I guess it's time for my first post! I have been on here daily for a while now. I've just been absorbing all the information and getting prepared for my new exciting reality! My name is Diane and I am married with five children and one grand baby (ages 3 grand baby, 11,13,15,16 and 21)! Years of taking care of everyone but me has ended up with me being overweight/ tired/scared/embarrassed/insecure/bad knees/and ready to get myself back! After a few years of watching my husband go through some serious health issues ( unrelated to weight)it has gotten really clear that I need to be at my best so that I can secure the future me and my family deserves! I was never overweight until having 4 of my five children within 5 years and nursing each one for 1 1/2 years. Staying at home my life revolved around cooking and cleaning. So with cooking came eating! That s what I have become,no longer Diane,i became known as my husbands wife, my childrens mother, my grandsons grandmother, and the Feeder Of The Everyone!! My whole family is overweight,i told my nut on my first visit if they havent had surgery already they need it. i have family members who have been sleeved,by-passed and banded. Being at a party last May my sis-in-law posted a pic on facebook and we ended up in a huge fight because I was a picture nut. Didn't want any of my pics up unless I approved it which I rarely did. That was the last straw for me! I needed me back, I wanted to feel comfortable in my own skin so I was willing to put myself out there again. So I started my process at UIC with Dr Enrique Elli. My insurance requires a 6 month medically supervised diet, a BMI of 40 or higher with no co-mobitities ( which so far I have none) psych eval. February 7th I will be done with with my supervised visits,psych eval,and I will meet with the surgeon again. I am hoping that my surgery will be in February 2014! I had surgery for basal cell carcinoma near my eye on December 19th 2013. It was so scary and I ended up with 30 stitches! It was the first time I have ever had anesthesia and I did fine. So that makes me feel a little better about that part of the surgery. So that's my story! Feels good to get it out there, I have never said most of that stuff out loud- but it kinda puts things in perspective!

Well, welcome Diane!! It's great that you started the process to get back to the healthier you. As you know, this forum has a wealth of knowledge. Use all of it to your advantage

I'm having all of my final appointments February 3. Then 2weeks later on the 19th is my surgery. I bet your surgery is next month as well. Good luck and keep us all updated.

April

Welcome, glad to have you and see you soon on the loser's bench!

Thank you both, I feel like I just can't get enough info at this point! I really hope February is my month!

Diane, your story is almost everyone's story. We women spend our lives as caretakers, taking care of most everyone, our homes, sometimes jobs, rather than having spa and gym memberships (LOL) and taking care of ourselves. This is you time. Let it be known you want to be pampered for a change! Personally I rested a week after being sleeved, but after that I was shopping several hours a day, and I hate shopping. Best to you, keep us posted! I am loving my new life, and you will too!!!!!

Well, welcome Diane!! It's great that you started the process to get back to the healthier you. As you know, this forum has a wealth of knowledge. Use all of it to your advantage <br><br>

I'm having all of my final appointments February 3. Then 2weeks later on the 19th is my surgery. I bet your surgery is next month as well. Good luck and keep us all updated. <br><br>

April

April, you must be getting so excited! I can't wait to get a date.

<p>Diane, your story is almost everyone's story. We women spend our lives as caretakers, taking care of most everyone, our homes, sometimes jobs, rather than having spa and gym memberships (LOL) and taking care of ourselves. This is you time. Let it be known you want to be pampered for a change! Personally I rested a week after being sleeved, but after that I was shopping several hours a day, and I hate shopping. Best to you, keep us posted! I am loving my new life, and you will too!!!!!</p>

Thank you Linda, I decided to start taking care of myself and put myself first in June of 2013. My family has been handling my small changes so far like champs. I'm trying to get the kids more responsible in the kitchen. I'm assuming I will be missed there for a while. My husband has been great too. I think he will have the hardest time out of everyone!. Can't wait till I'm on the losing bench with you!