Well Hello There!

[JackieN78 22]

I feel like I've been a stalker around here reading all about your stories and not sharing mine! In fairness, I usually check this from my iPhone, so it's not the most convenient way to post!

Here's a little about me - I have always been a bigger girl - 190 when I graduated high school, 255 when I got married 5 years ago, and now at my highest weight ever - 325 (give or take 5 lbs). Over this past year I have had more "fat people problems" than I ever had in my 35 years on the planet! The knees, the back, the short of breath while walking shorter distances, nevermind the fact I couldn't even attempt to work out!

I attended a weight loss seminar at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE on December 17, 2013 - had my consult with my surgeon, Dr Wynn on January 6, 2014 (that felt really fast...though my mind had long been made up by then). Since then I have been poked and prodded as most all of us have been. Along the way I found out I was suffering from a severe case of sleep Apnea - and now after 2 sleep studies (one at home and one CPAP overnight study at the sleep lab), I will be receiving a CPAP of my own! That overnight study was the BEST night of sleep I've had in a while, so it's a very good thing in my opinion that I was able to discover why I wasn't sleeping well.

Along with all of this, I have a lot of reasons I want to get the surgery done. First off, I'd like to spend more than the past 5 years with my husband. We'd like to have a child, and being this overweight with the co-morbidities such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pre-diabetes...these things do not equal a happy healthy pregnancy!

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I hope to meet some great friends and support here on the board - local and afar, I welcome any and all advice, comments and friend requests

Good luck to you all, and if I can be of help anywhere I will gladly jump in but for now - I think I need to learn the info before I try to provide advice to anyone

[BRG 39]

Welcome! We have very similar stats. My starting weight was 331 and I am also 35. I was 240 when I married my husband.

I'm only 11 days post op. How are things going for you?

[beeteroo 166]

I'm pretty similar to you too! At age 14 I was 165 lb, graduated high school and college at 200, got married at 230, highest is about 320. Had my first child at 285 and second at 305. Lost and gained lost and gained lost and gained. I had sleeve surgery on April 29th. I was at 300.4 this am! I think it's going to be well worth all the pain I'm having right now. I'm a little older at 38 but now is the time to do something for your health. Congrats on your decision. I know it's a hard one!

[JackieN78 22]

Welcome! We have very similar stats. My starting weight was 331 and I am also 35. I was 240 when I married my husband. I'm only 11 days post op. How are things going for you?

I'm at the point now where I need my Pcp to sign off and I get my clearances submitted to insurance....so I'm a bit frustrated so far but I know it'll be well worth it! My office coordinator has been amazing and has taken it upon herself to actually talk to my doctors office and get things organized on their end since they haven't worked together before My goal surgery date is June - hopefully early to mid June if I have anything to say about it

I'm really looking forward to the surgery, especially since my Egd was done so seamlessly! Since I did that I now no longer have a fear of what is going to happen - I've never had any surgery before other than oral surgeries

[JackieN78 22]

@Beeteroo...yeah this was a pretty tough decision to make - basically one day my husband (who is very skinny lol) looked at me and said he wanted to be a father to our someday child but he didn't want the day he became a father to be the same day he became a widower...he wants me to be healthy which I clearly wasn't anymore. It kinda made me love him even more - he could care less if I am fat or skinny he just wants me healthy and alive. I think this surgery is going to help me be more active and alive - I actually know it will. Because I'm committed

[HeatherSchwartz 43]

hELLO Jackie...I havent been coming here for too long, only acouple months...I got on this site out of curiosity and two days later I knew I wanted the sleeve and had chosen a Dr in Mexico. Now Ive begun my first day of pre op diet...not happy at all but I gotta keep pushing on. Surgery on the 26th and Im ready.lol What are your expectations and goals?

[BRG 39]

@Beeteroo...yeah this was a pretty tough decision to make - basically one day my husband (who is very skinny lol) looked at me and said he wanted to be a father to our someday child but he didn't want the day he became a father to be the same day he became a widower...he wants me to be healthy which I clearly wasn't anymore. It kinda made me love him even more - he could care less if I am fat or skinny he just wants me healthy and alive. I think this surgery is going to help me be more active and alive - I actually know it will. Because I'm committed

My husband is also thin and loves me fat or thin which is great. I look forward to the day when I actually weigh less than him!

I don't regret it. Glad you're committed but it will be harder than you think. I see a lot of people on this forum who seem to have had unrealistic expectations going. I see complaints about "only" losing 15 pounds in their first month, etc.

I would suggest you start making gradual changes now. Find Protein shakes you like. Personally, I see Protein Shakes as a daily staple for the next 2 years. Give up carbonated drinks, caffeine, and alcohol. Make sure you aren't drinking 45 minutes before and after your meals.

There is a lot to get used to but I know it's totally worth it.

[JackieN78 22]

hELLO Jackie...I havent been coming here for too long, only acouple months...I got on this site out of curiosity and two days later I knew I wanted the sleeve and had chosen a Dr in Mexico. Now Ive begun my first day of pre op diet...not happy at all but I gotta keep pushing on. Surgery on the 26th and Im ready.lol What are your expectations and goals?

My doctor will require a 2 week full liquid preop diet that I have been dreading/preparing for all along - I'm sure it will still be a shock though when I start it! My goal first will be to just be able to do things I'm afraid I can't do anymore - like restaurant booths granted I won't be at a restaurant the day after surgery but I want to be able to sit at a booth and not worry if the table is movable or not - but weight wise my goal is to get to about 155-160 - that's a lot of excess weight but as soon as I'm able to again I am going to live at the gym lol I have always liked going to the gym when I was going but I lost interest if I stopped going. Now I'd love to but physically can't anymore!!

[HeatherSchwartz 43]

I have about 90 pounds to lose and many ppl have told me ( even on here) that I should and could do it on my own. The reason I don't is I'm addicted to food. From hiding it everywhere and I finally confessed to my husband. I'm trying to overcome little by little. I've tried many diets and exercise regimens but it only last a short while then the few pounds I lost come back double. I'm just sick of the cycle and this is my hope for a healthier love myself life.