Hello!!!

So I have been reading this forum for about 3wks now.

My name is Jess, I am from Upstate NY --well kinda upstate, like 1hr south of technical Upstate lol.. I am 28yrs old (soon to be 29), I have 2 children; boys, age 11 and 4. I am in a commited relationship with my fiance Nicole -of 2yrs. I have been overweight pretty much my whole life. When I was in high school I bounced between 160-190 (I am 5ft 4in) --when I got pregnant with my oldest son, I was 17 and during that pregnancy I gained nearly 120lbs and the day I delivered him I weighed 300lbs. The next year of his life I went between 290-333lbs. This weight pattern continued until he was 4yrs old, and I divorced his father and awhile later met my youngest son's father. When I met my youngest sons father I was between 250-270lbs. A lot of life changes happened, including me leaving the USA to go live with him in Lebanon and then later Saudi Arabia. Those were some big issues for me, no one in Lebanon is overweight. It was tough being around his family who were for the most part very health aware.I didnt get pregnant right away (we married in June 2005) and it was very stressful because he was ready for a child right then, so of course we had family asking what the issue was etc. Finally in Sept 07 I got pregnant with my youngest son, I was around 270 when I got pregnant with him. during his pregnancy I was VERY sick --the smell of cooking food would turn my stomach. I was down to 240 by the time I was 5mths pregnant --at that time I came back to America, alone, to spend the rest of my pregnancy with my family and deliver here. The day I had him I was 239lbs. I left the hospital somehow at 245. The sickness went away for awhile and I got back up to 289 --by Sept 08 I knew something was wrong because I was having so much pain ---I finally went to see a Dr in Saudi Arabia who did an ultrasound and found out I had a massive amount of gallstones. Off to the USA I go again ----In Oct 08 I was hanging around 270-290lbs, I had my gallbladder out in Dec 08, Feb 09 I was 238 ...and by Oct 09 I was back up to 299. I wasnt doing anything different --except I could actually keep food down. Fast forward to Dec 2009, my 2nd ex husband got physical with me while I was holding our son, I played the nice wife until I got a plane ticket back to the USA, got back here in Jan 2010 and filed for divorce. I have been up and down with my weight the past 10-12yrs --I currently sit at my highest weight of 341lbs. I have been researching WLS for 10yrs, but never thought I would be brave enough to go thru with it. Well this year changed all of that, I realize I NEED to get healthy. I have tried so many things from dr monitored diets to topamax to wellbutrin, all with no success and in the end I weigh more then I started.

I know this is all a jumble of information, but wanted to provide as much detail as possible. I went to my seminar May 15th --sent my application out 10 days ago, and today I found out I have my very first appt with the bariatric clinic on July 6th!! Im so excited. Nervous of course, but excited!!! I wanted to join in on this forum because I know it will be a great comfort to me over the next chapter in my life. I look forward to getting to know you all!!!!

~Jess

Well done on making the decision to reclaim your health and wellbeing. Good luck! I did not find this forum until post surgery and really wish I had found it prior, friendly folk with loads of experience, advice and wisdom.

GREAT. We are are with ya. Say good bye to your old clothes is the best thing. Your health will really improve. We all are scarred, it is a big change. My hardest thing was saying good bye to the comfort food gave me. but the surgery helped. You really really dont want to eat. Beleive it it is true, I have to make my self eat. But you will do it. You made it this far.

I am so excited for you. Good luck

Wow..your journey hasn't been easy..and I can say..it still won't be be..BUT ..it will all be worth it!!

Wow..your journey hasn't been easy..and I can say..it still won't be be..BUT ..it will all be worth it!!

And welcome to the club! You'll be sitting on the losers bench in no time!

Thanks everyone!! im very excited! nervous of course but excited.

Welcome! You will find loads of inspiration and support on this website. Best wishes on your new journey!