I've been on the list for about a week now but haven't really introduced myself. I am 48 years old and currently weigh 255, I have lost 15 pounds in the last month or so tracking food on myfitnesspal.com I looked into the lapband in Jan of 2011 but at that time I had lost 70 pounds doing Weight Watchers on my own and was down to 232 and hadn't gained any of it back. I got off track last year and ended up gaining back about 38 pounds. I decided to look back into Weight Loss Surgery Jan of this year. I had thought about the sleeve and when I found out my health insurance covers it now (Health Alliance) I was thinking it would be the best route to go. I am going through all the appointments and stuff like now. Had the Medical evaluation, psych social visit, indiv. nutrition meeting, schedule for group nutritional classes in March 2012 and have physical therapy assessment end of Feb. My insurance doesn't require the 4 weight loss visits to my PCP in 6 months like they used to but Memorial Bariatric Services does so I had that last week.

I have been overweight all my life, I weight 11 pounds when I was born. I was a Weight Watchers member at the age of 10! I have lost, gained, lost, gained all my life. Never been the correct weight my entire weight.

I know this surgery isn't a magic but I think of it as a tool to help me loose the weight and keep it off for good. I just wish I hadn't waited till I was 48 to do it.

I have a set back right now, I found out yesterday I am going to have to have a knee replacement on my left knee sometime. I have doing alot of exercising but can't right now. I am going to try to put the knee replacement off as much as I can. The cortisone shot they gave me yesterday in it helped some but I still have to take Tramadol to walk on it and make it to work. Thank goodness I have a sit down job.

This is great group! I am glad I stumbled onto it!

Pam

Welcome,

Get ready for things to change...outwardly first...and stay that way. But, be ready to change your mind. If there I one thing I can tell you as advice it is this; my mind is still catching up to my body changing. Please remember that as you start consistently making healthy choices and living an active lifestyle, do not neglect to have some sort of spiritual grounding that helps you meditate on being the real and whole person you are. I pray and meditate a lot. It helps because we are so used to living life based on weight. It is hard to think "who am I, what do I like, what are my goals" and not answer based on that old overweight or obese mindset. At first I was like "My goal is to lose weight" and now I can say "My goal is to be healthy and enjoy my life" At first, I was skeptical about saying what I like because (example) riding roller coasters wasn't something I could actually "DO". But now...I am working on changing my mind about me. That's what this sleeve thing is. Sure, it is a second chance to lose weight and keep it off...but mostly its a chance to be yourself and know and love who that is without the harness of weight on your back...

Anyways...WELCOME! :cornut:

Welcome......I am so glad that you did not have the sleeve as it was nothing but a problem in many ways. I had the sleeve removed on Dec 11, 2011 and had the sleeve performed. I am down 36 pounds since I had surgery and have never felt better. I no longer have the constant vomiting that I had with the band and let me tell you that is one thing that I do not miss. I have had no problems with my sleeve and would highly recommend the surgery. I also was having trouble with my knees and back but since the surgery and my weight loss they are not bothering me anymore. I have a ton of energy and would have the surgery again in a second.

I hope that you continue on your path and hope that your knee gets better. I think that if you had the sleeve and lost some weight that when you do have knee surgery that your recovery would be much faster.

Best of luck.

Hi Pam! Welcome! I was 48 when I got sleeved - now 49 - and often also wished that it wouldd have been sooner. But you know what! I'm so happy I did!!! I feel (and look) 10 years younger anyway LOL!!! For me it's been an incredible journey. I'm soooo happy!!! Still working on getting to goal - and the operative word is "working," but it always feel that my efforts finally pay off. Best of luck to you with everyting, including your knee. Sending lots of good thoughts your way and again, welcome!