Mood:  irritated
Now Playing: Street Life
STATS AT START OF JOURNEY on 8/29/05:
Ht: 5'4 1/2" tall.
Wt: 250 lbs.
Sz: 24W
Bra: 48C/D

My name is Amy. I have been MO my whole life and have decided to have a laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery in order to lose at least 100 pounds. I don't want to come out TOO thin but definitely lose some weight. I will be happy regardless of the results. I want to live a long life for my daughter and husband of 2 years. I don't want to have a stroke, end up with diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and die like my aunt, leaving behind 2 boys when she was only 46. That's ridiculous! I am doing this for my health and I am doing this for me, not for anyone else or anything else - except maybe my daughter! :)

I live in Philadelphia but am a Minneapolis native (in two senses.. my dad is Native American)! I have been married to Desmund for 2 years; he is my soulmate. We have a 1 1/2-year-old terror named Amaya Johari who was born 4/10/2004 at 5:08 p.m. and weighed 7-11. LOL! She was born by C-section. I have a 23 year old sister who lives in MN that I don't really see anymore but talk to a lot; and my mom and niece are back there, as well as my grandmother, who raised me and is #1 in my life next to Amaya and Des. She is encouraging me in this journey.

My primary care doctor here in Philly, Dr. Tran, is soooo supportive and encouraging. I could not ask for a better doctor. She has done everything I need of her, qualmed my fears, etc. She is awesome! My surgeon is Dr. John Meilahn at Temple University Hospital in Philly. He has 0 deaths and has taught other surgeons. He was so friendly and has the most awesome bedside manner. We clicked immediately. Since I am a medical transcriptionist and his wife used to be one, that helped too. ;) He told Dr Tran I'd be an excellent candidate and told me he could do it relatively easily and that my risks are lower than most since I'm not as obese. :D

I just sent in my $600 program fee to get preop testing started. I am anxious for the sleep study because I KNOW I have sleep apnea. It will be interesting if I don't!

I am trying to eat like I would postop but that's difficult. I am going to keep trying.

It took a lot to help me get to this decision but now that Im here, I'm so excited!!!