Here we all are! Introduce yourself!

[LoserMama 37]

Hi guys, looking to start talking more about the upcoming surgery. As I mentioned in the december sleevers thread in pre-op, or I think I did anyway I am approved and will get my date tomorrow when the person who does scheduling is back in the office. I am hoping for 12/21 or 12/22.

I wonder if we could share some basics about ourselves, apart from our major shared topic of vsg? :)

My name is Julie, I am 38, mom of 4 kids, I work in high tech from my home most of the time, and travel fairly regularly, though it is quiet now and probably will be through the holiday. My hobbies include knitting and crochet, and for many years I made glass beads, but when I had little kids again, I stopped because there was no time and it was hard to setup a safe way to do it! I will again some day. I love it. I've been overweight most of my adult life, started to climb after I got married. Most people think I gained weight from my kids but my big climb came pre-kids, actually. I was probably 230 when I got pg with my first.

I am working on emotional eating issues in advance of the surgery of course....the program I am using online is at shrinkyourself.com... kind of an online process for cognitive behavioral therapy for overeating. its interesting. I am tracking my eating...was using weightwatchers for quite a while, but I just let my subscription lapse because I am trying to track Protein and carbs now more than points. So switching to something else. Do you have a favorite? I have several, myfitnesspal, sparkpeople and lose it, but can't decide on which one to use. I am using a fitbit for tracking my activity/movement.

I've purchased and tried some different Proteins and have ordered some Multivitamins to try different ones....I've also purchased a bunch of small dishes to fit my new tiny portions. Hard to fathom eating portions that small at this point.

Okay, enough rambling, who is next?

[favoredone 590]

Hey Julie and Dynamic December Sleevers!!!!

I'm Tina, 36 year old Math/Science teacher, educational advocate and doctoral student living in Chicago!! (OMG, I'm almost 40!!) I also teach voice and work part time as a studio vocal artist... I'm a MS native and moved to the midwest for grad school 7 years ago... I'm currently "decidedly" single, with no children, but I love my shoes!! LOL

I've been researching WLS for several years after a back injury decreased my ability to be/stay active... I love to travel, shop, read, write and just have fun.. My latest past time is karaoke!!!

I've been trying some Protein drinks (UGH!!!)... I'm a texture person.. I've yet to find one I can stomach....I know, I know.. they all taste like Protein Drinks, but GEEZ!!! I am in my final month of a medically supervised weight loss program, so I'm excited...I've learned a lot about myself and about why I've been overweight all my life.. Most of it is bad choices coupled w/ PCOS and some medication sensitivities.. but anywho, I'm excited about having a tool to help me make my outside match what/who I am inside!!!

I just started w/ my fitnesspal.. I'm not very consistent.. Mostly because I don't eat enough nowadays... Yes, I know.. seems like a contradiction, but I rarely get in 3 meals a day....which is sabotaging my pre-op losses... but I'm working on that.. day by day...

I'm realistic in knowing that there is no magic bullet, quick fix for anything, especially not addictions... So, I'm excited to have a proven tool that will work, if I work it!!!!

[LoserMama 37]

Hi Tina, I just love your picture, you look like someone I'd love to be friends with :smile1:

I'm having a hard time with trying out the Protein stuff too. The ones I think I can handle best are Isopure zero carb drinks (orange and grape) and powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup. I also kind of like Unjury vanilla mixed with some milk, ice and sugar free salted caramel Syrup. It was pretty good.

Texture is hard for me, but smell is worse, and that is what is really getting me with most of them. bleah.

I love to sing, too, but I've been dealing with LPR (silent reflux) and it has really hurt my voice. Technically I am supposed to be on vocal rest for the next two weeks, but I can't do it.

[DisappearingDivis 36]

Hello there! My name is Olivia from Southern Ca. I'm 33, married but have no children (not for lack of trying). I also have PCOS and back issues. I've been researching WLS for a couple of years now but had not decided to go through with it until recently.

I work from home and have become more of a home body (in other words BORING, lol) due to my back pain and weight. I hope to get back to riding my motorcycle and off-roading soon. But for now I stick to karaoke and family.

As far as Protein drinks I have been having the hardest time due to the fact that I am lactose intolerant. But finally got a new one today to try out. Since my surgery date is Dec. 5th I'm hoping to stick with this new Protein Drink.

I've been using sparkpeople and working out with a fitness game on the XBOX360 Kinect. So far I'm loving the combo! I'm really competitive so it's nice to go online and challenge friends and family not to mention have them lose to "the fat girl" LOL!! :biggrin2:

[Zedsmummy 7]

Hi, I'm Jackie. I'm being sleeved by Dr. Kelly in Tijuana on December 7th. I'm a 38 year old Mom of 2 great kids. I work full-time in educational administration and I am 1 course away from my Masters degree in Adult Ed.

I've been overweight most of my adult life and even when I was thin I thought I was fat because my self esteem was so far in the toilet. These days I've got a good handle on who I am and what I have to offer and I think I'm pretty awesome. I just have this 100lb weight hanging around. Everytime I fail at a diet I begin that downward spiral on my self esteem. Well, not any more!!! I'm getting sleeved and it will be my safety belt strapping me on the wagon!

I have realized that I don't deserve to be fat and looked down upon and judged. I deserve to be healthy, active, and fit and I'm going to get there.

My Therapist told me a few weeks ago that people tend to get what the expect and for years I have expected to be fat. After December 7th, I expect to be thin.

[LoserMama 37]

My Therapist told me a few weeks ago that people tend to get what the expect and for years I have expected to be fat. After December 7th, I expect to be thin.

You are right! I love your attitude, and I'm working on developing that attitude in myself. I've been fat for so long, it will be an adjustment for sure.

[ela2012 13]

Hello ladies,

my name is Ela, I am 34 (almost 35), I have 6 year old twins and I am so ready to go thru this journey. I've been thin till I got pregnant when I gained a LOT of weight and struggled for the past 6 years to get rid off...I went thru all diets available, went to see hormone specialists, endocrinologists, I drove my doctor crazy until this year I start looking into the WLS. I start my process in September when I went to a local support group meeting and met the surgeon that will do my surgery and since then I worked on putting together all my paperwork, had to get clearances from the pulmonologist, cardiologist, psychologist, nutritionist, UGI, h pylori test and finally last week my doctor cleared my file and sent it to the insurance company...so I've been touching basis with them and hopefully they will approve my request. I have BCBS of AL...Next week I have my pre op meeting and meeting with a personal trainer...it's been a long journey and hopefully my surgery will be scheduled on the 27th of December.

Good luck everyone,

Ela

[Newgirlie 37]

Hi, my name is Liz, im 32, married, with three kids. I work in a hospital as a health care rep. I see people all day long that have terminal conditons or alot of the conditions that we all have that lead to long term disability.

Ive always been in denial about my size. Since my hubby was happy and never said anything (ive gained 100 pounds in the 10 years we've been together) I was happy to not change. Although, I will say that my weight really affected my personal life. Recently I had stopped wanting to go to social gatherings with friends because clothes started to be a matter of what fit instead if what I thought was cute. I hated taking pictures. I started seeing the patient struggles at work due to diabetes and chf and saw women my age struggling and decided that would not be me. I decided to pursue wls in January, my secret personal New Year's resolution. This is the first year Ive ever kept one!

I was sleeved on Dec 2nd here in Dallas, Tx. I started my pre-op diet a week prior and so far since my pre-op diet Ive lost 20 pounds as of today! Im proud of myself because I generally always put everybody else first (kids,hubby,work), but I feel like I took a stand to health and happiness for myself. I am of course nervous because its uncomfortable even sipping too much, so I have worries about accidentally hurting myself, but im up for this challenge and ready to heal. I only told my parents, sister, and hubby about my sleeve, only because this is so personal to me and sometimes I see that people who have a lack of knowledge sometimes have a lack of tact! I am glad to have found this site and do like sharing my story and enjoy reading about everyone else's.

Thanks for this topic!!

[ela2012 13]

^{Hello Liz...I know exactly what you are talking about...I feel just the same}

^{On the bright side, I got my acceptance letter Yesterday!!!!! WOO-HOOO... and hoping to be able to have the surgery on the 28th if not January 3rd. One of the insurance companies is dropping bariatric surgeries as a benefit, so my dr. is trying to take care of all his patients with that insurance...so I am starting my liquid diet next Monday and hope for the 28th...if not January 3rd for sure...too excited!!!}

^Ela

[illgeturhairdid 176]

Hi all, I'm Danielle. I'm 27, not married and no kids. I have been overweight since puberty due to PCOS and bad choices because I felt like there was no help for me anyway. I had been tossing around the idea of WLS for a few months silently to myself, when I saw a friend from HS I hadn't seen in almost a year. He was so concerned about the weight gain in that amount of time that it just killed me and I knew I had had enough. That was a Saturday and the following Monday I made the appointment for my seminar.

My cousin and I went on this journey together. Due to her insurance her options were LapBand or Bypass. She chose Bypass. We were both operated on December 5, 2011 by Dr. Cerabona and Dr. Maffei. We were roommates in the hospital and have been a major support system for each other.

Since coming home yesterday I have lost the 5 pounds gained from fluids in the hospital as well as an additional 5 pounds for a total loss of 10 pounds since Monday morning. I won't lie and sugar coat this surgery. I wish someone had prepared me a little better. It is painful. I have no interest in eating or drinking and it is a real struggle to get in even half of the fluids I'm supposed to get. Partly I think that might be because I am letting myself sleep if I am tired.

I obviously can not wait to be skinny, but that is not the real reason I had this surgery. For years now I have felt helpless against PCOS and felt like it was robbing me of the future I wanted for myself..... So when I met with my surgeon and he told me that this surgery can reverse up to 80% of PCOS cases I have not looked back for a second. I will be a mother! And even if this surgery doesn't lead to biological children I will be a healthier mother to those I am blessed to adopt. It will happen.

I wish you all the best of luck on your journeys. If your surgery is later in the month and you have any questions please feel free to ask, I would be happy to answer if I can. The pain is worth it. To lose 10 pounds in this amount of time is just unreal to me! I know that the rate of loss will not be like this even a week from now, but it makes the pain easier.

[DisappearingDivis 36]

Hi, my name is Liz, im 32, married, with three kids. I work in a hospital as a health care rep. I see people all day long that have terminal conditons or alot of the conditions that we all have that lead to long term disability.

Ive always been in denial about my size. Since my hubby was happy and never said anything (ive gained 100 pounds in the 10 years we've been together) I was happy to not change. Although, I will say that my weight really affected my personal life. Recently I had stopped wanting to go to social gatherings with friends because clothes started to be a matter of what fit instead if what I thought was cute. I hated taking pictures. I started seeing the patient struggles at work due to diabetes and chf and saw women my age struggling and decided that would not be me. I decided to pursue wls in January, my secret personal New Year's resolution. This is the first year Ive ever kept one!

I was sleeved on Dec 2nd here in Dallas, Tx. I started my pre-op diet a week prior and so far since my pre-op diet Ive lost 20 pounds as of today! Im proud of myself because I generally always put everybody else first (kids,hubby,work), but I feel like I took a stand to health and happiness for myself. I am of course nervous because its uncomfortable even sipping too much, so I have worries about accidentally hurting myself, but im up for this challenge and ready to heal. I only told my parents, sister, and hubby about my sleeve, only because this is so personal to me and sometimes I see that people who have a lack of knowledge sometimes have a lack of tact! I am glad to have found this site and do like sharing my story and enjoy reading about everyone else's.

Thanks for this topic!!

Congratulations! Please keep us updated on your progress!

[DisappearingDivis 36]

@ Danielle-That is so great that you and your cousin have each other for support. As for children...

I will be a mother! And even if this surgery doesn't lead to biological children I will be a healthier mother to those I am blessed to adopt. It will happen.

You and I are on the same page. Congratulations on your journey so far and keep up the good work!

[illgeturhairdid 176]

@ Danielle-That is so great that you and your cousin have each other for support. As for children...

You and I are on the same page. Congratulations on your journey so far and keep up the good work!

Thanks Divis! It is a really big journey! I'm doing all this to have kids when I have no boyfriend and obviously have to wait about two years before becoming pregnant!

[DisappearingDivis 36]

Thanks Divis! It is a really big journey! I'm doing all this to have kids when I have no boyfriend and obviously have to wait about two years before becoming pregnant!

Lol, you would be surprised how fast time goes by. I wish I would have addressed this issue before I was ready to have children then I wouldn't have to wait so long. But hey at least it gives us time to prepare!

[favoredone 590]

Hey Ladies!!! Great news!! I will be sleeved in about a week!!! Woo Whooo!!! I'm soooo excited!!!!