I think I've finally worked up enough courage to share my story. I have not been sleeved yet, but am looking forward to my new beginning soon. I don't think my story is special. We've all been there, done that. I was a chubby kid in an obese family. Growing up in "the fat family" is never easy. In high school, I became anorexic. Even as a skeleton, I still saw myself as a fatty. My period stopped, my hair fell out, and I fainted on several occassions. I eventually turned to Bulimia, but once my teeth started rotting and my voice was getting froggy, I stopped that real quick. I eventually settled into the over-eating thing I had done since childhood, and from then on it's been yo-yo heaven (no, I mean yo-yo hell). Fat to trim to chubby to skinny to really fat to chubby to trim, and now at super-oooober fat.To this day, I still struggle with chronic depression and am on medication for bipolar disorder.

When I met my husband, I was in a good place. I lost a lot of weight on Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers. At 5'9" and very broad statured, I was 175. I felt really good and that's when I met the love of my life. Two years later, we married. But something unexpected happened. I got depressed and I guess went through the newly-wed syndrome and let myself go. Now, two years later and 24 years old, I am at my heviest weight ever, 275. Stress played a big part too. I was paying myself through college (and commuted an hour away from my home for college) and working (I'm a music teacher); I was a newlywed and just bought my first house, so I added wife and homemaker to the mix. Personal tragedy, money problems, you know, those things that grown-ups have to deal with. Well, being the emotional eater I am, it didn't take long for me to get to where I am.

I am a very blessed person. There are so many things in my life to give thanks for. My husband loves ME the WAY I am, and the more I hate myself, the more he loves me! (How I snagged him I'll never know). I just graduated from college and am blessed with a job I LOVE (teaching K-8 music education), I recently bought my first house, and I am the mother of four goofy dogs. Things are going so great for me, yet, there has always been that one thing that has been like a dark cloud over my head- and that is my weight problem. Sometimes I feel so guilty for allowing myself to be sad over my self-image when I have so many good things in my life.

Well, it wasn't until recently that my family's obese ways have finally caught up to them. My mom is now diabetic, my grandpa died of a heart attack, and my aunt (who is in the 400lbs range) has such a long list of health problems I cannot count. I am still young, but I see myself headed to where they are now. Yes things are great in my life, but how can I enjoy it if my health is bad? Right now I'm okay, but it won't stay okay for long being obese. That's when I decided it's time to conquer my life-long battle once and for all. That's why I decided to take this drastic action. I want to go hiking with my husband or travel places and not feel ashamed in my own skin. I want to break the obese curse of my family and not be "the fatty" anymore. I want to be in my 60's and still be active with the "granny power-walkers". I want to have kids one day, and be able to run and play and be healthy. I want to look in the mirror and finally see someone I like. May God be with me in my journey and may God be with all of you during your journey.

Thanks for listening.

Rose

It doesn't require a lot of strength. You take one bite too many and you suffer the consequences.

To me if I over eat that 1 bite I have not ever vomited or slimed etc all I get and believe me it is enough is I am just "stuffed " like over eating at a Thanksgiving dinner. No pain or any thing just stuffed. It takes maybe 1/2 hour to pass but is definitely something that I don't like. carol

There have been really very few times when I wanted to eat more because it tastes good. I think the negative reinforcement of what happens when I eat

too much helps.

About the only time I want to eat more, is pizza. I miss eating pizza when everyone else is having several slices and I can't.

What are signs of a leak? I am scared. I have a bad stomach ache, and last night I kept waking up from rapid heart beats. Please help.

Well, those aren't the signs... so relax. :thumbup1:

The main signs are extreme, unexplained pain and fever.

I get a little frustrated with not being able to eat as much as I would like at times too. Like others have said, I just have to remind myself I can have more, just not right now.

I found myself getting frustrated because we would go someplace nice, like a steak restaurant and I would feel guilty ordering a $20.00 meal knowing I would only be able to eat a bit of it. But, I still want my filet mignon. My daughter and I have worked out a pretty good system at most restaurants now. I will usually just order a side salad and instead of her ordering the petite filet like she used to, she orders the larger one and I just have a few bites of hers. That way, I am satisfied, but don't feel like I have wasted a lot of money.

I get a little frustrated with not being able to eat as much as I would like at times too. Like others have said, I just have to remind myself I can have more, just not right now.

I found myself getting frustrated because we would go someplace nice, like a steak restaurant and I would feel guilty ordering a $20.00 meal knowing I would only be able to eat a bit of it. But, I still want my filet mignon. My daughter and I have worked out a pretty good system at most restaurants now. I will usually just order a side salad and instead of her ordering the petite filet like she used to, she orders the larger one and I just have a few bites of hers. That way, I am satisfied, but don't feel like I have wasted a lot of money.

Exactly! I usually order an appetizer. This is more than enough for me. If hubby gets something yummy, I'll have a couple of bites. I usually have to bring some of the appetizer home with me.

Bearded and I laugh and joke about going out to dinner - figure we can order an appetizer and split it and that'll be our dinner ... pretty cheap dates ... LOL

As for being brave or strong about only eating a few bites ... it's not either ... it's the thought being in pain or puking that keeps you from taking just one more bite.

Carol you're lucky you don't suffer from anything painful if you overeat -- it's totally not pleasant.

Won't we be fun in Vegas? Are we going out to dinner?

We only have about a million restaurants here and they are all wonderful. Party!

So, I guess Bearded, Vegas and Daisy won't be hitting any of the infamous all you can eat buffets in Vegas then?

We only have about a million restaurants here and they are all wonderful. Party!

Rosebud -- you going to be available that weekend that Daisy's here? You should join us one day!

So, I guess Bearded, Vegas and Daisy won't be hitting any of the infamous all you can eat buffets in Vegas then?

Not unless they'll let us pay for 1 plate and share :001_tt2: Or ... I've never seen a 3-for-1, but if one happens to appear it would be worth the $$ but otherwise, NO buffets in our future.

Rosebud -- you going to be available that weekend that Daisy's here? You should join us one day!

Not unless they'll let us pay for 1 plate and share :001_tt2: Or ... I've never seen a 3-for-1, but if one happens to appear it would be worth the $$ but otherwise, NO buffets in our future.

I'm late to the party. Which weekend are we talking about?

I'm late to the party. Which weekend are we talking about?

She gets in 8/13 and goes home 8/16

She gets in 8/13 and goes home 8/16

Drat I'm in Seattle from the 12th until the 19th. I would have loved to meet up. We have to set something up soon anyway. We have two others here on our journey with us.

I just get a to-go box. That way I have something for lunch the next day. Sometimes I get two lunches out of it.