Brand New.

[renfen 0]

Hi,

My name is Renee and I am seriously considering the gastric sleeve. I never thought I would consider bypass surgery for many reasons, but the primary one is that I have always been able to lose weight. The problem with that is that I have always been able to gain weight, too. So inevitably the weight would creep back up on me. Maintenance is a big fail for me.

I am 50 years old. I can't even believe it! At the beginning of every decade I have lost weight. I lost 72 pounds on Weight Watcher's for my 40th birthday and it's taken 10 years to put it back on. I am a slow gainer, but it always returns. I have gained and lost probably 300 pounds over my lifetime.

I need more motivation now. I am creeping up with my blood pressure, my cholesterol, I have mild sleep apnea and general overall feeling of miserability. I made that word up. ha!

Right now, I weight 248 pounds which is up 12 pounds from my doctor's visit 3 months ago. I am in menopause and taking Premarin for all around bad mood. I wonder if it's not how I feel that puts me in this mood.

I am married to (as cliche' as this sounds) my best friend. He and I do everything together and I choose his company over any of the other friends in my life. I am a lucky girl in that department. I met him when I was at an all time low and I was in great shape. I was working out about 10 hours a week, weight training and Pilates. I had a good shape and was firm. Our sex life was great. Now, I cannot breathe during sex and although I try to hide that fact, it's the God's honest truth. I have two daughters. One is 20 and the other 16. One cannot manage her weight, the other is the opposite.

I am known for my sarcasctic retorts, quick wit, no holds barred approach to life and with that, you'd think weight would be one thing I could manage. But I told my mother, I was like a crack addict. If I am not on an actively loosing, I am gaining.

I am an RN and I work as a circulating nurse in the operating room. I am also a photographer and do weddings, etc.... Even that is harder since I've put on this last round of 80 pounds.

My first visit to the bariatric clinic in preparation for the surgery is Tuesday night at 5:30. My husband is going with me. I am looking forward to sharing my journey with someone who has been there and has success and no regrets. But I also want the facts as I prepare for my own travels.

If you've read this far, thank you.

Renee

[bratvp63 118]

Renee, I read your post and it sounds exactly like my journey. I turned 49 this year and decided that it was time for me to take of myself. I had surgery in March and have had no complications. I would do this again in a heart beat. I am losing consistently and am happy with my progress. I gained alot of weight after the twins were born and have continued to gain over the past 19 years. I finally decided that I needed a permanent tool to help me get back to a healthy weight and keep it off. This was the right choice for me and am loving every minute of it.

[renfen 0]

Thanks for responding. Hearing you say that you've had no complications made me breathe a sigh of relief. I honestly am worried about how it will change my social life as my husband and I dine out a lot. And by dine, I mean eat. lol. You and I are both at an age where we can settle down and live a little but at this weight, it is not easy! Thanks!

[Territravel 217]

Hi Renee,

I turned 51 in Jan. I finally came to terms that my weight issue was not getting better with age.

I put off doing surgery because I was convinced i could lose the weight on my own. {Reality}

I was just sleeved on friday! So glad that part of my journey is over,and now I can concentrate

on becoming a healthy, thinner person. Good luck on your decision.