Hi folks! So I've been posting for a little while, but I kept forgetting to come over there and actually introduce myself. (How rude! lol) Now I'm doing some heavy-duty law school paper procrastination, which makes this the perfect time to post.

I'm Rachel. I'm 30 years old. I live in the Washington, DC, area right now, though I've lived in a lot of other places. I'm originally from the Deep (Fried) South and come from a family of people with weight issues.

I had my surgery on 12/28/11 with Dr. Kelly in TJ. I was really nervous about it at first, but the process went fairly smoothly. The company that handled the logistics, nutritionist, etc. wasn't that great (no big problems--just a lot of little ones), but Dr. Kelly was AWESOME. At the end of the day, that's all that mattered.

I'm just starting to get over my "leak anxiety," which had me pretty freaked out for a couple of weeks, especially for a few days after an episode of overeating hummus. I was really uncomfortable, and I started having some weird sensations--of course my anxious brain dreamed up the worst scenarios, fueled by the worst things I had read about on the boards.

Besides time, the thing that has been helping me get over the anxiety was buying a good digital thermometer and checking my temperature twice a day--that has helped convince me that I don't have a bad infection and am therefore not currently dying of leak-induced sepsis. (Lesson learned: Don't belittle or deny the anxiety--acknowledge it and figure out a way to address its needs while getting on with life.)

I'm also starting to feel a lot stronger now that I can eat more. It's just been a few days ago that the swelling in my stomach went down substantially. Now instead of just a couple of teaspoons of mushy food, I can handle 1/4 to 1/2 cup of mushy and some solid foods. Life's a lot better when you don't feel like you could pass out at any moment! I don't yet feel up to exercising--I started back to work and school a week after surgery, and I've felt really wiped out most of the time since then--but I'm planning to start walking on a treadmill this weekend.

So that's my story up to this point. Best of luck to all of you on your journeys!

Congrats, best wishes for your weight loss journey :0)

Thanks for sharing your experience! I think we all fret about the possibility of a leak even if we're following doctor's orders.

I like your goals list, too! Great way to keep yourself motivated. Even though I still had a lot to lose at that point, I think I was proudest after I could shop regular stores and give away all of my plus-sized clothing. Hitting goal was really great, but sort of anticlimactic after feeling "normal" for so long.

Best of luck to you on your journey. You'll be posting pictures and halfway to goal in no time. I can't believe how quickly the last year flew by for me.

~Cheri

Hey Rachel, you and I are about at the same point. I was sleeved on 12/21 so I got a week on you. I too like your goals list. I might have to put that in my signature as well. Just yesterday I started looking at the "race" schedule for 5Ks around me in the May/June time frame. Unfortuately, instead of going home and jumping on the treadmill. I was lazy and read instead. I feel better after losing 36lbs but still not finding that energy source I'm missing.

Good luck and take care!

Thanks, everyone! I'm so glad I found this site--people here have been so supportive and helpful as I've begun my VSG journey!

I love your goal list, too! And, I'm LOL at buying the thermometer to make sure you don't have a fever/infection! That sounds like something I'd do for sure!!

Good luck and keep us updated on your journey, please!