This is my story so far: (Warning it is pretty depressing!, quick click on somebody else's story.... or hang on, your obese too, or once was so, I am sure your story hasn't been 'All Roses' either)..

It all started at the age of 10 for me, within a wink of an eye I went from a fun-loving young girl, from a happy home, who enjoyed BMX racing; to a self-conscious fat girl, who never fitted in. Quite literally it happened with a bang for me. At the age of ten, my brother (Ian) died in a head-on collison, I started menstrating and stopped growing, the family quit BMX and I got instantly fat. Yep I have been this height since 10.. 158cm, a little taller than a midget! (WOW I must sound attractive now!)

I dunno if it was all a dose of bad luck or the shock of losing my brother that brought on menstration so young and stunted my growth.. but I know I felt extremely ripped off when I realised in year 10 that I hadn't grown and inch since grade 5!.. well technically that is so not correct, because I had grown quite a few inches, just not in height!

In short I have lived the past 22 years trying to be the funny or super-friendly one, always thinking about the one day when I will be thinner. Thinking twice about purchases for myself because one day I will be thinner. Delaying doctors appointments, you name it, from the shame and the day I will be thinner.. Dreading having to find something to wear, trying not to stand out or get in the way on social occassions.. Feeling as though everybody is staring at me, and feeling pressure to be extra nice, saying thank-you 200 times a day or "You're right, Idiot me didn't think of that".

A year ago I had enough, signed up for health insurance.. have waited 12mth for weight loss surgery and am now booked in on the 21st of March. Now its a waiting game. At the moment I feel starving (only because I am saving my lunchtime shake to have after tea, with my husband.. so it feel like a treat), but it will be worth it!

I'd be glad to meet others who feel the way I do or have gained a new better life, I just can't wait

Mel

Welcome Mel! Getting the sleeve will be the best gift ever to yourself! I had been overweight from child hood,, as far back as 2nd grade I can remember comments made by class mates,, forward now to age 47 and I now weigh less than I did when I graduated high school and I FEEL GREAT! Now the challenge is to find something to where that fits! My entire closet is useless!

I get what you mean about trying to stay out of the way at social occasions and being extra nice. I have noticed in the recent months I have gotten bolder at work with both co workers and the general public, I even hung up on a man who was cussing at me!

Since surgery in November I have gotten off all 5 blood pressure pills and metformin for blood sugar. Now I just take 5 supplements a day.

Welcome

I'm sorry to hear about your brother.

Your new life will be starting soon. Sleeved life... is AMAZING!

Mel, welcome and the best of luck to you on the start of your journey.

Many, many of us here have storied similar to yours, even radically different but still as painful. I was a skinny goofbucket and a social retard growing up (sorry if that offends anyone it's the most precise, descriptive word I can use). Now I'm almost 50 and for the first time in my life I feel like I'm in control and taking charge of my life. The important thing is now you are too. Stick with it, it's hard at times but YOU CAN DO IT!

First off WELCOME! you're definately in the right place ! We're a pretty cool family. . we even fight and argue! I can relate to your story, I started period at 9 (can you see a 3rd grader doing that! ) it was pretty bad, so I understand. . . only I went the opposite way you did, I shot up to 6'0" tall and 222 at 12 years old! Boobs from hell 42DD at 12 and fatter then a pig. . . I didn't fit in either, but instead of being the funny one I "hid" myself the best I could . . . no friends, didn't care less about anything, very depressed, attempted sucide a few times (as you can see it didn't work ) dieted up and down (did manage to loose very well during a bodybuilding stent for about 2 years but then regained), got married (to a good man by the way) but stayed depressed. . had 2 kids (10 years apart, I'm not a baby person) got fatter by the months, then finally had the damn guts to do this surgery. . . now i've lost 150 lbs been out for about 14 months, come a long way . . . still have issues to work out but it's getting there (for some stupid reason I'm looking for something I can't seem to find go figure) . . .

your going to do great! your going to like your sleeve once you get used to it. . . takes a bit to relearn, but after you do that it's not that bad. . . so once again welcome and keep posting.

OMG!! It must feel amazing, being thinner than graduation... at the moment I would settle for being thinner than my full-term pregnancy weight!! lol. Good on you for standing up for yourself, it's a hard thing to do when you've spent a lifetime feeling less worthy than others.

Thanks everybody for you words of encoragement, it means a lot to me. It is just so great to have a place to talk to people who know what you are going though, have been through it and are so supportive.

Thank-you (here I go again, with thanking!!) lol

;0

Welcome ... you are definitely in the right place. This is an amazing support group that is available 24/7. Get ready to change your life!