On Wednesday the 10th I will FINALLY be having my vertical sleeve gastrectomy and hernia repair. This has been a very long and arduous journey for me. I started August of 2013 (yes last year) down the path to get this done. 15 months and a switch in insurance later, piled on top of lost paperwork at the new surgeon's office, delays with my psychiatrist and six months of non-surgical weight-loss, I'm finally here. I'm more ready than ever. I'm so excited I can't sleep. I'm a 24 year old female, 5'6", currently 300 lbs. My heaviest weight was 346 and I'm proud to have lost the forty pounds but it took me a year. Mentally and physically I'm prepared for this. I keep looking at before and after pictures of other people who have had the surgery, trying to figure out what exactly I'll look like at a normal weight... I've been obese since I was four years old. I don't know what thin and healthy feels like, but I'm so ready for it.

On a side note, if anyone reads this... What should I pack in my hospital bag? They plan on keeping me for two days.

Ps hi I'm new to this forum I'm so glad I found it.

Congrats! My bag included gas x strips, Chapstick, sleep mask, ear plugs, toiletries, Biotene Mouth spray and lozenges (for dry mouth) softest sleep clothes and slippers ever, extension cord, for my iPad, phone and heating pad, glade plug in for my room (comfort measure) big pillow, soft soothing music from my iPad (I don't watch tv) face wipes, lotion, fuzzy socks...I think that covers it...seems like a lot but I used every bit of it and I was comfortable....I guess I was nesting lol!

Oh and welcome!

Thank you! I'm making a list of things I need to bring. My bestie brought me a little care package of stuff including fuzzy socks, chapstick and lotion. It was so thoughtful. I wouldn't have thought to bring chapstick or mouth spray/lozenges. I forget they have to stick tubes down my throat lol. Definitely bringing my phone to entertain myself and a book. I wish I had an iPad now! Haha. I just got some super comfy pajamas, robe and slippers for when I'm walking the halls I don't have to be in a godawful hospital gown.

It sounds like your pretty prepared! I used the spray Right before they took me to the OR and I have absolutely 0 sore throat! It's still hard to believe they even put anything down my throat since I felt nothing....which is a good thing!

Oh and I was suppose to be NPO so I kinda cheated wit the spray but hey it worked so I have no shame!