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Well, I finally did it...  I've been having increasing medical issues. Hopefully they will turn out to be nothing major but all the same I've been not doing so well. I have high blood pressure that still seems a bit high to me even with medication but then again, perhaps that's in response to the fact that I've been having a lot of bone/joint pain (knees, legs, shoulder and arms), irregular periods and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, low energy etc.   I've made a few healthful changes.. I've begun paying more attention to salt intake and I've begun taking Bene-fiber tablets daily.   So yesterday I had my doctor's appt. and we discussed several issues. My weight at the office was 252.6 (About a 5 lb loss from two weeks ago when I had an appt.) I talked to her about the weight issue and she AGREED that weight loss surgery would be a good choice for my health at this point so she made the referral!! I'm both EXCITED AND SCARED!!!  Not sure what to expect now---because I'm on Medicare at this time (not for weight related reasons but I'm on disability). I wonder what the next step will be and what the time frame is I'll be looking at?  Complicating things mood wise anyway is the loss of a dear friend of mine last week. I've been blessed not to have a lot of loss in my life in terms of death and this lady and I go way back. She was older than me by about 12 years or so, I met her when I was 19 and I used to work for her--first selling Sarah Coventry and also babysitting her two oldest kids. But first and foremost she was a friend. I introduced her to Anne a year or so after I'd first met her and Anne (from this site) went to the memorial service with me this past Friday which was nice because i have had a really tough time of it between that and a few other things going on.  Diane's death really made me think about life and how short it is for some folks and how my health is really jeopardized by my weight. I don't want to develop diabetes, lose even MORE ability to do everyday things. I  figure even if I run into major trouble and live only two or three years after the surgery I'd rather live those years THIN and active! Sorry to be so morbid lol!  Well, that's about it for now. Thanks for letting me ramble! Lori

Good Luck to you. Wishing you only the best for the future as you enter a life changing journey. Hugs n honks

Lori, nice of you to come and visit.  This is what we do best... "support"  I'm so sorry about all your issues and concerns.  I am also sorry about the death of your friend.  It sure is sad to have something like this happen to make us think about our own health.  WE have all been there.  I think your decision to have WLS is a good one,  I hope all moves along smoothly for you.  Again, bumps in the road do happen, but dont' let that stop you, just keep at it.  It takes a few months of hard work and we will be here with you whenever you need us.  We all have our days, some better then others.  stay possitive & keep your chin up,  Hugs and Honks, cheryl

Lori, My sincerest sympathies on the loss of your dear friend. You have already begun the journey to a healthy sized you, the surgery will be a tool to help you on the life changing mission you are on. It took the death of my 51 yo 1/2 sister and 46 yo 1/2 bro within a year of each other for me to take this step.  It is the best thing I could have done, I am healthier and happier than I have been in years. It sometimes takes looking at our mortality in the eyes to realize yes there are things I can do to stop this hideous process, and WLS is one of them Congratualtions.  It is a long and scary, sometimes, journey. We will be there to support you all the way. Kate

Hi Lori,  You're sure going through alot right now!  Sorry about the loss of your friend.  You are taking a big step by looking into surgery.  I agree with the other ladies on here...this is one of the best things I've ever done for myself and my family!  There ARE bumps in the road, but you can overcome them!  Not sure how the whole Medicare thing works, but I'm sure your surgeon's office will be able to answer those questions for you!   I wish you all the best in your journey and feel free to ask any questions you may have (I'm still a newbie, but there are many here with lots of experience!!)  Keep us posted!  Ruth

Thanks ladies for the support and words of encouragement--it means a lot!  Yes, there's been a lot going on in my life lately--more even than I've shared here but hey, we all have our bumps in the road so I guess it's my turn lol.  I've been fortunate in my life to have a great support system of "friends and kind strangers" (Come to think of it, that's the name of a poem I wrote years ago lol!)   I started a new medication today on top of everything else...made my tummy feel kind of sick earlier and I was  bit drowsy but doing ok now.   Thanks again--I'm sure I'll have lots of questions--AND more posts as time goes on! Hugs, Lori

HI  Lori   So sorry you are going thru so much pain  at this time in your life.   I have lost some very  young dear friends to  cancer over the years and it is  so hard to lose a life so young.   But   we will be waiting here on the  great  big losers bench that gets more room  every day you and anyone else that wants to join us.    Take care and  my thoughts are with you!!!!  Glad you   came on an vented  it really helps sometimes.  

Thank you! Yes, "venting" does help--especially during times of great stress and/or loss. And I've had my share of both these past months lol!   Although my friend Diane's health wasn't "perfect" she was generally in pretty good health with the exception of diabetes and a bit of weight gain over the years...  Her schedule was awfully busy though--she was a professional gospel/Christian singer who toured all over the eastern and southern U.S and also parts of Canada with her husband for several weeks at a time throughout the year and, when her youngest son (age 18) wasn't in school, he would join them. Also, her daughter has two little girls so she'd babysit her grandchildren quite often. That, coupled with speaking engagements, family time etc, kept her very busy.  The illness seemingly came on suddenly... She'd begun to develop arm pain and just generally felt lousy on May 31st--which happened to be my birthday. But because she had a speaking engagement that day AND a concert (in Maine) that night she postponed a trip to the doctor or hospital until Sunday night after yet another concert at her home church. Finally her husband brought her to the E.R. after that and she was found to have had a heart attack AND 8 blockages. They did surgery on Thursday and she died Monday June 9th. So it came as a shock to all of us!  But anyway, I just wanted to say I appreciate your response--and all the others too! Thanks, Lori