Amber Johnson

I am a 20 year old female (going to be 21 soon) and am weighing the options of doing surgery while I'm under my parent's insurance. I'm 5'4, 310 pounds (BMI of like 54) I am still in college and would plan on doing the surgery either this winter or next summer. I graduate next spring so I would have the summer to repair from the surgery until the fall when I'd start a potential job. If i didn't get the surgery within the next two years, I might have to wait like 10 or more to build up my insurance at my new job. I am working on my degree in Elementary Education. As of now, I work at a daycare and in direct care, both physically tolling jobs for an obese person. I am asked constantly from both jobs why I'm so big and if I'm pregnant. Parents sometimes look down on me as not physically capable or not being a role model for their children, which of course I want to be. I want to be able to sit in a chair and not worry about it breaking. I want to be able to lay down and not have my neck fat squished up against my chin. I want to be able to be comfortable with myself emotionally and physically. I want to buy clothes at Target and other cheaper stores that carry cute clothes without having to hide out in the plus size section. I want to be healthy and not worry about the possibility of diabetes, heart attacks, or aches/hurts in my joints. Something, though, scares me about the surgery. I'm not sure if it's the surgery itself or the thought of not eating my favorite foods after. I know it's worth it and everything and that complications are a minimal risk but what if my sutures leak? Or the biggest fear, I end up stretching my stomach out??? Someone please help me out! Should I wait and figure myself out mentally or should I do the surgery and be healthier for my future career??