Hello, everyone!

[journiewilde 0]

Hi, everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself. I've been lurking on the forums for awhile, and finally decided to register!

My name is Molly, I'm 28 (29 in less than a week), from northeast Iowa. I'm hoping to have a VSG at Gundersen Lutheran in LaCrosse, WI sometime in spring of 2011. I'm still in the pre-approval process, but am hoping I'll be able to submit in mid-October.

I'm a registered nurse and mom of two boys (13 months and 2 years), and (hopefully) headed back to school next summer for my DNP. I like to read, sing and play several instruments, and do freelance webdesign in my spare time (like I have any, with munchkins).

I'm 5'5" and usually hover around the 300lb mark. As I've gotten older, I've started to have more in the way of body aches and loss of energy, asthma, etcetera, as well as the usual social stigma and the added fun of weight-related professional discrimination. I'm hoping the VSG will be an improvement in my overall health as well as my professional prospects. :/

VSG is a very new thing in the region (the doc I'm going with has only done 3 so far in that facility, but he seems pretty confident and they have a well-established RNY-GB program) so I'm not sure if there's anyone around, but I'm definitely looking for anyone (near or far) interested in striking up a relationship. If you like to read blogs, I am an avid journaler. I have a livejournal (which is friends-locked - I can send you info, though) about my daily life, and a separate journal that I've just started (verisimilitude.blog.com) for my WLS journey. Not much on there yet, as I've been reluctant to blog too much about it and jinx myself before that insurance approval goes through!

So! If you have questions, please ask! - I'm enjoying reading the board and excited to get to know everyone.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Welcome to VST journie! This is truly the BEST spot for the VSG folks to come hang out and enjoy some good conversation.

You sound like quite the busy lady. I look forward to reading more of your posts -- I'm positive you will do really great! We have (had) similar stats. I'm 5'6 and at my heaviest was 330 (so yeah got you beat there... lmao) but today I'm only 256 Lbs. I am previously banded and have gone up and down in the last few years, but I do hope I've finally put a stop to that!

Good luck!

[Brian66 85]

Hi Molly and welcome!

Good luck to you as you start this journey. Molly is my 16 year old daughter's name, so I felt compelled to write to you to wish you well. I was sleeved on July 13th and, to date, I have lost about 83 lbs in total since starting the pre-approval process in late spring. Things have gone very smoothly for me and I have no regrets. I am a 44 year old single dad of three, having lost my wife to cancer almost 4 years ago. It was really important for me to have this surgery so that I will be healthy enough to be here for my kids as long as they need me.

The biggest adjustment for me has been dealing with the psychological aspects of eating so much less than I used to. Although I was prepared for it on an intellectual level, I don't think I was quite ready for the emotional side of that issue.

Anyway, as I said, no complications and no regrets. I am very grateful that I have been given the opportunity to use this tool.

All the best to you,

Brian