I am Joyce, from Pleasant Hill, MO ( near Kansas City ). I just turned 54 and finally have saved enough money, raised my two children ( now living on their own) and finally decided to do this just for ME. I have dieted on and off for almost 30 years, have been diabetic for almost 14 years and now starting to have joint pain issues. It is time for me to take control before things get worse. I have been married to a wonderful man for almost 30 years and he is my biggest supporter. I am self-pay, thanks to my wonderful insurance company, so I have chosen to have my surgery in Mexico by Dr. Alvarez. My husband will be making the trip with me there for my surgery.

Sometimes I wonder why I have waited so long to do this but I know that I am doing it now, at the right time. I am hoping to have the best quality of life as I get older and this will give me a much better chance at reaching that goal. I am so glad that I found this board. I read it every day and I am learning so much from all of you. This is not something that you can go through alone, you need advice from others that have been-there-done- that.

My husband and I own our own music based sales business, so I will be able to have the chance to rest and not work the days after surgery if I need to. kind of looking forward to that

If any of you are being sleeved about the same time OR if you live in the area close to me, I would live to talk with you. I found out yesterday that my niece is having the sleeve done 8 days before me ! Have a family sleeve buddy now!

c_{ongats on making one the best decisions ever !!!}

Congrats! You are doing this at the right time for YOU! It's great that your hubby supports you and that your niece is being sleeved around the same time! You'll have someone to compare notes with as you heal!

Congratulations .. You won't regret it... I am 59 with grown kids and a very supportive husband....

I too was diabetic ... What type are you? I was type 2 with an A1C of 10 WITH taking metformin, gliberide (specific) and byetta shots twice a day.... I was going to have to start insulin, if i did not have the surgery....well, they had me stop all my diabetic medicine 3 days before surgery... I had surgery and they started monitoring my blood sugar... It rose as high as 300 (they gave me insulin shots) then started coming down... I spent 1 night in the hospital...by the time we drove home next morning (90 minute drive) my blood sugar was around 200.... stayed OFF diabetic meds and checked blood sugar 3 times a day...wrote them down to show doctor on follow up appointment at 10 days post-op....numbers were between 150 & 200... now at 7 weeks post-op, i check once every 3 days and they are 98 - 120..... my diabetes is GONE!!!!!

besides losing weight ... I am no longer a diabetic! i feel amazing...

Welcome to the group of sleevers and you will love this site....

Use the search button for anything and always know that there are many people (at all different stages of this process) that will support you with your decision...

Sorry so long .... I am just so happy to have wonderful people helping/guiding me, that i wanted to make sure you knew we are here for you...

Oh ya.... my last A1C was 6.6!!!!! love it!

Thank you so much for your kind words:)

Tjmom, sounds as though you are doing great with your blood sugar. I hope to be able to beat that monster to death also :0

I am so very thankful to have support from people that understand what I am going through.