My BMI was 38 when I was approved for the surgery. As little as six months ago it was 33. I, like many of you was tired of the continual weight yo-yo over the course of 30 years. I want to be healthy and not be ruled by my food. My decision to have the sleeve was me wanting to "eat to live", rather than "live to eat". I was frustrated after dieting and exercising and losing weight and gaining it all back plus more my entire adult life. I recently developed some comorbidities, blood pressure medication this year, severe sleep apnea, and my blood sugar was slowly creeping through the pre-diabetic stages. The heavier I got, the less I wanted to exercise, and the heavier I got... A vicious circle! it also seemed like I was always hungry and didn't have a full mark.I started to consider my own mortality, with my 50th birthday quickly approaching (it is November 29). I was approved on November 3 and my surgery date was November 18, 2014. I am now today one week post surgery and I feel that this is the best decision that I have ever made! my doctor takes the removed stomach during surgery, stitches it up and filled it with air and measures it. I talked him out of a photograph of mine. It is the most incredible thing I have ever seen, my huge stomach laying on a table. He told me that he was surprised if I ever felt full because my stomach was one of the largest that he has seen, and he is operated on people 500 pounds and up. Whenever I feel frustrated about this liquid diet that I am halfway through, I take a look at that picture and I always feel better! After seven days I have lost almost 20 pounds, I am walking between 2 1/2 and 3 miles per day and I feel fantastic. I am getting at least 60 g of protein per day and getting down at least 80 ounces of water per day, even though that KL drinking water at least every 30 minutes all day long. The weight is falling off and I feel like I am no longer ruled by what I eat. I am even looking forward to having some cream of chicken soup during Thanksgiving while my family is stuffing themselves on turkey and dressing. Maybe I'll have some chocolate pudding (sugar-free of course) for my 50th birthday Saturday!I I am 6 foot two, was 307 pounds on the Thursday before surgery at my preop appointment, 301 pounds last Tuesday when I checked in, and today I was 286. I am not hungry, 4 ounces of water makes me feel full, and I I am getting sufficient nutrition on the liquid diet, but I really can't wait until next week when I get to go to puréed food and actually chew something again. I know that I am at the beginning stages of my journey, but I feel as if I have turned the corner on my path to a healthier life!

Congratulations on making the "right" decision for yourself! That pretty neat that they gave you pictures! I wish I had pictures :/

Great story! Congrats on making a change. I'm a little jealous of the pictures too. That would be cool!

Congrats on you success do far!!! Keep the positivity up, u will succeed!!!

Congrats on your success! I'm so gonna ask for a pic of my stomach so I can put it on my fridge (it's just me and my 3 year old at some so no one will be grossed out ????)

Looks like a BIG sausage or a misshapen football with veins:)