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. ❤️

Yaassssss! You are officially on the Losers Bench! So glad to hear you are doing well and I wish you the best of luck in your continued journey.

@@kimby1029

Thank you so much! I appreciate the well wishes!

@@Running2theSleeve

Thank you! I'd heard, but never quite envisioned how wonder the view is from this side. You're very kind! ????

Edited August 4, 201511 yr by The Candidate

In your meme - @@The Candidate, which character are you? Or did you switch since the surgery?

Thanks Ladies for answering the question about the shots. It sounds like you both are doing well. Will keep following your journey. Anxious to hear how the first post op visit goes for the both of you.

@@Alex Brecher, I can't thank you enough for your kindness. I'm doing well thank God. I went back to work yesterday and I'm feeling fine.

I didn't know there were injections given after surgery. May I ask what injections are you ladies talking about? What are they for? How many?

I had them twice a day in the hospital (they kept me in for two days after surgery instead of the usual one day because of my dodgy heart), then once a day after I came home for 10 days. They feel like bee stings and like the other ladies here, I bruised like crazy. I also had a weird reaction after the injections finished: I came out in red welts on top of all the bruises. My doctor reckons it was a reaction to the carrier used for the clexane (blood thinner), rather than the clexane itself. I was looking quite colourful for a while, with my bruises and welts.

@@OKCPirate

On your question about my picture, is a meme your profile pic?

If so, yes, I did recently change my profile pic. Previously it had been of a beautiful lavender angel, who was weeping. I fell in love with that pic about 9 years ago when my best friend of 35 years died of cancer at the age of 45. The weeping and beauty intermingled seemed an appropriate tribute.

But shortly before surgery I decided I didn't want to identify myself with weeping anymore, as I was just too happy these days. So I switched to my current one. And I am definitely Dory (the blue fish). It makes me smile every time I see it! ????

@@maregal

So happy to hear you're feeling better and already back at work! Every day is a day closer to health and happy living. Congrats!

@@dbfn

My hat is off to both you and Kate for doing the injections on your own. Especially with the side effects you experienced! Hope everything is all better now!

@@The Candidate - "Just keep swimming" Dory.

Never going to stop @@OKCPirate!

Never going to stop! ????

@thecandidate how are you feeling?

I'm actually sitting in my doctor's waiting room now for my first post op. Feeling amazing! Everything has been so much easier than I ever expected. Fatigue is my only issue at a week out.

Thanks for asking @@Cdominguez!

Nice let us know if you lost any pounds and good luck!!