Hi,

I'm am about 3 months out and very nervous!!! I am 31, I'm from Long Island, NY, and I'm an EMT. I decided to have surgery for a few different reasons. First, I have struggled with my weight my entire life and I just can't do it anymore. I'm tired of my weight being the first thing people notice about me. It doesn't matter how nice I am, how good I am at my job, or how I carry myself. It's always there front and center. It's lucky for me though that I have always been a tough chick and I tend to let what others say or think about me roll off my back. However, I am my own worst critic. My second reason is because my uncle just passed from cancer. He was only 57 when he passed. He was a 9/11 WTC and became sick due to what he was exposed to that day. In a way, I feel that I am reclaiming his life for him and living the life he couldn't. I want to be happy because he fought everyday for one more breath and I don't want to waste one more of mine. My last reason for having WLS is because I am an EMT and everyday I see the end results of what not taking care of your health and your body does to you. I refuse to be a statistic. What's your story?

Amen! I too work in the medical field and see first hand the results of not caring for your body. I was sleeved April 10 and I am down 42 pounds. Can't wait to be healthy again!!! Best of luck to u!

Welcome!

I am less than 3 weeks out and really understand the nervous side.

Those are all great reasons....and if you are anything like me your list of why's will grow every day from now to surgery day.

Thanks!! And congrats on your weight loss!!! I can't wait to be a "post-op"!! What has been your biggest challenge since you decided on surgery? What has been your biggest victory so far?

That's very true!! It does grow by the day. Something funny happened to me the other day.....I went into a "skinny store" where normally I have only bought shoes/accessories and I began to look around and think wow soon enough I will be able to shop here for clothes if I so choose. So, I figure that's just one more "why" to add to my list!!

I'm also an EMT and am almost 3 months out as well. So many people i work with are overweight an unhealthy, I've noticed how we try and justify ourselves being overweight compared to our patients. And I did the same. The eye opening moment for me was last summer when i got kicked off a ride for being too fat.

Welcome fellow new Yorker. And thank you for your service as an EMT. I'm in south Queens, having my surgery 8/20 at Lenox Hill.

I agree Mrsflyboybs, there are many people in EMS who are over weight. I also have made the excuse of "well I work EMS full time...I'm on the road full time...how can I eat healthy?" But, as I am taking it day by day, I have realized that that is just an excuse. I have to find motivation and have found it easier lately to put things back when I'm shopping instead of buying junk food.

Audrey523: Good luck with your surgery!! I am out in Suffolk County and am having my surgery in october by Dr. Arif Ahmad in Port Jeff, NY at J.T. Mather Hospital.