Well the date has finally been set in stone and I'm very excited. A bit of nerves with a bit of jitters, I'm guessing is normal. I've been preparing for the gastric sleeve for 11 months. In the six month 'trial by fire' period I got to know the surgeon, the staff etc. they are all wonderful! It's actually funny because I don't have co-morbid issues with the obesity so at 5'8" I have had to stay at 258-260 for six months (pain in the rear)

What was funny is the staff was talking about my insurance coverage and I was at 255 I think a few pounds below coverage in April and it was so cute that the staff (all females) were 'aw we hope she makes it because she's been working so hard' etc. The excitement was tangible

(I have high functioning Autism) but even I picked up on the giddyness. the surgeon I have told me point blank 'I don't want to be the surgeon that says you need this surgery if you can loose weight without it' and that meant a lot to me because it showed her care her conservative approach to surgery.

I told her that I have gotten very close to 199 in the 12 years that I've been trying everything under the sun to lose the weight (medication has made it hard to lose and keep weight off.)

I want a permanent tool in place that will 'kick start' my motivation (my will power is there) I've on my own lost inches all over in the six month time period gaining lean mussel mass with fat loss. I've gone from a 49 inch waist in January to 44 inches currently.

I am taking it easy because at the gym I pulled my new back mussels that I've been developing dose not make sense to be out of order before surgery. :-/

I feel confidant going under the knife with my current surgeon. I've been changing things for the past two years for example changing my anti depressant to one that is weight neutral. It was hell weaning off my other anti depressant and getting on a new one.

So, the changes have been hard up to this point and I have a very realistic view as much as I can have aside actually having the surgery done.

My faith in God helped me to overcome self injury. Went away to Mercy Ministries for seven months and did business with God to gain tools. Three years have passed sense then and I've been doing my best to walk out the 'life tools' I learned while there.

My testimony can be found here ------> http://mercymultiplied.com/2016/03/hannah-2013-graduate/

So that is abit about myself and my story thus far, just like the change of going all the way to St. Lewis Mercy Home the gastric sleeve will be sort of the same radical but good for me to move in the correct direction.

After all, this is my earth suit a vessel for the Lord, where He dwells and I want to honer Him by getting to the size that most glorify's Him so I can point to the One who is my Healer. Truly I overcome through Him only.

My family is supportive save my dad (he is supportive but just being a father as far as fear for his first born etc.) He'll come around. My mom, sister and grandmother are very supportive. I've prayed and asked God about this more then once doing soul searching etc.

I'll be posting here in the days, weeks and months to come. I hope to add hope, joy and love to this community.

Dr. Jain-Spangler is a fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon. She graduated from the Medical College of Virginia where she also completed her residency in general surgery. She received her fellowship training at Duke University in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery. Dr. Jain-Spangler performs the following laparoscopic bariatric procedures:

• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
• Sleeve gastrectomy
• Adjustable gastric banding
• Revisional Bariatric Surgery

Dr. Jain-Spangler also offers her patients the latest in robotic technology such as da Vinci® Surgery.

Source: http://www.riversideonline.com/services/weight_loss/our_team/Kunoor-Jain-Spangler-profile.cfm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysp0iIQqQww

One thing I've found to be helpful I do my nails. I know it sounds trite but I am trying to not bite my dead skin and recently have done my hair for 100 bucks but am growing out the acrylic on my nails re: surgery.

What I've found is that while say watching uplifting inspirational shows I file, push back my cuticles use oil etc. and do so while being spritualy fed!

Share some of your ideas fellow readers. What are some things that you do just for you that you enjoy!

When I'm recovering I'll be taking up sewing aka. my yoga pants that were 40 bucks each to make them smaller as I lose weight (save money too because those Victoria Secret yoga pants were not cheep!) I have a butt load of nice VS clothing I'm going to be taking in or taking to the tailor to bring in as I get smaller in the future.

I also wanted to learn to croshe more then just one long line of knots (I have 20 balls of this stuff and it's funny actually) It'd make a very eclectic blanket or something the afghan that Hannah made post op

So share ideas!