New and beginning the journey...

[bostonhok 16]

Hi! I am 42 years old and married with a beautiful 4 year old daughter in Northeast PA. I was born a big baby and was chubby and made fun of most of my childhood. When I turned fifteen, I slimmed out but in my twenties, it came back. During the Atkins craze I lost a lot of weight after going through a divorce and remarried. I started gaining weight again and was diagnosed hypothyroid. I lost a lot again on weight watchers and got pregnant with my sweet daughter.

Since having my daughter I've struggled. My husband lost his job and the stress of carrying the family took a toll on my self care. My father and hero was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010 and my mom passed away the same year at the young age of 67. I decided to move our family to PA from RI where the cost of living was considerably less and the odds of my husband finding a job would improve...and to be closer to my dad in VIrginia.

We ended up going through a lot of hell to sell our home in RI and ended up short selling it in December of 2011. I'm just thankful it's gone! My father passed away this year in January. I miss him so much since I used to call him everyday on the way home from work. He was my best friend and truly listened to me. I continue to gain and seem to be taking all of this out on myself.

I began researching sleeve surgery after seeing Lisa Lampanelli's success on tv. I just can't stomach counting points and carbs again because it seems so all or nothing. I suffer from plantar fasciitis, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol. My family has a history of cancer and diabetes and I just don't want my daughter to deal with what I did growing up with a constantly sick mom.

I am in the process of getting all of my insurance requirements done and hope to have my sleeve surgery in February. While the process of seeing a nutritionist, psych, tests etc are time consuming, it makes me feel more balanced about this. My sister had bypass surgery years ago and then took up drinking instead...I want more for myself and want to conquer my food addiction once and for all.

The reminder for me is our trip to Disney starting tomorrow and my fear that my feet pain will ruin our fun. Never want to be here again! I am so optimistic about the future with this as a tool...want my daughter to have the best and I want to be happy to go to the closet in the morning and be excited to get ready for the day....

Thank you all for reading and posting yourselves. You inspire me....

[DianaE 128]

Thank you for inspiring me! I was just sitting here feeling sorry for myself and getting more and more depressed by the minute but reading your post is helping me. We all have struggles, it is part of life. At least I am still here and with this surgery, being given another chance.

Hang in there, the road seems long but when you are at the end looking back you will be thankful! (almost 8 wks post op and 31 lbs down from surgery weight, 44 lbs total)

[Katie713 423]

This is not a journey for the faint of heart and I can see through your post that you are ready for the permanent change this surgery can help you realize.

Like you, I myself struggled most of my adult life with excess weight, and a few times I managed to lose quite a bit of it, only to regain it again and pack on even more. This rebound effect led me to feel so hopeless about ever being able to control my weight. My health was deteriorating, high BP, cholesterol, and knee/foot pain, shortness of breath, huffing and puffing during the shortest of walks...theme parks became problematic, wondering if I would fit on a ride, and dreading the being on my feet all day.

I finally sought help thru my primary doctor who referred me to the bariatric program, and began the process, a 12 week program requring 10% weight loss and weekly classes with both a NUT and behavioral therapist. I had surgery in April 2012.

I am not at goal but I am getting there. What I know now is it still takes work, hard work. You still have to watch your calories and carbs and be sure to eat enough Protein, take Vitamins, and exercise. Its a commitment and a life change.

I can now walk for miles and my latest trips to theme parks ws a breeze. I can fit into almost any booth. My foot and knee pain is next to nothing and no more shopping in the big girl stores...YAY! I am always tweaking my diet to find what will keep me on track, but its true your intake restriction is the KEY to having this tool work, but you can still sabotage yourself by eating the wrong stuff that goes down easy, what we sleevers call slider foods.

I am very short and my coworkers and family tell me how petite my frame looks now, I was very wide and round at nearly 280 pounds, and a 3X-4X and now in a 14 and still losing but very slowly. I feel better than I have in decades.

Best thing I ever did for myself and my family.

Good luck!!!

[mokee 588]

You are still going to have to count calories and Protein and probably other things. I am only newly sleeved and I have to count how many ounces I eat and how many oz I drink. It is definitely a new way of life. So make sure you do your research and decide if this is for you. But on the other hand you will lose weight. I am but 10 days out and have lost 25 lbs since pre-op. Best of luck and we are all here for you.

[bostonhok 16]

You are still going to have to count calories and Protein and probably other things. I am only newly sleeved and I have to count how many ounces I eat and how many oz I drink. It is definitely a new way of life. So make sure you do your research and decide if this is for you. But on the other hand you will lose weight. I am but 10 days out and have lost 25 lbs since pre-op. Best of luck and we are all here for you.

You know...I know this, but was so frustrated when I would eat what I'm supposed to and count everything and still lose just a pound and then gain back double when I would slip. I know this isn't the silver bullet by any means, but if I can get some help, it will go a long way for me. :0)

[bostonhok 16]

This is not a journey for the faint of heart and I can see through your post that you are ready for the permanent change this surgery can help you realize.

Like you' date=' I myself struggled most of my adult life with excess weight, and a few times I managed to lose quite a bit of it, only to regain it again and pack on even more. This rebound effect led me to feel so hopeless about ever being able to control my weight. My health was deteriorating, high BP, cholesterol, and knee/foot pain, shortness of breath, huffing and puffing during the shortest of walks...theme parks became problematic, wondering if I would fit on a ride, and dreading the being on my feet all day.

I finally sought help thru my primary doctor who referred me to the bariatric program, and began the process, a 12 week program requring 10% weight loss and weekly classes with both a NUT and behavioral therapist. I had surgery in April 2012.

I am not at goal but I am getting there. What I know now is it still takes work, hard work. You still have to watch your calories and carbs and be sure to eat enough Protein, take Vitamins, and exercise. Its a commitment and a life change.

I can now walk for miles and my latest trips to theme parks ws a breeze. I can fit into almost any booth. My foot and knee pain is next to nothing and no more shopping in the big girl stores...YAY! I am always tweaking my diet to find what will keep me on track, but its true your intake restriction is the KEY to having this tool work, but you can still sabotage yourself by eating the wrong stuff that goes down easy, what we sleevers call slider foods.

I am very short and my coworkers and family tell me how petite my frame looks now, I was very wide and round at nearly 280 pounds, and a 3X-4X and now in a 14 and still losing but very slowly. I feel better than I have in decades.

Best thing I ever did for myself and my family.

Good luck!!![/quote']

That is awesome and a great story! Thank you for sharing!

[bostonhok 16]

Thank you for inspiring me! I was just sitting here feeling sorry for myself and getting more and more depressed by the minute but reading your post is helping me. We all have struggles' date=' it is part of life. At least I am still here and with this surgery, being given another chance.

Hang in there, the road seems long but when you are at the end looking back you will be thankful! (almost 8 wks post op and 31 lbs down from surgery weight, 44 lbs total)[/quote']

Good for you! What a great success so far!