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!

Hi, I'm "Elle". Sleeved May 2013. Lost 90 in a size 4. Recently changed jobs, long hours, less active. Eating habits are not good right now, eating wrong, sugary foods for energy, grazing junk food! hair started falling out again. I cannot exercise like I want. Arthritis, bulging disc, sciatica, DDD.. Did I mention I'm 43 going on 90? Lol.

Embarrassed to go to surgeon for check ups. It's been 6-7 months.

I'm not one to reach out. I'm the one who people come to. However, I'm very private about having this surgery. I was not a lifer, I gained fast and furious and it about killed me. I'm not going to play the blame game. PCOS, Hysterectomy, stressing, etc.. I did it to myself! food became my drug and comfort!

So here I find myself looking for support and paying my support to others. ( I have my degree in psychology.) What I know and what I do are two different entities.

I'm a newbie on here and I can't seem to be able to post my story etc..

My name is Susan but will go with emsgirl114. I'll explain why later.

I'm a few days from 46. I have 2 teen sons. 2 years ago I got a lapband and lost 62 pounds. About 9 months ago started having some problems and had band opened and slowly retightened to the tune of a 30 pound gain and swelling and stretching of my esphogas. Now my band was a great tool that helped me totally change my life including becoming a volunteer with my local fire department and now emt and firefighter I. Quite a feat for a middle age gal of any weight. I went from fretting the size of my butt to pumping chest and calming psych patients while raising sons, building a new relationship and maintaining my career. So why transition to the sleeve? With my dr support I made the decision to transition before things got out of control. So nov. 24 I had the procedure. I won't lie to anyone. This has been so painful and I can't wait to get through this stage. I'm not even 2 weeks in. But was hoping to be up and running by now. Over achiever. But here I am. Itching to jump on my ambulance, looking forward to achieving my new goal of weighting 152 at 5'7. That would be a total loss of 100 pounds from prelapband. That's me. Emsgirl114

My name is Susan but will go with emsgirl114. I'll explain why later.

I'm a few days from 46. I have 2 teen sons. 2 years ago I got a lapband and lost 62 pounds. About 9 months ago started having some problems and had band opened and slowly retightened to the tune of a 30 pound gain and swelling and stretching of my esphogas. Now my band was a great tool that helped me totally change my life including becoming a volunteer with my local fire department and now emt and firefighter I. Quite a feat for a middle age gal of any weight. I went from fretting the size of my butt to pumping chest and calming psych patients while raising sons, building a new relationship and maintaining my career. So why transition to the sleeve? With my dr support I made the decision to transition before things got out of control. So nov. 24 I had the procedure. I won't lie to anyone. This has been so painful and I can't wait to get through this stage. I'm not even 2 weeks in. But was hoping to be up and running by now. Over achiever. But here I am. Itching to jump on my ambulance, looking forward to achieving my new goal of weighting 152 at 5'7. That would be a total loss of 100 pounds from prelapband. That's me. Emsgirl114

My name is Susan but will go with emsgirl114. I'll explain why later.

I'm a few days from 46. I have 2 teen sons. 2 years ago I got a lapband and lost 62 pounds. About 9 months ago started having some problems and had band opened and slowly retightened to the tune of a 30 pound gain and swelling and stretching of my esphogas. Now my band was a great tool that helped me totally change my life including becoming a volunteer with my local fire department and now emt and firefighter I. Quite a feat for a middle age gal of any weight. I went from fretting the size of my butt to pumping chest and calming psych patients while raising sons, building a new relationship and maintaining my career. So why transition to the sleeve? With my dr support I made the decision to transition before things got out of control. So nov. 24 I had the procedure. I won't lie to anyone. This has been so painful and I can't wait to get through this stage. I'm not even 2 weeks in. But was hoping to be up and running by now. Over achiever. But here I am. Itching to jump on my ambulance, looking forward to achieving my new goal of weighting 152 at 5'7. That would be a total loss of 100 pounds from prelapband. That's me. Emsgirl114

My name is Susan but will go with emsgirl114. I'll explain why later.

I'm a few days from 46. I have 2 teen sons. 2 years ago I got a lapband and lost 62 pounds. About 9 months ago started having some problems and had band opened and slowly retightened to the tune of a 30 pound gain and swelling and stretching of my esphogas. Now my band was a great tool that helped me totally change my life including becoming a volunteer with my local fire department and now emt and firefighter I. Quite a feat for a middle age gal of any weight. I went from fretting the size of my butt to pumping chest and calming psych patients while raising sons, building a new relationship and maintaining my career. So why transition to the sleeve? With my dr support I made the decision to transition before things got out of control. So nov. 24 I had the procedure. I won't lie to anyone. This has been so painful and I can't wait to get through this stage. I'm not even 2 weeks in. But was hoping to be up and running by now. Over achiever. But here I am. Itching to jump on my ambulance, looking forward to achieving my new goal of weighting 152 at 5'7. That would be a total loss of 100 pounds from prelapband. That's me. Emsgirl114

My name is Susan but will go with emsgirl114. I'll explain why later.

I'm a few days from 46. I have 2 teen sons. 2 years ago I got a lapband and lost 62 pounds. About 9 months ago started having some problems and had band opened and slowly retightened to the tune of a 30 pound gain and swelling and stretching of my esphogas. Now my band was a great tool that helped me totally change my life including becoming a volunteer with my local fire department and now emt and firefighter I. Quite a feat for a middle age gal of any weight. I went from fretting the size of my butt to pumping chest and calming psych patients while raising sons, building a new relationship and maintaining my career. So why transition to the sleeve? With my dr support I made the decision to transition before things got out of control. So nov. 24 I had the procedure. I won't lie to anyone. This has been so painful and I can't wait to get through this stage. I'm not even 2 weeks in. But was hoping to be up and running by now. Over achiever. But here I am. Itching to jump on my ambulance, looking forward to achieving my new goal of weighting 152 at 5'7. That would be a total loss of 100 pounds from prelapband. That's me. Emsgirl114

My name is Susan but will go with emsgirl114. I'll explain why later.

I'm a few days from 46. I have 2 teen sons. 2 years ago I got a lapband and lost 62 pounds. About 9 months ago started having some problems and had band opened and slowly retightened to the tune of a 30 pound gain and swelling and stretching of my esphogas. Now my band was a great tool that helped me totally change my life including becoming a volunteer with my local fire department and now emt and firefighter I. Quite a feat for a middle age gal of any weight. I went from fretting the size of my butt to pumping chest and calming psych patients while raising sons, building a new relationship and maintaining my career. So why transition to the sleeve? With my dr support I made the decision to transition before things got out of control. So nov. 24 I had the procedure. I won't lie to anyone. This has been so painful and I can't wait to get through this stage. I'm not even 2 weeks in. But was hoping to be up and running by now. Over achiever. But here I am. Itching to jump on my ambulance, looking forward to achieving my new goal of weighting 152 at 5'7. That would be a total loss of 100 pounds from prelapband. That's me. Emsgirl114

Best of luck to you!! You ate quite brave. I wish you continued success!! Im 7 days out an going crazy w boredom. No more heavy carbs to help me sleep . Hang in there what other choice do you have ? Lol

Right! It is somewhat scary to think there is no reversal for this. But I know worth it.

Also. Hope your first week has been good.

@@ellefell

I had the lapband and now the sleeve. I've felt your pain.maybe it's time to visit with the nutritional counselor or really find ways to reduce your stress. You have achieved a great success and maintaining is hardest part.

Hi I am Dawn and I have been married over 20 years to my college sweet heart. I have a 17yr old daughter and a 14 year old son. In addition, I have 186 adopted babies as I call them. I have always struggled with my weight. The only time I was ever successful with my weight was when I weighed my food. At that point I was only eating 4oz at a meal three times a day. That did not last long. I see the sleave as a way to gain control of my portions and my eating. My husband worries because he sees my mobility diminish as I get older. I am 42 years old and walk like I am 90. I have started the process for the sleeve surgery. I have two more pcp visits go my three month insurance required diet plan. So far I have lost 20 pounds in two months by weighing my food and cuttting all carbs. Atkins diet on meth so to speak. But don't know how much longer I can keep it up. So tired of my weight making my choices for me.

Edited December 7, 201411 yr by psymom

Ladies if your spirit is any indications then I have no doubt you will be successful. Sometimes the only thing you can do is look at yourself and accept that you are more then your weight. Then get back up on that d...m horse and ride it for all it is worth. One step leads to another until you look back in amazement that you made it so far. Let this be our step.

Edited December 7, 201411 yr by psymom

I am exactly 2 months post op. Sleeve. I am 42 pounds down and it has been a bumpy road with learning how to eat. Maintain fluid intake and get my protein in. But..... I have no regrets, it has made it possible for me to gain control of my eating. I was never a big eater, just poor choices. Food is no longer fun so I am learning what works and it's a simple decision. I would rather have a boiled egg white than a piece of pizza! Yay me

I am exactly 2 months post op. Sleeve. I am 42 pounds down and it has been a bumpy road with learning how to eat. Maintain fluid intake and get my protein in. But..... I have no regrets, it has made it possible for me to gain control of my eating. I was never a big eater, just poor choices. Food is no longer fun so I am learning what works and it's a simple decision. I would rather have a boiled egg white than a piece of pizza! Yay me