shelleyrn22

I'm not far - from Lucedale! My date is May 18th w/Dr Jenkins in Ocean Springs. My bf used Weinstein and had a great experience!

Thursday, May 17th!!!!!!

Holy Cow! Surgery scheduled today! May 17th! Was the week before, but that's my bff's nursing school graduation. I can't wait!!!!

I'm sure like everyone else, I've wondered if I'm making the right decision... I went to see my primary md today for clearance and for her to review my test results from labs, etc. I was floored. I have a critically low Vitamin D level (a result of obesity) as well as sky high triglycerides - they MORE than doubled in two years. It scared me hearing the numbers, but gave me a peace about any question I had in having surgery. It's time to get healthy again.... So thankful for this opportunity! Surgery date coming soon!

Pre-op work up and psych eval: check, check. Pcp clearance on Wed. Then just waiting on my loan officer and surgery coordinator to set dates. This is crazy!! I'm so excited! Adding things to my skinny list (instead of a bucket list) everyday! God is sooo good!!

My blog from today: So I had a few minutes to spare and found myself rehashing all the "what if's" of wls. It almost feels like my health and happiness are hinged on this. I guess in a way it is. In my immediate family there is a history of CAD, DM, CVA's, Colon CA, etc. So the reality of it is if I don't lose the weight, the aforementioned is what I have in my future. Not acceptable. I've lost weight a hundred times over only to gain it right back. I don't eat unhealthy foods, I just eat too much. I exercise about 3x's per week, I drink Water, limit my intake of sodas and I've never smoked a cigarette. I'm 5'2 and about 206lbs today. My belly is about to burst out of my size 14 jeans that are too small, but I continue to wear them anyway (denial). I am sick of painful joints, back pain, being winded with activity, avoiding social events, sleeping all weekend, urinary incontinence and all the other stuff that goes with being fat. So I was desperate... I am refinancing my first home (2yrs into mortgage) in order to pay for this. My employer has an obesity exclusion on our insurance at work... I expect they'll remove that exclusion as the company grows, but for now I'm on my own. I could make a list a mile long of "what if's" as to why NOT to have surgery, but instead I choose to focus on the "what if's" as to why it's so crucial for me to have surgery. What if I have a heart attack? What if I am dx'd with Diabetes? What if I have a stroke? What if I get cancer? Who'll take care of my son, my mother, my niece, my employees, etc. Who will fight for what's right for the patients I take care of? Who will grow old with my BFF? The thought of all those haunting questions are much scarier to me than the "what if's" that go with surgery. When my daddy went in to have an abdominal aneurysm removed he told a friend of his he'd die without the surgery. His buddy asked him "but what if you die from the surgery?" My daddy (always full of advice) simply told him he at least had to try.... and try he did. I do have some concerns about undergoing major surgery in order to lose weight. It terrifies me. Change is terrifying, but oh so necessary. So why should I have surgery? Physically - I want to be able to go for a walk or run, I want to not have huge "cankles" at the end of the day, I want to not be out of breath coming back from the mailbox, I want to be free of arthritic pain in my hips, I want to put on clothes without a struggle. Emotionally - I want to be proud of who I see in the mirror, I want to get off the vicious cycle of weight gain & depression, I want the inner me to like the outter me. Spiritually - I have no excuse for not going to church, except that I feel so ashamed of the weight I've put on. I know they aren't staring at me, but that is exactly how it feels. I want to be able to go to the altar and worship once again... Financially - I love my job, but since I've put on the weight I've stopped scheduling speaking engagements (something I LOVE), calling on new accounts, visiting old accounts, speaking at meetings, etc. It's almost like I've given up on me. So the more of all that stuff I do, the more money I can make Socially - I have no social life anymore. I hate going to anything where there is a crowd of people. I avoid it all costs. My clothes are too small, I feel horrible and I just wind up miserable. I have the most amazing boyfriend who LOVES to get out and socialize and yet he's stuck with me... at home... every weekend. So there ya go... I don't feel like I really have a choice. It's either another yo-yo round of dieting with impending disappointment from the scales or a true lifestyle change... I'm 40yrs old and I have so much living and loving left to do. This is for a better me so I can be a better mom, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, girlfriend, boss and hopefully encourage others to do the same. Here's to the living, loving and laughing that is yet to come!

So I had a few minutes to spare and found myself rehashing all the "what if's" of wls. It almost feels like my health and happiness are hinged on this. I guess in a way it is. In my immediate family there is a history of CAD, DM, CVA's, Colon CA, etc. So the reality of it is if I don't lose the weight, the aforementioned is what I have in my future. Not acceptable. I've lost weight a hundred times over only to gain it right back. I don't eat unhealthy foods, I just eat too much. I exercise about 3x's per week, I drink water, limit my intake of sodas and I've never smoked a cigarette. I'm 5'2 and about 206lbs today. My belly is about to burst out of my size 14 jeans that are too small, but I continue to wear them anyway (denial). I am sick of painful joints, back pain, being winded with activity, avoiding social events, sleeping all weekend, urinary incontinence and all the other stuff that goes with being fat. So I was desperate... I am refinancing my first home (2yrs into mortgage) in order to pay for this. My employer has an obesity exclusion on our insurance at work... I expect they'll remove that exclusion as the company grows, but for now I'm on my own. I could make a list a mile long of "what if's" as to why NOT to have surgery, but instead I choose to focus on the "what if's" as to why it's so crucial for me to have surgery. What if I have a heart attack? What if I am dx'd with Diabetes? What if I have a stroke? What if I get cancer? Who'll take care of my son, my mother, my niece, my employees, etc. Who will fight for what's right for the patients I take care of? Who will grow old with my BFF? The thought of all those haunting questions are much scarier to me than the "what if's" that go with surgery. When my daddy went in to have an abdominal aneurysm removed he told a friend of his he'd die without the surgery. His buddy asked him "but what if you die from the surgery?" My daddy (always full of advice) simply told him he at least had to try.... and try he did. I do have some concerns about undergoing major surgery in order to lose weight. It terrifies me. Change is terrifying, but oh so necessary. So why should I have surgery? Physically - I want to be able to go for a walk or run, I want to not have huge "cankles" at the end of the day, I want to not be out of breath coming back from the mailbox, I want to be free of arthritic pain in my hips, I want to put on clothes without a struggle. Emotionally - I want to be proud of who I see in the mirror, I want to get off the vicious cycle of weight gain & depression, I want the inner me to like the outter me. Spiritually - I have no excuse for not going to church, except that I feel so ashamed of the weight I've put on. I know they aren't staring at me, but that is exactly how it feels. I want to be able to go to the altar and worship once again... Financially - I love my job, but since I've put on the weight I've stopped scheduling speaking engagements (something I LOVE), calling on new accounts, visiting old accounts, speaking at meetings, etc. It's almost like I've given up on me. So the more of all that stuff I do, the more money I can make Socially - I have no social life anymore. I hate going to anything where there is a crowd of people. I avoid it all costs. My clothes are too small, I feel horrible and I just wind up miserable. I have the most amazing boyfriend who LOVES to get out and socialize and yet he's stuck with me... at home... every weekend. So there ya go... I don't feel like I really have a choice. It's either another yo-yo round of dieting with impending disappointment from the scales or a true lifestyle change... I'm 40yrs old and I have so much living and loving left to do. This is for a better me so I can be a better mom, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, girlfriend, boss and hopefully encourage others to do the same. Here's to the living, loving and laughing that is yet to come!

Probably second week in May here; but I'm way down in MS!

Congrats!! I'm not far from you - I live about an hour north west of Biloxi. Best wishes!!! I'm having my pre-op work up now. Barium for breakfast. :/

Beautiful!!!! Congrats!!!!

Wow... That made me cry! Thank you for sharing! I'm going to Tweak & use it!

My psych eval is Monday (hope I don't fail it ) Pre-Op labs & tests on Monday morning Appt to get approval from my PCP on Wednesday... Wow... I'm terrified, nervous, excited, anxious and all kinds of other emotions. This feels like a dream...

I saw Dr Jenkins today! Loved him! Psych eval on Monday!

Just left my first appt with surgeon. I loved him! I have my psych eval on Mon, then they'll set a date for surgery. I'm thinking/hoping it'll be sooner than I was expecting! Yay!!! So excited!

Omg... Chomping at the bits for my surgery date!!! I'm 5'2, 210lbs, have my first appt with surgeon tomorrow. I'm self pay, so hopefully I'll get a date tomorrow! Great job, y'all!! Can't wait to report my success!!!!

I've read a lot on here about goals, and thought about mine. I've never dared to dream I could possibly weigh 120lbs, but why not? A goal without a plan is just a wish... And my plan is in the first stages of progress

I live in MS, Dr Jenkins is my dr.

I'm going to see my surgeon Wed and hopefully get a date - for surgery, not with him! I'm self paying, so hopefully I can get scheduled by first of May!

Wow!!! You all make me wish surgery was this week!!! I'm so nervous & excited about my new life!

If you weren't scared, I'd be worried! I'm scared, too! I'm even more scared of diabetes, heart disease, joint replacement, strokes, and all the other bad things that happen as a result of being obese. For me, the benefits outweigh the risks. This is by no means an easy way out, but it is an option. I'm refinancing my home to have this done. I'm 40yrs old, single mom and I'm ready to LIVE!

Hey Dina! I added you to FB!

I'm 40, divorced w/the most amazing boyfriend ever and a 14yr old son that is my life. Self paying for surgery (refi on my house) and first appt with surgeon is this week. Coordinator says I should be able to have surgery within 3-4 wks after my appt! I cannot wait!

I have all but posted it on FB! I've told most everyone I know! Not only do I want their prayers & support, but I want them to know it's an option for them!

So excited for you! I'm going to pm you my cell#.

I'm so excited about my future! Here's a few things that I'm looking forward to doing: Playing! I wanna play in the yard! Sitting in a chair without feeling like I'm gonna pop from my clothes being tight ALL the clothes in my closet being too big Boating with friends Wearing shorts & sundresses Being more productive at work Taking my son on vacay No joint pain Decreased urinary incontinence Less depression & anxiety Lower BP Having the energy to clean my house (I've started paying someone) Swimming Bike riding Getting back to doing public speaking/seminars Romantic get away with my bf Being thinner than my BFF! Lol The list goes on & on... How about you???