Ok, here we go. I'm new to this site but so far, grateful for finding it. I'm 52 yrs old. I have three grown sons, 29,30 & 34. Two are married and I have one absolutely awesome 4yr old grandson. They are all a big part of my reason for doing this along with my dh of 35 yrs who is my constant in life. My doctor has mentioned WLS to me for the last few yrs but unfortunately, my insurance wouldn't cover it until 2011. I was a big kid, not fat but big, strong and very much the tomboy. Gained some weight when I broke my leg in 4th grade but that weight found it's place in a good way in my early teens. (when I say I was a big kid, I was born at 12lbs 1oz. I was not late nor did my mother have a C-section, bless her soul) I had gestational diabetes with my first pregnancy but not with the following 2 as we monitored the pregnancies closely. I did not meet up with diabetes again until my late 30's when I gained about 80lbs after quiting smoking. Tried every diet out there. There worked while I did them, but as soon as I stopped the weight would find it's way back, enter cigarettes, yes, stupid me started smoking again. I did not lose the weight so now I was fat and smoking. I quit for good 11 yrs ago. No cravings, no problem. The problem continued to be my weight. Hovered at 250ish for yrs, then 275 then 290. Enter Type II, and with a vengence. Denial all the way. Tried soooo many diets: LA weight loss, nutri-system, jenny, WW, cabbage diet, fasts, clinics. $$$$$ down the drain and guilt, guilt guilt. for the waste of resources. I started the WLS process last DEC 2011. Had an angiagram as they thought I had a block. Not a full blockage so ok to proceed. Then I chickened out. Continued to struggle and finally commited to having the surgery 11/14/12. It's a little rough but not as bad as I thought. I'm sure the real challenges are yet to come. I am a mortgage underwriter in NYC and train commute. I think this will all be doable. Look forward running and being active again and racing my grandson up and down hills which for now I can only do three small hills and he wants to keep going. I want to retrain myself to have better eating habits. To not be ashamed for eating bad and to let a treat be a treat. Sorry for babbling on and on. I guess I needed the release more then I thought. Look forward to getting to know everyone and seeing the successes I'm sure you will have.
Thanks, Donna