Hi everybody,

I suppose I'm a lot like most of you. I was always heavy for as long as i can remember. I was "the" fat kid growing up. I remember getting teased in grade school and that just fueled my compulsive eating habits. I lost 70 pounds my freshman year in high school by starving. Got down to 160 lbs then. Kept it off about 4 years. 10 years ago I lost 60 lbs. doing weight watchers. Gain it back plus some. Lost 50 pounds doing the south beach. Gained it back. Now I'm at 285 with high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and constant pain in my joints. I'm ready to take it off and keep it off.

I am still waiting for my surgical date. Have had my pshyclogical evaluation but still have to go to my food education class. Got notified from the surgeons office I was approved by the committee. I think I'm ready.

Hello! Wow, your story sounds very similar to my life. Good luck with everything! My hubby is from Iowa (near Mason City) so I feel like we're neighbors :thumbdown:.

Mahotey - Welcome to the boards. I've just started the process and am scheduling some of my evals, hope to have surgery in March of 2009. Where are you at in Iowa?

MissChloe - I live near Des Moines now, but lived near Mason for many years (didn't grow up there). It's nice to see some more Iowa people here!

I am also from Iowa. I live near the Quad Cities. I have my first appointment with the surgen next week. I have passed my eval. and am waiting on the insurance approval. I think that it will basically boil down to following a 6 month diet. Although that is not for sure, since I have two good insurances through my work and my husband's (At least that is what I am told.) I am ready to get the ball really rolling. wouldn't even mind being on the liquid diet throughout the holidays. Have a great holiday season.

Mrsteacher - That's exciting that you are waiting for your approval!! Keep us updated on when you do hear. I'd love to keep in touch with all the Iowans who are on here!

Hello fellow Iowans! I'm near Waterloo/Cedar Falls area. My surgery was Nov 6th...doing really well so far!

I'm glad I found some Iowa people on here!!

Hoping those awaiting approval got approved!! I started my whole process Feb 08' and started my liquid diet on Oct 23rd. I had met all my out of pockets expenses through BC/BS, so I didn't have to pay anything towards the surgery! (well, other than a program fee paid to the surgery center)

Anyway--hopefully some of you are still around!:frown:

I found your real desk dan.I also like the story interesting when you receive notification of surgery you are not sad? I already have friends like you my friend very sad

Hello, I am still waiting for a date. My insurance said that I had to have a pulmonary and stress test done. When I went to my pulmonary, of course they wanted me to have a sleep study. Well, I guess I have mild apnea. and I also have asthma. Now I have to go back for round two for the sleep apnea. The weather has been horrible and I have had to cancel both and reschedule. I am hoping now for sometime early Feb. The longer the process, the less it feel real.

Hi there!!!

I'm from the Quad Cities - Davenport, IA to be exact.

Surgery is scheduled for January 12th - YIKES!

I go to see the crazy dr. this afternoon - one last time before surgery. Tomorrow morning I meet with my surgeon one last time.

I'm very anxious and a little bit nervous.

It's nice to see other Iowans on here!

Best of luck to everyone

I am also from the Quad Cities. Dr. Phelps is my surgeon. I am a little nervous, but am excited to get started. I am just waiting for a date, so I can get my mind really focused. I have practiced small bites and chewing tons. It just seems silly at this point until I get the date. The sleep apnea issue has slowed things down just a bit. Oh well, it will help with the approval process. I don't think I have to wait the 6 mo. That is good news.

I also am from Davenport. I am sure that we might meet at a support seminar. Maybe we even went to a class together.

It's nice to see a fellow Davenport person on the board!

I plan on being at the next support group meeting (I think it's Jan 22nd). I usually go with a friend of mine who had her surgery in September. We can start our own support group :thumbup:

My email address at work is kimberly.a.speer@conus.army.mil and my address at home is speerdvnprt@aol.com. I usually read my work email more frequent. I won't be there January 12-19 of course because of the surgery - I'm getting really excited! :wink_smile: