Pretty_In_Purple

[font='comic sans ms'][size=3][color=#800080][b]My name is JessEca, I am a 33 year old S/W/F from St. Louis, MO. I have no children and at this point in my life I do not wish to have children.[/b][/color][/size][/font]
[b][size=3]I have been overweight since I was in the 2nd grade, so I was around 8 years old. Both of my parents are overweight. My mom is borderline diabetic and in kidney failure. My father passed away in 1999 from diabetes related complications at age 59. I have 3 half siblings from my fathers side. The oldest sister, Tina, I have only met a few time in my childhood. I've never met her as an adult. My second sister is Lynn. I see her a few times a year mostly on holidays. She had 3 of my beautiful nieces. My oldest brother is Alan. He passed away in his late 40's due to diabetic complications. I believe he wasn't properly taking care of his health. I didn't see him very often but I seen and knew him more than my oldest sister, Tina. He had 1 of my handsome nephews. [/size][/b]
[b][size=3]I have 2 full siblings Jason who is 6 years older than I am who I see often. He also has diabetes. He had 2 of my handsome nephews. My younger sister Chrystal is 21 months younger than I am. She is "borderline" diabetic. She has my youngest, beautiful niece. [/size][/b]
[b][size=3]So as you can see diabetes runs in the family. Growing up I was the only obese child. My sister Lynn started struggling with her weight after finding out she had thyroid problems, I think in her early 30's. My brother Jason is now like my father with a big belly (not as big as my fathers was) and my sister is also big since she had her child 9 years ago. She also carries a lot of wait in her belly. [/size][/b]
[b][size=3]​So, now that I've told you a little about my family history here is a little about me. I have wanted to get weight loss surgery since about my early to mid 20's. The doctor I had at the time gave me a strict "NO". So I didn't ask any questions I just trusted that he knew reasons of why I shouldn't have the surgery. After seeing that doctor for several years I moved and going to see that doctor was too much of a travel. When I first went to my new doctor one of the first questions that he asked me was "had I ever considered weight loss surgery?" I had told him yes but that my previous doctor had told me no. He looked puzzled as to why my old doctor would have said no especially due to my family history and my health history. Diabetes, high blood pressure, High cholesterol (at the time), thyroid disorder to name a few. My new doctor then suggested that I consider weight loss surgery. Right then is when the wheels started turning! My first thought was, my old doctor knows me and my family better and he probably knows why I should not receive weight loss surgery. Then I was thinking, well, I can just look into my options and see what I think and how I feel about it. Time passed and I went to see my new doctor again a couple times when again he asked if I had ever considered weight loss surgery? I told him yes, I was very interested! He then referred me to my gastric doctor, Dr. Hawver. As of Nov. 26th, 2013 I have started the process of getting the sleeve. I have gone to all of my pre-[/size][/b][b][color=#800080][size=3][font='comic sans ms'][b]requisite [/b][/font][/size][/color][/b][b][size=3]appointments and have stopped smoking cigarettes and drinking soda or anything with carbonation. I have been watching my diet much closer and passing up things like fast food and chocolate (not always, but for the most part. I am trying REALLY hard) I even joined a gym and go 5-6 times a week. [/size][/b]
[b][size=3]On February 20th, 2014 my gastric nurse called and told me my insurance had approved my surgery!!!! WOOHOO!!! I was and am so excited! I am scheduled for March 20th, 2014 for my pre-op appointment. I suppose at that appointment we will go over what can can drink for the next 2 weeks (my doctor requires a 2 week all [/size][size=3]operation date, my new birthday! =) [/size][/b]
[b][size=3]I am thankful for this community and hope to share the rest of my journey with all of you and to share your journey's with you.[/size][/b]

[b][size=3]My surgery is scheduled for April 7th, 2014!!! I am on day 8 of my liquid diet and doing great! I am totally pumped for this new change! B)[/size][/b][b][size=3] [/size][/b]