[SummerBreeze]

Hi Joe , I am Annie , I had my surgery done at St Lukes by Dr. Corn , who is your Dr. ? Being nervous is very very common , you will do just fine I am sure...I wanted to back out , but it has been the best thing for my health , I was on insulin , januvia , and metformin , a couple water pills and thyroid pill , i have slowly dropped them all but 2 metformin , done my blood work today and hopefully I will be off them also....just do as you dr says and you will do great , keep us in touch on how things go...Annie

[yvonneiam]

Hi my name is Kim. I have been overweight since jr.high. My highest weight pre-op was 282 and I'm 5'4. I have been married for 20 years with 2 children and 1 grandson.I had ryn on 12-09-09 and that was the best decision I have made in a very long time. You see I was abused on and off since age 7 by different "monsters" till age 13 and then the weight started creeping up or as I have always called it my shelter.In my mind If I were fat noone would look twice and I was protecting myself.I have always degraded myself as worthless undesireable weak and let me tell you thats a very hard thing to try to break,still now I am slowing learning to love myself but don't misinterpret I am taking baby steps literally to tell myself daily that it's o.k to love me I'm not bad or worthless ect...This journey so far since december has been amazing and scarey because I feel vulnerable but I know that noone will hurt me again because my husband has been my protector for 20 years.He's the one that suggested that I should look into wls because he seen how miserable I was and I am forever grateful that I took his advice!

[Gee-ma 47]

Hey Joe! Welcome aboard. Yes, it is typical to be excited and scared at the same time. This is a great place to get information and support, as well as to share your triumphs or vent about what's frustrating you on this journey. Get ready for the ride of your life. Visit us often!

[Gee-ma 47]

Hi Yvonneiam. Theres nothing that compares with a loving and supportive spouse. You've done great on your weightloss so far. Keep up the good work.

[yvonneiam]

Thank you Gee-ma 47. You have done great also!!!

[bornagain]

Hi my name is Christina and I am a newbie. I live in Connersville, Indiana and I had Gastric By-pass on Feb. 3 ard 2010 to date I have lost over 60 lbs and I am enjoying the weight loss journey thus far. I am a mom of two kids I have a son Jacob who is 11 and a daughter Ciarra who is 9. I am engaged to a great guy who has supported me thru all this,even though he was not in favor of me and my procedure.( I am pretty stubborn) ! I hope to have a wedding planned out by this time next summer, I have a goal to be a size 8 wedding gown. I am currently in a 12/14. I am struggling really badly in the protein department. I cannot stand the taste of any protein shakes and I have tried a million of them. I try to get it from peanut butter, cheese, and yougurt,but it is just not enough. I am also a full time student wanting to get a degree in the Human Services area witha concentration in Substance Abuse Counseling. It is sad to say but drugs have badly affected a family member of mine and took his life at the age of 40, and I hate to see what drugs do to people and a community. It has been my dream to try to help these people since I had to lose a family member in 2005. And yes that is when I blew up to 301 pounds. I am glad to have found such a great site and I look forward to getting to know people on here.

[C.Ray]

Lisa, hello glad to get to know you and the others that have responded.

I am 56 on June 16, 2010. I am 5 foot tall and have lost 64 pounds since 2/18/10. My Dr. says I am above average in weight loss and in recovery from the surgery.

I am a prison manager, I am in charge of 12 housing units, have 6 assistants, supervise over 40 corrections officer and have 840 prisoners in my housing units that I am responsible for; I have been doing this job for more then 22 years. TAlk about stress eating.

I am married, no children by choice, I love my neices & nephews but loved taking them home more. N0w they visit me more then their moms.

For any new persons readng this, I had a full gastric by pass. I was very depressed for a time after the surgery and even thought about using my service revolver that I have from when I was a cop. It passed and now I am energetic, have not been below 200 lbs since I got laid off from the Sheriff's DEpartment in 1981. I am thriving now and any one thinking about the surgery GO FOR IT. It is amazing how much it changes your life and your possibilities.:blow kiss:

[SeaJewel]

Hi all, my name is Donna. I live in Central Florida with my husband Jim and 2 boys Christopher 16 and Michael 12.

Last Friday I went for my initial consultation with Dr. Jawad. I love the man already. The 3 hour session went by so fast. I learned alot. Before leaving his office I met with the doctor on a one to one basis. We discussed what surgery I wanted and discussed the pros and cons but we both agreed that the RNY would be the best. I was then taken to see Odalys, who handles all the pre-determination paperwork. By the time I saw her she had already called my insurance compay and found out that the surgery was covered with only two conditions to be met. A psych and nutritional evaluations. Odalys immediatedly gave me names and phone numbers for both. I am in the process of contacting both, but the nutritionist won't return my calls and my ins. company is trying to locate someone to do the psych evalution under our ins. I'm so excited that these were the only things the insurance co. wants. Hopefully when they are done and submitted I will get an approval quickly. I can't wait any longer, I want to get it done ASAP.

[Ebonidoll]

My Turn, My Turn...

Me llamo Renee... and i am from Michigan.. i am not married but i have been in a committed relationship for 7 years. i don't have children (because i am allergic and i like to spend my extra income on new skinny clothes).

I started my weight loss journey on 1/1/2009 and finally had my day on 9/29/2009, and i have been kicking ass and taking names ever since (in short i think i am the greatest thing since sliced bread). Anyway, since i have had the surgery i have been unstoppable, i have courage and found the strength to LIVE my life, and for that i am greatful. I have applied for a promotion at my job and got it, ( something i would nothave done pre-surgery). I have gone out and met new people (something i was ashamed to do pre-surgery) This journey has not been easy. it's all a process... but a process i'm glad i was blessed enough to start. I feel as though i am there, and seen. and that i am taken seriously now.. not just the stereotypical fat black girl with a bad attitude... Now i am the skinny, hot looking black girl with the bad attitude( lol)...Anyway.. it's nice to meet you all.

"it's all a process"

[imblessed333]

Hi my name is Theresa and I live in Augusta Ga. I am looking into getting the sleeve surgery in the next two months. I am a widow of 5 years . I have two married children(37 & 30 Yr Old) and two granddaughters(12 & 10 yr Old). I have been over weight all my life and have tried various diets and exercise programs only to find myself gaining it back plus more. I look forward to reading posts and gaining knowledge of the in's and out's of being Sleeved.