Well, I guess this is going to be my gastric sleeve story.

[EllijayFalconFan 54]

Hey everyone, my name is Travis. This is my first post here and the beginning of what I hope to be a very fulfilling and powerful journey to a healthier body. I guess I'll start by talking about the root of the problem and why I have decided to do this. I am currently 25, will be 26 in October, and currently sitting at 330 pounds. I have always been larger ever since I can remember and it has always been something that has been a part of my life. Thankfully I do not have any kind of health problems from my weight yet. My joints, cholesterol, and blood pressure are all fine. Obesity does not run in my family, my parents are average and my sister is a varsity cheerleader and a flyer at that. I also wouldn't say that I'm sedentary. Even at my size I play full court basketball, can run a mile, and I am an avid kayak fisherman. It's almost been like I have had these chains around me slowing me down my entire life, and quite frankly I'm tired of it. That is why I am counting down the days to my surgery date, September 13th, 2013. I simply cannot wait to start my new life. My surgeon is Dr. Jaime Ponce in Chattanooga, TN. He seems to be a very knowledgeable and kind doctor with pretty good bedside manner. Haha he managed to handle my mother's 1,000 questions and concerns very well during our pre-op meeting last month. So anyways this is me, I look forward to posting here more and speaking with all of you!

[southernsoul 773]

Good luck on your journey. You'll find a lot of good information here, often about things you haven't even thought of yet!

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Good for you and welcome!

[Cocopuff88 61]

Hey Travis! Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! Were the same age and have the same surgery date! I'm having mine in Chicago and I'm pretty calm at this point but it is coming up fast. I have a pre op education class tomorrow so I'm looking forward to that. Would love to keep in touch through your journey!

[ejsfanatic 98]

Welcome Travis! I wish you luck in your journey. It's a crazy ride so make sure you hang on. I have an appt with a gastro doc tomorrow morning and on wed with the pulmo doc, once i get their clearances i just have another month and a halff of supv weightloss and then i can get autho from my insurance.

I can say I am sedentary, but in the last few weeks I have started walking and I just bought a road bike today, so I plan on riding bike every night after work.

What are your goals?? Are you on supv weight loss now?? How are you preparing for the pre op liquid diet!? (One of my fears)

[EllijayFalconFan 54]

Hey Travis! Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! Were the same age and have the same surgery date! I'm having mine in Chicago and I'm pretty calm at this point but it is coming up fast. I have a pre op education class tomorrow so I'm looking forward to that. Would love to keep in touch through your journey!

Thanks! Yeah I would love to keep in touch. I'm on here and I also have Facebook so just search Travis Lovett.

[EllijayFalconFan 54]

Welcome Travis! I wish you luck in your journey. It's a crazy ride so make sure you hang on. I have an appt with a gastro doc tomorrow morning and on wed with the pulmo doc, once i get their clearances i just have another month and a halff of supv weightloss and then i can get autho from my insurance.

I can say I am sedentary, but in the last few weeks I have started walking and I just bought a road bike today, so I plan on riding bike every night after work.

What are your goals?? Are you on supv weight loss now?? How are you preparing for the pre op liquid diet!? (One of my fears)

Thanks! Good luck on the excercise! Tell me how you like road biking, that is something I really want to get into. I am not on supervised weight loss right now. I am self-pay, actually my grandfather is footing the bill for me as a sort of last great gesture. It's both heart warming and sad really, so I'm going to make sure that I make it work for him. I have no idea how I'm going to do on the pre op diet. I am a meat eater, as in I meat lots of meat......and liquid meat doesn't sound very appealing haha. I'll somehow make it work though. The only real fear I have is complications after surgery. I just want to go in, get out, and get on with my life with the new sleeve. I understand I'm going to be sore I just hope I'm not bed-ridden or leak or some other stuff.

[VSG AJH 499]

Hey Travis -- welcome! I relate to your hope to get in, get out, and her on with life with your sleeve. I'm about a decade older than you, and I don't have time to deal with a leak or complications. I really hope we both do well.

[jessikab 3]

Welcome travis best of luck to you keep us updated only a month until your surgery how exciting. I feel your frustration I've always been bigger than everyone else yet was very active it's very frustrating. Good on you for taking the first step!

[Snufflegus 80]

Welcome aboard to this amazing journey!! I was 24 on my surgery date, My advise is to keep a positive attitude and a check on reality, also don't compare yourself to others.

I was excited and the morning of surgery I was joking and having a good time with the hospital staff and afterwards my surgeon laughed at me because of my optimism. Right after surgery take it easy but sip sip sip and walk walk walk!

Good luck!

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

330 pounds. Even at my size I play full court basketball, can run a mile, and I am an avid kayak fisherman.

Travis

Welcome to the neighborhood

always great to see a new smiling face

your enthusiasm is great

being active now - thats wonderful!!!!

things will only get better!!!

read the board, you'll get alot of good info that will help you pre-op, and then post op

ask your questions too!!!

good for doc on being able to keep up with the questions

i am a mother and i have an 83 year old mom too - so i get it about all THOSE questions

watching the calendar - waiting for September 13th, is like waiting for a pot of Water to boil

but, both do happen!!!!

glad you are nipping your weight problem in the bud - before you "might"/do get health issues

I think you've already started your new life by looking into the sleeve, and proceeding with having the surgery

but.....officially - your new life will start on 8/13/13 - a day you will always remember

good luck

speedy recovery

kathy

[BKLYNgal87 503]

Welcome to the forum! Congrats on taking the first step of the journey to a better quality of life. The sleeve is an excellent tool and with proper education and motivation you will be successful! Wishing you a speedy and smooth surgery and recovery!

[EllijayFalconFan 54]

Thanks everyone for the kind words.

[SuzyB 182]

Welcome and good luck. That is wonderful your grandfather is helping you out on this journey. It is a life long gift.

[Cocopuff88 61]

29 days to goooo!!!