Hi all. I'd like to share my story as to how I even knew of the sleeve as a Bariatric Choice plus how I got to this point of my surgery scheduled now for March 30.

I was at a resort in Honduras for New Years 2013/14 with a group of people. Somehow one of the couples with us mentioned the husband had been quite heavy a couple of years back, had the gastric sleeve done which is why he watches what he eats and runs every morning. I was starving for knowledge so he explained it to me a bit. I filed it away. I have gained 60 pounds in the past 14 years, HATE it, don't even recognize myself plus my back hurts, knees hurt, blood pressure rising, snoring like a lumber jack and more. I have tried every diet at least once if not twice: weight watchers, hcg, Ideal Protein, clean eating, fasting 2/5 diet, boot camps, on and on, you get the picture.

So, in October of last year in a fit of desperation I remembered the sleeve procedure the guy had and called a friend who had has the by-pass and shared my woes, curiosity, etc. with her (she's in the health care field). She suggested I see a physician who has had the sleeve by the way and see if I was a candidate for surgery. I met with her and while my BMI and other markers weren't high enough but given the fact that my weight has steadily risen over a period of years in spite of dieting and exercise plans she put put my name forward. I also saw another doctor who I heard runs a bariatric protocol program at our local hospital who put me in the program. I see the nutritionist, psychologist, physical therapist and attend the monthly group sessions plus physician visits. The groups is amazing and filled with pre, just out of surgery and post people up to 2-3 years out of having had surgery. It is so interesting to hear their journey, experience and tips. There are also people who are back in the programe for revision surgery. That made me go hmmmmm?!

Anyway, it's now March, I had all my bloodwork done, submitted a stool sample and had an upper GI. So, I have my surgery date on the 30th of this month (YIKES) and began the pre-surgery diet protocol. I have 2 high protein, no sugar shakes a day, loads of Water, 1 small meal of fish/meat and veg, I have to have a no fat broth each day for the sodium. I am doing fine, detoxing my body, shrinking my liver and preparing my brain to accept less amounts of food. So far so good.

I have had to stop my HRT which is not pleasant and I hope I don't hurt anyone!!!. I have my anesthesia appointment on Monday where I believe I will have an ECG and surgical discussion.

On Monday I weighed 224 lbs and today I am 217 (due to this pre diet), feel great, blessed, hopeful and ready. I am 60 years old and my height is 5'6". My knees and back hurt, I stop breathing 19 times a minute while sleeping and my blood pressure is in the 150's and sometimes higher (top # of course). The thought of eliminating these health conditions are making it all worth any early unpleasant symptoms I may have post surgery. Also the vain side of me wants to enjoy buying clothes again, cross my legs without pain, walk briskly without wheezing and getting thigh chafe, feel confident again, not worry about running into people I haven't seen in years (they knew me thin) and more.

I know you all will wish me luck and I certainly do for all of you in your journey.

All the best to you! And welcome to BP! I'm 53, and also have had a steady gain throughout the years. I was thin, though, a few times in my life, but not really for very long. My VSG date is 4/23/15, and it seems like time has stood still. It just can't get here soon enough. I have some of the same "wants" OH! To cross my legs, trim my toenails and polish them by myself. See you around the forums!! Best of luck to you on your journey to great health and long life!