Va_Lady82

Haha I love this question (I can't help it, I'm slightly inappropriate as it is) lol. Well I don't know about the inner workings changing...but I've been a fat girl forever, and I've noticed a common 'trait' if you will among big girls is a large 'mons pubis' - yes it's gonna get a little TMI- sorry boys! The mon pubis is that area where the pubic hair grows, and in a lot of big girls that part Is more fatty then regular size woman. I've always had an extra fatty bit down there. When I was younger I thought I was a freak of nature until I met other big girls and was able to compare notes lol. But that area will likely go down after weight loss from what I've heard (I'm pre op also so this is only hear say lol) I've heard that some ladies don't actually loose that fat pad much and wind up needing pubic liposuction (yes that's a thing lol) I'm hoping I loose some of it because in scared it will be noticeable and stick out and people may think I'm 'packing heat' or something LOL this whole ost was TMI, my appologies lol

I know I'm new here and still don't have my surgery date scheduled yet but this is what one thinking of. First, I have my brother as an example and he's the one that talked to me about getting this done as he did in Oct 2012. I've watched his quality of life get better and relationship with his wife and kids get closer! Here's what I'm doing! I think of how I feel now...fat, lazy, ugly, inhibited to do the things I want to do in the way I want to do them, I think back on the day several years ago where I got on a roller coaster with my nephew and couldn't fit...the workers tried and tried and gave up and I had to walk the walk of shame off the ride as everyone that was waiting on the ride watched!!! Totally completely feeling like I was the largest person ever!! I'm not saying u feel like me but these are the things that are driving me forward! I finally got to the place where I had to admit...I can't do this without help....and it's not easy for me to give up control!
I've started to sorta "train" now. I'm juicing, and not drinking with meals, finding things I can have later that are perfect ounce sizes and trying them now to make sure I like them! Lol! Training my mind when I go out to eat that this will be changing and packing half my food for later. Am I 100% on things...nope! But I'm preparing myself!
In the end I think of my life now and how I feel and how I want to feel and will feel, wear what I want and not have clothes hurt sometimes! Feel healthy, pretty, like a woman! Right now I feel just...well like a shape! Round! Lol! It's gonna be a challenge, some major changes, some work! But I've trained myself to be how I am now so I can retrain myself! The trial is outweighed by my confidence and self esteem enhancing to come!
Hope this helps! We are here for each other!! Sorry I'm so chatty tho, lol!! :-)

I decided 10 years ago to not have this done. What if something went wrong? What if it didn't work? Last year, I was encouraged to have it done, by my endocrinologist. I said yes, what I had done for the previous 10 years only managed to help me gain 60 pounds and loose most of my self-esteem and energy.
Dec. 4, 2012 I had the surgery - gastric vertical sleeve. I was home 3 days later. Since Dec. 4, 2012 everyday I have felt better and better. I started at a size 26 and I am now a size 18. My self-esteem is better than it has been in 30 years (I am 48). I never remember feeling good about myself, ever. At age 16 I was 200 lbs. At my heaviest I was 314 lbs.
As far a the food plan goes now, I have fun with it. I bought a couple of small dishes so my meals don't look like a thimble full on a dinner plate and psychologically is works. I bought little plastic baby spoons and that has been great too. It slows down my eating and gives me a small enough portion that my sleeve stays happy. I used regular sized cutlery and found I put too much in my mouth at one time; when I used a regular spoon, a tiny amount looked wrong. Drinking with meals - not such a big deal. I would rather have the food than the liquid.
Back to the having fun part - every meal for me is an adventure. I love to cook so I cook for friends and keep a small amount for me. My boyfriend and his family are super supportive too. We giggle about how much I eat and I think it is cute, and we all know that it is a need not a choice for me. For example, he eats 8 Brussel sprouts, I eat 1, in 3 bites. He eats a huge steak, I eat 2 bites of his. It makes me a really cheap date for meals too
My only regret to having this done, and I mean my only regret, is not having it done 10 years ago. I opted to stay fat, less healthy, and uncomfortable for 10 years longer than I should have.
I have been fortunate that I have not really had any troubles and I understand that some people do, but I think it is all about being good to yourself, listen to your body and err on less than more at all times.
What you decide is your decision, but base it on facts and not on what ifs. Best wishes to you.

I'm just getting started, but I'm not wanting to do this just to be skinny. I want to be able to tie my shoes without getting exhausted, I want to be able to walk to my mailbox without my knees screaming at me. I want to avoid the diabetes that 3 grandparents, mother, 2 brothers and sister and multiple aunts and uncles have. I want to have a conversation with my dad without him chiding me...once again...about my weight. I want to be able to go to amusement parks and not have to sit out on the rides. I want to.... live!
...and it wouldn't hurt to be able to look good in my clothes again.