Dragon64

...and sometimes the truth hurts. That is why we are here, to correct those truths that do us the most harm. Being labeled morbidly obese because of my choices hurts, and I aim to change those choices.

I am wishing you a speedy recovery, and a successful start to your journey!

Hello neighbor, Alabama native here. I too have been on the fence, sitting about 75% sure, but this past weekend I became 95% positive I am going through with surgery. I suffer from high blood pressure, severe sleep apnea, edema of the lower legs, the beginning stages of arthritis etc etc etc. What changed this weekend? I found Jersey Jules' youtube channel and binged the heck out of it. Granted his channel presents VSG from a mans perspective, but his honest approach and advice in every video just set my drive alive. Jersey Jules is also a member on this forum... Best of luck to you, I hope you find your goals and surpass them.

mor·bid adjective Characterized by or appealing to an abnormal and unhealthy interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects, especially death and disease. o·be·si·ty noun The condition of being grossly fat or overweight. An interesting combination of words...

My journey has begun in my mind, as I have made up my mind to the 95% mark, but my initial consult is not until this Friday. My insurance requires 6-months of medically supervised dieting & exercise, as well as 6-wellness visits. I believe there is a stress test and full physical as well. Any-who, that pushes me out to August of 2018 before I will get an acceptance letter. so August sleevers get in here as soon as you know you will be getting your surgery.

I just bought (literally today) an Etekcity bathroom scale and a kitchen scale... I know my eyes are bigger than my stomach, and eye-balling is merely an excuse for me anymore.

New Guy introduction; My Name is Johnnie, and I hail from North Alabama. I have just begun research into bariatric surgery, specifically Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. First off I will say, that I have support from most family members, friends, some co-workers, and of course the the 3 or 4 who have had some form of bariatric surgery. There are a few, my wife included, who really REALLY want me to seek alternatives to surgery, but they expressed they would support my decision either way. Instead of giving a list of what ails me, we'll start with recent events since July 2017; Late in July I was diagnosed with multiple pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs). Save to say, I was staring death in the face (at the time, I weighed 298lbs). As a direct result of the blood clot situation, I made lots of new friends last year; a pulmonologist, and cardiologist, and a hematologist to name a few. All of the Dr's said to lose the weight to help elevate further issues. Nevertheless, I will remain on blood thinners for another year (Xeralto to be exact). In November I was cleared of the blood clots that I was hospitalized for back in July, a CT scan confirmed this. I had also gained 7lbs, now sitting at 305. In January of 2018, I met with my hematologist, and this found me at an astonishing weight of 320!! The hematologist told me that had I gained 10lbs in a year, he would have been concerned, but in fact, I had gained 22lbs in 5 months. He also expressed concerns about the edema in my lower legs (swelling). We talked about how there is this little 165lb man deep inside of me who is screaming to get out, and no one can hear him... His next comment set me back, he said; "maybe you should consider weight loss surgery..." After me telling him I did not want to re-arrange my guts, he recommended the lap band... No thank you, my sister has the lap band, and it has made her dangerously anorexic. So I mull over the idea of some form of weight loss surgery for a couple weeks, including attending a WLS seminar, and talking with friends and co-workers who have had the surgery(s). I decided I would take matters into my own hands, as I decided that surgery was not for me! To start things off on the right foot, I would set up a wellness visit with my family doctor and begin a journey of losing weight the "normal way". Well, this past Monday, Feb 12, 2018 I met with my doctor, but not before I find that I am now tipping the scales at 325lbs!!! I am devastated to say the least, and to add to that, the doctor basically handed me a pamphlet to a weight loss center and said good luck! All this to say, that I have an appointment with Alabama Bariatrics on the 23rd of this month (Feb 2018), to consult with a surgeon. The surgeon who has performed a gastric by-pass procedure on my mother (10-years ago) and lap band surgery on my sister (8-years ago). Incidentally, I come family line of heavy hitters. I am scared to death of the surgery, as it is not reversible, but I am more afraid of dying... And worst of all, just writing this I am mourning foods that I may never ever get to eat again... my brain is my own worst enemy. For what it is worth, I take ownership of everything, there is no one to blame but myself... Here is my intro pic, I am not sleepy or un-happy... I am un-healthy at 325ilbs

KaKatlady612, thank you for your reply and support, it will be very much appreciated. I figure that if I am comfortable with my doctor, and he is confident I can handle the surgery, I could get on schedule by August or September, based on insurance requirements.

Thank you for the welcome and comments LaLaDee... the intro was, even though I cut out the usual ailments that I have suffered for years... Surgery in and of itself does not scare me, just the remoavl of a perfectly good organ scares me. But my high blood pressure; edema of the lower legs; joint pain; mobility issues; and severe sleep apnea tend to scare me more than the sleeve. The blood clotting was straw. I see Dr Foreman this coming Friday, and if everything falls into place, I could get surgery as soon as August of this year... that is a good kind of scary.