Today is FINALLY my day. July 29, 2015, at high noon, I'm having my surgery!

Wow, what a head rush and surreal experience, all wrapped into one. It took an entire year, but it has definitely been the most life changing journey I've ever embarked upon. I will never forget the struggle that brought me here, the friends I've made, or the health and happiness I hope to achieve.

I chose my screen name, The Candidate, because in all my research the most reoccurring phrase was "You might be a candidate for weight loss surgery if..." Not sure what to identify myself with after surgery. Is "The Post Op" taken? ????

This is "The Candidate" (but not for much longer), signing off, and heading to the hospital.

Thank you all, and I'll be seeing you on the other side. ❤️

I am soooooooooo happy for you, at long last it's here!!! I will be thinking about you and saying a little prayer today for one of the nicest people I have met here who deserves to be the woman she wants to be. You are really well prepared and know that this will be the best thing you have ever done in your life. Be kind to yourself, walk as much as you can, smile when you fart and burp and sip sip sip I'm sending a virtual Hug, wishing you a successful surgery and speedy recovery

Kate xxx

Good Luck!!

You are going to do great! Don't forget to walk walk walk, sip sip sip!

Can't wait to hear back from you when you feel up to it!

Congrats and good luck my friend! You will do great..I know it. See you on the other side!!

Good Luck @@The Candidate! I

Pray for a successful and complication free surgery and even a quicker recovery.

July 29, 2015, high noon, I'm having my surgery!

@@The Candidate

wait, wait, wait for me

i wanted to hold your hand for support

sorry i missed ya

you have been such a wonderful pre-op "candidate" this past year

on to bigger and better things

you'll be getting smarter and cuter as every successful day passes

look at me

as of 12:01 you will have officially arrived to sleeveland

we might be neighbors - that would be wonderful

ahhhh, i can dream

anxious to hear how you are feeling

remember you still owe me that 20 bucks

you "might" hurt a bit immediately after surgery

but remember, in a few weeks there will be "less" and "less" of you that can hurt

holding my Water glass up high

wishing you the best towards

a healthier, happier, longer life

who deserves it more

speedy, uneventful recovery

fingers and toes crossed

good luck my friend

kathy

Congrats hope it went well!!!

Thinking of you ! Hope all goes well ! Sending good karma your way !

Candidate Woo Hoo you will be meeting us on the other side next time I log in! You have a great sense of humour and this will help you through it. So pleased that you have had your op its all a down hill ride from here.

looking forward to seeing you on the boards again XX

I am so happy and excited for you. You are in my thoughts this evening!

@@The Candidate So excited for you! Don't let the first couple of days get you down...it gets better every day. Sending healing vibes your way!

@@The Candidate Yay & congratulations!!! I hope your doing well?! Make sure you give us an update so we know your ok! Hang in there!!!

Thank you everyone! I made it through with flying colors! Things went a lot better than I could have ever hoped. The worst pain was in my back and left side incision area. At first the pain pump wasn't strong enough but they adjusted it and it really nipped it in the bud. Feel it slightly when I'm breathing deep, but again, not bad. They'll be helping me with my first walk in about an hour.

Very tired, but the experience was a lot easier than I was expecting. I'll answer more in deep in the coming days.

Thanks for all the support! ????

Awwww glad to see you are doing okay!

I know it's hard in the hospital, but try to get some sleep

That's the worst bit over . The lead up to up the op was for me the worst part of it . Apprehension makes the mind run wild . So good to know you are through it .

Really glad to hear that it all went swimmingly and you are recovering well. sleep as much as you want, in between walk walk walk, sip sip sip of course I am smiling like mad here, such a new start for you!!

Congratulations !!!!