I am 49 years old (until Valentine's Day). I am a mom and a grandma. I have steadily gained weight over the last 20 years and I have mobility issues due to degenerative facet joint disease. I have all of the usual morbidly obese issues such as diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver, arthritis, cardiac issues, asthma, etc.All of my doctors and specialists are on board with me seeing a weight loss surgeon tomorrow and they have had a conference call already.

I have Medicare and since last summer I have been seeing my doctors regularly and we have tried weight loss meds, physical therapy, counselling, etc. I had a medial branch block performed Oct 31, Nov. 7th and Nov.14th, 2012. It is a 3 part procedure to help with pain but it didn't work. I used to be over 300lbs and on continuous oxygen. I have got off all the oxygen but have only lost 15lbs. I am out of my power chair most of the time now but in order to go out to a store or meeting without it I have to take 2 pain pills, a muscle relaxer and numbing Patches on my knees. And when I take all of that medicine i start itching from the pain med.

I can use as much encouragement as possible. They have been talking about the Lap band and the gastric sleeve and it looks like I prefer the sleeve. I graduate with a Bachelors degree in Social & Criminal Justice next January so this could be a new start for me. I look forward to getting to know everyone.

congrats on your decision, its the best thing I did , and would never give it a second thought to doing it again !!! I will save you a spot on the loozers bench next to me for you !!!

I am 49 years old (until Valentine's Day). I am a mom and a grandma. I have steadily gained weight over the last 20 years and I have mobility issues due to degenerative facet joint disease. I have all of the usual morbidly obese issues such as diabetes' date=' hypertension, fatty liver, arthritis, cardiac issues, asthma, etc.All of my doctors and specialists are on board with me seeing a weight loss surgeon tomorrow and they have had a conference call already.

I have Medicare and since last summer I have been seeing my doctors regularly and we have tried weight loss meds, physical therapy, counselling, etc. I had a medial branch block performed Oct 31, Nov. 7th and Nov.14th, 2012. It is a 3 part procedure to help with pain but it didn't work. I used to be over 300lbs and on continuous oxygen. I have got off all the oxygen but have only lost 15lbs. I am out of my power chair most of the time now but in order to go out to a store or meeting without it I have to take 2 pain pills, a muscle relaxer and numbing Patches on my knees. And when I take all of that medicine i start itching from the pain med.

I can use as much encouragement as possible. They have been talking about the Lap band and the gastric sleeve and it looks like I prefer the sleeve. I graduate with a Bachelors degree in Social & Criminal Justice next January so this could be a new start for me. I look forward to getting to know everyone. [/quote']

I am much younger and have sane co-morbities and my surgeon refused lapband on me. I get my surgery date on Fri. Its been a long 2 year stuggle for me. I have severe osteoarthritis in all my joints. I have to have this or I will be wheelchair bound in a matter of time.

I iwsh you the best of luck and therebis a lot of support here

I'm younger and lighter and still have hypertension and fatty liver and joint pain! I was sleeved on dec 18 2012! I think you are making the right decision! Originally I wanted the band, and my surgeon was fine with that, but all the issues with fills and refills and stuff like that made me rethink it (especially being a self pay!)

Boy am I ever glad I did! My cousin got the Lapband at a pretty high starting weight (I don't know exactly, but probably close to 300), she lost 30 pounds post OP because of the diet, but has maintained since (like a year later), she vomits all the time and can't tolerate healthy foods like veggies and Protein, she gets really sick, so she eats sweets a lot of the time which is why she's not losing. I hate throwing up, so I'm sooooo happy I got the sleeve! I never push it too far (in my opinion. I drink half of what I think I can and I wait ten minutes and I'm usually full enough... In fact I don't really ever feel hungry! The joy of losing grehlin with your stomach! Unfortunately most bodies recover it after a year or so which I'm not excited for! I love not being hungry!

Anyways! Good for you!

I am 49 years old (until Valentine's Day). I am a mom and a grandma. I have steadily gained weight over the last 20 years and I have mobility issues due to degenerative facet joint disease. I have all of the usual morbidly obese issues such as diabetes' date=' hypertension, fatty liver, arthritis, cardiac issues, asthma, etc.All of my doctors and specialists are on board with me seeing a weight loss surgeon tomorrow and they have had a conference call already.

I have Medicare and since last summer I have been seeing my doctors regularly and we have tried weight loss meds, physical therapy, counselling, etc. I had a medial branch block performed Oct 31, Nov. 7th and Nov.14th, 2012. It is a 3 part procedure to help with pain but it didn't work. I used to be over 300lbs and on continuous oxygen. I have got off all the oxygen but have only lost 15lbs. I am out of my power chair most of the time now but in order to go out to a store or meeting without it I have to take 2 pain pills, a muscle relaxer and numbing Patches on my knees. And when I take all of that medicine i start itching from the pain med.

I can use as much encouragement as possible. They have been talking about the Lap band and the gastric sleeve and it looks like I prefer the sleeve. I graduate with a Bachelors degree in Social & Criminal Justice next January so this could be a new start for me. I look forward to getting to know everyone. [/quote']

Dont worry...u have this. U have made the BEST decision, u are so courageous to have made the decision to live the best life possible by getting ur health in line:) THIS IS YOUR YEAR!