So my name is Karen and I have been heavy all of my life. I know that obesity runs in my family, that and crippled with the death of my father at a young age as well as my grandmother (who was like a second mother to me)...I turned to food for comfort. Soon I was made fun of in school and became socially akward. Needless to say that food again was my comfort. I did losiabetee a lot of weight my junior year, as I was an exchange student to germany, which boosted my confidence, upped my exercise and completely changed my diet. Upon returning home though everything came back, people can be soo cruel, I had to once again put up with the people who ganged up on me in the past. I quickly gained the weight back, and was once again unhappy.

School went by, college flew as I worked full time, went to college full time, helped my mother at home and helped raise my little brother. I had finally gotten out of hating myself, but my love of food did not go away...I loved all of the not so healthy foods, so my weight issue did not go away. I did realize that I needed to eat healthier, and started to do that, I also got a gym membership and went faithfully. Unfortunately in 3 months I saw no change and quickly got discouraged.

Years went by, and then in 2007 my mother actually decided to have gastric bypass surgery. She was 320 pounds a size 26 and had type 2 diabetes. I watched in anticipation thinking that perhaps this might be my answer as well. I watched her and saw the issues she had, chicken and many other foods did not agree with her and just putting the food in her mouth quickly sent her to the bathroom. I still watched figuring perhaps things would get better...they didnt, and I watched my mom become a walking skeleton, who then began to judge me and my size. Every comment hurt especially since I was getting married.

Flash Forward to May 2012, my husbands friend told us about her experience with the verticle sleeve surgery and how much weight she had lost (she was my size pre-op) Now she is beautiful, skinny and in shape. At this point I was 311 and although happily married, wanted to definately get myself more healthy. I started doing my own research, went to first a support group, then a seminar. Needless to say that July started a diet and 6 months of nutrition classes, a sleep study, upper GI, ultrasound, bloodwork, cardiology work-up, a psych evaluation, and a gall bladder removal, I am less than 3 weeks from my big day. The best part about it though is that I am not doing it alone. My husband is having the surgery the same day! We have eachother to support us and will get in shape together (we got eachother a bike for christmas, have dogs to walk and I will be adding him to my gym membership. In some ways I am nervous about the surgery, and in others, I am so excited. I hope I do half as well as My husbands friend, and cant wait. I know I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, but am looking forward to the challenge, and also being able to buy my clothing from the store in the mall where my co-workers shop.

Congratulations on your life changing decision, and it's awesome that you and your husband are doing it together. That will make it so much easier as you won't have to watch him eat things you cannot. I am only 2 weeks out and am so thankful that I chose to have this done. You and your husband will do great.

Very nice... im happy for both of you, please keep us updated

Congrats! It will be amazing and awesome for you and your hubby. My husband and I are going on this journey together too! I was sleeved on 10/3/12 and hubby was sleeved 12/19/12. We are both doing great! And we are SO happy we made this choice. You will too!

Just remember, DO NOT compare yourself to your hubby. I am 3 months out and down 40 pounds. Hubby is 15 days out and down 30 pounds! Never a fair assessment between men and women but just remember...slow and steady wins the race!

Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress. SO happy for you guys!!!

Good luck to you and your husband. Wishing you happy shopping in the future.

Thank you everyone for the warm wishes. I already know my hubbie will be down quicker than me...he ultimately has more to lose too. we have been dieting together since July 2012 and he has lost at least 30 pounds...me I have lost 15...I just cant believe the big day is almost here!! 17 days and counting

Wow - such an amazing journey to go on together. Keep us posted and congratulations!

I am in the researching and planning phase... Im so very excited to have this procedure done... Wish I were where you are but know that it will all come in dilligent time!!! Good good luck to you... So nice that you have your husband by your side... What a comfort... I hope you do well loose lots of weight and become more healthy... Keep us posted!!!

So my name is Karen and I have been heavy all of my life. I know that obesity runs in my family' date=' that and crippled with the death of my father at a young age as well as my grandmother (who was like a second mother to me)...I turned to food for comfort. Soon I was made fun of in school and became socially akward. Needless to say that food again was my comfort. I did losiabetee a lot of weight my junior year, as I was an exchange student to germany, which boosted my confidence, upped my exercise and completely changed my diet. Upon returning home though everything came back, people can be soo cruel, I had to once again put up with the people who ganged up on me in the past. I quickly gained the weight back, and was once again unhappy.

School went by, college flew as I worked full time, went to college full time, helped my mother at home and helped raise my little brother. I had finally gotten out of hating myself, but my love of food did not go away...I loved all of the not so healthy foods, so my weight issue did not go away. I did realize that I needed to eat healthier, and started to do that, I also got a gym membership and went faithfully. Unfortunately in 3 months I saw no change and quickly got discouraged.

Years went by, and then in 2007 my mother actually decided to have gastric bypass surgery. She was 320 pounds a size 26 and had type 2 diabetes. I watched in anticipation thinking that perhaps this might be my answer as well. I watched her and saw the issues she had, chicken and many other foods did not agree with her and just putting the food in her mouth quickly sent her to the bathroom. I still watched figuring perhaps things would get better...they didnt, and I watched my mom become a walking skeleton, who then began to judge me and my size. Every comment hurt especially since I was getting married.

Flash Forward to May 2012, my husbands friend told us about her experience with the verticle sleeve surgery and how much weight she had lost (she was my size pre-op) Now she is beautiful, skinny and in shape. At this point I was 311 and although happily married, wanted to definately get myself more healthy. I started doing my own research, went to first a support group, then a seminar. Needless to say that July started a diet and 6 months of nutrition classes, a sleep study, upper GI, ultrasound, bloodwork, cardiology work-up, a psych evaluation, and a gall bladder removal, I am less than 3 weeks from my big day. The best part about it though is that I am not doing it alone. My husband is having the surgery the same day! We have eachother to support us and will get in shape together (we got eachother a bike for christmas, have dogs to walk and I will be adding him to my gym membership. In some ways I am nervous about the surgery, and in others, I am so excited. I hope I do half as well as My husbands friend, and cant wait. I know I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, but am looking forward to the challenge, and also being able to buy my clothing from the store in the mall where my co-workers shop.[/quote']

Welcome and congrats!