I had my sleeve done 10 weeks ago and I couldn't be more thrilled with my decision. Nine days after surgery I was taken off my medicine for diabetes, high blood and off my CPAP for sleep apnea. I am now a healthy vibrant, energetic woman! Since surgery I have dropped from a size 22 to currently a 14 or 16 depending on brand. I still have another 50 pounds to lose, but for the first time in my life I am confident that I will get to my goal weight.

I've been reading this website since I started the journey in July 2014 and it has helped me so much with the ups and downs that I thought it was time I started my story. I've been meeting with my primary care physician each month for the 6 month of medically supervised weigh-ins, have had the EKG and Upper GI. I'll be having the surgery in Bakersfield CA and have been working with a company there that is organizing my file for the insurance company etc. After three months, I thought I better check in with them to make sure I'm on track, my journals are correct and the doctor's notes are sufficient. Turns out, which is such fantastic news! I don't need the 6 month weigh-in, just a 4 week weight management program with a Nutritionist!! I've got my psch eval scheduled for this Friday and my first 4-week meeting on 11/05/14. I am so excited to be on track and might even have the surgery done before January!! It would have been nice to have been told the correct information in July... but after reading everyone's blogs and what you all have gone through, I was kind of expecting a hiccup along the way. A little about myself, I'm 58 with two absolutely wonderful grown children and two even more spectacular grandkids!! love my family! I began gaining weight when I turned 21 and it has been a battle ever since. Just like everyone else, tried every magical weight loss thing out there. I actually made a decision this year to just love myself and this is who I am. I have diabetes, feet hurt, knee hurts, etc. What changed is I hurt my knee and when I went to emergency, the doctor told me my weight is crushing my bones and he gave me yet another diet to try!! That's when I decided to make a change and I can't live like this anymore. Wish I could say things have been just peachy since that decision but instead of loosing weight the last three months, I've gained! I'm having to push myself to just walk around the block. Once again, this blog has opened my eyes that there are a lot of us out there with the same struggles. I'll be adding before and after pictures I'm hoping real soon! Updated on 4 Feb 2015: Today I started the two weeks of liquid - I'm nervous and excited! My surgery date is Wednesday, February 18, 2015 and I'm so looking forward to my new healthy life. I want to thank everyone that has posted on this website - very inspiring. Question - has anyone on this website gone to Dr. Irani in Bakersfield, CA for their surgery? Updated on 10 Feb 2015: Yesterday I had my EKG and physical. Today I had my chest x-ray and blood work done. That was the last of the pre-op requirements - except another 6 days of the pre-op liquid diet. I'm feeling really good today and so excited to have the surgery! I feel like I have already started my healthier lifestyle - thank goodness!