I am just starting my journey my Dr consult is on Dec. 3rd. I'm dying that I have to wait. Well here is my story:

I'm 41 female, mother of 18y/o daughter, live in Mohave Valley, Arizona originally from So Cal. I'm 286lbs now and have been overweight almost my whole life. I can't honestly remember when I was under 200lbs, if I had to guess I'd say Junior High School. my top weight was around 360 I stopped weighing myself. I am an Insulin dependent Diabetic, I have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, nuropathy, chronic fatigue and I'm sure there is something I'm missing but I think you get the point. My Rhuematoligist told me at the rate my knees are deteriorating if I don't get at least 120lbs off LIKE NOW I wont be walking when I'm 60. That's scared the **** out of me, my best friend in Cali had the Gastric Bypass 2 years ago and I saw the transformation she made, she lost a person and I knew that's what I needed. I didn't have insurance until a few months ago and have been doing as much reading as possible on the different surgeries and decided the Sleeve was best suited for me, I don't want my innards rerouted and have absorption issues. I am very afraid that I will be the 1 person that this diet doesn't work for, I have tried so many times before to get the weight off but it never lasted, I think I have tried every "diet" out there since I was 16 years old.

I NEED someone there to get information from who has been where I'm planning on going and that can give me support, direction, encouragement and an ASS KICKING when I'm being stuck on stupid and have my head stuck up my ass. I don't necessarily need someone in Arizona, these days with computer's email's and texting we could be thousands of miles apart and still be there for each other. I DO NEED someone that will be honest with me even if it hurts my feelings and not tell me what they think I want to hear but to tell me what I need to hear. I want to lose the weight but I also want to learn to live a new life and with that comes a new way of eating so I can become a smaller and better me.

So if you are up to a challenge and would be willing to be my mentor/buddy who has been from the beginning of there journey to a successful part of there journey. Oh and I have to say I ask a million questions. So if you are willing to help me please send me a personal message and introduce yourself and tell me your story.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this, shows me you already care about me :}

THe sarcastic me wants to say "So you are asking us to audition to be your buddy?" Gad I wish we could do that in real life LOL

But the big hearted softy in me says, nice post, and I wish you the best on your journey my dear. It sounds like you have really put a lot of thought into your path and those who do that are the people who are the most successful. I bet you're going to rock the sleeve hun! Best Wishes!

Iggychic, I am very sarcastic as well so I welcome your comment. I'm not auditioning or interviewing so sorry it sounded that way. I just wanted to put myself out there and let people know a little about me and I am curious about others and there journey's. I have found in the past I learn more from doing myself and from hearing what others have done and the things that worked for them.

When was your surgery?

I know all too well the excitement, nervousness and fear of getting started. This journey has been a transformation for me.

I have made some amazing friends from this site. I am almost 4 months out and everyday brings new challenges.

You will do great!!! Just arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible to prepare yourself for the road ahead.

You can do this if you make your mind up, and it sounds like you are ready. I to was almost 350 lbs to start with, had problems walking, knees hurt, feet swollen, back problems, heart trouble, high blood pressure, I was in a mess! I to thought I would be the one person that this surgery wouldn't work for, boy was I wrong, 4 1/2 months out and I'm down 90 lbs! You can do this!

Iggychic' date=' I am very sarcastic as well so I welcome your comment. I'm not auditioning or interviewing so sorry it sounded that way. I just wanted to put myself out there and let people know a little about me and I am curious about others and there journey's. I have found in the past I learn more from doing myself and from hearing what others have done and the things that worked for them.

When was your surgery?[/quote']

Oh honey I really wasn't making fun of you I loved your post because it was so full of honesty, and frankly, it reads to me like someone who's going to be successful because you've taken a hard look at life and know yourself well. I know you weren't really interviewing (so no one else read it that way). You just made me giggle...and darling giggling is TOTALLY NECESSARY on this journey!

I am not always reliable because of my small child and business responsibilities or I'd be filling out that application But, if you want a kick in the butt on occasion, send me a note with a full confession of your fears and I'll remind you that you asked for the kick And that, as I said today, you're going to be successful in this journey. Your brain is already there...your heart is just wavering on nerves...totally normal! I'm not always a 100% "go for it" girl on this surgery but in your case, you need this. Your family needs this...because they need you hun.

Having a one-on-one mentor or buddy is great, but I think that we all do that for each other in general through the forums. That is why I like it so much here. Lots of different personalities, experiences, ways of interacting with others, questions, methodologies, suggestions ..... a much broader variety than you would get from one person. If you need a kick in the pants, you get lots of them. If you need to be reassured that things will be OK, you get a lot of affirmations from the group.

Hi! 99% of the people here are GREAT and someone is always around to support you. I promise, if you post 'eating a french fry!' MANY people will come out to kick your ass. Probably more than you ever wanted.

As you hang around on here, you'll get to know the regular posters. So hang around!

I have RA also. Am 51 yr old female. Was sleeved 8/21/12. Six weeks after being sleeved I had to have my gallbladder taken out. I was on Enbrel for the RA but went off of it 2 weeks pre-op. I'm still waiting to be able to go back on it, but...I seem to be in remission! I'm having my RA factor & sed rate checked this week and will see my various doctors next week. I pretty much have/had (?) your alphabet Soup of health issues expect diabetes, but I'm sure that would have happened w/o the sleeve. I have severe RA and have already had both knees replaced. other medical problems stem from RA and a wacky immune system.

Feel free to contact me!

Judy