Hi, my name is Nancy and I think my journey started about 20 years ago. My childhood and teen years were filled with a very appropriately-sized young lady that thought she could eat anything and not gain weight. Well I was wrong! And so wrong because when I did start gaining weight I tried every possible, unhealthy option I could to lose weight. The older I got the wiser my weight loss choices, but by then my body had found a rhythm of dropping 25 and gaining 35. Ugh! A few years ago I started going to my doctor regularly. I had prescription appetite suppressants and I tried hard to get the workouts in, but by this time I had done enough damage to my body and had been carrying excess weight for such an extended period of time, my skeleton rejected everything my head and heart truly wanted to do. Bike riding seemed to be the only thing my body would allow without too much pain, but it wasn't enough.

Bariatric surgery used to be a non-option unless you were at least 100 pounds over weight. I never did fall into that category, I usually hovered around 80 pounds overweight. But then this year I found out there are other ways that someone like me can qualify (high cholesterol) and BMI, arthritis, swelling, GERD, etc. (I hit about 4 more categories as well)! So I jumped through the hoops and had my surgery on March 27, 2012!!!!

One of the hardest parts of my journey, so far, is being judged. I'm judged by people that think I'm taking the easy way out and should just eat less and exercise more; and I've been judged by people that are significantly heavier than I am questioning why or how I should qualify. The bottom line is I did qualify and I am deserving of this opportunity- this is my gift to myself!

So here I am! Eleven days post surgery and feeling like a million bucks! Happy losing Everyone!! I'm looking forward to meeting people and sharing in this journey!

You've started a good thread. Happy losing to you! So sad others are judgmental. Glad you feel like a million bucks!!! :-)

Welcome Nancy!

I haven't told anyone yet, so I don't know about the judging part, and my first day back at work is tomorrow. I wouldn't say this is the easy way out. I was never really overweight until my thirties, but since that time I have tried a myriad of diets and ways to get back into my old self. What I came to realize is that the habits that I had built, as a child and teenager, of hiding sweets and indulging secretly and generally just making food choices based on emotions, were the real sabotagers in my quest.

It took me a long time to get to this point, and it will take me a long time to get out. What I see the beauty of this aide of vsg is that it is a support for my sincere desire to change my life. Obviously, I need support, and no one has the right to judge someone for that.

Best wishes to you!

Good for you!

You are in charge of your destiny, your life and your health.

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you all for your support! :-)

I was sleeved on 4/3 and have got some of the same reactions . My BMI barely qualified but I had several of the co morbidities . The pre op nurse asked how much I was able to loose on the pre diet when I said almost 20 lbs she said " you don't think you can loose more on your own and not have this surgery " I said sure I can loose it and gain it back twice! I felt judged! I was extremely nauseous after surgery and vomited most of the day / night .. A different nurse said why did you have this done ?. I said because I want to feel better and I have 2 kids to live and be heathy for. So I definetly understand what your feeing .

Ugh - judged by the nurses?!? So not fair. Sorry that happened.

Congrats and happy losing!!

I hate how people judge! I just started to tell others, I haven't had surgery yet but wanted to let people know it's something that's going to happen, and since then I've been very open and honest. I was just told by someone who struggles with her own weight and losing that I do not need to go through WLS, all I have to do believe in myself. It took everything inside me to ask her "so tell me how is that working for you?" I didn't. But I wanted to!

People are so rude! My best friend is very judgmental and it keeps me from sharing things with her. When I told her I was going to have this surgery she told me I didn't need it. I wasn't that obese. I'm like WTH? This really pushed me away from her and now I'm practicing forgiveness for ignorance. I still tell everyone bc this is the greatest thing I could of done for myself. I'm happy and there are times when I really want to eat more but I can't. Thankful for my sleeve!!

The pre op nurse asked how much I was able to loose on the pre diet when I said almost 20 lbs she said " you don't think you can loose more on your own and not have this surgery " I said sure I can loose it and gain it back twice! I felt judged! I was extremely nauseous after surgery and vomited most of the day / night .. A different nurse said why did you have this done ?. I said because I want to feel better and I have 2 kids to live and be heathy for. So I definetly understand what your feeing .

I never understood why people who are anti-bariatric surgery go work with bariatric surgery patients....can't they find some other place to be all high and mighty, like an STD clinic or something?

Being judged is a part of this journey...so are ignorant/rude comments. I nipped ALL that in the bud with my friends/family. I made it CLEAR that this is MY body, MY choice...and if anything has ANYthing to say to me that is not positive, they can keep it to themselves, because I CAN and will exclude them from my life. I will not allow anyone to diminish my joy in this journey. Putting my foot down comes easily to me and I practice it well. Take your joy...it's yours!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm lucky, I suppose...I've been very vocal about my upcoming surgery and am so darned excited about it, I don't think anyone would dare to say anything against it. . If they did, I suppose I would give them my reasons for doing it and, if they still weren't on board, I might just go the distance & tell them evryone's entitled to their opinion, but their's isn't going to change mine, so perhaps they should quit while they are ahead. . So far as those nurses go, shame on them! I would tell your surgeon about it. You're in a vulnerable state & they are saying things that are somewhat treasonous...don't you think? I don't understand why strangers feel the need to comment on the decision of someone that isn't known to them. Crazy!

Wow! It's crazy to think of all of us in this same boat. I am 2 weeks out as of tomorrow and now that I've gone through it and am making sure I take advantage of this gift -the people around me appear much more accepting. We'll see. Today is my first day back at work! Good luck everyone!

Great job Nancy. Your story is my story. Thank you for sharing!