I'm 31 years old and have been fat for the past 12 years or so. I struggled with anorexia in high school because my dad was always calling me fat and that if i could pinch an inch I needed to lose weight. He was physically and emotionally abusive to my mom, sisters, and I.

After I got a fiance and started feeling decent about eating in front of him all hell broke loose lol.

I don't know what happened but I kept gaining weight. It was like my body rebeling against me.

I've tried for 10 years or so to lose weight and I'd lose a little and gain even more back. I've tried South Beach, Slim Fast, Weight Watchers, the gym, and more to lose weight and I can't keep it off.

I was talking to a gal at work that just had gastric bypass and I was always one of "those people" that said "I don't need surgery, thats a cop out, thats the easy way out." When in fact I think I was just jealous of them taking control of their weight. The gal I was talking to told me about the sleeve since my only reason for not doing surgery was because I didn't want a foreign object in me and I didn't want my intestines re-routed. It was like a light bulb went off!!!!

I researched everything I could and decided to do it!

I looked up my insurance info and found the Northwest Weight Loss Surgery center in Everett, Wa. They had a lot of great reviews. I didnt' know what doctor to choose so the receptionist picked her fave doc for me. I love Dr. Michaelson. When I went into my consult he told me I was more knowledgable than med students he's seen!!! Makes me feel good lol. (I went to school for medical assisting and I want to be a Nurse Practitioner someday)

I had my first meeting with my nutritionist this week and can't believe how much my portions really were! The size of fruit is supposed to be like a tennis ball....the oranges I buy are huge and so are the apples. I was eating almost 6 or 7 servings of fruit a day! and 2-3 servings of chicken at one meal...

I told my husband I'm going to do this and he supports me although he thought that I was just going to go have my fat cut off...lol...he's silly.

Hello! Nice to "meet" you! Congrats on making the decision to take your life back! I have not done a formal introduction on here yet, but you have inspired me to do so! I too am 31 and started packing on the pounds after HS. The past 12 years have been a constant battle with my weight. I finally decided that this was battle I could not do alone. In August I made the first step and contacted a surgeon (who also happens to be in WA) and here I am today, on day #6 of my liquid diet. Surgery is scheduled for this Tuesday the 20th! I wish you the best on your journey! I'll be watching for your updates!

Your story feels so familiar to me. I really can relate especially to how the lightbulb went off when you heard about the sleeve. This is totally my experience. I felt too uncomfortable with the bypass to do it I was approved once for it about 6 years ago and chickened out. When I heard about the sleeve I knew that it was for me and I can tell you at 9 months post up it was BY FAR the best decision I have ever made in my life. It has completely turned my life around. I am so happy for you!

Hey Gals! I feel like we are all part of some kind of VGS sisterhood I have a degree in sports medicine, I have worked under a football strengthening coach and I have taught PE... yet, I am fat.I have tried so many ways to rationalize not getting the surgery however when I think about the health benefits, I know my efforts to get help in my weightloss journey are not in vain. Of course, I still sometimes think that I can do this without help but the fact is, I NEED HELP AND THIS IS THE TOOL TO HELP!!!! Thank you melaniek for sharing your story and remember that you are doing what you need to do to take back your health! To hell with anyone who wants to criticize us for wanting to be healthly. Congratulations and I hope your journey goes well.

Hey Melaniek. Welcome to the forum. I am 32 and have been struggling with mines for the last 10 yrs maybe. This is actually my 2nd attempt to surgery. My first one was 2 yrs ago, while trying to do the lap band. I bagged out at the end of my 6 months cus I too thought that I could do it on my own. I was then 230 to 240. After the two years passed by, my weight soared to the highest ever..290. As the weight continued, someone told me about the sleeve and I to began researching it and fell in love with wanting to take back control over myself and do something about the situation. In my research, I found this forum. Didnt join at first. I was so moved and touched by the openness that everyone endured for one another. I loved the fact that I could read posts of people that were feeling what I was feeling and were so so honest about thier feelings. I have never been the one to join social networks. I dont even have a facebook page but I have fallen obessed with checking into this forum SEVERAL times a day. I want to read what others are going through and be a comfort to and for someone who feelings what I have felt or am feeling. I want to say again welcome. You are headed in your new direction and have found a new family to join along with you