JennsNewLife

Welcome Florida Sleevers!!! I am Jenn, wife and mother of two. Currently I am doing all my pre-op testing and have 8 more pounds to lose to meet my pre-op goal. I live in Lake City Florida...about 1/2 hr. from Gainesville and an hour from Jacksonville. I will be seeing Dr. Ben-David at Shands in Gainesville. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all and who knows, maybe have a meet & greet sometime!

I am seeing Dr. Ben-David at Shands in Gainesville FL for my surgery. I am told he is very good, pretty strict but good! I have read a lot of feedback about him on obesity help and it was all positve....though I hear a friend of a friend is having problems with her surgery and she saw the same Dr. I am not really going to let that affect my decision b/c I know every case is different and who knows if she followed directions as they were given etc.. He has given me 30 pounds to lose before he will do surgery. I had first intended to have lap-band but he told me that it really wasn't an option for somene my size that I should have the sleeve. Anyone else seen this Dr.?

I just talked to the first woman I have met to have lost te same amount as I need to lose and she tells me she HATES the way she looks. Now I am not having surgery for my looks...but I don't want to feel WORSE about my body than I did before! I want to hear from someone who has lost over 200 pounds and is happy with how they look....I know there must be some!....Hopefully?! here is a small list of things I want to lose weight for: My "New Life" List 1. Go to the fair and ride all the rides 2. Shop at Victoria Secret 3. Go to a major theme park 4. Be able to shop at any store 5. Have someone ask me for diet advice 6. Wear boots that go up the calf 7. Dance without feeling self conscious 8. Ride a horse 9. fit easily into a plan seat 10. Shop at a 2nd hand store 11. Swim in a bathing suit 12.Have professional Pictures taken 13. Be excited to go shopping 14. Ride a bike 15. go hiking 16. run 17. Go on a Cruise 18. Wear my 1st pair of high heels 19. Roller Skate 20. Own a Lawn Chair 21. PLAY WITH MY KIDS

Hey I'm Jenny, I am new here. I am currently 451 and my Dr. has ordered I lose 30 pounds before he will operate. Has anyone else had similar experiences with having to lose a certain amount of weight before surgery?

The one thing that people keep asking me is, "can't you lose weight on your own," like I won't be doing any work if I get surgery. I understand that they mean can't I lose weight without surgery. Truth is, yes I can and, I have about 10 times. I have gotten down to a reasonable weight only to gain it back again. I'm tired of playing the yoyo....losing and gaining. The first time I went to weight watchers I was in SECOND GRADE!! I have been losing and gaining weight since I was 7!! That's 26 years of trying to lose weight....I am so tired of trying to keep a certain weight....for 26 years! This is exactly why I am not telling many people I know, because I don't want to hear people's opinions. Ya'll know what opinions are like...lol. I'm tired of hearing them....unless of course they are supportive

Two years ago I had a massive bilateral pulmonary embolism due to birth control. I have been taking blood thinners ever since.(warfarin) My biggest fear is that I have another blood clot during/after surgery. Has anyone here had a pulmonary embolism BEFORE they had surgery? Hoping to hear a success story to ease my mind!!

Hey I'm Jenny. Wife and mother of 2...been overweight FOREVER. I finally decided to have surgery and had my 1st appointment on 5/5/2011...The doctor suggested VSG though I had originally wanted to have lap band. He told me I would not lose the desired amount of weight with the band and suggested the VSG. I am excited! The doctor has ordered me to lose 30 pounds before he will operate so right now I am working on that. I've already had my EKG, Endoscopy, sleep study and blood work. I have sleep apnea, menorraghia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and bad pain in my knees and back. I am sure VSG is going to greatly improve my conditions!! Look forward to meeting others who have over 200 to lose....it's going to be a journey but I am READY!! I also started a blog at http://mynewlifevsg.blogspot.com/ check it out for daily updates

Hey Wishes I have seen you on the forum but had no idea we were so close! That's cool! I love this forum too, everyone has been so welcoming. It would be great if we planned a get together sometime for all those in FL....maybe after we get our sleeves

CONGRATS!!! you must be so excited!!

I have been fat all my life. I remember the first time my mother sent me to weight watchers I was in second grade. One of my worst fat days was in fifth grade. It was my 11th birthday and I was in school. I got a call from the office telling me to come down, when I arrived I saw a mug with flowers and a big balloon and was sooo excited. I practically skipped back to my classroom and took my seat...beaming with pride! A few minutes later the teacher had to excuse herself from the classroom. One of my classmates turned around laughing and asked "How did they get your picture on the balloon?" The whole class bust out laughing. I looked up at my yellow balloon to realize there was an elephant on the balloon. I tried my hardest to hold my composure as tears welled up inside. I walked home that day, crying, and feeling like a worthless elephant....not caring anymore that it was my birthday....Just remembering how my class had laughed at the FAT ELEPHANT sitting in their classroom It was the worst birthday of my life and a day that I will never forget. I really owe it to that 11 year old little girl to get fit....finally be happy in my own skin!!!

Awesome goals!!! Thanks, I have to learn how to do the cross off font thing that I see people have on their pages....or just put a date beside them as I do them!

Saying a prayer for you hun!!

WAY TO GO!!!!

ummmm I have several goals that seem odd....like "Fit in a lawn chair" and "shop at a second hand store" lol her is my list of goals: 1. Go to the fair and ride all the rides 2. Shop at Victoria Secret 3. Go to a major theme park 4. Be able to shop at any store 5. Have someone ask me for diet advice 6. Wear boots that go up the calf 7. Dance without feeling self conscious 8. Ride a horse 9. fit easily into a plane seat 10. Shop at a 2nd hand store 11. Swim in a bathing suit 12.Have professional Pictures taken 13. Be excited to go shopping 14. Ride a bike 15. go hiking 16. run 17. Go on a Cruise 18. Wear my 1st pair of high heels 19. Roller Skate 20. Own a Lawn Chair

Thanks Ladies and thank-you for checking out my blog!!! Appreciate the support! <3

I see everyone talking about all different kinds of shakes and vitamins and greek yogurt and mentioning brands I've never heard of and it kind of feels like I am in a foreign land trying to figure out what am I going to eat. I'm worried that I won't know what or how to eat....like I need some guide book or something. What did ya'll do? I don't want to just play it by ear, I want to be prepared. Does your visit with the nutritionist really teach you all you need to know or would you recommend a certain book or site....yeah I know there is a nutrition section here but a lot of different opinions going on lol. I'm confused.

Thanks....that put my mind at ease a bit. Everyone seems like nutrition experts....I guess I will get there eventually too and be able to advise others....right now I am just a lost newbie...lol.

Congrats on your one week! Happy to know you are doing well..!!