Hi, My name is Whitney and I'm actually new here, so I don't even know how to start this whole thing.
My adventure, as I would like to call it, was kicked off when I was 17 when my oldest sister had the surgery done. At the time, I did not think that much of it, but as time went on I watched how her life was changing, how she was becoming this new healthier, happier person. To this day, she is not only my inspiration, but my biggest fan.
The hardest part of the whole thing for me, being my age (18/19 during this all) is that I have to rely on my family. The hardest thing I have done in a long time was to tell them that I was thinking about having it. My mother was happy, my sister was annoyed, and my dad was upset. He did what most people in his position do, ask me to try "one more diet" or "some more exercise". There really was no path I felt I haven't traveled, or at least the safe ones.
I ended up going with my mother and sister to the first meeting. Mine was October 25th, 2007. From this day on, I knew there was not much that could hold me back. I was destined to change my life before it was too late. Little did I know all the obstacles that would be thrown in my way. The scariest part of pre-op was my sleep test. I've never been so scared, which now that I look back I shouldn't have been. It was so weird having so many wires.
On March 18th, 2008 I was given clearance by my insurance company. I ended up missing the phone call, and my mother received it on her cell phone. The minute I heard, I had to call them to set up my surgery date. Little did I know they would put me in 10 days later, on the 28th! I was excited, anxious, and nervous all at once. It was one of the best feelings I've ever had.
The only thing that tops that feeling to this day is standing on that scale, seeing the numbers going down, seeing myself become a happier, healthier me. I am one of the youngest people I know who have had the surgery, and I hope that if there are any other young people on this forum debating, it is totally possible, just make sure you are ready!
