I'm 29 and ready to start Living!!! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

irishgirl1975 · 06-22-2005, 09:48 PM

I'll be 30 in August. 30. I've decided that I need to make some major changes to ensure my next 30 years. I've always been over weight. I'm 5'9" and 315lbs. Born almost 10 lbs to a petite mother who was 5'4" and 130 lbs. I'm the biggest person in my family. I'll spare you the years of childhood torture stories that I'm sure we all have. There's probably not enough space to write it all.

I want to do something for ME. I don't look in mirrors when I pass by, I'm afraid to see myself. If I do look it's only from the shoulders up. I shy away from cameras and when I went to Europe I never took 1 picture of myself there. I only have my ticket stub to show I ever crossed the ocean!!
I don't eat or drink anything at stop lights in fear that people next to me will laugh at the fat girl stuffing her face. Let's face it I obviously have self esteem issues. I'm going to be 30 and I'm ready to live my life without shame. I want to walk into a Target and pick out a cute shirt from the women's section. Now I shop in the Men's because their t-shirts run xxxl.

I've been doing some research online and found this website. I started reading the stories and can't believe there are others that feel like me!!! I know my family will never support my decision to look into WLS. I have my initial visit on July 8th. I'm interested in people's stories and if all the pain and post surgery issues are worth the end result. I just look for the end result and the positive effect it will have on my health. No more sleepless nights, aching knees and feet, lower back pain, constant sweating or feeling sluggish. I've tried conventional diets and only lost 20lbs. I love to be active and play sports and work out.

Please post back if you have any words of wisdom or insight for me!

Angela

Pre Op Girl · 06-22-2005, 10:47 PM

Hey Angela....

WELCOME... Im knew here too...but so far everybody has made me feel really comfortable...(and it's way informative)

There are hundreds of people like yourself, who visit the site evryday.... and i can honestly say im "one of them".....

If you need support, here is the best place to find it...

Have you really tried speaking to your family about WLS? or are you just assuming that they might not like the idea?...

The best thing is to educate your close family members & friends, and anybody important to you who might not like the idea of you undergoing WLS!

If they dont already know the way you feel about yourself...let THem Know!!!...
Explain to them the benefits of this type of sugery...and the positives it can make to your present and future.....

I am having surgery in about a month or so (hopefully....confirmation on Tuesday), and i am the first to admit that i was One of those ANTI-WLS people, where i thought that if someone really wanted to lose the weight...they CoulD!!!!!!

However...now, after reading and reading...& researching non-stop...i am confident that this "WLS" is truly the most effective source of weightloss...(long-term)...

Anyways......i'll stop Rambling on....but hang in there & i'm sure things will go your way!

Just really dig deep and Research. That way your well informed of both the pro's and Con's....

Take Care

Sue
XXOO

misty gunn · 06-22-2005, 11:16 PM

Angela, WELCOME!! so gald to have you with us. I'm still pre-op
I will be having my surgery on July 20th. You will learn so much at this forum.
Take Care!!

Jeanie · 06-22-2005, 11:45 PM

Welcome to our family. If you have questions someone has answers.

I had a few problems after surgery. My kidney's didn't function the way they should have been, and I was in a TON of pain. I couldn't sleep very well for two weeks. Knowing now what I didn't know then I would do it over again in a heartbeat. I wouldn't even think twice. WLS is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. Not only have I lost 116 pounds in almost a year, but I have met the most wonderfull people on this forum. People I know I will be friends with for the rest of my life. Talk to your family about what you want to do. I'm sure they will support you, and if they don't you have us for your support.
Where are you from? If you're from here you should go to the East County support meeting. It's the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Bring your family it might help them to better understand what you are going through. Keep us posted on your progress!!

eyesthatkissu · 06-22-2005, 11:52 PM

Angela,

Welcome home! Congratulations on taking the first steps to insure a happy healthy new you! I'm still pre-op myself, but the one thing I have learned from being with these lovely people for months, is a good support system is paramount in a successful WLS. You will get all the support we here have to offer, but don't discount your family just yet. I thought my family would be against it. I knew my husband would freak out. But, I was wrong. My family is worried, as to be expected, but fully support my decision and trust that I am doing what I need to. My husbnad supports me now too. If you haven't already discussed this... start with one family memeber. The one you think might be most open to it. If you gain their support, they can help ease your way into telling other members. My sister helped me tell my father. I wish you all the success and happiness in the world. You've picked a great place to start!

anthrgdgrl · 06-23-2005, 12:14 AM

Welcome Angela! I am pre-op as well but there has not been one person that I have talked to or read about that wouldn't have the surgery again even with some major or minor post-op setbacks. You are in good hands here and if you have a question then just post a thread...as you know by now!

pambragg · 06-23-2005, 08:21 AM

Angela,
Welcome! I am almost 1 year out and so far have lost 156 lbs. I would do this over again in a heartbeat. It is the best thing I could have ever done for myself. I have my life back. The best thing to do about your family is to educate them and arm them and yourself with all the knowledge you can on this procedure. In my opinion, I would have rather died on the operating table trying than to live another 5 years in my 330 pound shell. I wish you the best

Baron Patrick · 06-23-2005, 08:46 AM

Hi Angela!

Robin said it best: "Welcome Home".

You can't find a better group of people here. Go ahead and share your stories with us, most everyone on the forum have. In fact, some keep a kind of blog to update us on what's happening.

I can tell you one thing, once you've done your research, and decide wls is the best thing for you, it's like a burden being lifted from your shoulders. Don't hold back any questions you have, everyone here is more than happy to help - even if it's a rant - go ahead, it's normal and natural.

Peace and Blessings

buzzynichols · 06-23-2005, 08:53 AM

Hey. I just had my first doctor's visit yesterday. The doctor was kind of rude and very discouraging. Apparently, they feel they need to discourage us first. I think your family will accept your desicision. They should. Hopefully the end result will be a healthier you, that is what I am counting on. My Mom is 69 years old and has been disabled for about 10 years. First with drop foot resulting from sciatica damage due to her weight of 330 pounds and then on her other side, she has a hip that is completed gone where the bone just jabs into nerves. She is also anemic and has blood transfussion almost monthly with high blood pressure and about 30 other conditions most of all resulting from weight. My sister and I see our future everytime we look at her. She cannot have hip surgery and will eventually be completely bed ridden. Now she cannot bathe herself, only pivot around, and wears depends due to leakage from her bladder. My sister at 270 and me at 298 have already started accumulating her diseases. My sister had surgery in January and is doing well. She has lost 70 pounds to date and looks and feels great. She would even feel better if she would exercise some and be more careful what she chooses to eat. Easy for me to say. I haven't been there. This may sound selfish but we do not want to end up like our Mom. We want to enjoy life now as well as 20 years down the road. Tell your family that you want to be healthy and take care of yourself. Hopefully they will want that for you too. I do have one issue I am concerned about. I have fibromyalgia and take 4 ultram a day. The doctor said yesterday that most of his patients with fibromyalgia were disatisfied with surgery because they could no longer take meds for it. Anybody have it and successfully treating it even after surgery? Thanks for any help you might offer and sorry I wrote so long on my first time here.

Jtcox88 · 06-23-2005, 09:24 AM

Angela, Welcome! Our thoughts are exactly the same! I never realized it but I too don't eat at intersections for the same reason!!! Wow, a total realization moment!

I am new to this forum as well and am just beginning the WLS road. I have to have 4-6 months of nutrition classes before I can even be referred to a surgeon. Total bummer. But if that's what it will take, I am willing to do it.

I also can't tell my family. My husband finally agreed to support me when I told him I will get my boobs done after the weightloss

My parents on the other hand are a different story! My dad will be very concerned but will support me no matter what I do. My mom, well, let's just say she will due everything in her power to make me miserable. She is always so negative about everything. when I got my hair cut, (I have always had my hair to my butt due to the fear of my mother, if I cut it!) her 1st comment was "it won't make your butt look any smaller!" I only cut 4 friggen inches off!!!

What kind of statement is that? So you can see my issues with my mom.

So anyway, enough rambling about me. The decision for me for WLS was/is the best option for me. You to, will comfort and a whole heck of a lot of information and support on this web site.

Good Luck!