barbsm

Wow - thanks Sheila! Being smoking hot would definitely be a plus, but I would be happy just to be healthy and average - just to blend in appearance-wise when I walk into a room. But thanks for your encouragement, and best of luck to you on your journey as well! Lets keep each other posted on our progress!

Thanks! I'm glad I found this site also!

Thanks for the reply! I am very excited to be here!

I just wanted to say hello to everybody and say how very excited I am to be here. I have been thinking about weight loss surgery for years, and I have made up my mind to do it. I have researched a lot and attended a seminar for the program in which I am going to participate. No longer nervous or hesitant, just READY! My insurance will not pay for weight loss surgery, so I have been saving up and with my upcoming tax return and a little luck, I will have what I need to move ahead with it. I chose the Sleeve because I want a permanent healthy solution to the weight problem that has followed me my entire life and has affected every aspect of my life. I have never been sedentary, don't eat more than anybody else, the weight just stays with me. I was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader for several years; did all the hiking and camping despite carry this extra weight around with me. I love to ride our motorcycle with my boyfriend and entertain and have our friends over. My daughter is an Irish dancer and we do all of the parades and events, and I am always running with my kids. I guess it hit me around Christmas this year when I was in the mall with my daughter and I was having trouble just walking around the mall that now is the time. My feet hurt, my back hurt, I was huffing and puffing; I have never let my weight stop me from doing the things I wanted, but at 45 I guess it is catching up to me. I have sleep apnea, and although I'm not yet a diabetic, it runs rampant in my family so I know if I continue down this path it will happen. My boyfriend is great - he loves me for who I am, but I want to do this for him and my children too. He worries about my health and is supportive of my decision. I have enrolled in a local program and have done all the pre-requisites, just waiting on the financial piece to fall into place. I am hoping to be able to get the surgery scheduled next month. I look forward to sharing my journey will all of you, and am glad to have found this site where I will hopefully find extra support along the way.

I just wanted to say hello to everybody and say how very excited I am to be here. I have been thinking about weight loss surgery for years, and I have made up my mind to do it. I have researched a lot and attended a seminar for the program in which I am going to participate. No longer nervous or hesitant, just READY! My insurance will not pay for weight loss surgery, so I have been saving up and with my upcoming tax return and a little luck, I will have what I need to move ahead with it. I chose the Sleeve because I want a permanent healthy solution to the weight problem that has followed me my entire life and has affected every aspect of my life. I have never been sedentary, don't eat more than anybody else, the weight just stays with me. I was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader for several years; did all the hiking and camping despite carry this extra weight around with me. I love to ride our motorcycle with my boyfriend and entertain and have our friends over. My daughter is an Irish dancer and we do all of the parades and events, and I am always running with my kids. I guess it hit me around Christmas this year when I was in the mall with my daughter and I was having trouble just walking around the mall that now is the time. My feet hurt, my back hurt, I was huffing and puffing; I have never let my weight stop me from doing the things I wanted, but at 45 I guess it is catching up to me. I have sleep apnea, and although I'm not yet a diabetic, it runs rampant in my family so I know if I continue down this path it will happen. My boyfriend is great - he loves me for who I am, but I want to do this for him and my children too. He worries about my health and is supportive of my decision. I have enrolled in a local program and have done all the pre-requisites, just waiting on the financial piece to fall into place. I am hoping to be able to get the surgery scheduled next month. I look forward to sharing my journey will all of you, and am glad to have found this site where I will hopefully find extra support along the way.