My "handle" is Gypsyqueen because a palm reader once told me that I had the longest travel line she had ever seen. My husband got a gov't job shortly thereafter, and we have lived all over the U.S. (including Alaska, now in Florida), and so the nickname was coined long ago.

Mom of 2 boys, just turning 13 and 16. Full time volunteer. Busy. Too busy to exercise, but not to watch my fave TV shows and eat out lunch with girlfriends everyday.

Yoyo dieted over the years, stayed at 170 for 4 years, but it always comes back. My biggest problem is I have always disliked fruits and vegetables! OJ may have been the only "fruit" consumed in the last I can't count how many years. Veggies, not much better. Lettuce, corn, green beans, mushrooms, onions. More of a fast food junkie, French fry is the vegetable of choice, probably every day! I did try to limit it to ONCE a day though!!

For years, I kept telling myself tomorrow, next week, after "insert occasion here", I would diet anew, but something else comes up. The line in the sand keeps moving.

I hit the wall mid-October when at 5'3", I hit 235lbs. I was also dealing with sleep apnea, elevated heart rate and borderline BP, severe osteoarthritis, borderline high cholesterol and take meds for hypothyroidism.

After a recommendation from a friend in the insurance biz, I decided to go find out options in WLS. The whole way through the seminar at Dr. Kim's in Celebration, I kept thinking the Sleeve sounds way better than the others. So here I am .

BCNS required a 3 mo. diet...

My NUT eased me in. Mo. 1 eat/drink what I usually do, just not at the same time, cut portion sizes in 1/2, walk 20 min/3x week.

Mo. 2 give up soda and drink milk with fiber for snack, at least one fruit a day, same smaller portions, go whole grain, add stretching.

Mo. 3 no straws, dime size bites, focus on lean protein, at least 1 fruit and 1 veggie/day (I did not have much fruit/veggie pre-diet), add some muscle building exercises.

So far, I have lost 33 lbs as I move toward surgery (hoping for a date in April) and have come off all meds except the Synthroid. Bonus, I just fit into pants without a W!!

My husband has been super supportive, and as such has lost 10 lbs too (he is 6'4 and not overweight). My husband says I am sexy whatever size I am, but my health is what matters. I love him so much. :-)

My kids are a bit traumatized by all of the healthier foods, but it's the right time to improve their eating habits too. Us all being around together later in life is the motivation!

Even though surgery was supposed to be my unmoving line in the sand, I feel like I crossed it 3 months ago.

Thank you all for being there.

hello gypsequeen welcome, im on a pre-op diet at the moment ive most of my preop test done but still waiting on the physic to see me, the best of luck on your journey and april isnt far away x

Congrats welcome you are in for the greatest journey in your life, put your seat belt on and enjoy the journey. I am so grateful to God for my eyes being open to the posibility.

Let's have a round of applause for supportive husbands!

(And wives too of course!)

I know that my husband is going to be the single most important source of support for me, and I am so grateful that he loves me so much! It made me think of him when you wrote "My husband says I am sexy whatever size I am, but my health is what matters."

With spouses like this cheering us on, we'll do great!