*tap tap* Is this thing on?

Hi ya'll, I'm Stephanie!

2010 is going to be the year that changes my life forever. Over the last few weeks I've been completing some pre-op testing and finishing up the steps that are bringing me closer to my surgery.

A brief introduction:
I'm 35 and I was born and raised in OKC. I've been overweight almost all my life, and "morbidly obese" for at least the last 10 years. (It sounds so ugly.) It seems like I've been on some diet or another for the better part of the last 20 years. I'm so tired of the dieting yo-yo; the elation that comes with finally losing weight, then the crushing disappointment when the weight creeps back on. I'm ready to alter my body and my life in a way that will give me the best opportunity to live the healthiest life I can.

My insurance is great in that they have basically given me the all-clear to do what my bariatric surgeon wants to do. The only drawback is that my bariatric surgeon is...in Little Rock, AR. Dr. Baker is amazing, I met him on January 11th at his seminar in Little Rock. I left the seminar feeling well-informed and ready to conquer the world.

I'll be waiting this week for my lab results and other medical records to be sent to his office, and then I'll be scheduled for my consultation. As excited as I am now, I can't imagine how thrilled I'll be when I get the call... "We've got your surgery scheduled for..." it gives me chills just to think about it!

I made a promise that I'd find a bariatric support group in OKC to get involved with. I know that this forum represents a whole state, but hopefully a few of you in the OKC area can give me some recommendations. I work full time and I'm a part time college student so I've got a fairly tight schedule, but I know the support group is one of the best tools in this whole process, and I know I'll need all the support I can get.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to getting to know ya.

Congrats on making the steps toward a healthy life.

Hi Stephanie:

There is also a support group meeting every Thursday evening at 6 pm in Edmond at the Weight Wise Clinic, and as far as I know it doesn't matter where you got your surgery in order to attend. They're a great group of people, that's for sure.

Welcome to the group, congratulations for all your preop investigations and getting yourself involved and all, it's a lot of work but SO WELL worth it! You won't be disappointed!! 

Hey Stephanie~ 

Congrats on taking the first steps toward your healthy future!  I'm sure there are several great support groups in the OKC area.  I know someone mentioned WeightWise.  I have been to the OWLO support group down in Norman before.   They were very open to patients who had other surgeons (as mine is in Wichita Falls, TX) and a very friendly group of people.   I hope you find a support group soon and I'm here if you need anything.  I look forward to getting to know you better!

~ Renae

Thanks, ladies, for your supportive comments. Your stories and pictures are so inspiring. I can't wait until I can post my "after" pictures too!

I talked to Dr. Baker's office this afternoon and they are still waiting on my lab results and some medical records. I know I shouldn't get impatient, because so far I've been really lucky...but I am so ready to get this show on the road!

I'm doing what I can at home to start the mental work. I'm getting rid of all the junk food and starting to fill up my pantry and fridge with things that are better for me. I'm trying to have soup once a day (to start getting myself ready for the two week liquid diet). I know that a big part of this is a head game...and I'm ready to win.

Hi again Stephanie:

Since I frequent the boards every day, I often see people posting like this, and wondering how in the world they will be able to manage a two week liquid stage preop...and I completely understand it, as I've been there.

I KNEW it wasn't going to be easy because let's face it, we're all here for the same reasons. We have no control. What I told myself for those two weeks is that people all over the world are hungry. Many of those people don't have the "luxury" of eating a liquid diet by choice, like we are doing for a surgery, they are lucky to get anything they can get their hands on. Think about Haiti. Think about our soldiers. Two weeks is NOTHING compared to what these people endure on a daily basis. If that doesn't make you able, then nothing will.

The carrot dangling in front of you is the surgery and the last chance to change your life. There is light at the end of the tunnel. YOU CAN DO THIS. And once you psyche your head into trusting what you are doing for it (and if you start by already cutting out the crappy stuff we indulge in, drinking water as much as you can, etc, you're way ahead of the game) it gets easier every day. TRUST US. We've been there. We've been impatient to get this ball rolling. And you will be on the 'other side' of this bench before you know it, and be seeing and feeling the most incredible results. And if you're lucky you won't be experiencing any hunger (real or imagined) and eventually eating will be an afterthought. Just one more chore you have to do. Nothing exciting about it.

My tastes have changed somewhat, I keep expecting to enjoy what I think I want or am craving. It's not the same: BUT THAT'S OKAY! The end result is that we are no longer going to have the same relationship with food! THANK GOD!

Just keep coming here for inspiration. Then before you know it you're going to be shopping for new clothes and getting compliments and noticing all the little NSVs and your world is going to change big time.