Newbie

[heatonsgal 30]

Hello and Greetings all. I'm Kelly, happy to meet you.

I'm new to the forum. I lurked for a couple of days and have since joined. I am married to a wonderful man & I have a teenage son who is 17 and starting his senior year this week. I work full time, commute 80 miles a day roundtrip for work.

I'm short (5' 3") and yes, fat (241). As an adult, my highest weight was 261and my lowest has been 191. I have always had a struggle with my weight, loose, gain, loose, gain.

I don't have a surgery date yet, I am with Kaiser in Southern California. Last week I was referred to the West LA bariatric surgery dept. Have yet to hear from them, if nothing by Wed I will call them. I participated in the Kaiser Options program almost two years ago, I completed the Optifast program (16 weeks), lost 40 lbs, have kept about 20 off.

I found a lump on my chest about a month ago and went to the doctor, my regular doctor was unavailalbe, so I saw who was available, she informed me that it was a lipoma, or fatty tumor, and continued with if I weren't so fat, I wouldn't have this, and expounded that I should eat more salads, or even chew my fingernails in order to stop gaining weight.

Needles to say, I was beyond upset, the assumptions she made about me and my life based on a 10 min visual visit are typical for people who are overweight.

I decided right then that I was going to investigate what Kaiser has available for WLS. They offer the sleeve and the roux-en-y gastric bypass, and after researching, I want to have the sleeve.

During my research I found this forum and I like the support everyone offers, I like hearing about the good and the bad and I LOVE seeing everyone's success!!!

So, there ya have it, Happy Monday!!

Kel

[cindymg 629]

Welcome Kelly! Happy to meet you.

I have several of those fatty tumors, and have had them for years. Dr says they are nothing to worry about. And how nice of your substitute dr to be so judgemental. I hope you tell your regular doctor how unhelpful she was.

I am 3 months post op, down 47 lbs. No complications, no pain, no nausea or vomiting. And I feel fabulous! I have my life back!

Good luck in your journey. It's going to be amazing!

[lemassey76 12]

Hi Kelly! Welcome! I had my sleeve on July 25. When my husband had his in April of 2012, I said I would lose weight the old fashioned way. Unfortunately, I gained 20 pounds. So, I finally did it. I've lost 51 pounds, including my pre-op loss (10). It's a big decision, and contrary to what people think, it's not easy. But, it is worth it! Good luck on your journey!