New here.

I am interested in having WLS. I consulted a surgeon last March. At that point I weighed my all time high of 658 lbs. with a BMI around 100, and I was bedridden. He told me that at that weight the surgery was just too risky, that I needed to get down to 500 lbs. and also become ambulatory. He recommeded Optifast for presurgical weight loss. I did do Optifast for a while, but eventually moved to just counting calories. At this point I have lost 163 pounds and have broken the magic number, now weighing 495. (Whoo hoo!) While I am still in bed most of the time, my mobility has increased significantly. I am able to get around the house somewhat using a walker and am able to sit up in a chair, sometimes for a couple of hours at a time. In the next few months I hope to start having my various pre-op tests done. I also want to keep increasing my mobility and get my weight as low as possible before surgery. Some might ask why I still want WLS when I seem to be having such success "on my own." The answer is that I am not living in the real world right now, with all it's temptations. I am dependant on family members to provide me with food, and while they give me pretty much anything I ask for, it is very different than facing reality out there. I see WLS as the light at the end of a very looooong dark tunnel that I have lived in my entire life. I hope that after surgery I can become a "normal" weight and live the life of a normal person. Just a few facts about myself: I am a 45 year old widow. I have two children, 18 and 21. They both still live with me and are both in college. The three of us are currently displaced by Hurricane Rita and are living with my parents. Our home is being repaired and we hope to get back home in the next few months. Our entire family has serious weight issues. In the past couple of years both my brother and sister have had RNY and have done wonderfully. My brother's surgery was almost two years ago and he is at goal. He had to have an open procedure and had a boatload of complications initially. He was in the hospital for almost a month, but has done well since. He is doing great. He got married a few months ago and is over the moon happy. My sister's surgery was a little over a year ago and she has lost 160 lbs. or so. She had it done lap. and has never had a single complication. So here I am waiting and working towards my goal. I have lurked a bit, but have decided to come out of hiding. Typing is awkward for me to do in bed and my computer can be cranky, but I have decided to make the effort and join in.

Hi Kaycee, Welcome aboard. I am so glad you came out of hiding If you are looking for extra support along your journey...and i think you are...you are in the right place. We all have our struggles and you are forunate to have family members that have gone through this procedure successfully they can be a tremendous support for you! Nice going on your weight-loss. I am only 8 weeks out..and have NEVER been able to loose more than 5 pounds at a time. Now I am proudly down 45 pounds Keep working toward your goal of wls..this wls has truly been the light at the end of the tunnel for me. Stick around Kaycee, there are plenty of folks here that have walked where you walk and are a great support! Huggs, Virginia aka Ginger

Welcome Kaycee! I am pre-op and trying desperately to lose the pre-surgery weight. Boy is it a struggle. I've made some drastic changes in my house and some aren't going over so well..lol. I can't tell you how many people have asked me, "why don't you just change your diet and eat less?" or "if you get and exercise you'll lose weight, you don't need this surgery!" Well I don't need to tell you how frustrating that is. I always tell people until you've walked on my knees you have NO idea what I'm going through. This is a great place for support and understanding. I'm very glad you decided to come out and join us. Here's hoping we both get new lives in 2006!! HUGS, Jamie

WELCOME!!!! Kaycee, So glad that you decided to join us. You have done such a tremendous job of losing the pre-op weight. That is such a hard thing for all of us to do. I could only manage a 16 pound loss on my own. I totally understand about still wanting the surgery even though you have lost so much on your own. I can lose 50 pounds just like that(snapping fingers) But the trouble is when I find it again.........I find the 50 I lost plus another 50!! Thats how I got where I am now. This WLS is truly a miracle for we SMO's. GOOD LUCK!!!! And please come back often!!! willby

Hi Kaycee Welcome!! I'm so happy you decided to join in!! I've only been here less than a week myself, and I can tell you, I have never felt so welcome to a great group of people in my life!! Sweetie, you have come a long way the way it is and I want to applaud you for your weight loss so far I completely understand why you want the WLS!! GO FOR IT!!!! I'm cheering for you!! Hugs Theresa

Hi kaycee, I am so glad you decided to join us. You are doing a great job. To loose that much weight without being very ambulatory is great. This is a great group of people. You can laugh with us, cry with us and sometimes even listen to us complain. but we all love one another and their is room for you and more. bye , love marie

Welcome, Kaycee! I had surgery a month ago, weighing 530. I've lost 40 pounds this month and had no complications. I lost about 45 pounds before surgery, through diet changes and a lot of exercise (I never had serious mobility problems and could drive to the Y and swim laps/take water aerobics classes). If you have any questions specific to having surgery at a pretty high BMI (a BMI over 80, for example), feel free to e-mail me through the site. Good luck with your surgery plan. It can really change lives for the better.

Hi and welcome Kaycee. I think I can relate to your struggles as my BMI is also over 100 and I am very much housebound. Its awsome that you could lose 160 lbs. I only wish I could but I realize I need to try harder and get realistic about living like this. If you ever want to chat or e-mail me please do so! Lori

Lori -- how've you been? I have a shirt that would probably fit you (brand new, black stretcch material). I've never worn it -- it didn't fit and I lost the receipt so I couldn't send it back. Drop me an e-mail with an address and I can mail it to you. Hope things are looking up Rebecca

Hi Rebecca, What size is the shirt? Black is one of most common colors for clothes though and strech is good for me too. I've been better but I am trying to move more and be more positive, thanks so much for asking! Lori