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Hello everyone! Well, I don't even know how long it's been since my last post. I know i haven't been the best at documenting my journey or updating on my status. 10 months into post-op surgery there are many things that have changed in my life. Not just the dropping of over 70lbs, but I also got married And, I wont' be looking back at my wedding photos 10 years from now cringing at how big I am. I started off this journey weak and tired. I was so frustrated and angry at myself that I've actually let myself become so overweight. I was 5"6', 31years old, and weighed right at a whopping 270 lbs! I decided to get the surgery after my friend went through the process and was successful. I decided 9 months before my wedding that I better do it now if i"m going to do it. Since then, I've had to learn how to live a whole new life. Although I feel like i went through a fairly easy recovery stage, eating in and of itself is still a challenge for me. I am stronger and healthier than i've ever been 10 months after surgery. With that said, my "i'm full, STOP!" receptors aren't as strong as I thought they would be. I go through daily occurrences of being overly full. I have battled extreme cases of acid reflux (which I new take a daily medication for). Today I am at 197.00 which is only 22 lbs away from my final goal! I have no wedding to look forward to, but I have my whole life to look forward to. Kids...anniversaries...new homes...all that seems a bit brighter now that I have been through this process. I love me now and that's probably the best benefit that I can see coming from having the Vertical Sleeve. Enjoy the picture...that is of me and my new husband

I am getting very nervous and full of excitment all at the same time. Im scheduled for surgery in the morning and Its a reflief to know that Im getting my life back!

Well, it's only one week now until I go for my first appointments with the surgeon, dietician and psychologist. Unfortunately, I was supposed to go on Monday but it was put back a few days. I was disappointed initially as the clinic is a 10 hour drive away and I'd already paid for accommodation and now I have to pay for further accommodation later in the week as well but I realised that I am actually complaining about having to spend five days on the beautiful Gold Coast (in Australia). How ridiculous!! It's funny - I am a psychologist but I've never actually been to a psychologist, so I am not sure what to expect by seeing an exercise psychologist. LOL, I've been putting together my developmental history and looking at my relationship with food and the faulty cognitions that I have around eating and food It was then that I realised that it probably defeats the purpose to "prepare" for this and from a professional perspective, it gives me good insight into what it must be like for my clients on their first appointment! So I am perversely curious about seeing the psychologist now I am so excited about seeing the surgeon and getting my date for surgery. At this stage, I was told by the staff it could be as soon as 3 September. Wow. I just can't' wait for this!! I am worried that something will occur that will make me ineligible for the surgery not that I know what that is but there is a lingering concern. I am pretty big - about 366 pounds (hope I have that right) and I worry that means that I will be too big for surgery and that it will put my date back. It probably sounds silly (on reflection, I know it sounds silly) but there it is. I had wanted to start my diet prep this week and as per my previous blog, started the shakes which were quite nice but for the past three days I've been sick with the flu. So I've had nothing but lemonade icy poles and watered down juice. I did manage to get down a little porridge this morning but that's been it. On the upside I think I've lost a little weight lol but it will come back as soon as I am well again - I know that from experience. So the update is one week to go until first appointments. Hoping so hard that it will all be fine and I can get my surgery done soon. My birthday is in August and every year at this time I tell myself I'll be thinner and healthier by my birthday next year - this is the first time that I actually believe that it will happen

I have been a single mom for many years. Yes, I have a boyfriend but have done the child rearing on my own for about 13 years. My daughter will be 16 in August. My son just turned 15 on the 5th. As I stated in an earlier post I have always been on the heavy side. This is the longest I have actually cared about what I eat, how many grams of protein, how many calories. Tonight while cleaning up from dinner I was talking to myself about how instead of eating the left over cookie dough I put the bowl in the sink. My daughter looked at me and said " Mom, you've actually been doing good on what you eat and it shows. You haven't smoked in a while too. I'm really proud of you." While I really wanted to cry because no one tells me they are proud, i just smiled and said "Thank you Becca" P.S. I did eat one small cookie. I figured I would eat one and that would be it instead of looking, fighting it for a hour or two and give in and eat half the plate! Self control!!!!

Well, you're splitting hairs here. Yes, sipping is recommended. Gulping, no. But I can gulp and I'm in the green zone. Too bad you didn't post this sooner. The support group meets at N Suburban in Thornton tonight. Kelly Elliott is the moderator and she's incredible. She's my nutritionist and is the same for 4 doctors. You don't say when you got filled? Who filled you? Johnell? Call his office in the morning. You may be filled too much. What foods are hurting you? Getting a fill requires that you learn how to eat with each new fill. It trained me to keep eating smaller and smaller bites and to chew a lot more. tmf

Well, things are moving forward. Dr.'s office got the psych eval (I'm guessing since the guys with the white coats aren't chasing me, this must be a good thing). Today they contacted the insurance company, and low and behold they need more than they told me (twice!) when I called them before and after the seminar. Turns out (even though I've had the same insurance with the same company that last 13 1/2 years I've worked where I am) they need height/weight information for the past 5 consecutive years! Really!? Because over the last 13 1/2 years you've paid every claim I've had for primary and OBGYN, so isn't there somewhere, some way that you ALREADY HAVE THIS INFORMATION!? OMG! Anyway, I called my OBGYN and they pulled up the information and are faxing it to the bariatric center. (2 different hospitals) Now, I'm hoping this will satisfy what they need and I will be able to get approval so we can move another step closer to a surgery date and my new beginning!!

Awesome!!! I had touble sleeping after the surgery and the surgeon prescribed me Ambien. Its totally worth it. This surgery will change your life for the better. if you look at my profile pic i took it a month ago and I am thirty pounds lighter already. people will ask you did you get a hair cut?, or are those new clothes?. You'll just be hotter. For me it was like starting my life over again. Grab your **** because its gonna be a crazy amazing ride.

It's these kind of testimonials that keep me so motivated and inspired! Congrats girl...You ARE going to do it!