Shetaz0028

Hi everyone,

Let me start with a little back ground here. I just turned 40, am 5' and weigh 210, with a petite bone structure. I am the wife of a retired Marine with Tricare Prime.

I know quite a few people that have had this done and the results are amazing. They have been trying to get me to do it for years but, I was brainless enough to think that it was the "quick" way out. I know better now. I have done the 5 glasses of water before eating, using a small plate and fork, JC, WW, Herbalife, Slimfast, Southbeach, and shamefully enough leptoprin. Of course with all of them the weight went on vacation for about a month and when it came back it brought friends and extended family.

I recently spent some time with my mother in law who is 5'2 and 350. For her to come visit us for 7 days she had to bring a cooler filled with meds and even when she got here we had to get O2 tanks. She was breathless walking from the apartment to the elevators and is just miserable. I saw me in 20 years and I don't want that. Yes, my knees, hips, back, and feet kill me if I have to walk and if I push it they swell.

I asked my PCM about this and she didn't even finish her "I'll be right back" before she handed me the seminar information and Tricare contact. I'm going to the meeting next Monday and my referral has been turned in (yesterday).

I have been living on these forums since I made the decision and can not seem to make heads or tails of a few things. I would greatly appreciate any help anyone can give.

1) How can I find out if I have to do the 6 month diet thing?
2) For the most part I do not go to the doctor because I am told that everything is because of my weight. (I can't sleep because of my weight, my skin is dry because of my weight) Will this keep me from being able to get the surgery?

I don't want to do this to get into that cute little dress. I want to do this because I am sick and tired of sitting on the sidelines of life. I want to play in the game too.

Thank you so much and have a great day,
Shetaz