Hi everyone!

I've been lurking around for a while, reading and absorbing as much info as I can! My name is Lisa, I'm 26 and I live in Vancouver, BC. I'm having my surgery on June 4th with Dr. Aceves. I'm excited and looking forward to this journey.

I have PCOS, insulin resistance and hypothyroidism. Aside from that there is diabetes and hypertension in my family history. I've struggled with my weight since I hit puberty and I haven't been able to keep it off since. I'm half white and half Filipino and grew up in the prairie city of Winnipeg. I have a really close relationship with my Dad and he has been super supportive and is coming with me.

I've decided to start a blog to document this journey. Part of the reason I'm blogging is so my friends can read it, they're all being really supportive, but I'm also blogging so that I have something that I can look back at along the way that shows me how far I've come.

I have a few questions:

• for those of you who flew, how was the back? Anything to do/avoid during or before the flight?
  
• if any of you suffer from PCOS, have you noticed a considerable difference in the symptoms?
  
• aside from walking, what was the first type of excerise you started with post surgery?
  
• anyone else heading down the same time as me?
  
• are you blogging about your experiences as well? I've been watching youtube vlogs and reading blogs non stop, and would love more reading material!
  

I love your signature quote. Very appropriate! I'm not in Canada. I don't even know what PCOS is. I do have Hashimotos (hypothyroidism). I can share my experience with you and answer a few of your questions.

I have two 4 pound handheld weights that I use while sitting and resting. I do arm curls and try different angles of lifting and lowering to target different areas of my arms and shoulders. I was told even if I am too weak to walk, I can do arm exercises while I relax in front of the TV. I also flex and extend my legs and raise and lower them. You can feel it in your abs. Even if you only do 5 of each, that's 5 more than you would do otherwise.

I, too, am blogging about my journey. Feel free to read it.

Good luck!

Welcome! I hope your experience with Dr. Aceves is as excellent as mine was. Keep us posted!! :-)