Hi. Just wanted to introduce myself. I am a 41 years old female residing in southern California. I have been overweight most of my life and am just starting to suffer the consequences to my health. my weight just hit an all time high of 300 lbs. This is my heaviest ever. Not to mention, I was able to pull off being overweight in my twenties and thirties due to having some semblence of fitness despite my size. This is no longer the case. It is high time for a change and I am hopefully starting the first steps of a new life journey. Can't wait to see where this ends up!

I am currently enrolled in a bariatric surgery program through my health insurance and with any luck, will be able to have surgery at the end of this 6-8 month "jump through hoops" period. (fingers crossed, although I know it is not guaranteed) I originally was considering the lap band, but with research, I am beginning to lean towards the VGS and that is why I am here, to research, hear testimonies and get a feel for how it has changed lives. I am also interested in anyone who has had hypothyroidism and how this surgery has worked for them. I am severely hypo due to post RAI.

I am married, no children and I am self employed.

Anyway, that's me! Looking forward to making some new buddies and educating myself!

Welcome to Vertical Sleeve. Nice to have someone on the west coast, and in the same time zone. By the time I break out my tablet to respond to comments/questions, the east coasters are going to sleep.

I have my initial meeting with my doctor this coming Thursday. I'very already been approved for weight loss surgery by Medicare/Aetna.

Thank you Sdb! You are officially my first "friend" on here.

Congrats on your approval. I am still hoping no kinks from Healthnet when the time comes for them to finalize it. Meantime I am just realizing what a huge task is in front of me, coming to terms with myself and preparing for what will surely be a life altering experience, Fellow West Coaster.

Looking forward to watching your progress!!!

Hi Daisymoo. I am 51, had surgery 2 months ago. I've only lost 20 lbs, which is not much compared to others, but I am happy to see the scale move in that direction, even if it is slow. Welcome. This forum is a great place for info and support.

Ellen

I may have to withdraw from this website as I may not be able to get sleeve surgery. I'll find out more on Thursday.

Welcome Daisymooo, you will find this is a fantastic site. Lots of people to help you on your journey, thru all the stages. Let me tell you a little about myself. I turned 50 in Feb and I am feeling better each day. I have always been overweight but like you didn't pay a whole lot of attention to it, didn't let it stop me from doing most things. My husband and I ride motorcycles and in Jan 2009 I wrecked and spent most of that year healing broken bones etc. By Feb 2010 I had healed enough to have my knee replaced. Suffice to say I gained a lot of weight during all this. At the beginning of 2011 is when I started researching my options and found my doctor and this site. My health insurance had their "requirements" and yes most of us have to jump thru their hoops to get them to pay, but by the time Nov 2011 rolled around I was sooooo ready to have this surgery. Since then, it has been a roller coaster ride. Most days I am OK with what I am doing but there are still things that come up and I will say "huh, now what?" and I come to this site daily not only to get some guidance for myself but to see if there is anybody here that maybe I can help along the way.

Welcome Daisymooo! Congrats on your decision to change your life. You wont be disappointed. If you really dig in to this site, there are sooo many people who can tell you how happy thery are with their sleeves. I had my surgery 12 weeks ago ( 13 weeks on the 16th) and I am down 45 since surgery 60 total since Jan 15th. It was easy for me, I have had no issues at all. I am a west coaster too, yaaay! Keep us posted on your journey!

Thanks Guys for the warm welcome.

Sorry about the slow response back! I hope to get more familiar with this site as I progress. It's a bit daunting navigating these forums, but I am lurking around and trying to digest all I can about the surgery....I am leaning towards the sleeve because quite frankly, it seems a happy medium between the LAP band and the gastric by pass.This site looks like it will be very helpful in educating me and lending support. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Welcome! I am 43 and started at 100lbs over weight, now down to 70lbs over (30lb loss) during my insurance required medical management over the last 7 months. I am in the final steps towards approval and hope to schedule the sleeve around the beginning of October.

Welcome to Vertical Sleeve. Nice to have someone on the west coast, and in the same time zone. By the time I break out my tablet to respond to comments/questions, the east coasters are going to sleep.

I have my initial meeting with my doctor this coming Thursday. I'very already been approved for weight loss surgery by Medicare/Aetna.

Hi there Knee2010. Is that an Electra Glide or read King in your avi? If you & your significant other ride Harleys, you're on my A-list already. That's all I ride. Been riding 'em for years.

It's a Heritage. We tide everywhere on trips and vacations.