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Thanks for the encouragement! I plan on showing your post to my husband. I've struggled with weight since I was 7. I've lost and gained like you, 20 - 40 lbs, multiple times starting @ age 11, so 40 years for me. My husband is technically "overweight" slightly. I think his BMI is around 27. He looks fine though, and even @ age 60 is in good health. Not on any meds, which is unusual for that age. He eats whatever he wants and lots of it (much more than I do), but he's a guy and is fairly tall, 6 ft 2 in. But he's also willing to eat healthier, though he doesn't like when I cut out entire food groups. In the past I've tried vegan once, and another time, we did no grains or starchy vegetables or any kind of sugar. He doesn't mind some vegan or paleo meals, but he doesn't want it to be that way all the time. Unfortunately, neither he nor the kids cook unless absolutely necessary, and then it's usually convenience foods. We have five kids, and their weights are all over the spectrum. Our oldest (22)is about average height and weight. Next one (19) is just big all over. He's overweight but also tall (close to 6 ft 3 in) and weighs around 260. 16 year old daughter is 5 ft 6 and a half inches and very thin 112 lbs. She has digestive issues, but has always been able to eat whatever she wants and has always been petite. 14 year old daughter is big but not overweight. She's 5 ft 8 inches and weighs around 145. She eats a lot too. My10 year old son is just all around average for height and weight. I would really like all my kids to eat healthier. They eat way too much sugar and junk! Even though my 19 year old is the only one who's overweight, I try to explain to the kids that they may have weight issues when they get older, but even if they don't, too much junk can still damage your body. But I also understand the draw of sugar. I have a hard time resisting it too. I'm hoping the surgery will help me to crave it less. I've heard some people have fewer sugar cravings after surgery, and that if they do have an occasional treat, they are satisfied with a very small amount.

Congrats, Inner Surfer Girl! That's quite an accomplishment! You must feel so much better!

Hubby and I had a long talk last night, and what started out as him being pretty much closed to the idea (some of it being due to cost, our insurance pays 80%, but that still leaves us with the other 20%, and the cost here in MN is between 20 - 23 thousand, so that means between 4000 to around 4500 for us, which is a big deal since I'm a stay at home homeschooling mom, so we live on one modest income, and already have about 10K in medical debt for hubby, kids, and me combined), but he also thinks it's such a drastic change, and that I won't ever be able to make family dinners or enjoy normal food again. My understanding is that after the first few months, you can eat most regular food, but in much smaller portions, and have to make changes like not eating and drinking @ the same time, no caffeine, no carbonated drinks, and mostly all healthy food. I shared some of the stats and articles with him about how much more likely you are to loose and keep weight off with the surgery than without if you are severely obese (I'm guessing this is even more true for me being a woman in my 50s with all the hormonal stuff). He's still not 100% there, but he's willing to find out more and to come with me to an appointment with a nurse after I get that health packet filled out. That's sure a long form! Guess they want to be thorough and make sure you're really committed! In the meantime, last week I started working on drinking a minimum of 64 oz a day of plain Water (wasn't drinking any before, so I figure 64 oz is a good start). Exercise has been a challenge cuz of my knees. Even walking for 30 minutes was causing pain. Yesterday, though, a friend blessed me with a recumbent bike. I did 30 mins yesterday and today. It was tough cuz I am not in good shape and haven't exercised at all for a couple months, but I'm so happy that it didn't hurt my knees @ all. My legs and butt muscles are a little sore, but I know that will get better as I get used to exercising. For right now, that's really all I'm doing, but I figure it's a start. I know both those things will be important after surgery, so I'm trying to start now, so there won't be as many completely new things that are hard hitting me all @ once after the operation.

Hi! Thanks for the welcome! In response to where I'm from, I live in Minnesota. How about you? One of my challenges right now is that my friends and family don't seem to think I need the surgery. I'm on the "smaller" side of severely obese, and although I certainly look quite heavy, I tend to carry my excess weight "better" than average. I have a fairly long face with a more angular jaw and normal sized ankles, hands, neck. But when I try just eating healthier, I have to work so hard for such small results, and feel hungry all the time, and crave sugar often. I've heard the surgery can be very helpful for that. My husband thinks the surgery seems so extreme, but I just want to be healthy. I weigh about 235, and am 5 ft 4 and a half inches with high blood pressure (managed by meds), pre diabetes, and severe osteoarthritis in my knees. My bad cholesterol is within the normal range; my good cholesterol is a little low. I'm 51, and going through peri menopause. Besides that stuff and allergies and an occasional migraine, I'm in good health.

Hi! I'm brand new and just went to the introduction seminar a few days ago. Sounds like the gastric sleeve is the best option for me.just want to meet others who have had or are going to have the surgery. I'm nervous but also excited!