Surely you are someone outside of your surgery and struggles with our weight. You have interests and dislikes and families- jobs and hobbies. And honestly- yes it is exciting to have this stool and to be on the journey- but hasn't there been enough focus all our lives on just our weight?

I know VST is dedicated to our VSG stories, but I sort of think that who we are makes our VSG surgeries that much more meaningful.

So I'll go first...

I'm Danielle. I'm 27 and I have three sisters and one nephew. I am unmarried and have no children. I work full time running the office for a respiratory company. This semester I am also attending college full time via online classes. I'm now also trying to squeeze in going to the gym three times a week.

I suffer from PCOS and had this surgery to help increase my chances of having a family of my own one day.

I am a TOTAL girly girl! I love the color pink, I like Hello Kitty the way others like Betty Boop or Tinkerbell, and I HATE HATE HATE spiders! I'm not much of an outdoorsie person- my idea of roughing it is five girls and one bathroom. That being said I do love to garden and can't wait for spring.

I love anything to do with 16th century european history and am a total fanatical nut when it comes to Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I. My favorite movie and book of allllllllll time is Gone With the Wind. I love watching old movies with my mom- our favorites are Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, anything with Doris Day and the Tammy movies. We also make a point of watching A League of Their Own together whenever it is on tv. I'm close with my Dad but sometimes I feel like we don't have anything in common.

Prior to surgery I loved home cooked food! (Along with chinese and pizza hut haha) I still enjoy cooking for my family (One sister, my parents and I all live together for economic reasons) and resumed cooking them meals within a few days of coming home from the hospital. I have a dog, she is a chihuahua/yorkie mix. Her name is Gypsy and well... she is sort of a monster!! I <3 her tho!

Now it's your turn!! Tell us who you are!

I agree with your premise that we are more than stories about our struggles with weight. Here's mine.

I am a 55 year old married career woman. I have been married for almost 31 years (next week). My husband and I own a marina and resort with two business partners on a lake about 75 miles east of Dallas Texas. We have owned the business for about 16 years. I do not take an active part in running the business, I have always kept my "day job" as an engineer and manager in corporate America.

Just yesterday, I took an early retirement with my company. I currently looking for another position and will be doing this full time starting next week. But since I am "retired" with health benefits, I now have the flexibility to maybe select short term contract positions rather than another permanent position. It is nice to be interviewing as a thin person, rather than someone who is morbidly obese.

I am a mother of one grown son and grandmom to two delighful little girls. I enjoy reading - both fiction and non-fiction and antiquing - both buying and reading about different types of antiques. I am addicted to home design magazines and food TV on the satellite.

I love this idea.

My name is Karen, I am 36 and single. I work as a business analyst for a life insurance company c(pls don't hate me). I have worked for the same company for a

lmost 10 years. I have one brother and a nephew who is the most beautiful boy and brings so much joy to our live, I am completely biased.

I love travelling, it is my passion, have visited much of europe, 38 Us states, parts of Asia and Africa. I speak Hungarian as I was an exchange student there when I was younger, friendship I still maintains to this day.

I also love listening to live music.

I am a traveling notary in Florida, currently separated from my DH. I have two grown sons and a stepson that I will continue to claim as mine forever.

I'm 45 and just bought my first ever house alone!! I've been moving for days, so have been offline for a few days.

I've been self employed for 10+ years and I love it!

I see, read, live to garden and do DIY projects, and I am an aspiring writer. Someday...

Lissa

I am 46, married for 10 years, and mom to an almost 5 year old boy, who is the most adorable thing on the planet (biased much?) but who I really am is an artist, and more specifically a photographer. I have had a studio doing weddings and portraits for 10 years in the SF Bay Area, and am about to re-invent a scaled down version of my business in our new house up in gold mine country. The studio is all set up, just have to get some people in it and in front of my camera!! It's daunting and exciting at the same time. I am developing workshops to teach in SF, and really love working on some fine art photography projects that I have finally given myself permission to do... I was born in New York, grew up and went to college in Florida, and moved to San Francisco when I was 28... I knew one person. Best thing I ever did. California is my HOME!

I am 56 years old and in relationship limbo-Married, but we haven't lived together for 8 years. I have stayed married for the health insurance-but that will change this year.

I had 5 children. 2 boys-3 girls ranging in age from 21-39. My youngest son was killed a year ago. I have 4 granddaughters.

I did work for about 20 years as a Tax Specialist, counseling people on their tax situations and preparing their taxes. I loved it-but computers took away most clientele. It was seasonal work and I stopped to go to school full time in 2006.

I graduated from college 2 years ago with a degree in Social Work. I haven't even looked for a job. At my weight I would never even think of applying for one-too much risk. It was hard enough to go to school. Couldn't fit in those stupid desk/chairs. It's a long walk from the parking lot to the classroom. I'm surprised I was able to finish.

After graduating I basically gave up on life. I had no energy, no stamina, no passions for anything. I was just sitting around waiting to die-hoping to die. I couldn't see a future. My health began failing rapidly and I just didn't care.

I had refused to consider WLS for years-but when I read about the sleeve that changed.

Having to lose 250+ lbs is a lot different from having to lose 100 lbs. I am so proud of those of you who took this step before you got to the place I am. My life would have been soooo different had I changed it around when I "only" had 100 lbs to lose.

I have a new lease on life now. A future I'm actually getting excited about. Other than my divorce I can't wait to see what 2012 brings!

My name is judy. i have done every weight loss program out there. i lost 125lbs in 9 months on this one intense program but gained it all back in a short time. since then i keep trying i have so many workout dvds. so many diets i can teach a class on weight loss. but cant teach myself. i decided to do the gastric sleeve surgery because i am tired of trying and failing. I am a single african american women I have two grown kids and one new grand daughter. I am very excited and terrified at the same time. I am afraid of going under the knife. kaiser seems to have it all toghter though. so i will trust in god that he will be with the doctors when i have my surgery. I really hope I don't need it after the pre op diet. if someone else is just starting i would love to have a friend to share with.

Edited January 1, 201214 yr by newgrandmother11

I am 56 years old and in relationship limbo-Married, but we haven't lived together for 8 years. I have stayed married for the health insurance-but that will change this year. I had 5 children. 2 boys-3 girls ranging in age from 21-39. My youngest son was killed a year ago. I have 4 granddaughters. I did work for about 20 years as a Tax Specialist, counseling people on their tax situations and preparing their taxes. I loved it-but computers took away most clientele. It was seasonal work and I stopped to go to school full time in 2006. I graduated from college 2 years ago with a degree in Social Work. I haven't even looked for a job. At my weight I would never even think of applying for one-too much risk. It was hard enough to go to school. Couldn't fit in those stupid desk/chairs. It's a long walk from the parking lot to the classroom. I'm surprised I was able to finish. After graduating I basically gave up on life. I had no energy, no stamina, no passions for anything. I was just sitting around waiting to die-hoping to die. I couldn't see a future. My health began failing rapidly and I just didn't care. I had refused to consider WLS for years-but when I read about the sleeve that changed. Having to lose 250+ lbs is a lot different from having to lose 100 lbs. I am so proud of those of you who took this step before you got to the place I am. My life would have been soooo different had I changed it around when I "only" had 100 lbs to lose. I have a new lease on life now. A future I'm actually getting excited about. Other than my divorce I can't wait to see what 2012 brings!

You should be so proud of yourself! Yes, 250 pounds is daunting number- but remember you have support and people cheering for you! I had a total of 150 to lose and get sort of jealous when I see people who "only" had 90 pounds to lose. But we're all in this together and you will do great!

Newgrandmother, I was sleeved at Kaiser Harbor City. If that's where you are going, excellent hospital. I couldn't be happier with the care I received.

I'm 54, a high-school guidance Coordinator and former teacher, married to a teacher, with two wonderful sons. Spent quite a bit of time in the military and traveled extensively. I have a low-carb blog and an on-line jewelry business. Happy New Year!

This sounds like fun so here goes.... I am 43, mother to an almost 21 year old son, an 18 year old son and a almost 14 year old daughter. I am happily married to my husband Dave. We have been married for almost 5 years now. My first husband was abusive and it took me 10 years to leave that codepenant relationship. I have yo-yo dieted for 20 years. Loosing up to 40 pounds two and three times, but always gaining it back and almost never getting under 170. Once, on weight watchers, I got to 163 but it was very short lived. I was back over 170 in short order. I reached my all time high of 236 about two years ago. After i got remarried we wanted a child together. After all the fertility treatments and hormones, my weight was at this all time high. I knew I had to try something new. We never got pregnant either.

I hosted 10 exchange students over the years and went to see one of them get married in Brazil last spring. I have not hosted since being remarried though it is something I want to continue to do as soon as I can. I am a forensic scientist in firearms and toolmarks and have been for 12 years. My first career was cytotechnology (we diagnose cancer on the cellular level) so I have a pretty good medical knowledge, but i only use it as a little hobby now. My husband calls me "Dr. My Wife" because family members are always calling me for advice and to diagnose their health issues. I am not a doctor, however. I love forensic science. I am about halfway through my Masters program in forensic science administration right now. I am still in disbelief most of the time that I have lost almost 60 pounds already and only have 40 to go!

I know I can loose 40, I have done that before but this time I feel confident I will not be gaining it back again! I am 5 months out next week. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love this Post idea! I am 47, Married to a wonderful little bit younger man. He is very athletic and handsome and treats me like a queen. I do not feel worthy of his sweetness. We have been together for 11 years, married for 6. We have four grown children together (2and 2). We also are blessed with 4 precious grandbabies. My first marriage was not so great, never had any confidence in myself and married way to young. and seemed to only care for others. Then I was single for many years while raising my 2 kids. I have always been overweight for as long as I can remember. My husband started at small family business 5 years ago and I am a server at Cracker Barrel, for spending money... no actually now for SLEEVE money. I am saving rather quickly I must say. Life is grand. I could not be happier, except for ......... to be sleeved. I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!!

Illgeturhairdid, what a wonderful idea! You're so right that the most of our lives have always been centered around weight, and probably always will be. But, there is so much more to us than that. Thank you for the reminder!

I'm 27, born and raised in Orange county, California. In 2004, I decided to come to India (I'm of Indian ethnicity) and pursue my medical degree. Now that I have finished, I'm working on getting back to the States and applying for Residency.

Over a year ago, an acquaintance of mine (who has now become a mentor) underwent a roux-en-y bypass, and I was amazed at he changes in her body and her confidence levels. She was very open about the surgery, and answered all my questions.

After passing out of med school, I asked my parents to support my decision for going through with the sleeve gastrectomy, and here I am, 4 months later! I've been very open about the surgery, in hopes to help someone just like my mentor did. Being open has helped me take charge of my own health, as well!

Being overweight all my life has been a blessing in some ways, because I have so much more confidence in myself and my personality because of it. I have never relied on my looks for anything! I've just had to be awesome! *winks*

I've been with my boyfriend for almost 5 years, and he has been a huge support. We both love good food (I still enjoy it), good music, and good company! We are also huge animal lovers and currently have a pair of male guinea pigs.

Good luck to everyone! I look forward to reading more about you all.

Awesome idea.

My name is Lilliana, age 30 . I'm half Spanish and half polish . I lived in a speaking spanish country for 21 years till I got married to my now husband who is active duty in the army . I have PCOS and it caused me to struggled with infertility for 6-7 years . I finally got pregnant after losing 40 lbs doing weight watchers but that didn't last long after my pregnancy . So since I struggled with my weight my whole life , my dr decided to reffered me for weight loss surgery and I did research first in by pass for years until I found this site and picked the VSG for me . I have many health issues due to my weight . I'm a stay home mom for now with my 2 years old sweet girl . I'm planning to return to school soon to finish my bachelors degree in graphic arts .

Well I'm gonna be the first man to ad their story to this topic. I'm a 53 year old man named Roy, hence the RoyBoy name. married to a 53 year old wonderful woman named Jean for 11 years now. We are the brady bunch as I had 3 girls and one boy, she had two boys for the perfect six! The family just melted together into one big happy family. All of our kids are grown with the littlest being 20, she's going back to college next semester, so she says but all the other kids have good jobs, nice homes and a wonderful family life. They have given us 12 grandchildren with two kids of our kids to go. Our number two son is getting married this winter in Riviera Maya Mexico for a warm needed vacation from cold Wisconsin and our number 3 son is doing the same next winter in Brazil! I love food and thats how I got to the place that brought me here! But love to hunt and fish with a passion and now I feel better every day so I fish even harder than I used too. LoL I've run and sold 2 companies and currently own a small trucking company with my wife working for a private college.

I'm a very thankful man for what God has given us and remember that every single day of my life!

hi fellow sleeversi'

my name is kathy. i am happily married 58 yr. young grandmother of the 3 cutest grandkids. I am not being biased, just stating the truth i have one married daughter and a great son-in-law.

I took an early retirement at 53, due to the fact that i had broken my femur and 2 knee replacements within a very short time.

I was born in Budapest, Hungary - and came to the U.S. during the '56 revolution with my 4 yr. old sister, and my parents. I have 3 sisters, and 1 brother,

I am also a proud breast cancer survivor going on 12 years.

kathy

I'm Hanan, I just turned 20 years old recently, I study Intl. Relations and translation.

I have been suffering with my weight since I was 10 years old, I kept losing and gaining and once I actually got to 57 kgs, but that went away fast as soon as I graduated high school and passed my first semester in uni, and I became 106 kgs which is my highest weight ever. It took me a long time to convince my parents about the surgery, but after trying every therapy and diet it doesn't work.

I finally decided that I want to live my 20s to the fullest and be very happy and eventually get married and have an amazing career and love life.

It has been only 25 days, and I have lost 14 kgs, and I am currently at a stall, but I have hope, I feel better, and I hope by next semester, which is in a month, people will notice my weight loss and feel better about myself and get my grades up, and I hope by September, with the start of the fall semester I will be at goal weight and be on the dean's list! Too ambitious?