Hello,

First off I want to introduce myslef.

I'm a 32 year old working mom in charge of a 6 yr old boy and a husband . I just recently got a new job working from home which is great! My stress level has gone down but not my waist size!

I have been struggling with weight my whole life. When I was a kid I was chubby during puberty then leveled out to about a size 12-14 in high shcool. Still back then I felt huge all my friends were tiny little things.

I've never realy had an much of an image issue. I had several friends and boyfriends and just felt it was okay to be the big girl in the group. I was big and proud of it. Until after I met my husband my weight creeped up and I was a size 22 when I got married. At one point in recent years I was up to a size 26 weighed 293. I am 5'8" so that is big for my size.

I went on Atkins-lost 70 lbs.- got pregnant and gained it all back plus some.

I've done the diabetic diet, south beach, Micheal Thurmans, Boflex. It all works but then eventually I gain it all back.

I am by no means looking for a quick fix but I think this may help kkep the weight off. I just recently discovered bariatric surgery is covered on my insurance plan.

I have always thought in the back of my mind if I could do it I would. Now that I have health issues along with it I want to more than ever. I just recently found that I have Fatty Liver Diese. I am taking Metformin because I have PCOS. I also have GERD and pain in my lower back. They also think I could have Sleep Apnea. At 32 I should not have all of these problems!

One other thing we bought season passes to six flags this year and I am afraid to even try riding some of the rides because I'm afraid I won't fit! Luckily my son isn't tall enough to ride most of the big rides so he won't know that embarassement of mommy not fitting on the ride.

I want to get healthy and I want to ride rides with my son! .

My current weight is 267 and I am wearing a 24.

Sooooo.....I have been studing all of the surgeries out there and I think this is the one for me! The risk is scary but I just think this will fit me perfect.

I am currently doing weight watchers and seeing a dietician so I hope that helps with this process?

I go to my first Baratric appointment May 8th which is actually a siminar.

Just wanted to see what I should expect and thought if I joined this group it would help me along the way.

Thank you everyone for reading my story!

You and me are about the same weight. I am currently 270, wear size 18/20. I am scheduled to be sleeved on May 16th. Even though I do not have kids, I want to be health when I do. I went to the seminar, read all the articles, Youtube, etc. I really think this is the best route for ME! Thats the key, you have to be sure this is what YOU want. If it is, and your docotor agrees, then go for it. One recommendation I would give upfront is to only share your journey with a few people. It seems that alot people have had issues with family and friends discouraging them or trying to sway them away from the procedure. DO whats best for you and your family, and what will make you happy and HEALTH. This fourm is full of information and great people, so am sure you will get plenty of guidance and encourangement, no matter what decesion you make

Ditto. The seminar is great and so is this forum. If you have support group meetings in your area I would encourage you to attend. They helped me quite a bit. Up until the day of my surgery I was flying solo and didn't have support from the family. This was a risk that I was willing to take as I wanted to be healthy and enjoy life again. Do what's right for you. Don't let others get in your ear and try to discourage you. It's the fear of the unknown and unless they are willing to take the time to learn and ask questions, that's negative energy you don't need. Read the forum, ask questions and there are enough people on here that you can send personal messages to if you want. We've been where you are so if we can help, please let us.

This is a major decision, not only because of the surgery (which is NOT an insignificant procedure) but mainly because of the lifelong commitment you have to make to making it work. The decision was easy for me, I was tired of being the fat guy and nothing else I ever did worked. I love eating and I still miss it, but I am loving more the physical changes and the improvement of my overall health...not to mention the improvement in my life expectancy. Welcome to the forum and I wish you best of luck.

This is the best decision I could of made for my self personally and for my health. I was first looking at the lap band but then realized that the lap band was only a temporary decision and would need surgery again to have it removed and I didn't like the refill stuff. I also had an old friend that I ran into that had the band 2 years previous and she was still way over weight. So I wanted something that was permanent. Now I have it and love it! The sleeve rules! I hope you will join us on the BIG LOSER'S BENCH!

Thank you everyone for your support.

I did talk to my primary care physician today and she would like me to keep seeing the dietician in the mean time. Which is no problem for me because my company requires 6 months of physician diet anyway before surgery.

She also would like me to keep the appointment for the bariatric seminar. I'm not sure if she is thrilled with the idea yet.

I have been looking everywhere online and in documentation sent by the insurance carrier and I realy think this is the surgery for me.

I do have a strong drive when I set my mind to something but when it comes to weight loss I also seem to gain it back. I know this is a head issue I need to deal with too.

I think the surgery may help me hold myself accountable.

Delta_35: thanks for the advise about telling people I have been kinda leary about it anyway. So far it is just between the doctors my husband and my mother.

Thanks again everyone!

Glad to have joined.