HI there,

Every since I decided to do this I have been experiencing so many emotions - nervous, fear, hope, anxious, thankfulness, and TONS of excitement!!

It has been all that is on my mind. I can hardly sleep at night. I am SO ready for a new life. I will do everything I'm supposed to and try my hardest to do this right. It is so important to me.

I just wish I had people to talk to about it and experience these feelings with. This is such a huge deal for me. I can't believe I'm doing this!

April 28th seems so far away right now.

You will do just fine, I am sure!! It really is a life changing experience!! Stay on this board and all the people here will offer you all the support you want....and maybe some you don't want too! Lol!! I am 2 weeks post op now and I am on here daily. I think it's almost an obsession!! Please let me know if I personally can help you in any way!

This community is a blessing! During my pre-op phase I was on here multiple times a day. And I know you say you wish you had someone to go through this with- but it doesn't really help with all of those feelings. I did this with my cousin- same day in the hospital and all- and sometimes throughout the process I felt alone all the time. Sometimes when I'm looking at the mirror at how my body jiggles in ways it never did before- I feel miserably alone. But it is so worth it and I can not begin to put into words what a miracle this has all been for me.

Good luck to you- and we're all here for you!

Thank you both so much! Yeah, I guess you are right, this is my thing, and no matter how many people are there for me, this is ultimately my choice, my struggle, and my responsibility. It will be I who has to make the daily choices to work hard and stay positive through this.

I am sooooo glad to be here you guys. It does mean so much to have people to talk to who understand how I feel.

Hey Cynthia K....I responded to your request for a buddy the other day. Here was my post, if you are interested in staying in touch. I am pretty sure my surgery date will be pretty close to yours.... I have already found a lot of support and valuable information on this board and I am sure you will be so happy with your decision to go through with this.....Here is the post I sent you in case you missed it. Have a great night. Heather

Hey there,

Girl I will be your surgery buddy. I am 43, and my BMI is 40.5. I am only 5'0 ft tall. I live in Nashville and I am so excited about this surgery. I had a lot of reservations at first but, I want my life back. A little about me. I am married and have three boys. Aged 10, 12, and 42 (hahah, my husband). I was in shape most of my life, but then my back went out. I used to be a gymnist and I had spondiolethesis, and had to have major back surgery a year ago. Since then I have gained so much weight. I am 5'0 and I weigh 209. With this surgery, my hopes is to lose 80lbs. I would love to be your surgery buddy and support you and I would love the support in turn. Thanks for your post, I just started my process and I will most likely have the surgery in May. So, we are still very close. I am going the insurance route. I work for Federal Govt. and have Fed BCBS. So, I have to do a 3 month medically supervised diet. Hey, I gottal go but, lets talk some more. Tell me more about yourself ....I am still trying to figure out how to get a picture up on ths site. Have a great evening. I will check back in in the morning. Taking the boys out to dinner. Bye for now. I am excited to get to know you better. Thanks Heather

YAY! Thanks Heather!

So, how are you feeling about all this? I am so excited, it's all I can think about!!

I am feeling really good. I had a lot of second thoughts at first. I canceled my first appt. and everything. I am just so sick of being fat and tired. I have a gorgeous husband and two handsome sons and I just feel out of place. My husband is supportive but, says he loves me no matter what. I know that is sweet but, I need to do this for me. I have a really bad back and I take some serious pain meds which probably helped with the weight gain. I work full time and honestly I don't know how I do it sometimes. I am 207.5lbs but, on a 5'0 frame. I feel so terrible. I fell like a 4x4 (hahahaha). I want me back and I am willing to do this to get me back. I know it is scary and I am not telling many about this. If they notice I am losing weight, I am going to say thanks and go about my merry way. My work people do not need to know, I don't need any judgements. Most we tell are like you are not big enough or you will just gain it all back, or my favorite, I heard someone died of complications of that surgery.....I will just keep it to myself for now. Did I hear you say you were going to Mexico? Tell me about that and I would also like to hear more about you......nice to have a pal on here. Thanks for posting.......Heather

Well, let's see... I told my best friend and she was being overly nice about it, trying so hard to support me, but I could tell that she doesn't really want me to do it. She especially doesn't want me to go to Mexico. She said her ex-boyfriend's mom almost died in Mexico. Her aunt also had lapband and it didn't work for her. So, when I posted to my family and close friends today on Facebook about it (they are all in Canada), one of the first things I said was that I have something big to tell them, but if they were going to be negative in any way about it, please don't share it with me. LOL! I hope that wasn't too harsh.

I know my mom is worried about my health and really wants me to lose this weight. She has no idea how hard it is, and how frustrating going up and down 40 pounds every year is, and how terrible it feels to fail all the time. I'm not use to failing at anything, but this has got me right now. BUT, I truly believe that this is going to change my life.

I am a Christian, and I have been praying so much about this both before and through my decisions this past week. Somehow, the Lord made a way, and everything has fallen into place perfectly, even moreso than I could've ever imagined! It's been amazing to be honest with you, and so I have no doubt that God is with me and He will see me through this. Oh, I am SOOOOO excited!!!

Anyway, I live in Dallas, I'm a CPA, twice divorced, I live alone with my little dog Oates and my yellow naped amazon parrot named Maya. Like I said, all my family and close friends are in Canada, and my best friend down here, her and I aren't as close as we used to be. So I will truly be going through this alone. I'll be flying to San Diego on a Friday after work, my surgery is on a Saturday. Then I will fly back home on Tuesday, and be back to work the following Monday.

I'm a little concerned right now about how I am going to get from the airport to my home because I know I will only be a few days out, so I have to figure that out. I hope that I can find someone to drop me off at the airport and pick me up. That would help alot. I'm really good about following instructions and staying tough, so I am very confident about my ability to heal quickly and stay on track for the first couple months. After that... well, I really want to say that it will be easy for me and no problems. But if I'm truly honest with you and myself, it's after that first month or two that I am truly worried about.

Bless you for having the courage to take control of your life and I am sure God will and is guiding you through all of this. It is scary and I am sorry you will have to go it along for the most part but, you sound like a strong lady and I am sure you will do great. What doctor are you going through? Is it that Dr. Altamez (spelling???). I saw him on UTUBE. A lot of very informative videos. I read that a lot of people have been happy with him and the service they got in Mexico. You must be tall. Your BMI is 39.5. With the lower BMI, I think we honestly have a little advantage. Not as much to lose but, I think you are right that we will have to really work at it and stay true at a couple of months out. I have a great website you should read. It is a blog that tells one womens whole entire story through the whole process...it is something I read that helped me make up my mind. http://adauntingtaleofscalewarfare.com/

Look though this and I think it will make you feel much stronger and help with all the specifics. This particular girl and I have the same medical insurance. You said you are a CPA, may I ask why you are not using your medical insurance?

Well, it is late and I need my rest in prep for the big SB Sunday. We are going to a super bowl party and I could really care less who wins but, always love a party. Good night and I look forward to getting to talk some more with you....Heather

Ok. I'll take a look at the website, and Dr. Almanza on youtube too, thanks! I'm not tall, I'm 5'4". I am a CPA, but the reason I am not using insurance is because my insurance with Aetna specifically excludes this. It even says that they will not cover it even if I had underlying comorbilities. Ridiculous! So, off to Mexico I go. I'm really not that worried about that part of it. I was at first, but I did a lot of research on it, and on Dr. Almanza, and I feel confident about my decision there.

Yes, SuperBowl tomorrow, yay! I am considering going to a party, but not sure if I want to go right now. Anyway, Goodnight!

Good morning CynthiaK. I watched all of his videos and he gets great reviews!!!! If I were you, I may think of taking a shuttle to the airport and then one home as well. That is if you don't find someone else to take you. My insurance covers the sleeve, but makes me go through a 3 month medically supervised diet program. I started that on Friday, so by early May we will submit my paperwork to BCBS Federal and once we get approval, we will schedual the surgery. We always go to teh beach in early June so I am trying to figure out when to have it, before or after.

I feel we are making the right decision. Did you consider the Gastric bypass? I did, but, something about my intestines being re-routed is terrifying to me. I know it is the best in terms of success but, I don't like the possible side effects of the malabsorption..etc.....Do you have any co-morbidities?

Well, I think you should go to your party and have some fun! How is the weather in TX? Cold and rainy up here in Nashville. Have a wonderful day!!!!! H

This is a great site! My doctor warns me about reading things on the net but I find real stories from re people are both interesting and informative! Not everything works the same for all of us but at least we can have a place to share, learn, vent, gather and give support!!!