Hi everyone i have been coming on VST for a couple months now but have been researching VSG for about a year and finally i made the decision, finally got insurance(medicaid) so i'm doing all the test and lab work, so i can get the VSG and i have to wait to get Athem Health Keepers Plus in Feb and once i get that i should be able to sched my surgery in Feb(fingers crossed). I am just so ready for this journey to being. I feel so huge like a whale that i wont even take pictures. Today(Christmas) was so wonderful for the kids and i wanted to so badly to take pictures with them but i just did not want and have to place them a fb and have people see how fat i got. I mean WOW the woman i use to be is not even close to who i am(weight wise) and honestly its depressing I just want to lose this weight like right now.

I know some others have to be going through this or atleast been through it. I really could use a picker upper. If you all can share some thought or story...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

I understand about the pictures and as my family took pictures and I avoided them like the plague. My surgery is Jan.22 and my daughter gets married June 22. I hope by then I will feel better about getting my picture taken. I so want to feel good about myself by then. I had my picture taken at a work gathering last week and almost freaked out when I saw the picture, but it will make a great before shot. I think we are on the right path aqnd the future will be better.

My pictures today further reenforced my decision I don't feel fat but the pictures do tell a completely different picture I wonder if I didn't have to run all over the place with my kids if I would be even larger..omg...raises glass...this toast it to all you lovely ladies and gents who will take this journey for better health and let's face it were gonna turn so heads.... yay

Congrats on your decision to take control of your health. I am 7 dpo and I know exactly what you mean. I dread running into people I went to school with and I never post pictures of myself on facebook. A little encouragement for you- I am one of the lower bmi people. Starting weight was 224 and 220 on day of surgery. I am a shorty-5'2". Today I decided to weigh myself. I told myself I wasn't going to because I knew I would lose slower since I was smaller to begin with and I didn't want to get discouraged. I have lost 15 lbs in 1 week! I can't wait until this time next year when my kids and my hubby and I can take our first family photo and send it out with our Christmas cards. Best of luck to you and keep your head up. Something that helped me was to make a list of all the things I wanted to do when I got healthy! Maybe try it and hang it on your fridge!

I am right there with you. I have tried to go through my insurance and after a year of red tape, have decided to go to Mexico for self pay.I am depressed, self loathing at times, my body aches all over, I'm always tired, always hungry and quite frankly, hate getting out of bed everyday. I vowed earlier today that this will be the last Christmas like this. There is hope. I read about it everyday on here. It isn't going to be easy but these people on here attest that it can be done. We are going to get there.

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming"-

Dori, Finding Nemo :-)

Thank you all. So glad I'm not alone. I can't wait until this time next year that's all I keep reminding myself.

I took pictures of all my children on Christmas day happily. But there was not even a thought in mind that I would have my picture taken! however I did take pictures with my Dh in July at a close friends wedding with a sleeveless dress on. Later, I went to show some co workers the pictures and was embarrassed at my large arms. And that alone reinforced my plans for this Surgery. I get it! But you too have your own reasons.

Don't let it get you down, time really dose fly.

Soon you will be Rocking that sleeve and in the family pic.

Congrats!!

2013 is our Year!

I completely understand how you are feeling. We just returned from a trip to Disney World last week. It was hard but I forced myself to pose with my kiddos and Mickey and Minnie and countless others. I did it for my kids because they don't see me as fat..they just see me as mom. I have sat out of many many pictures in the past and I've taken a "what the hell" attitude about it recently. I hope to be sleeved early 2013 so these will be the LAST Disney pics of me that look this way. That thought was empowering to me!

Wow its so amazing to know so many others are going through this. I know sleeve day will be here so and next year I will be healthy and able to take pics with my beautiful children

This will change for you, believe me. I was sleeved 8/20 and for the first time in forever I'm not upset with pictures that I'm in. It's a huge relief and actually an emotional moment when you look at a picture and realize how much you've changed. Get ready, you're about to have an amazing time!

This will change for you' date=' believe me. I was sleeved 8/20 and for the first time in forever I'm not upset with pictures that I'm in. It's a huge relief and actually an emotional moment when you look at a picture and realize how much you've changed. Get ready, you're about to have an amazing time![/quote']

I personally cant wait to be sleeved!

Taking family picture later for me will be bonus!

Good luck all!

ready for this journey to being. I feel so huge like a whale that i wont even take pictures.

daluvoflife

i can relate to your comment about not wanting to be in pictures

past many, many years - hid from the camera - stood in back of others - did not want to be in any picture

had to search high and low to find a picture of me for my "before" shot on this board

now at goal and 100 lbs down - i had a wonderful holiday, waiting for many more in my future

picture to follow shortly

hope you get scheduled ASAP - things do work out, and you'll love being sleeved

on your way to health and happiness for this and all the new years to come

I feel the same way. I hate getting my picture taken. Im depressed and it's hard for me to want to go our and do things. You aren't alone.

Man I so feel the same as you all! We had friends over Christmas Eve and they wanted to take pictures I HATE taking pictures. Well later that night my friend posted the pictures on Facebook. UGH!!!! I can't believe I'm so friggin HUGE. Like another poster said I don't feel that big. And you don't. I can't wait till I have this surgery.

Sent from my iPhone using VST

I can't wait until the surgery day. I just did my preop bloodwork N ultrasound and upper GI as I was leaving from my exams I was thanking God that I'm getting closer to surgery :-)

I stay away from cameras !!! My sleeve date is jan 5th so hopefully I will be more confident to get in front of cameras again