[CeeCee]

Hi, my name is Cathy and I am from West Jordan, Utah. I am 43 years old and I have been married to my husband for 25 years. I have 4 daughters, 25,23,21 and 16. My second daughter is married and has given me twin grandsons, Cooper and Conner, 2 years old.

When my daighter found out she was pregnant with twins, we decided to make an apartment in her basement and we sold our house and moved in. It has been the greatest thing we could have done. I get to see my grandbabies every day! And now there is a new on on the way, sometime in May.

I haven't always been overweight, but I have always had a tendency to gain weight easily. My mom started suggesting I beeter watch my weight when is was in 3rd or 4th grade. Whenever i would eat something sweet she would comment on how that was going to make me fat. I started dieting around the 5th grade.

Throughout junior high and high school I dieted constantly and stayed between 115 and 120. I got married at 17 and had my first daughter when i was 18. I only gained about 20 lbs during the preganacy but i was sick all the time. Immediately after the pregnancy I gained 40 lbs and couldn't get rid of it.

Then, 21 months later, I got preganant again and just like the first time I didn't gain much weight during the preganancy, just around 40 lbs right after I delivered. I ended up doing this 2 more times and by the time I was 28 I was up to 260.

I was able to lose weight a couple of times. With Phen/Fen I lost 98 lbs and felt great. Then they took it away and it all came back and more. I started thinking about surgery right after that.

I started the process and the supervised diets, but i was still turned down by my health insureance over and over. The insurance does not cover WSL for any reason. I have looked into WSL for over 10 years. I never thought I would be able to get it.

I finally decided that if I was going to wait for the insurance company to change their minds, I might be dead form obesity by the time it happens. I don't have a lot of money and I researched all my options. I finally decided to take a huge leap and I went to Mexico and had my surgery there. This decision was a huge issue in my family. My mother cried for weeks. She was sure i would die and never get back home. I really did feel bad for her, but I knew what I needed. Mexico was the only way I could ever afford the surgery.

On October 5, 2007, I had my surgery in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I had a wonderful surgeon. I spent 4 days in the hospital and then five days in a five-star hotel across the street from the hotel. The doctors came to visit me in the hotel each day. I think I actually had more supervision and follow-up immediately after surgery, than I would have in the States.

I now correspond with my surgeon and his support staff through email. I can email them any time and have an answer within the hour. I feel good about my decision. Thankfully nothing went wrong and so far I have had no complications (knock on wood).

I look forward to getting to know everyone and I really appreciate the time everyone takes to help us Newbies along. Your stories are very inspirational. Good Luck everyone!

[AwesomeForever]

Hello, I just joined today. I am scheduled to have Roux-en-Y surgery on January 3rd 2008. I have my pre op appointment just 5 days before Christmas.
I have been working at weight loss for many years. It seems when I do well, I rewarded myself and ate! I will keep posting and hope to add a lot when I am in the recovery phase. It will be six weeks of being home from work.
I usually work at lot of overtime, and found that eating out helped me. I did not mean help in the best sense. I would not be here at this weight if it really helped!
I enjoy cooking. I make the best soups.
I will need to learn new recipes that are healthy.
One thing that has me going for this surgery is the surgeon who will perform total knee replacement in a few years. He said that I needed this surgery. It was imperative that I lose.
Now, I had a PCP who suggested I see a nutrionist. I did not make the referral appointment. I kept putting it off. Until my blood sugar went so high that I was told I was prediabetic. I have lost over 78 pounds according to the scales! I have lost most of the weight since August when I decided to pursue RNY surgery.
This is how I lost the weight. Of course, I park further away then I need to when shopping or going to eat. I walk around the building more (inside) then I had in the past. I chose alli pills to take after lunch and dinner. I replace one meal with a whey protein shake in the morning.
It has been a struggle to lose weight all these years of obesity. I feel that this is the solution; the tool I need to lose a tremendous amount. Yes!
I am encouraged by friends and coworkers. I even have seen the difference in the picture that I had taken a year ago for Christmas pictures. I lost a chin!!
One woman who was out for over six weeks due to eye surgery noticed something different about me. She said, "Linda, did you get a haircut?"
I had, but I had also lost over 35 pounds in that span of time.
I have been nesting at home. I do it in a take everything out, and then it all needs to either be given away, or trashed, or saved! I have given away 7 bags of clothes. Since I wear a uniform six days a week, I had lots of after work clothes that got little use. I donated coats to Rosie's Place in Boston. Most of the rest of the donations have gone to Goodwill.

[qt82699]

Hi, i missed this one too! My name is Dawn and i live in central minnesota. I am 30 years old and have been married to an ass for 7 years (together for 13) I have an 8 yo daughter named Sidney and a 6 yo boy named Colby, who are my everything. I work for Volunteers of America and really like my job. I checked into weight loss surgery a few years ago but was denied so when i got a new insurance i tried again and all went well. so i had my surgery 8/17/07 and it has been the best thing to ever happen to me well besides my kids! I have a dog (a boxer) named T bone and an orange cat named oakey, so between the kids hubby and animals, i am busy! and going crazy half the time lol I have been thru some pretty crazy stuff in my life and growing up...some things most ppl cannot even imagine, so one part of the weight problem, but i have overcome alot and am so psyched about this new life and newfound self esteem

[musica102380]

Hey Everyone- My name is Christine and I am 27 years old. I have been married for almost three years now. I have no children yet as I had a miscarriage last year. I do have 2 crazy dogs that I love very much. I had my RNY October 25th and have lost about 40 lbs in 6 weeks. Im losing slow which is sort of upsetting to me, but I have PCOS so just to lose is a blessing. We live in south Jersey but Im originially from Staten Island NY. I have really enoyed getting to talk to the people on this board as this is my major support in my life. My husband is wonderful but has never had a weight problem in his life so this battle doesnt really sink in for him. Anyway he is a good sense of support but this board has really been the help Ive needed. Im starting to feel great too. Two pants sizes down and five shirt sizes down. So yes, Im shrinking and loving it!

[Christy0283]

What do you mean you're losing slow? What other diet could you go on and lose 40 pounds in 6 weeks?

Welcome to the boards. Good luck on your journey and continue to keep us posted.

[musica102380]

That is true. I guess I was a little spoiled losing like 8 lbs in a week, now I lose 2-3 a week so its less, still good though.

[SueZ]

I thought I had read just about all the posts but I missed this one...so my turn now. I have lurked here and read, read, read. It has taken me awhile to decide to have the surgery. I always thought if I REALLY wanted to lose it I could. Even after gaining and losing weight countless times with countless methods...I still thought I could do it. Wrong. Now I am trying to get everything in order so insurance won't have a reson to deny me. Surgery some time in the next several months I hope.

Personal stuff: Married for almost 41 years, three successful kids, two grandchildren. After 15 years in Michigan and 20 years in New Orleans, we now live in the Rio Grande Valley in deep south Texas...at a clothing optional park! I know, I can't believe it either. So...I really have a pretty good body image, but I do need to lose weight for health reasons. Arthritis, High blood pressure, high cholesterol, GERD, pre-diabetic...all the stuff most of us struggle with! I have a great life and I want to continue to enjoy it for many years to come.

[sage61]

Well, I must say those messages were inspiring! My name is Nancy and I live in West Texas. I will be 47 years old in February. I am happily married and have one amazing 16 year old son. I am in my 22nd year of teaching school and I really do love it. I generally have a book (or 5) that I'm reading. I LOVE to sing and sometimes I can actually stay on key! I have had weight issues my entire life.... seriously. I am the baby of 5 children and I think my parents were simply too old to do much but feed me in order to make me feel better. I had Vertical Banded Gastroplasty in 2000. Six weeks in, I became very ill and blew all of my staples. I ended up back in the hospital because the mesh band they used had worked itself up and completely blocked off my tube. I couldn't even hold down water. Upon release, I was on clear liquids for many months. I was (am) very grateful to be alive. Unfortunately, my doctor wouldn't return my calls and was several hours away. I gradually wiened myself back onto solid foods. I have always experienced pain, but again, was so thankful just to be alive. An endoscopy in October 2007 revealed that there was a hole in my stomach that was covered with the mesh from my original surgery, as well as a large hernia, and a bad gallbladder. I was told that the surgery was very complicated and that I could die. If I didn't have the surgery, I would die if the mesh came out due to vomiting. The odds weren't great either way. All the doctors I spoke with refused to see me. No one wanted to take on the risk of repairing another surgeon's mistakes. I was told to go back to my original surgeon. There was NO WAY I would do that. After six weeks I found a surgeon that didn't even hesitate when he saw me. I will have corrective surgery this coming February. God willing, he will convert the VBG to bypass, remove the hernia, and if all goes well... remove the gallbladder. He told me that my first swallow of water I would be able to tell that all that "mess" was gone from inside. YAY!!!! Although I am very scared of this surgery, I am very much looking forward to feeling well again. My husband, my son, and my amazing friends are all incredibly supportive. I am hoping to find a support group in my city. If there isn't one, I am very interested in starting one! I am thrilled that I found this site and am anxious to be posting here post-op with good news. I would very much appreciate your positive thoughts, prayers, etc... coming my way. To all of you out there, keep up the wonderful work! Your words and pictures are very inspiring!!

[DocSanae]

Sage, welcome to the board, thank you for joining us. I am sorry to hear of your problems, and glad to know that you've been able to find a surgeon who's agreed to take care of you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and uncomplicated recovery.
Also, I am going to copy your post and start a new thread with it in Your Profile, where you will get more attention from other members.
((((((HUGS)))))) May your journey go well.

[greensgirl19]

I can't believe I never saw this either!
Well, here it goes. My name is Kelly, I'm 31 and currently live in Hudson Falls, NY - although I'm from Buffalo and plan on moving back before my 3 1/2 yr. old son turns 5. My personal life is pretty complicated. I have been married for 5 years to my sons father, but he doesn't live with us. He's in jail right now, so I'm a single mom with a husband who costs me money for calls and visits, but that's a whole other stressor and complication in my life! He is supportive of this and tries to do what he can to help, but he's just not here. I do have a wonderful friend and her family is like my family, so I have lots of support from her. I am a Registered Nurse (there seems to be quite a few nurses!) and I work in the OR/ Day Surgery Center. I've been overweight my whole life, but got truly FAT after my son was born. I gained 80lbs with the pregnancy and 30 more since then. I now have PCOS. I never considered wls before and then saw a commercial for the lap band. I went to inquire about that, but found out my ins. won't cover it and people with PCOS do better with bypass, so here I am. My surgery is in about 2 weeks and I can't wait to join all of you in your post-op struggles/triumphs! I love this site, it keeps me out of trouble with food on this stupid pre-op medifast diet thing!