Jewel Hickman

Hello fellow losers & soon to be losers I had my surgery on July 6th. I had it done in San Diego with Pacific Bariatrics. Dr Janos Taller was my doctor. The first day was really rough and the second day was nothing to brag on. The bright side is that it only gets better and better as the days go by. I really love my sleeve. I have lost 17 pounds so far & can now eat soft foods. My highest weigh was 247 and my surgery weight was 116lbs. I currently weigh 199lbs Yay Onderland finaly. I am so glad I did this and would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I use to wear size 20-22 now I can wear 14/16. With much prayer & God's help I will be able to reach my goal weight before the year is out. God bless you all and hang in there everyone.

Congratulations on your date. My date is on the 6th. I feel like @ this point people are going to have their opinions, either good or bad. When it is all said and done the decision is ultimately yours. I felt like people weren't concerned about my health when I was getting bigger and bigger, so why would they care about me now that I am going to be getting smaller. I am ready for the comments like ooooooh girl you are losing to much weight. You are getting too small. You look sick. I can see me literrally laughing out loud and thinking of just how dumb that will sound. Nobody ever told me ooooooh girl you gaining too much weight, or you are getting too big, or how sick I looked.....We have to be ready for whatever stupid comment they may make. Some of them will probably be jealous because you will end up smaller than them. Well that is enough of me rambling. You would think that I have known you for some time now (smile). I hope we can continue to keep in touch. Please let me know how the surgery goes and I will do the same. My surgery is coming in two weeks (gasp). Every time I think of it anxiety kicks in. I feel like the anxiety comes along with the territory. I can handle it. God bless you.

Wow you all have encouraged me to start a list. These are a list of things that I want to be able to do. 1. To be able to take pictures/full body 2. Wear medium size clothes 3. Shop in regular size store instead of Lane Bryant or Avenue 4. Walk with out breathing so hard 5. Sleep without using a cpap 6. Be off blood pressure meds 7. Be able to wear single digit size clothing 8. Wear my original wedding ring 9. Being able to leave food on my plate and still be full 10. Exercise without knees or back going out Thank you for sharing this post and for helping me think on all of the wonderful blessings of getting the sleeve.

<BR><BR><BR>Wow just a week away from my date....We can keep in touch with each other for support if you would like. If nobody else understand at least we will understand each other. Lets keep each other up in prayer. <IMG class=bbc_emoticon alt= src="http://cdn.verticalsleevetalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif">

Hello everyone, I am sooooo nervous. I need to share how I am feeling along about now. My surgery is exactly three weeks away. I have bubble guts. I feel like this is a big step that I am about to take and I am basically alone. I have full support of my husband, family & friends but yet I feel like it is just me. I hope this is normal anxiety that I am feeling. I am sure about the surgery. My main worry or stress is that this is a lifetime change. I can't change my mind two or three months down the road. Is there anyone that feel or have felt the way that I am feeling right now. I have lost about five pounds in two weeks because of my nerves. Well I guess that is a good thing. I am going to start blogging more often to release some of this tention. Pray for me as I approach my big day. God bless you all.

I have exacly one month from today for my big day. July 6, 2011 I will become an official loser I am getting very nervous. I guess that is what is to be expected. There are many questions running through my head. In the morning I will be doing my last set of labs, then just wait. Since I will be having my surgery in San Diego which is 100 miles from where I live, I have to make hotel arrangements and rent a car. My pre-op appt. is @ 9am on the 5th. Gosh and all of this is happening right after the 4th of July holiday. Gosh...I need to sit down and map things out. Is there anyone out there having surgery on or about the same day as me. If so please, please keep up with me. I can use a friend/ surgery buddy. I would like to thank you all for your support and prayers. God bless you and keep you and his face shine upon you and give you peace.

Wow!!!! by the time you read this you will be a real loser. Yahoo!!!!! Please keep us posted.

Congratulations!!!!!! Now you will big nothing but a big loser....lol....I bet you never thought those words would be music to your ears. Please keep us posted

Congratulation!!!!!!! You are now officially a loser...lol. I will be a loser too on July 6th. God bless you.

Hello, I am new to this site. I tried to post a couple of other times but was not successful because I don't have a clue to what I am doing. I am 42 years old and I currently weigh 220 pounds. When I started my weight loss journey I weighed in @ 247lbs. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and sleep apnea. I went through the options class @ Kaiser Permanente last year and finished in may 2010. It took me long to get my final aproval because my labs were comming out bad. Potassium level was very low and so was my Iron. Finally passed my labs in Dec 2010 and was approved in January. I met with the psyc, intern, and surgeon on Feb 8, 2011. I finally got my surgery date which is set for July 6,2011. I will be having my surgery @ Pacific Bariatrics in San Diego & Dr. Taller will be performing my surgery. I am so excited!!! July may seem a little time away but it gives me time to make arrangements with my children. San Diego is approx. 95 miles from where I live. Well I will continue to lose as much weight as I can until my big day.

Hello sorry it took me so long to reply, Yes, I am taking potassium pills daily along with a multi vitamin. I will definitely keep you all posted. July 6th will be here before you know it. I am still very excited and ready for the big change Do you have your surgery date yet?

I am happy for everyone that posted. My prayers are with you all. My surgery is July 6, 2011. I am nervous and excited at the same time

<STRONG><EM><FONT color=#800080 size=5>I just got a letter from my doctor to start this new medication that will help lower my cholesterol

I am with you all on that note!!!! I hate the camera. I will take some before pictures. I can't wait for my surgery too. July 6th can't come fast enough. No more sleep apnea for us. Keep us (me) posted on everything because I will be right behind you. God Bless You.

Wow!!!!! Congratulations, that is so encouraging to me. Now I am even more excited and can't hardly wait until July 6th which will be my big day.

Thanks lissi, that really encouraged me. I pray that I no longer need the high blood pressure meds and I also hope to get off the Cpap machine. I am glad that I have you all as a support system. God bless you

Wow!!!! You are doing just great. This was sooooooo encouraging to read and a little funny too. You have a great since of humor. I plan on being a loser just like you What was your starting weight and where did you have your surgery. I am scheduled for surgery July 6th and I want to get as much information as possible. God bless

Thanks, I am soooooooooo excited. I am counting the days. I will continue to post new information or new progress as it comes. God bless.

Congratulation on having your surgery.

I think in the that way down the road, you will look back at this and have no regrets. This is a perfect forum to vent and get things off of your chest. I pray that be encouraged as you walk down this new road. Keep on posting!!!! You can help others who may be feeling the same way as you but are too afraid to post.

I Pray that your surgery goes well, without any complications. I would love to hear all of the details after you recooperate Your friend will eventually support you after she see that you are ok. My best friend is a little worried for me too. God Bless & hope to hear from you soon.

Yes, My husband will be with me and my mom I am 42 years old and feel that this is a major surgery and I really want my mommy. There is a hotel walking distance from the hospital. I am considering taking a few of my children 13,16,17 year old so they can site see while there.

Hello Everyone, This is my first time doing a blog. I have read so many encouraging blogs from you all, I decided to join. I am currently waiting for my surgery date. My starting weight was 247lb and I currently weigh 218lb. I have already spoke with the surgeon, Psyc, and intern. I plan to have the surgery @ pacific bariatrics in san diego, ca. Dr. Taller will be my surgeon. I need some support buddies, so please give me some feedback. I have soooooo many questions to ask.