridiculous obsession with make-up. I think the best days aren't so much about what you're doing, but who you're with. I work full time at CVS Corporate for the MinuteClinic credentialing department. I am a go-getter, hoping to get promoted again in the next year. I have a deep faith in God, and an uncontrollable love for life and people.

I also love to write, and documented my VSG journey thorough a blog that I kept secret up until recently. So now blogging is one of my favorite things to do I would love for you to join me on my adventure! www.journeyofonederland.com

Congrats, Adam you are in for an awesome journey enjoy it. God bless.

Congrats, Adam you are in for an awesome journey enjoy it. God bless.

Hello October sleevers. I'm scheduled for 10/30 and will begin my pre-op plan beginning tomorrow. I've been out crawling through the past posts and have traveled the journey via blog with several of you now post sleevers.

If I could only take one item with me to the hospital what would suggest. I'm traveling from Alaska with only a small bag so what I pack has to count.

Are there other 10/30 sleevers out there?

I don't understand what clicking on avatar is Kiki,i,am new to this site... please help!!! Thanks!

i'm sorry i just saw this if you click my little picture (avatar), above my name, that will take you to my profile...there you can click the link that says my story on the left side of the page...hope that helps

10 Days out!!

SITREP:

Hello everyone, getting close! I am a 40 year old, Retied 20 year US Army who has been struggling with my weight since 2006.

I did my ultra-sound for my liver, gallbladder, and kidneys among a few of the organs I’m assuming need to be checked out, results for them technician went VERY well. I’ll see my doctor, Dr. Parker at Walter Reed Medical Hospital this Wednesday along with the other specialist in preparation for my surgery on the 30^th.

Current Diet / Exercise Plan:

Height 5ft 6in

Starting Weight: 249lbs June 2014

Current Weight: 238lbs October 2014

Goal Weight: 170lbs

As for the 2 week liquid diet, I have been not following it to a “T”, I guess…what I have been doing is a two liquid one meal a day plan, leading into a pure liquid starting on the Monday (three days out). I have also been doing plenty of exercise to ensure the blood is flowing, at least an hour of cardio (3 miles / 45min treadmill and strength workout) 3 to 4 days out of the week.

Overall:

I am getting VERY excited, I cannot wait for my surgery, because all I hear are nothing but POSTIVE results, a few minor issues, but 9/10 are VERY successful, basically people are “reborn” and this is what I want. I want to be able to do the things I used to do when I was 25-28 and I know I can.

I think considering my current health and weight, I’m doing pretty good, no major issues!!!

Any thoughts, concerns with my diet plan will be greatly appreciated!!