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!

Great idea! My name is Kendra. I am 24 on July 29th. I'm from Nebraska and enjoy camping' date=' hiking, swimming, sports and any outdoor activity. I also am a frolfer. (Frisbee/ disc golf) My surgery will hopefully be in october. I have two brothers. I'm the middle child. I own my own home business with travel called World Ventures. I love wv! I am also a cna and provide in home care to two of the best clients ive had. I absolutley love my job but if money weren't an object I would become a meteorologist with a minor in photography, so I could chase tornadoes and take pictures of incredible storms and skies. It gives me a rush and I'm a bit of a thrill seeker. I'm currently pursuing my RN at MPCC. I currently have a partial torn acl and torn miniscus that I will have surgery for on the 27th from playing basketball. I hate that my weight inhibites my activities. I cant wait to be thin and be able to run after a soccer/basket/volley ball again!!! Ive been heavy all my life but I try not to let it stop me from doing anything everyone else can do![/quote']

You seem like a rad chick

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi everyone... Such amazing people and stories! My name is Heather, I'm 37 today. I have been with the my husband for 20 years and married for 15 of those. We have an amazing 4 year old daughter who is the biggest miracle/blessing I could ever hope for. I have been heavy since childhood and was diagnosed with pcos at 21 and was told I probably would not have children. I've learned that God has his own plans and we just have to have faith and patience for it to unfold. I am an only child. I was raised mainly by my mom, but am glad to say I have a great relationship with my dad these days. We also have an australian shepherd banned jordan who we thought would be our only child before our daughter came along. I love movies (at the theater), all kinds of music, huge animal lover and love to learn and experience new things. If I could get paid to be a student I'd do it forever! I have just started my 3 month supervised diet and am hoping to have surgery in sept/oct. I'm a stay at home mom, but our dtr starts kindergarten in aug, so I'm hoping after surgery to be able to start looking for a job again. I've done the climbing the career ladder thing and am just looking for something that makes me happy. I wish you all the most success in your journeys and feel free to message me if you wanna talk...oh, I live in olathe ks by the way and am going through malley surgical center for my surgery.

Hi everyone! My name is Lacie, and I'm 30 years old. My husband is Shawn, and we've been married for 8.5 years. We have 3 boys, ages 6, 4, and 1. I am a stay at home mom, but I'm also back in school for nursing. Life as a college student mom to three active boys is crazy but I wouldn't change a thing except my weight! My surgery is in 3 weeks and I can't wait to be the healthy active mom my family deserves.

Happy belated birthday heather. Sept/oct sleevers yeeay!. And to the above comment thanks I like that word rad haha!

Great thread. I have been so obsessed lately with the weight, I haven't been thinking about who is underneath the pounds.

I am 57 years old, the second of five sisters. My older sister is 59 and a high functioning autistic (my diagnosis, when Kathryn was in school, you weren't developmentally handicapped, you were just odd); Linda is 47 and a marathon runner; Lea is 46 and Kim turned 44 in April. My dad died three years ago; he was diabetic and I want desperately to avoid his complications. My mom lives with me and Kathryn and is currently experiencing vascular dementia. Every day a little bit of the woman I think of as my mother disappears. However, she can still talk, feed herself, dress and bathe and go to the restroom. I am grateful.

I am single with graduate degrees in library science and American history, though I have not worked in a library since 1996. I currently write marketing proposals. I like to write, but after a year or two with one company they can become pretty rote. I would love to have a job where I could go somewhere new every year or two. I like to travel, but I hate to pack and unpack and with Mom and Kathryn, travel is out for the moment. I have two cats, both female, Gravity and Frank. (Frank has beautiful blue eyes, so I named her after Old Blue Eyes).

I started this process a few months ago and when Kaiser started calling me to make appointments, I had my first ever near panic. I never panic. It made me realize that I was having food issues I had never thought through. I just thought I was fat and undisciplined. I am now in therapy and plan to restart the process toward surgery in a few months.

I have lost the same fifty pounds 5 or 6 times and I DONE. If surgery is a no go for me, I guess I will just try to get fit and not worry about pounds. I am spending time on the treadmill every day and I just found an article on conditioning the mid section while standing, which I plan to start.

I tend to start something obsessively and then just trail off; I am trying to avoid that pattern this time.

Robbie in Akron Ohio

Hi Robbi and welcome. we do so much for the people in our lives that we often forget to rake care of ourselves. I could say that I am doing this for my daughters, or my granddaughters, husband, parents, etc. but it would be a lie. This is the first truly selfish thing I am doing for myself. My family will support me, but suffer. I am sure I will be a b***h on wheels during my pro op diet and for several months post op. will I be able to, or apwant to COOK for them. Hell no. But I will, but they will be eating more lean and green. I still have a 23 yr old and a 17 year old at home. This is my time. I deserve this.

Ps. Spent 3 years in Ada, Ohio at Ohio Northern University. Now I am in New York.

Hi everyone my name is Andria and i'm 40. I'm the mother of two boys 14 n 16. About six years ago I was diagnosed with diabetes and started insulin that first day. Because it was so severe I had to take tons of insulin and became very overweight. I was so busy being a single mom who worked and went to school that I never had time for myself. I, realized this year that my boys are getting older and they have lives of their own and guess what I didn't have one. So now I am getting skinnier and honestly finding out who I am and what I like. I'm actually making jewelry these days, love to read and take pictures of myself and see the changes! Lol vain maybe a little. I want to travel something I never could afford. I would love to open a consignment store one day. Most of all I am looking forward to dating. So not use to the attention and not even sure how to date but I guess I will figure it out. I love this site because although my friends and family are happy for me I know folks here actually experience those small joys. Good luck to everyone and I hope everyone has experienced that new found happiness that I have.

My name is Jill, I am 34 years old and married. I've been married since 10/31/2011 to my wonderful husband Dave. We got married on a cruise ship in new Orleans, it was fabulous! I have a 5 year old son, named Cole. He is truly the love of my life, my reason for being. Dave has three kids, ages 15,16,17. We have them full time. Their mother died about 6 years ago. She had RnY, became a drug addict and overdosed. So, including our three cats; Ortho, Lilly, and Godric we have a full house!!!

I have a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. I have been a Probation and Parole Officer with the State of Louisiana for 10 years now. Right before I went out for my surgery I signed papers for my promotion to "Specialist", which just means I supervise violent offenders now instead of drug addicts and thieves.

I got sleeved on June 12, 2012 by Dr. Keith Chung in Lake Charles, La. So far I'm doing really good in recovery. I also suffer from a food addiction and plan to take things one day at a time. I've battled my weight since my early 20s. I'm tired of being every ones fat friend. I'm changing my life

So far from what I can tell there are a lot of nice and knowledgable people on this forum

I know this is an older post but I like it. I'm 51 mother of 2 married 29 years July 2nd I have 5 grand children who have my heart. I like all of you yo yo dieted for many years. I work for the railroad and will be able to retire in 11 years. Seems like a long time but not really. Only need to lose 100 lbs. .... 55 down and 45 to go.... weight loss has slowed but it's ok I'll get there soon enough. I love hearing about all the success stories it's such an inspiration.

Ok here goes, my name is Stephanie I am 34 years old. Born and raised in Chicago. I have been married for 5 years and I have a 14 year old son from a previous relationship. I was always curvy, I was a size 14/16, however once I got married I put my self and my health on the back burner, and I gained about 80 pounds. I have been diagnosed with PCOS. I work full time and am going to school to get my BA, I take 3-4 classes a semester, so I have a pretty full schedule.

Lucky my son is a little older and somewhat independent my husband kinda helps around the house. I have been found really great with my sleeve and hope it continues.

Hi there, we are practically neighbors!! I live just 30 minutes south of Olathe. Welcome to the board- you are almost on the "losers bench"!!

I love that you have an Australian Shepherd dog!! I lost my Border Collie mixed dog a couple months ago and think my next dog will be a Blue Healer/ Australian Shepherd mix or something like that. Those breeds are SOOO smart!

Anyhow, if you need any local support- feel free to look me up!

Hi everyone... Such amazing people and stories! My name is Heather, I'm 37 today. I have been with the my husband for 20 years and married for 15 of those. We have an amazing 4 year old daughter who is the biggest miracle/blessing I could ever hope for. I have been heavy since childhood and was diagnosed with pcos at 21 and was told I probably would not have children. I've learned that God has his own plans and we just have to have faith and patience for it to unfold. I am an only child. I was raised mainly by my mom, but am glad to say I have a great relationship with my dad these days. We also have an australian shepherd banned jordan who we thought would be our only child before our daughter came along. I love movies (at the theater), all kinds of music, huge animal lover and love to learn and experience new things. If I could get paid to be a student I'd do it forever! I have just started my 3 month supervised diet and am hoping to have surgery in sept/oct. I'm a stay at home mom, but our dtr starts kindergarten in aug, so I'm hoping after surgery to be able to start looking for a job again. I've done the climbing the career ladder thing and am just looking for something that makes me happy. I wish you all the most success in your journeys and feel free to message me if you wanna talk...oh, I live in olathe ks by the way and am going through malley surgical center for my surgery.

Very interesting background Jill. Congratulations on your promotion and congratulations on crossing over to the losers bench! It sounds like you have a wonderful home of love with your family! I'm very happy for you!

My name is Jill, I am 34 years old and married. I've been married since 10/31/2011 to my wonderful husband Dave. We got married on a cruise ship in new Orleans, it was fabulous! I have a 5 year old son, named Cole. He is truly the love of my life, my reason for being. Dave has three kids, ages 15,16,17. We have them full time. Their mother died about 6 years ago. She had RnY, became a drug addict and overdosed. So, including our three cats; Ortho, Lilly, and Godric we have a full house!!!

I have a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. I have been a Probation and Parole Officer with the State of Louisiana for 10 years now. Right before I went out for my surgery I signed papers for my promotion to "Specialist", which just means I supervise violent offenders now instead of drug addicts and thieves.

I got sleeved on June 12, 2012 by Dr. Keith Chung in Lake Charles, La. So far I'm doing really good in recovery. I also suffer from a food addiction and plan to take things one day at a time. I've battled my weight since my early 20s. I'm tired of being every ones fat friend. I'm changing my life

So far from what I can tell there are a lot of nice and knowledgable people on this forum

Hey I'm Erica I'm 26 just had the sleeve done two weeks ago an I did it so I can live to see my beautiful 4 year old son grow up an be a strong healthy man..keep everyone posted on how I'm doing.

Hey I'm Erica I'm 26 just had the sleeve done two weeks ago an I did it so I can live to see my beautiful 4 year old son grow up an be a strong healthy man..keep everyone posted on how I'm doing.

Me too Erica, except mine is a 4 year old girl. Still waiting for my surgery though. Keep us posted!

Happy belated birthday heather. Sept/oct sleevers yeeay!. And to the above comment thanks I like that word rad haha!

Thanks! I know right, I just want it to get here already, but I'm taking this time to adjust (no drinking with eating) and prepare, so I hope it goes by quick!