Let Us All Get to Know Each Other :-)

Hi....there are sooo many new people aboard lately that I thought I would just take the time to start a let's get to know each other post...Just state a little about yourself...if you are pre-op or post op....It would be nice if we could just leave the surgeons out of this one....just let's tell each other about who we are :-) I will start: Hi I am Sherri....I am a 43 y/o mother of 2 boys...happily married and I live in small town Illinois.  I had the VSG in August of 07 and have lost 148lbs total. Before the VSG I could barely walk...my life was miserable and I cried all the time. I couldn't work...(I am a nurse and too much walking involved) I hurt too bad and I really just wanted to die most days. My surgery has given me my life back...I can be a mom again, a wife again and most importantly...I can be ME again!! I love meeting new people and love helping people and answering questions if I can related to my experiences. I also just had a recent Hysterectomy/mini tummy tuck that I am pretty much healed right now. Life is GOOD!! Anyone else please join in on the fun here :-) hugs Sherri

Hi, My name is Kiki, I am a 52 yr old wife and mother of one. I live in Washington state, where the sleeve is just catching on. I hope to have the sleeve---waiting for inusurance to deny me and then I'll start the appeal process. I will most likely end up paying out of pocket. My husband had the lap band place in May '07 and has NOT done that well with it. I no longer want the band and since talking to the surgeon, I REALLY don't want the band! I have been lurking on this board for months and never posted on this sleeve site. I am gathering info from all you nice poeple and like the way you all get along!!!! (Unlike other boards ;) Thank you, Sherri, for starting this thread. Wish me luck and add me as a friend, as I will need all the support I can get! Kiki

Hi Kiki! Nice to meet you The sleeve was very new to me...in fact I was going for the lapband first until I heard about the sleeve.....once I found out more about it...I was all over it. I am so glad I went this route. Some people do great with the band...but the ones that do not....I have heard they suffer with lots of things...it is so sad to see. I didn't want to take that chance...but I applaud those who have it. Good luck in your journey! And I would love to add you as a friend Sherri

What a great idea.  I live in Liberty Township, Ohio - halfway between Dayton and Cincinnati.  I'm 65 years old, married to childhood sweetheart for 46 years, 3 children, 8 grandchildren.  I work part time as a medical receptionist - not ready to retire and enjoy working.   I dieted all my life and kept my weight down with diet and exercise until I stopped smoking in 1993.  I put on between 50 and 60 pounds - developed arthritis and high blood pressure  and had to have a hip replacement and was so depressed.  Every doctor I'd see would say the same thing - you know if you would take off some weight you would feel much better.  I got tired of telling them I had been dieting and exercising my entire life.  My husband finally suggested I look into the lap band surgery - he had seen a TV commercial about it.  Within two months I had the Sleeve Surgery.  I am so glad I did not have the Lap Band - it works for some but lots of people do seem to have trouble with it.   I am happy with the sleeve and taking off the weight slowly but at least it is coming off.  I am a little surprised that mentally I don't feel thin - I'm so glad but not as elated as I thought I might be - I still have 4 BMI points to get to my original goal.  This board has been just great as far as I am concerned - I often wonder how I would have done without it. So thanks to all the posters from me. Donna

Hi, I'm Leane and I've had the sleeve for only 2 weeks and am doing very well.  I'm almost 66 years old so if anyone wonders how the 'elders' are doing, they can ask me.  It has not been a walk in the park, but I believe that I have the system down pretty well.  I start soft foods on Friday.  Leane

Hi my name is Karen. I live in Georgia.  Right now I weigh 200 and have high blood pressure, I know its not much but heart problems, high blood pressure, diabeties run very strong in my family. Every body in my family is overweight. My mother had gastric bypass a little over a year now. She has lost over 100 pounds, and doing great. I have always had a problem with my weight. Especially after I had my son. I find my self always eating, even though I am not hungry, I eat just because I can. So I have decided to go for VSG with Dr. Alvarez. My surgery date is June 12th. I am hoping this will help put a stop in the very bad cycle I have created, and that I dont end up on dialysis like my grandmother. My legs and feet always hurt. My lower back hurts so bad somtimes that I dont want to move or I cant get comfortable in bed. I have tried many diets in the past, just to fail. I always found my self hungry and then I would be very moody (mean) if I didnt eat. I guess deep down I always new I could just blow the diet off and try again the next day, but that is how it kept going. Day after day. Anyway I am getting nervous/excited about my surgery date. I have read post after post about how people are doing. This gives me great faith in myself. Karen

Hi, my name is Cathy. I am 52 yrs old, mom to 3 grown boys and grammy to 5 grandsons & one grandaughter. Ive been very happily married to my best friend and lover for 34 years. I live in the upper peninsula of Michigan... yup...wayyyyyyyyy up north..lol I am 10 weeks post op and loving my sleeve. I initially had a lapband placed in august of 2005. lost about 50 pounds, had band problems, had the port replaced, still more problems, it just wouldnt hold a fill.. anyway .. had my band removed in sept of 2007. gained back 30 pounds.  had my VSG in feb 2008 and so far I love it !! my biggest joy so far besides the lost pounds.. is being able to go for a walk. I have a permenantly damaged foot so my walking will never be miles, but it feesl awesome to go even a few blocks. I suffer with fibromylgia and that holds me back some days, but Im determined to do this, to lose this weight and enjoy my life more. Im NOT a person to sit and feel sorry for me when Im in pain, so I WILL push on and I will be more active the days my body allows me to. and as usual I will over do things alot of days and pay later, but...hey.. Ill enjoy being active for the time. as you can guess by now Im very gabby... so thanks for lsitening and I hope to get to know you all better.

Ummm...Lets NOT, and say we did...   OR...BAH Humbug, opps, thats a holiday...    Show me yours, and I'll show you...  Ok, ok, I'll answer normal    Iam a goofy pre-op, been WAITING   and waiting....about 16months!   Stuff keeps coming up...I will be fiddy three TOMORROW...I have a 29yr. old daughter with "Lennox-Gastaut" syndrome.  Iam a mostly happy homemaker, nutso quiltmaker, and irritated doggie owner  Our 30th wedding anniversary is in june, and we still chase each other  Course, when I finally get a VSG, I'll be able to run faster

Gael is going to be a birthday girl TOMORROW!!! YIPEE!!

ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!