I'm 54 years old. I've been overweight most of my life. It's the thing I just haven't been able to overcome. I'm 5'4" and weighed 248 at my peak. I'm currently at 233. Next week I will complete my final session with my nutritionist and will be submitted to final approval for surgery. We are shooting for the week before Thanksgiving (due to my workload until then).

Like most people on this site, I have a myriad of different emotions. I know one thing. I need to do this for me. I kind of look at it as an intervention of my own doing. I have lower back pain. I have knee problems. I have asthma. Despite all those things I am blessed with a very happy life. But my weight holds me back in so many ways. Rarely does an hour go by with my thinking about my weight in one way or another. Enough.

I'm excited to take this step. I'm scared to death of losing my hair since I don't have much now. I'm energized by thinking of being able to move without discomfort. I can't wait to stop shopping in the women's department. I'm on an airplane almost every week - can't wait to feel like I don't have to hold my breath the whole way to stay in my allotted space.

I know one thing for sure. I'm going to need your help and support. My husband and close friends are behind me 100% but they don't and won't understand like you will. Thanks in advance for helping me on my journey to better health. I hope I can be an encouragement to others along the way.

I'm 54 years old. I've been overweight most of my life. It's the thing I just haven't been able to overcome. I'm 5'4" and weighed 248 at my peak. I'm currently at 233. Next week I will complete my final session with my nutritionist and will be submitted to final approval for surgery. We are shooting for the week before Thanksgiving (due to my workload until then).

Like most people on this site' date=' I have a myriad of different emotions. I know one thing. I need to do this for me. I kind of look at it as an intervention of my own doing. I have lower back pain. I have knee problems. I have asthma. Despite all those things I am blessed with a very happy life. But my weight holds me back in so many ways. Rarely does an hour go by with my thinking about my weight in one way or another. Enough.

I'm excited to take this step. I'm scared to death of losing my hair since I don't have much now. I'm energized by thinking of being able to move without discomfort. I can't wait to stop shopping in the women's department. I'm on an airplane almost every week - can't wait to feel like I don't have to hold my breath the whole way to stay in my allotted space.

I know one thing for sure. I'm going to need your help and support. My husband and close friends are behind me 100% but they don't and won't understand like you will. Thanks in advance for helping me on my journey to better health. I hope I can be an encouragement to others along the way.[/quote']

Welcome to the forum!! We are similar in age. I am 53, 5' 6" and currently weigh 230 (started at 253). I was sleeved on 5/31/13. It was the best decision I could have made. You'll find lots of support here!