Hi my real name is Gayle and I am new here my name here is IATTCOM which stands for "It's about time, taking care of me"

Both of my parents died at the ripe young age of 55 and I am currently 54, I would like to out live them. My husband and his family are my support group as well as several of my friends. My own family however is divided. some of them care and some do not.

I am moving forward in spite of everything. I am taking care of me.

I am scheduled for my surgery on September 26th, and I am on my liquid fast right now. I have been on my caffeine free coffee for the past 3 months and it is not bad, the worst part of the fast is that I can only have one cup, I am used to having at least 3 or 4 cups a day.

Of course this is only temporary.

Congratulations on getting a surgery date! I hope everything goes well for you. It's all about you and your health. A lot of people are judgmental until they start seeing your progress. Then they're either jealous or they jump on board and cheer you on. Good luck.

I really think people need to get educated before judging. When most of us decide this route we research very carefully and I would venture to say it’s mostly about health. When faced with diabetice, knees, hip pain, risk of heart disease along with a host of other diseases this is often our only choice. You CAN do this and you are on your way. Go girl!!!!

I really like magpies, and I'm a bit of one, myself -- a collector with a sense of mischief.

I only tend a little bit toward crankiness, in general. But it made it into the username because I know there'll be at least two weeks of this journey when I'll be super cranky -- the one-week pre-op liquid-only diet and the first week after surgery when things hurt and getting in enough liquid and protein is hard.

First initial of my 1st name and first 3 letters of my last. My name is Jon but my friends all call me "J". No clever meaning just easy.

Anyway, good for you for making the decision for yourself. That's how it should be. It's your health and your life. Good luck on your upcoming surgery. Your going to do wonderful.

I'm Dorothy but the initials are what my last name has been/will be. I've had M as my surname initial 3 times (birth, 2 marriages) but am getting married next year to an E.

I'm 55, originally from Canada but have lived in Western Australia for over 12 years. I had a gastric band in 2009 and lost 30 kg then had abdominoplasty/skin removal in 2011 and lost another 5 kg with that. However life got very difficult with several traumatic events and I turned to food as my comfort. Again. I'm now ready to get my life back and hopefully stop some of the chronic pain in my knees and ankles. I have gastric bypass booked on the 26th. I am looking forward to not feeling sweaty and uncomfortable in the 40° heat of a Perth summer. I'm looking most forward to feeling healthy again.

And my wish for you is such Good Luck. I just 13 days ago, after working toward it for three years. had gastric bypass surgery Still coming to terms with the strange changes in me but,i now feel,it was the best,thing,i,could, have done. NOT sure how,many,years have been added,to,me at,72 but, I intend to work them,,to,the best,of my ability. The rest,of my,life is falling apart but I shall have the return in health to survive it also. And congratulations on,your future,wedding , some one will,be getting a special future bride.

2 hours ago, Frustr8 said:

And my wish for you is such Good Luck. I just 13 days ago, after working toward it for three years. had gastric bypass surgery Still coming to terms with the strange changes in me but,i now feel,it was the best,thing,i,could, have done. NOT sure how,many,years have been added,to,me at,72 but, I intend to work them,,to,the best,of my ability. The rest,of my,life is falling apart but I shall have the return in health to survive it also. And congratulations on,your future,wedding , some one will,be getting a special future bride.

Thank you. My favourite sister is also 72 and had bypass 5 years ago. She's like a new woman with the weight gone.

I am a bit high strung/nuts and enjoy a good adventure. Gaining a bit of weight sort of thwarted my adventuring a bit, but it’s starting to come back as the weight comes off.

Now to just figure out shenanigans to get into that don’t require alcohol... ?

I have no idea... LOL

I am in fact a redhead and my nickname used to be Che

It's a shortened version of my usual username, Nerisyns.

Nerisyns was the name of one of my favorite Dungeons and Dragons characters. It then became my handle on a couple MMORPGs, and eventually became my username for just about everything.

I’m skeptical in general, thus: sideeye. Avatar was originally Daria.

I have a cat named Mouse. Plus my birth year.

So creative, I know. lmao.

Just paying homage to Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, the all-time worst movie/franchise that I couldn't get enough of when I was a kid! I thought Ozone (Shabbaa-Doo) was sooo fine! Ahh, childhood. ?

Loved those movies.