Hello, everyone! I am a 32 year old female from Portland, Oregon, and I'm in the very beginning stages of my WLS journey.

I just applied last week to a clinic, was got the call on Thursday from the insurance coordinator. She said that my insurance does cover the surgery, and that I don't need to do any doctor supervised diets - the only requirement is that the insurance company wants to know an exact surgery date 6 months in advanced. So basically at my first appointment I'll get my surgery date (probably sometime in November, I'm thinking) and then the waiting will begin.

I'm 5'2 and I weight 240. I've been heavy most of the life, although in high school I was down to about 140, thanks to bulimia (not proud of that, but eating disorders definitely play a role in my weight history. I have 4 beautiful children, and last year I decided that I wanted to become a surrogate. I tried my best to get healthy and lose weight, and I went from 250 to 180. It was at this time that I was matched with an infertile couple and I started my surrogacy journey. I gained a bunch of weight due to the fertility meds I was on, and I got pregnant weighing about 200. I gained a lot of weight with that 5th pregnancy, and I delivered at about 260. Sadly, here I am 6 months later, and i'm only down about 20 pounds from when I delivered. But being able to hand an infertile couple the gift of their healthy, beautiful newborn son was by far one of the coolest moments of my life, and I will never regret doing that.

I am now officially hanging up my uterus ( ) and saying no more pregnancies! It is time that I focus on me, and my health. I am so tired of my weight being such an issue for me. I hate the self loathing that I feel every time I see myself in a mirror, and see a picture of myself. I am tired of not feeling worthy to my parents, especially compared to my skinny siblings. I'm just tired of being fat.

I have a very supportive husband whom I love dearly, and I know that with him, we can do anything. I'm excited about the possibility of having this surgery done, and I'm excited about getting healthy.

Welcome! Thanks for sharing your story. Good luck on yor journey. It is the best decision I have ever made!!

Hello and welcome, I'm also having the sleeve in late autumn,

Hi and welcome! You sounds like a amazing and I giving person! Good for you taking this step and giving to yourself what you have giving to others! The gift of life! You will be happy you have. Made this choice! Best Wishes!

"Giving myself have I have given others - the gift of life."

I hadn't thought of it that way! Thank you - I love that perspective!

Welcome! What a loving gift you gave that couple! You unselfishly sacrificed and now it's your turn to receive blessings! Good luck on your journey.