Just beginning the journey...

Hello, everyone!

My name is Kelly - I'm 25 years old and weigh 330 lbs (just typing it made me cringe!). I am just beginning this journey. I made my appointment today with my PCP for May 21st to get my referral to see the bariatric surgeon. I am very nervous, but even more excited that I will finally get my weight under control! I have been heavy-set since my early teens, but played a lot of sports and stayed very active to keep my weight in check. But I downright ballooned whilst being pregnant with my son. After he was born in January 2007, I never lost the weight. But because of the weight I had gained, it was uncomfortable and painful to work out with enough intensity to lose. So then I began gaining, as well.

I finally had the last straw when my husband and I went to the YMCA to walk. We walked for just 20 minutes and by the end of it my legs itched so bad (that itch on the inside from built-up fluids pooling in your legs, so scratching doesn't help - it just makes it worse) I was actually in tears. That was when I knew that I needed outside help. A gentle "push" in the right direction. A hand up out of the downward spiral that is the "gain weight so working out becomes harder, working out becomes harder so you don't work out as much, so then you gain weight" and portion control, which has always been a problem I've had. This is the "head start" I need to get my portions in control, so I can lose some weight to get started, and then get back in the gym and really get moving again!!

I have no idea what lies ahead, I'm only really just starting this journey. I have no idea what to expect when I go see my PCP on the 21st. He has always pushed for the "diet and exercise" regimen, so I'm afraid if I go in asking for a referral he won't give me one and will just tell me to keep trying diet and exercise (to no avail). Then I'm afraid of what to expect from my first appointments with the surgeon. What will be the process BEFORE having the surgery? And then AFTER? So I'm hoping to read some of your stories and get a better idea for what I'm up against. But I'm finally ready to take control! And that's got to be the hardest first step there is, right?